Our four-day exploration includes the antiquities of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai and the beautiful landscapes of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces. After collection from centrally located hotels in Bangkok, we step back in time to the Ayutthaya era, the nation’s former capital between 1350 1767. During its heyday, merchants came from across the globe to conduct business. This resultant wealth financed the magnificence of the city’s architecture. We will discover the ruins of palaces, temples, monasteries and statues set on a 4 km wide island at the confluence of three rivers. Highlights include Wat Chaimongkol temple, a hub of the Buddhist nun community, ancient Wat Mahathat, famous for the serene Buddha image enshrined within the gnarled roots of a thousand-year-old tree and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, originally a royal chapel and long revered as a spiritual hub by the Thai people. Continuing on to Lopburi, we make a stop at Phra Prang Sam Yod, a Khmer-style Hindu sanctuary adorned with three imposing towers. This is also renowned as a sanctuary for hundreds of long-tailed macaques. Playful and well-fed, these apes have become a leading attraction in the area. Next, we visit Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat. This ancient temple is renowned for its tallest Prang, or sacred spire, in Lop Buri. The Lop Buri-style Prang at the front of the temple was built around 1157 AD, during the Khmer rule of the town. After lunch at a local restaurant, we proceed to Phitsanuloke, one of the most prominent cities in the lower north of Thailand, where we overnight.

Overnight in Phitsanuloke.

Today we embark on a journey to explore the magnificent Sukhothai Historical Park. Nestled amidst meticulously manicured greenery, this park includes the ruins of the ancient capital that dates back to the 13^th century. Sukhothai, meaning the ‘dawn of happiness’ was the golden era of Thai civilization. The remains of the kingdom can be seen in a 45 sq-km World Heritage Site containing 193 antiquities of royal palaces, temples, city gates, walls, moats and dams spread amid ponds, rice paddies and villages. The best way to explore is by bike and we use two wheels to visit the iconic White Buddha of Wat Sri Chum, known as the ‘Temple of the Sacred Tree’. This is adorned with gold leaf and it is revered by both locals and visitors. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue our journey to the intriguing city of Chiang Rai, with a stop en route  at picturesque Phayao Lake, nestled in the valley of the Ing River. This is a pleasant place to enjoy a stroll along the lake’s banks. As a gesture of good luck, we feed the fish before reaching our destination in the evening.

Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day three commences with a first stop at Wat Rong Khun. Also known as the White Temple, this iconic masterpiece was created by legendary artist and designer Chalermchai Kositpipat. We also explore Wat Rong Suea Ten, known as the Blue Temple, this modern Buddhist sanctuary is characterised by a vibrant interplay of blue and yellow hues adorning the structure. After cultural exploration, we enjoy a view of a spectacular landscape at the famous Golden Triangle, the meeting point of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. From atop a hill, we absorb magnificent views of the Mekong River and its tributary, the Ruak River which geometrically divides the borders of the three countries, forming the famous triangular shape. Our next call is the Hall Of Opium museum, a fascinating interactive attraction. After lunch at a local restaurant, we take a three-hour road trip to Chiang Mai. In the evening, we visit the city’s most famous temple, Wat Doi Suthep, elevated above the landscape with views of the provincial capital and the rolling countryside.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

An insight into fine tea starts our day with a visit to Araksa Tea Garden. This is located in picturesque hills and it specializes in premium Assam tea. We get an insight into organic tea cultivation and take part in harvesting leaves. We then head to Araksa Tea House for lunch, followed by a delightful tasting experience of teas paired with Thai snacks. After this, we return to our Chiang Mai hotel for some free time. At 5 pm, we embark on a sustainable exploration of the city’s iconic attractions in eco-friendly electric tuk-tuks, including a brief Buddhist blessing ceremony by monks at Wat Sri Suphan. We then head to a riverside restaurant to enjoy the classic Northern Thai dish of khao soi, followed by a transfer back to the hotel. There are many riverside bars with live music to enjoy and we can stay out later and head back to the hotel independently.

Please note: For animal enthusiasts, there’s the option to swap the visit to the Araksa Tea Garden with a visit to an ethical Elephant Sanctuary. Under expert guidance, we can care for the friendly jumbos. Lunch is included at the sanctuary, followed by the return to the hotel to continue the main tour activities. Supplementary fees apply.

After lunch, we’ll return to our hotel in Chiang Mai.

Transfer to Chiang Mai airport in time for the onward flight: it is suggested that the departure flight be scheduled no earlier than 6:00 PM.