Thailand, From Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Cultural Escapade in Thailand 3^*

Arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport.

Welcome to Bangkok, the "City of Angels", Southeast Asia's metropolis par excellence and the region's most dynamic capital. This city has an extraordinary history and spirituality, where Thai temples line the river banks, colorful palaces glitter in the sunshine, and the river meanders through the heart of the city. Shopping enthusiasts won't be disappointed, between the high-quality handicrafts and the opportunity to bargain in some of Asia's most chic shops. If you're more of a gourmet, you'll be delighted by the tasty dishes on offer around every corner.

Your guide will give you a warm welcome before taking you to your hotel. There's no doubt that this city will leave you with unforgettable memories! Check-in and the rest of the day free to recuperate from your trip. Dinner on your own.

Meals included : None

** Arrival of international flight must be between 06:00 and 20:00. Outside these times, please add a private transfer at extra cost**

Distances and travel time Bangkok airport - hotel: 32 kilometers - approx. 45 minutes.

The room is available from 14:00.

At 8:00 this morning, meet your English-speaking guide.

Head north to nearby Ayutthaya.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

10.00am - 5.00pm: Bang Pa In Summer Palace and the fabulous ruins of Ayutthaya:

Visit the Bang Pa In Summer Palace and the ruins of Ayutthaya, destroyed then rebuilt. The Summer Palace blends Eastern and Western architecture. Explore Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with sites such as Wat Yai Chai Mongkhol, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathat.

Finish the afternoon with the Bang Lan market, with its many food stalls and specialities, where locals buy or sample a selection of popular Thai cuisine.

Dinner on your own.

Meals included: Hotel breakfast, Lunch in a local restaurant.

At 8:00 this morning, meet your guide.

10.45am to 11.30am: Visit to Wat Tha Sung

Today you'll leave Ayutthaya and head north across the central plains. You'll stop at Uthai Thani, in the heart of the country's rice granary, where you'll visit the Wat Tha Sung Temple, one of Thailand's most impressive and often called the "glass temple" because of its interior covered with thousands of tiny mirrors.

**12:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Sakaekrang River Lunch Cruise

Embark on a picturesque cruise on the Sakaekrang River, where a traditional way of life lives on alongside floating houses and gardens, offering a glimpse of Thailand in days gone by. Enjoy the tranquil pace of this unspoilt destination, savoring a delicious meal and observing local life. Your journey continues on to Sukhothai, cradle of the first great kingdom of Siam and the beginning of a rich Thai civilization.

Once you've settled into your hotel, you'll have the rest of the evening at leisure.

Dinner on your own.

Meals included: Hotel breakfast, lunch cruise.

Distances and travel times: Ayutthaya - Uthai Thani: 134 km - 1h45.

At 8:30 this morning, meet your guide to discover the ancient city of Sukhothai.

Sukhothai, a UNESCO-listed site, embodies the quintessence of Asian treasures, captivating the dreams of explorers of all ages. The place enchants with its majestic Buddha statues and finely sculpted elephants surrounding an impressive stupa. However, Sukhothai goes far beyond its architectural beauty, being one of Thailand's oldest cities and playing a crucial role in the development of art, writing and spirituality, thus contributing to the foundations of Thai culture.

9:00 am - 11:00 am: Discover Sukhothai Historical Park by bike Cycle today through the streets of the ancient city of Sukhothai to discover the history of Thailand's most important kingdom. It's great fun to explore the UNESCO World Heritage temples and monasteries on two wheels, stopping to admire the engraved elephants, Buddha statues and high stupa. Discover Sukhothai Historical Park and Wat Sri Chum ("Talking Buddha").

11:30am - 2:40pm: Make your own amulet and have lunch with a local: Not far from the Historical Park, you'll meet the owner of the house where you'll have lunch. Passionate about local history, you'll feel right at home as he shares his knowledge with you, and as you sample a simple but tasty local specialty: Sukhothai noodles. You'll also have the chance to make your own lucky charm: a Buddhist amulet to take home with you.

Dinner at your leisure.

Meals included: breakfast at hotel, lunch with local people.

Remarks

Distance and duration of bike ride: 1h30 to 2h / 4 to 6 kilometers, including sightseeing. Difficulty level: 0 - accessible to anyone who knows how to ride a bike.

Sukhothai Historical Park opening hours: 06:00 - 19:30.

After breakfast, you will leave Sukhothai and take the road to Lampang.

Lampang is famous for its past as the economic center of the teak wood trade. In the late 19th century, wealthy merchants built large houses, some with carved facades. We invite you to immerse yourself in this atmosphere, passing the Louis Leonowens house and arriving at the Ratsada Phisek bridge, from where you'll set off on foot for a stroll through the old town, taking Thanon Talat Kao lined with old wooden houses, reminders of a flamboyant past.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

You'll then continue on to Chiang Mai (approx. 1h15 drive), a city described by many as Thailand's most charming. Northern Thailand's most important cultural center offers an impressive and varied heritage of ancient temples: from colorful structures that glisten in the sun to more discreet beauties in earthy tones or rustic brick and wood. The surrounding countryside is simply spectacular: Chiang Mai is also the gateway to the northern mountains for invigorating hikes, enigmatic elephants and culturally intriguing minority villages.

In the afternoon, you'll set off to join the centuries-old Doi Suthep on the mountain overlooking the city. Doi Suthep is also one of the most spiritually remarkable and revered temples in the north of the country. You'll have the chance to receive a private blessing and witness the chanting of the monks: a moving experience and a true encounter with Thailand's spiritual tradition, before a magical sunset at dusk, from the temple's terrace overlooking the valley.

Dinner on your own.

Meals included: breakfast at the hotel, lunch in a local restaurant in Lampang.

Distances and travel times: Sukhothai - Lampang: 200 kilometers - approx. 3 hours by minibus / Lampang - Chiang Mai: 105 kilometers - approx. 1h30 - 2h (subject to traffic conditions) / Banthai Village - Doi Suthep: 20 kilometers - 45 minutes.

Free morning to enjoy your hotel or discover the city at your own pace.

Lunch at your leisure.

An evening in Chiang Mai by songthaew:

In the late afternoon, you'll set off to explore the city of Chiang Mai aboard a songthaew, the local pickup truck with 2 seats facing each other in the back for transporting passengers. You'll start by heading to a hidden spot by the river where you'll sample northern dishes while sipping a refreshing drink and watching the sun set. You'll then head back to the bustling markets and pass famous monuments on your way to the center of the old town. When you stop off at the public park, it's a great place to watch people doing yoga, playing physical takraw or badminton. There are also free aerobics classes open to all! You'll then get back on your songthaew, which will take you down to the river where you'll find your local restaurant.

End the evening in this picturesque riverside setting, enjoying delicious local dishes.

Meals included: breakfast at the hotel, dinner in a local restaurant.

Today you'll have free time to relax or explore the city until it's time to leave for the train station for the night train to Bangkok.

Remarks:

• Accommodation in air-conditioned 2nd-class couchette (couchette available until midday).
• As catering options may be limited on the train, it is advisable to dine before boarding the train and/or purchase snacks and drinks to take with you on the train
• Side-by-side seats are also subject to availability

Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel.

Arrival at Bangkok station in the early morning (arrival at Bang Sue Bangkok station around 06:50).

Welcome and transfer with your English-speaking guide to the hotel near the station for a shower and breakfast.

8:00 am - 4:00 pm: Visit Bangkok like a local (in French)

Take the BTS (aerial tramway) across the city: you'll have the opportunity to discover the city from an unfamiliar angle, from Chatuchak station to Taskin Bridge on the banks of the Chao Praya River, from where you'll board a local ferry up to the Tha Tien wharf for the visit to nearby Wat Pho. This site features over a thousand representations of the Buddha, as well as its largest statue, one of Bangkok's emblems: the Reclining Buddha. You're sure to hear the morning chanting of the monks from the main hall.

A little later, walk to Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred to the Thais, part of the Grand Palace complex with its many chedis and golden-tipped roofs, reception halls, magnificently decorated buildings, statues and more. A must-see on any visit to Bangkok.

Lunch in a local restaurant during the visit.

It's time for adventure: hop on the famous tuk tuk and head down Rachadamnoen Avenue, past the Democracy Monument. You'll arrive at Loha Prasat with its small amulet market and, overlooking the avenue, the magnificent Thai pavilion for photo enthusiasts.

And finally, take a tuk tuk along Khao San Road for a final ride back to your hotel. You'll have the rest of the evening and dinner free to enjoy the city's nightlife.

Meals included: breakfast at the hotel, lunch in a local restaurant.

Breakfast at the hotel. Room available until 12:00.

Free time according to your flight schedule, then transfer to the airport for your international flight without guide.

Meals included: breakfast.

Distance and travel time Bangkok - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) by minibus: 35 kilometers - approx. 45 minutes depending on traffic.

IMPORTANT: do not plan an international flight before 3:00 pm. For travelers whose international flight is scheduled before 3:00 p.m., please add an additional night and a private transfer at extra cost.

Visa / passport

Before travelling to Thailand, it is important to make sure that you have a valid passport, otherwise you will be systematically refused entry to the country by the immigration police:

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Thailand;

Check the good condition and legibility of the passport: in the event of any anomaly, the traveller may be refused entry to Thailand without any possible intervention by the embassy.

Since 15 July, 2024, British nationals holding an ordinary passport can now stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, for tourism purposes only, compared with 30 days previously.

For further information, visit the website of the Thai Embassy in the UK: https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visa-general-information?menu=65bb7713d0737318de2bab23

WARNING: Any passport reported lost or stolen to the competent authorities, whether in the UK, Thailand or elsewhere, is automatically reported as invalid. The holder of such a passport will be refused entry or exit by the Thai immigration police.

We also strongly recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy covering the entire duration of your stay abroad.

Please note that the maximum group size during the tour is 16 people.

International flights must arrive between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.. Outside these times, please add a private transfer at extra cost.

For those booking the "hotel only" package (without international flight), we kindly request that you provide us with your flight details at your earliest convenience via the contact form in "Help and Contact" at the bottom of the page. This will enable us to arrange your transfers.

Luggage transportation to and from hotels is not included.

Guides: For stays purchased on the French market, you will benefit from the services of a private French-speaking guide during your tour. If you purchase your holiday on the German market, you will benefit from the services of a German-speaking guide. If you purchase your tour on the English market, you will benefit from the services of an English-speaking guide. If you purchase your tour on the Italian market, you will benefit from the services of an English-speaking guide.

Health: No vaccinations are compulsory, but certain vaccinations are recommended: make sure you are up to date with your usual vaccinations, as well as those for the geographical areas you will be visiting. It is recommended to be up to date with diphtheria-tetanus-polio (DTP) and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations. Anti-tuberculosis vaccination is also recommended.

Currency: The official currency is the Thai baht (THB). Its symbol is the ฿. On 28 October, 2024, 1 EUR = 36.5240 THB.

Other (religion/culture):

• Attire: In order to comply with local regulations, women are required to wear clothing that covers their shoulders and legs while visiting temples or other religious monuments. In some cases, visitors to temples may also be required to remove their shoes.
• Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory in Thailand, but it is widespread and much appreciated. We recommend that you allow some for the services of guides/drivers.