Golden Triangle, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Sukhothai

Arrival at Chiang Rai airport with a flight from Bangkok, meeting with the local guide and transfer to the hotel. Free time for relax. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon visit Wat Rong Khun Temple (also called White Temple), designed and built by famous artist Chalermchai Kositpipat in 1997.

On board of a typical "Samlor" (tricycle) you'll cross the local market till reaching Wat Phra Keaw Temple, hosting a reproduction of the Emerald Buddha. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

American breakfast at the hotel. Departure at 7 to visit Mae Sai, a lovely town in the northenmost part of Thailand, on the border with Burma. Stop over at the local market where you can buy interesting handicraft objects coming from Burma. Continue on to Chiang Saen archaeological areas, once the residence of King Mengrai, the founder of Lanna Kingdom.

Visit to the temples and archaeological excavations. You'll then reach Sop Ruak, in the so-called Golden Temple, famous for the opium cultivation of the local tribe. Here is the junction of Sop Ruak and Mekong river, on the meeting point of Burma, Thailand and Laos.

Lunch and visit to the Opium House. Embark on a motor launch for a half-hour cruise on Mekong river with a stop over at Don Sao, a village in the Laotian territory. At the end of the visit, return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.

American breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a village inhabited by three ethnic groups, where you can admire the habits and traditions of the Akha, Lahu Shi Balah and Padong Long Neck Karen, the famous women with giraffe-like necks.

Continue on to Baan Pa Tai on Maekok river and embark on a motorlaunch for a 1-hour cruise to Baan Tha Ton to have lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch you'll proceed directly to Chiang Mai, the ancient capital city of the Lanna Kingdom (1296-1768), that later became the Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 to 1939. Arrival in Chiang Mai in the early evening. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

American breakfast. Departure to visit Doi Suthep (1676 m), where the beautiful Wat Pra That Doi Suthep Pagoda is located. From the top you'll enjoy marvellous views of Chiang Mai plain. Proceed to visit the Elephant Training Center where you can admire these incredible animals in the forest and enjoy a ride on their backs in the jungle.

Visit to the orchid farm. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon continue on to visit Sankamphaeng's handicraft factory, famous for its silk and silver manufacturing, its oil paper umbrellas, wood and precious gems. Visit to Wat Suan Dok and Wat Phra Singh temples, two examples of Lanna architecture.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. In the evening, leave the hotel for a Lanna Kan-Tok style Thai dinner with a Thai classic dance show. At the end return to the hotel and overnight.

American breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Sri Satchanalai, around 280 km from Chiang Mai, where you'll visit the ruins of the archaeological site. Lunch in a local restaurant. Then it's on to Sukhothai, with a stop over at the Historic park and Wat Sri Chum temple.

Check in to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

American breakfast at the hotel and departure for the ruins of Ayuthaya, the ancient capital city of Thailand, 86 km from Bangkok. The ancient capital was destroyed in 1767 by Burmese hordes. The "Ayuthaya" period was the most important in Thai history.

Lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch it's on to visit the Palace of Bang Pa In, 53 km from the capital. It was the summer residence of Thai kings. You'll conclude your trip with the journey to Bangkok. Arrival in the capital city in the evening.