You are met on arrival at Bangkok Airport by an Intrepid Thailand tour leader and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Please advise us of your flight details at least 14 days prior to departure if you wish to have this transfer provided.

Start the journey with a visit to the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha with your local guide this morning. The Royal Grand Palace is the nation’s landmark and the most revered royal monument. You will see palaces that were used for different occasions – the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand.

Soak up the ambiance of the Chao Phraya River while cruising in style on the Manohra Rice Barge. A Superb Thai dinner is served onboard.

You will be picked up in the morning to visit the quiet, rarely visited canals north of Bangkok. Get a glimpse of life that has gone largely unchanged for centuries as you take a boat ride along the klongs (canals). Take in the scenery as you pass through farmyards, villages, fields and orchards. See fruits, vegetables, flowers, temples and Thai people going about their daily life. Spend some time at an agricultural cooperative managed by a group of women who make an array of local delicacies and produce simple handicrafts. Take a short tuk tuk trip to an old traditional house to see rare orchids.

Continue on towards Nonthaburi on the banks of the Chao Phraya River where you will be met by a car and driven to Ayutthaya.

Arriving in Ayutthaya, you have ample time for a guided tour of the picturesque ruins and temples spread across the town. The ruins at Wat Phra Mahathat provide many a photo opportunity and the Buddha head surrounded by Banyan tree roots is perhaps the most photographed site here. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon affords a glimpse into the future with a fortune telling and Wat Phanan Cheoeng is Ayuthaya's Taj Mahal - built out of love for a wife lost.

In the evening you can take a stroll to see the lively local night market where a vast variety of food and goods are sold, then take another drive around the magnificent ruins to see them beautifully illuminated at night.

Drive northward to Lopburi which was first developed as a major town during the Dvaravati Kingdom between the 6th and 11th centuries. Visit San Phra Karn, a former Brahman shrine. Explore ancient Khmer ruins and the shrine constructed in 1951 to worship a four-armed deity figure with a Buddha image's head. Watch the city’s monkeys frolicking on stone temples as you explore. The monkeys inhabiting in the shrine compound are believed the children of Hindu’s God, Kala. It's also believed that to harm them would bring misfortune.

Continue on to see Phra Prang Sam Yot, Lop Buris best known landmark and provincial symbol. A former Hindu shrine built in the 13th century in the classic Bayon style of Khmer architecture, the compound comprises three prangs (towers) linked by a corridor. Its three sandstone spires are decorated with classic stucco and are believed to have originally represented Brahman (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Siva (the destroyer). During the reign of King Narai, the shrine was converted into a Buddhist temple and Buddha images were later added.

The next stop is Phra Narai Ratchaniwet, the residence of King Narai the Great. This Ayutthayan monarch is best known for his promotion of diplomatic relations with European powers during the mid-1600s. He was also the first Thai monarch to establish diplomatic relations with France and he's attributed with creating friendly policy towards other foreigners. The palace was built in 1665 and 1677, when King Narai the Great decided to make Lop Buri the second capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Although the buildings were designed by with the contributions of French architects, the Khmer influence was still strong. The Palace is a perfect blend of both worlds, an awesome mixture of Khmer and European styles.

Enjoy lunch at local restaurant before driving to Sukhothai, Thailand’s first capital. Siam was ruled here from the mid-13th century to the late 14th century, the “Golden Age” of Thai culture. The historical park, which is located right outside our hotel, is full of ruined reminders of these glorious days.
 

In the morning visit Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sukhothai was once a thriving centre of trade, culture and religion, today it is a visual feast of evocative ruins situated among rolling green hills and tranquil lotus ponds. The religious art and architecture of the Sukhothai era are considered to be the most classic and impressive of Thai styles. 

Then drive northward to visit Sri Satchanalai, a less restored and less visited site. Admire beautiful Buddha statues as you explore the many ruined temples and monasteries. After lunch we will visit Celadon Kiln Site Study and Conservation Centre near Sri Satchanalai. More than 500 kilns have been excavated up to now. Numerous celadon wares in perfect condition as well as pot have been discovered. The kiln is oval in shape with a curved roof and is 7-8 metres wide.

Arriving in Lampang in the late afternoon, wander along Taladkao Road where you can see old Thai, Chinese, British and Burmese merchant houses. Then take a horse carriage riding through town when as dusk fills the sky.
 

After breakfast, take a quick visit to Lampang temples to see Wat Pra Keo Don Tao and Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang. These temples are great examples of Lanna art and architecture. Continue to Kwan Phayao to visit some interesting local temples and a large fresh-water lake, filled with fish. The lake provides a livelihood of many of the local people. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive to Chiang Rai. 

Before reaching the city, stop at Wat Rong Khun. The temple is also known as the White Temple. Unlike most temples visited, this magnificent place of worship was built only recently. It is the realization of a dream for Thailand's noted artist, Mr. Chalermchai Kositpipat, who designed and supervised its. The temple is beautifully white and decorated with many statues of figures based on religious beliefs. Make a loop around Chiang Rai city before arriving at your hotel.

After breakfast travel upstream along the boat on Mae Kok River to Ruammitr elephant village, stopping to visit hill-tribe communities along the way. Then drive to visit the Golden Triangle (Sop Ruak), a small trading village where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Enjoy panoramic views of the Mekong River and be sure to stop by an Akha hill-tribe village, the old city of Chiang San and the border town of Mae Sai. On the other side of the border is the Myanmar town of Thachilek. After lunch explore the local market before returning to Chiang Mai.

Drive to visit Chiang Dao Elephant Conservation Centre and ride an elephant to Lisu Village. Continue on by bamboo raft and cruise down the Ping River. Return to Chiang Mai city in the mid-afternoon.

Your final adventure is up the 300 stairs to Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai. Your efforts are rewarded with one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand on display, not to mention the fantastic panoramic views of the city and the opportunity to listen to some evening chanting provided by the resident Buddhist monks.

Free until transfer to airport for your onward flight. Please note that check out in the hotel is midday.