Bangkok & Chiang Mai – The Perfect Combination (8 days)

Bangkok Arrival

On arrival at BANGKOK Suvarnabhumi Airport. for International Arrivals, on leaving the Customs Area, Please turn to your Right and make your way to the Meeting Area at Exit Door Number 3, (This is well signed) – At the Meeting Area please look for your WANNA TOURS GUIDE, who will be showing your Name on our WANNA TOURS Meeting Board.

Here Your Wanna Tours Guide will commence your Program and transfer to you The Peninsula Hotel Bangkok, where your reservation is for the next 3 Nights and includes Breakfast. En route to the Hotel, your Guide will give you an introduction to Thailand and your Program. (Specific aspects of your Sightseeing, etc. can also be discussed with your Guide).

Bangkok’s Grand Palace & Private Boat Trip

This morning we travel by Private Boat through the Klongs (Canals) of Thonburi where we get an insight to why Bangkok was once known as "the Venice of the East", we also call in to see the Royal Barge Museum and Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn).

After lunch at a local restaurant we visit Bangkok's most revered site - The Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha. We can also visit Wat Pho, one of Bangkok's oldest and largest Temple complexes, among the many sites of interest here is the Viharn which is home to a 46 meter Reclining Buddha, before returning to the Hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast at the Hotel & Lunch at a local restaurant

Bangkok Environs, Floating Market & Jim Thompson’s House

Leaving the Hotel early (around 07.00am) we drive South of Bangkok through the local countryside stopping at Palm Plantations and the unusually located, Rom Hoop (train) Market to Damnoen Saduak, to visit Thailand's most impressive floating market. Here we travel by small boat around the quiet waterways and the bustle of the main floating market.

After looking around the market we drive back to Bangkok, taking lunch at a local restaurant en route.

This afternoon is at your leisure or available for local sightseeing (Again specific aspects of your Sightseeing, etc. can be discussed with your Guide) a possible suggestion would be to see Jim Thompson's House, the classic Thai-style former home of a Pioneer of the Thai Silk Industry (to your interest, as time and energy permits !) before returning to the Hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast at the Hotel & Lunch at a local restaurant

China Town, Flower Market & Wat Trimit – Then Fly to Chiangmai

This morning we can visit China Town to explore one of the busiest areas of Bangkok. Some of the sites here that we could visit include: Talat Kao or old market then continue on a leisure walk along the colorful Sampeng lane; visit unique typical Chinese Temple, and 100 years old gold shops; browse around for bargains at the Kakorn Kasem, explore Pahurat Indian Fabric Market; have a visit to a Sikh temple; visit the beautiful flower market “Pak Klong Talad” and we can also see Wat Trimit which houses the largest solid Gold Buddha in the World.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we transfer to Bangkok Airport for your afternoon flight to Chiangmai.

On arrival at CHIANGMAI Airport we transfer to The Four Seasons Resort Chiangmai, where your reservation here is for the next 4 nights and includes Breakfast.

The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure in the Resort.

Meals included: Breakfast at the Hotel & Lunch at a local restaurant

Today we can spend in and around Chiangmai City.

Your Guide and Driver will be available for independent use throughout the day and specific interests, etc. can be discussed with your Guide on arrival.

Some possible suggestions might be:

On the Cultural & Historical side we could visit the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre., as well as some of the Principle Temples inside Chiangmai old moated City, such as - Wat Phra Singh, Chiangmai City's most important Temple. Constructed in the 14th Century, of particular interests here are some well preserved murals. Wat Chedi Luang, once home to the Emerald Buddha (Now in the Grand Place in Bangkok) built over 600 years ago, is dominated by it's massive Chedi, which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in the mid 1500's. and Wat Chiang Man, the City's oldest Temple.

Also Chiangmai is Thailand's center for various Local Handicrafts, Craft villages and Shopping.

Among some of the activities we could see are: Silk & Cotton Weaving; Silver working, Teak-wood carving; Laquerware production; Celadon Ceramics; the Earthenware Pottery Village at Muang Khung and a village community producing Sa-paper.

(Again Specific aspects of your Sightseeing, etc. can also be discussed with your Guide and we can visit as much as you wish in the time available!!).

Meals included: Breakfast at the Hotel & Lunch at a local restaurant

Private Elephant Conservation Safari

This morning, we drive by Private Air-conditioned vehicle, to our Elephant Conservation Site, in the Mae Khanin Valley on the outskirts of Chiangmai.

On arrival at the Site, you will be greeted by your Host, and have a short briefing on how to be a health-based advocate for elephants and learn about Elephant conservation, We then start our Private “Elephant Safari” in an Africa Safari-style Off road Vehicle through the hidden MaeKhanin Valley, and while driving along the trail of River Crossings, you will have up close and personal interactions with free-roaming elephants.

You will have the opportunity to learn how to approach and become friends with your elephant as well as provide a health inspection and then feed the Elephants with natural fruits.

After getting changed into a more comfortable Local “Elephant” Outfit, you have the opportunity for hands-on specialized elephant bathing for skincare and other healthcare-based activities.

After a Safari-styled local Lunch, we can walk with the Elephant through the Fields & Forest. On completion, we say farewell to your elephants, then meet up with our Vehicle & return to your Resort

For your Safety & Security, our own Qualified, English-speaking Guide, will be with you throughout the Private Program, which will be just your own Private party (with your own Vehicle) throughout the activities.

Special early Morning experience

This morning we leave the Resort early (around 06.00am) to arrive early at the foot of Doi Suthep, where we can take part in a local make merit ceremony by giving Alms (some food & drink, etc.) to the local Monks from Wat Sri Soda. This is an amazing and moving site with usually hundreds of Saffron Robed Monks walking out of the Temple.

After this we continue with a drive up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most venerated Temple in Chiangmai, situated on the hill-side some 3000 ft. above the City in the Doi Pui National Park.

On the way up the mountain we stop for a short coffee break before visiting The Temple itself (before all the crowds arrive !!). Here we can climb the 306 stairs, to reach the Temple which encloses a large traditional, "Lanna" style Chedi covered with gold plates (A small mountain Tram is also available if the stairs are too much effort !!) From the Temple Grounds there are also panoramic views over Chiangmai and the surrounding area.

On our descent we return to the Resort, where the Rest of the afternoon is at your leisure, or available for any local sightseeing (Again specific aspects of your Sightseeing, etc. can be discussed with your Guide)

Meals included: Morning Coffee Break

Chiangmai Departure

After Breakfast & checkout we transfer to Chiangmai Airport for your flight to Bangkok

~~//~~ End of Wanna Tours Services

Meals included: Breakfast at the Hotel