North Thailand Luxury

Bangkok
Bangkok is also known as the Venice of the East - find out why today. By water, of course. At 10.00 a.m. you will set off on an unforgettable boat tour across the big river and through the small canals.

You start your tour on the Chao Phraya River. From here you get a unique view of the skyline of glittering pagodas and imposing skyscrapers and can take your first beautiful souvenir photos. From the River of Kings, continue through the canals, also known as khlongs. Discover small alleyways, local everyday sights and iconic monuments and enjoy the quiet side away from the vibrant city centre.

The boat finally takes you to Wat Arun. The 79-metre-high pagoda is one of Thailand's most beautiful temples and is stylistically reminiscent of the Cambodian landmark Angkor Wat. After this special monument, the next impressive building is already on your list of places to visit: the Grand Palace, once the residence of the kings of Siam. Here you will also see the Emerald Buddha, one of the most sacred Buddha images in the country.

After this special excursion along Bangkok's waterways, you will be taken back to the hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure. Go on a voyage of discovery through the lively city or relax at the resort.

Bangkok - Sukhothai
You can take it easy today. Relax in the spa, take your time over breakfast and perhaps go for a short walk.

After check-out, you will be driven to the airport. From there you will fly to Sukhothai.

After landing in Sukhothai, you will be taken to your hotel by private transfer. The evening is at your leisure. Enjoy the amenities of your resort and relax.

2 nights at the 4.5★ Hotel Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort & Spa, Sriwilai Suite incl. breakfast – Details about the hotel

Sukhothai
The Ban Na Thon Chan Community won the PATA Gold Award in 2012. Today you can take a closer look at the tourist attraction, talk to the villagers about their daily life and work and marvel at the balance of nature and cultural heritage in the community, which was founded 200 years ago. Many of the people living here are descendants of the Lanna Kingdom. They all work every day to preserve their cultural heritage. You can ask all your questions over lunch with the locals.

After lunch, you will return to Sukhothai, where the next highlight of the day awaits you: a visit to the Sukhothai Historical Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Almost 200 ruins are waiting for you to marvel at them up close. The ruins are still in remarkably good condition today. If you fancy a little more exercise, you can also explore the park by bike.

Sukhothai - Lampang - Chiang Mai
Your sixth day begins early in the morning. After an early breakfast and check-out, you will take a three-hour drive to Lampang. The next highlight of your trip awaits you here: the famous Buddhist temple Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang - one of the most fascinating temples to be discovered in Thailand.

There is also plenty to discover in Lampang itself. Let a traditional horse-drawn taxi take you to your next destination and stroll along Talad Kao Road, where you can discover old Thai, British, Chinese and Burmese trading houses. You can take a nice break from your city exploration tour in one of the charming cafés. Here you can take a look at Lampang's emerging art scene.

After the stop in Lampang, continue north to Chiang Mai. There you will be taken directly to your hotel, where you will have plenty of time to reflect on the impressions of the day.

2 nights at the 5★ Hotel Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, Kasara Garden View Room incl. breakfast – Details about the hotel

Chiang Mai
Monks in saffron-coloured robes shuffle slowly out of their monasteries, mingling with the pedestrians on the streets. Wordlessly, they collect donations from Buddhist residents. On this seventh day of your journey, you are allowed to attend the ceremony.

At 6.00 a.m. you will travel to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The temple complex is located on a mountain and is one of Chiang Mai's most sacred sites. Climb up the massive staircase until you reach the top of Doi Suthep, take your breath away from the imposing golden stupa in the centre of the pagoda and enjoy the fantastic view over the city. As early as the 14th century, the sacred temple was equipped with a network of mysterious tunnels and caves. In one of these quiet corners, you will receive a special blessing from one of the monks.

For lunch, dine at a popular local restaurant. Are you in the mood for Chiang Mai's speciality dish, Khao Soi? While you savour the delicious dish of crispy noodles and coconut curry sauce, you have plenty of time to reflect on your magical morning.

In the afternoon, you will be driven to the outskirts of Chiang Mai, where you will gain an insight into the secrets of Thai cuisine in a herb garden. Smell the pleasant exotic flavours and find out how each spice is used in Thai cuisine.

You can then enjoy some well-earned relaxation during a half-hour boat trip on the Mae Ping River. Let the landscape pass you by and treat yourself to a moment of peace and quiet. You leave the boat near the city centre at the Warorot market. Bargain with the locals and immerse yourself in typical Thai market life. At this popular market, you will find everything from spices and fresh fruit to small souvenirs for your loved ones at home.

At Warorot, you board a samlor, the traditional cycle rickshaw. Cycle through the streets of Chiang Mai and enjoy a short tour of the city in typical Thai style. The last destination of the day is Wat Phra Singh. Enjoy the tranquillity of the historic temple complex and then make your way home to the hotel.

Chiang Mai
Immerse yourself in the centre of Thai life. Far away from the tourist areas, today you will get to know the authentic, local side of Chiang Mai. For the real local experience, you will of course also need to wear local clothing. Slip into a pair of fisherman's trousers, the traditional and extremely comfortable cotton trousers that Thai people wear, especially in the rural areas in the north.

Your tour starts at 9:00 in the morning. From the hotel, you drive to the Hang Dong district. There, outside the city centre, you will be welcomed by Mr Prapat and his family. You will spend the morning exploring the Prapats' house and garden. Let them explain the peculiarities of traditional Thai life to you and then join the family in the kitchen. Together you will prepare lunch - typical Thai cuisine, of course. The family will share their favourite recipes with you and show you traditional techniques for preparing a delicious northern Thai dish. Afterwards, you and the family will enjoy your home-cooked lunch together.

In the afternoon, you have time to explore the surrounding area. Wander through the peaceful countryside, observe the locals going about their daily business and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. In the late afternoon, it's time to say goodbye to Mr Prapat and his family.

The evening is at your free disposal.

Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai
After breakfast at the hotel, your journey takes you to another northern Thai province: Chiang Rai. The journey takes around three hours, which you will undertake in a private transfer.

Before you arrive in Chiang Rai, take a break at Wat Rong Khun. The huge white temple seems out of this world. With its numerous fine, ornate details and the pieces of glass shimmering in the sun in the plasterwork, it is reminiscent of a wondrous fairytale setting. However, the temple is far more than just a pretty, sacred building, it is also rich in symbolism. For example, the white colour stands for the purity of Buddha, while the glass symbolises his wisdom.

From Wat Rong Khun, your journey continues to Baan Dam. The museum, also known as the Black Temple, is home to some thought-provoking modern works of art. The museum was founded by the internationally recognised artist Thawan Duchanee. Discover the extensive collection of folk art and modern sculptures. You will find yourself in one of Thailand's most innovative art spaces.

You will reach your hotel in the late afternoon. You will have dinner on site. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.

3 nights at the 5★ Hotel Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Three Country View Suite Family incl. breakfast – Details about the hotel

Golden Triangle
You can roughly feel the thick grey skin under your hands. You can hardly believe that you are so close to this giant, that you can not only observe it up close, but even touch it. The grey elephant stands still in front of you. It hardly seems to notice you placing your hand at its side. The animal finally trots off at a leisurely pace. It leaves you behind, staring after it in disbelief, its heart still beating fast.

In these last two days, you will get closer to the grey giants than ever before - if you want to. Discover the world of Asia's first elephant camp, where numerous rescued elephants have found a new home. International scientists will explain everything you want to know about elephants. After the introduction, you can get in touch with the animals yourself. By the way: For every booking, we donate an additional 2,000 baht to support the work of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation.

Elephants are wonderful animals, but you don't want to get that close to them after all? Of course, there are other exciting things you can do during your time at the resort. For example, go on a discovery tour of the surrounding area and stroll through the paradisiacal landscape of the Golden Triangle with an experienced guide. If you would like a little more insight into the Thai way of cooking, the Spice Spoons Cooking Class is just the thing for you. If you simply want to relax at the end of your trip and unwind after the excitement of the last few days, you can also treat yourself to a 90-minute spa treatment.

By the way: You can book one activity per person per day.

Chiang Mai - Bangkok - Return journey
Check out around midday and private transfer to the airport. Economy class flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Return flight to Europe in the evening (flight duration approx. 12 hours).

Arrival in Germany, Austria or Switzerland.