Thailand discovery: spirituality, forests and tribes

Bangkok
Arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport by morning flight (Suggested flight arrive not later than 08:00 am). Meet with guide and transfer to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel. Later in the morning, you will be collected by your guide to old town, you will walk through the morning market, where you can see the liveliness of the people and vendors. You can have a late breakfast at the market as well. Then we will visit Wat Suthat Thepwararam, which was built during the reign of King Rama I, and there is also a famous mural painting about the demon. Moreover, you will learn how to pay respect to the Buddha image and learn to make merit by monk’s offering as well. After After that, we will do the Buddhist activities at Wat Theptidaram by starting with meditation for 15 minutes, then learn more about the Buddhist way of life by monk chatting. Then we will walk to the Buddha Street, in the center of the old town. Here you can explore the shops and find all sorts of unique things. After lunch continue walking to local community, Baan Bat or Monk’s Bowl Village, the small village with an age-old tradition of crafting bowls from raw steel using only their hands and a hammer. Nowadays, less than five households continue to make a living by selling their craft. Go up to Golden mount temple for the Bangkok bird eye view before transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Bangkok

Bangkok
American Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from the hotel, travel to Wat Traimit, famous for its Buddha image made from 5.5 tons of pure gold. After crossing the bustling streets of Chinatown, you will reach the Royal Palace, built in 1782, with its roofs of gold and marble glittering in the sunshine. This tour offers an opportunity to the better understanding of the splendor of Thai architectural forms centuries past, the worship of Buddhism and the high respect Thai people hold for the monarchy. You can also visit Wat Phra Kheo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), the Tower of the Nine Planets, the Coronation Hall and Funeral Hall (Coronation Hall and Funeral Hall are close for any visit during weekends and public holidays). Proceed to Wat Po, with its stately Reclining Buddha image some 46 meters in length, also the site of the famous school for Thai traditional massage. In the late afternoon you will have a chance to experience a traditional Thai massage from visually impaired therapist. Let’s switch on your senses, here in the dark it counts for nothing whether your eyes are open or closed. Start learning with introduction workshop with blind persons. Then your guide will lead you to walk with your cane to the darkness exhibition where you will be realized the importance of perceptive senses around. The one-hour experience designed to offer an insight into how blind people live. We can say this is one of the most valuable experiences in exploring our non-visual senses and even can change our mindset. Afterward, you will be lead to experience Thai Massage by blind (selective of 60 minutes body massage or 60 minutes foot massage). We let blind therapists demonstrate their unique talent for massage therapy as they are able to fully focus on their sense of touch in a way others cannot.
Overnight in Bangkok. (B)

Bangkok – Damnern Saduak – Kanchanaburi
American Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Damnernsaduak, Thailand’s liveliest and most picturesque floating market. People from neighboring villages arrive on the waterways in their loaded sampans to sell or barter all kinds of goods including vegetables, fruit and flowers offering scenes typical of country life in Thailand. From the market, continue to visit Krasae Cave where currently housing some Buddha Statues. At 13,30 you will take a local train to river Kawai bridge. Enjoy on the a train ride on the old railway track with a spectacular part of the Death Railway running beside steep slopes of the mountain side. It is one of the most interesting part of the railway because of its wooden bridge and is still in working condition. Arrive after 1 hours at river Kwai Bridge, built by Allied prisoners of war and Asian laborers. .Upon arrival at the bridge, enjoy free time with spectacular view in the area. Have lunch in a local restaurant and later transfer to a beautiful hotel with a thermal water pool on the river. Relaxing in the hot spring bathing.
Overning in Kanchanaburi. (B)

Kanchanaburi – Ayuthaya – Bangkok
American Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and depart from the hotel at approximately 07.00 hrs. to Bang Pa-In Royal Palace or the Summer Palace, which is 53 km. away from Bangkok. Then we will enjoy fantastic Thai lunch on a Rice Barge cruising along the majestic Chao Phraya, “River of Kings”. After lunch, we will explore rest on the island framed by three significant rivers: Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pasak, the historic temples, palaces and remaining architectures of the ancient kingdom of Ayutthaya are one of Thailand’s most precious historical sites. The 715-acre area has been listed the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991 as it portrays the heydays of one of the largest kingdoms in Indochina history. Then, continue the journey to Bangkok, check-in at hotel.
Overnight at Bangkok (B,L)

Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Pai
American breakfast at hotel, check-out and depart to Bangkok domestic airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival at Chiang Mai. Meet your guide and transfer in the direction of Pai. Pai is a small city in northern Thailand, daughter of Mae Hong Son province. Enroute stopover for a coffee break at Pan Kled Coffee and then visit Mok Fah Waterfall, take a walk to visit this beautiful waterfall hiding in a beautiful scenery. You will have lunch at Yunnan Chinese Restaurant. Visit a historic bridge built by the Japanese army during World War II, is the bridge for the city. This bridge was built through Pai River. Afternoon, visit the center of Chinese culture of Yunnan. Some of the Chinese in Yunnan village were in the army evacuated from China 50 years ago. Here you can admire their culture and traditions. Then check in to hotel in Pai and relax in the thermal water pool.
Overnight at Pai (B,L)

Pai
After breakfast, you will be transfered to Pai International Meditation center for a full day retreat program including lunch. The center is surrounded by nature and hot springs. The majestic views and peaceful surroundings make this perfect for destressing and meditation. Aside from the hot springs, a refreshing cool pool is also available. You can boost your energy levels and keep your body and mind at ease by joining a yoga classes in the morning and in the afternoon. Lunch served at the center is healthy and nutritious. Their ingredients are locally produced and some of it is organically grown by the center. After the program return to the hotel in Pai
Overnight in Pai. (B,L)

Pai-Lod cave-Pai
Chiang Rai Pick up at hotel in Pai and drive to Mae Hong Son. (approx 2-2.5 hours drive over the beautiful mountain road) Upon arrival at Ban Huay Deau boat landing then enjoy a long-tail boat ride along the Pai River to visit the exotic Kayan or Longneck women at Ban Huai Pu Kaeng. After lunch in a local restaurant you will take the longtail boat return to Mae Hong Son. Before heading back to Pai stop over to visit the iconic hilltop temple at Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu and twin temple by the lake at Wat Jong Kum Jong Klang then depart to Lod Cave. At Lod Cave, the local guide with lanterns will lead you to explore this largest cave in northern Thailand. Lod Cave contains 3 large chambers; the Giant pillar cave, the Dolls cave and take the bamboo raft to the Wood Coffin cave. End of the trip back to Pai.
Overnight at Pai (B)

Pai-Chiang Mai
After an early breakfast transfer to Chiang Mai. This city was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom (1296-1768) which later became the Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 to 1939. Arrive at Chiang Mai. Check-in at the hotel. Later visit Wat Phra Singh (Temple of the Lion Buddha), one of the finest classic Lanna Style architecture in Northern Thailand where house a very highly revered Buddha image named Phra Sing Buddha. Then, visit another significant temple at Wat Chedi Luang. The construction of the temple started in the 14th century, when King Saen Muang Ma planned to bury the ashes of his father there. After 10 years of building time it was left unfinished, later to be continued after the death of the king by his widow. Later Later proceed to visit Doi Suthep (1676 m. AMSL), the landmark of Chiang Mai where the beautiful pagoda of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, built in 1383 during the reign of the King “Kue-Na”, is located. From the top of the Doi Suthep, enjoy a beautiful panorama view of Chiang Mai city.
Overnight in Chang Mai. (B)

Chiang Mai
Enjoy a full day visit to Elephant Nature Park; a natural home and sanctuary for elephants, buffalos, dogs, cats, birds and many other rescued animals. Your visit starts with a picturesque drive through rural countryside to Elephant Nature Park. You will hear the personal stories of rescued and orphaned elephants. See how they became a proud herd and free from abuse for the first time in their lives. Many find their visit to Elephant Nature Park rewarding and very relaxing. Observe free roaming elephants (no riding), and other rescued animals enjoying the natural surroundings of our sanctuary. Your visit helps support our regional projects and offers an invaluable opportunity of helping elephant conservation. Return to Chiang Mai and later if time is available you can experience the local’s lives by visiting a local market called “Warorot Market.
Overnight in Chiang mai. (B,L)

Chiang Mai-Doi Inthanon National Park-Chiang Mai
After breakfast you will begin the tour by traveling (approximately 2,5 hrs) to the Doi Inthanon National Park. This park is the traditional home of the Karen people. Here you can experience Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, which is 2,565m tall. Next you will visit the picturesque Wachirathan Waterfall where you can have a break and freshen up for the afternoon. It is then a short drive to the village Ban Pha Mon where you will meet your local tour guide and have an authentic Karen meal for lunch. The local guide will take you on a tour to learn about and observe the life of the Karen farmers. You will see rice pounding, bamboo weaving and also the weaving of traditional Karen clothes. End of the day, return to Chiang Mai city.
Overnight in Chang Mai. (B,L)

Chiang Mai
American breakfast at the hotel, check-out and transfer to Chiang Mai airport in time to board your flight to Bangkok or other destinations (suggested morning flight that departure from Chiang Mai airport