Thailand tours - Central and Northern Thailand

Best of Central and Northern Thailand – 7 Days

With this Thailand 1-week tour, you can discover the best of Central and Northern Thailand with a whirlwind trip through ancient capitals, beautiful landscapes and quaint mountain towns. Discover the age-old capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai before heading to lesser-known Phrae. Head north to Chiang Rai province to experience diverse border towns and their unique hill-tribe communities. In charming Chiang Mai spend time bonding with elephants then pay homage at highly-revered Doi Suthep temple overlooking the alluring northern city.

Categories: Southeast Asia Tours, Thailand Tours

General Information

Tour Highlights

Discover Ayutthaya’s historic town as well as Summer Palace along with another old-aged gem, Sukhotai’s UNESCO World Heritage site
Travel to lesser-visited Phrae and admiring an impressive network of rock formations at Phae Muang Phi
Visit hill-tribe villages, home to people belonging to Yao and Akha ethnic groups
Stand where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos converge, and admiring the beautiful scenery of a place which was once a major hub of the opium trade
Climb to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep with a panoramic vista of Chiang Mai city

Tour Details

Duration: 7 Days/ 6 Nights
Start/ End: Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Phitsanulok – Sukhothai – Phrae – Chiang Rai – Akha Village – Golden Triangle – Chiang Mai – Elephant Camp – Doi Suthep Temple – Bangkok
Tour Type: Tailor-made tour
Tour-Customizable: Definitely! Tell us your interest
Vehicle: private air-conditioned vehicle and licensed driver
Guide Service: private English-speaking guide
Tour Departure: No fixed departure. Anytime you wish!

Brief Itinerary

Day 01: Bangkok Arrival
Day 02: Bangkok Sightseeing Tour – Canal Boat Ride
Day 03: Transfer Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Phitsanulok
Day 04: Transfer Phitsanulok – Sukhothai – Phrae
Day 05: Transfer Phrae – Chiang Rai
Day 06: Transfer Chiang Rai – Akha Village – Golden Triangle – Chiang Mai
Day 07: Elephant Camp – Doi Suthep Temple – Bangkok Departure

Full Itinerary

Day 01: Bangkok Arrival

Upon arrival, our representative will be waiting to warmly greet and escort you to the hotel. Once you’ve settled in the hotel; the rest of the day will be yours. Relax at leisure.
Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 02: Bangkok Sightseeing Tour – Canal Boat Ride

This morning, we take a tour around the city’s stunning canals and a visit to Bangkok’s finest temples. Start out at Wat Traimit – home to the world’s largest solid golden Buddha – before crossing the old city streets to see an even larger Buddha reclining at Wat Pho. Make our way to the impressive Grand Palace, another temple complex boasting some of the most beautiful Thai-Buddhist architecture across the country. Discover plenty of grounds and dazzling buildings consisting of the highly0revered Wat Phra Kaew housing the prized Emerald Buddha Statue.
After lunch, enjoy a good time on the water meandering through the odd canals and taking in the serene side of life from the seat of a long tail boat.
Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 03: Transfer Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Phitsanulok

Explore the grandeur of Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam. Hear the fairy tales of palaces filled with lavish and gold ceremonies as well as decorative monasteries that were the envy of old-world Europe. Leisurely walk the grounds of the Summer Palace then head northwards to Phitsanulok for an overnight stay.
Overnight in Phitsanulok.

Day 04: Transfer Phitsanulok – Sukhothai – Phrae

Leave Phitsanulok behind and head to the nearby temple ruins at Sukhothai. Discover the old–aged Thai capital, venturing inside the main historical park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once there, we can see almost two-hundred separate sites, all left in ruins after the city was abandoned some 700 years ago. The collection of shrines, chedis, and Buddha statues that offer one of the north’s most photogenic spots.
Making our way out of the historical park, end up at the Wat Chom Sawan which is Burmese-style temple housing an eclectic array of statues made from ivory, lacquer, and marble. Then, we head to Wat Phrathat Chor Hae in the tranquil Phrae province which features a towering stupa shining bright gold in the sunlight. After a day excursion of temple hopping, we hit the road to reach Phrae township in time for dinner.
Overnight in Phrae.

Day 05: Transfer Phrae – Chiang Rai

The first stop on this morning’s itinerary is Baan Pratabjai, a house consisting of hundreds of intricately carved teak pillars following the prominent ‘Lanna’ style of the region. Take a quick look around before heading to Ban Tung Hong Village to witness local fabric making.
Back on the road, pass by Phae Muang Phi – an impressive network of towering sandstone formations with sheer cliff edges dropping into deep, narrow valleys. We then continue along the road towards Chiang Rai to check into a hotel for the night.
Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day 06: Transfer Chiang Rai – Akha Village – Golden Triangle – Chiang Mai

Enjoy breakfast and then, we enjoy an 8-hour journey heading to small towns and diverse border cities in the northern region of Thailand. We set off from Chiang Rai then head onward to the nearby Yao and Akha tribe villages. The Akha people are renowned for their beautiful and exotic costumes and; the Yao people are famous for their serene and aristocratic demeanor.
Keep our trip going on by visiting Chiang Saen which is a small town well-known for its numerous old-aged temples as well as ruins. We finally move to Mae Sai and spend some time discovering the local market which offers an insight into the trading heritage of Mae Sai.
Later drive back to Chiang Rai and overnight there.

Day 07: Elephant Camp – Doi Suthep Temple – Bangkok Departure

Today, we drive to Mae Rim district where we will enjoy an elephant camp. Our destination is covered by the dense lush jungles of Chiang Mai’s Mae Sa Valley which is the natural surrounding of elephants and the other animals freely roaming around the camp.
After spending morning interacting with animals, we head to the city and along the road, we stop at an orchid farm which is home to a large selection of colorful blooms.

Lunch at a local restaurant and then, go to Doi Suthep Temple which is the mountain towering over the Chiang Mai city. To make our last day to be more exciting and memorable, we drive up along the winding and long read to get into the cooling of the surrounding ambiance. As we reach the temple, ready to conquer the 300 stone steps or swap your 2 feet for a cable car instead. On top of that, discover the central chedi which is adorned in golden flakes, well-known for its glittering façade under the mid-day sun.
Later, take a drive to the airport for a flight coming home. The trip ends. Hope you had a wonderful and memorable trip. When it comes to other Asia vacation packages, hope you will go with us.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:	• Domestic transportation • Public transport • Local guides (English speaking guides) • Domestic airfare (if any) • Accommodation (Twin bedroom sharing basis) • Meals, Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner (B – L) • Entrance fee
WHAT’S EXCLUDED:	• International airfare (enter Bangkok – depart Bangkok ) • Visa fee • Personal Expenses • Single room supplement • Tips • Insurance