Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok – City Orientation and Chinatown
Welcome to Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand. Upon arrival at Bangkok International Airport, meet your local representative and transfer by private vehicle to your hotel.
After checking in, enjoy some time to rest before beginning a relaxed introduction to the city. In the late afternoon, travel through central Bangkok to see the contrast between modern shopping districts, traditional neighbourhoods, Buddhist temples and riverside communities.
Continue to Bangkok’s Chinatown, centred around bustling Yaowarat Road. Walk through narrow market streets filled with traditional shops, Chinese temples, herbal medicine stores and local food stalls. The area becomes particularly lively in the evening, offering an excellent introduction to Bangkok’s famous street-food culture.
Return to your hotel after dinner and prepare for the following day’s exploration.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 2: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Chao Phraya River
After breakfast, begin your full-day exploration of Bangkok’s most important royal and religious landmarks.
Start at the magnificent Grand Palace, the former royal residence and one of Thailand’s most recognisable architectural complexes. Within the palace grounds, visit Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Visitors should wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees when entering the palace and temples.
Continue on foot to Wat Pho, situated beside the Grand Palace. This historic royal temple is famous for its impressive Reclining Buddha and its long association with traditional Thai medicine and massage.
After lunch at a local restaurant, take a short ferry across the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun. Known as the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun stands directly opposite Wat Pho and is distinguished by its riverside location and beautifully decorated central tower. The temple is officially open daily, although visiting schedules may change during ceremonies or special events.
Complete the afternoon with a private boat journey along the Chao Phraya River and Bangkok’s traditional canals. Observe wooden houses, local communities, riverside temples and everyday life away from the city’s busiest roads.
Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. The evening is free for shopping, enjoying a rooftop view or exploring one of Bangkok’s night markets.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 3: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market – Bangkok at Leisure
Leave Bangkok early in the morning and travel to Ratchaburi Province for a visit to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
Upon arrival, board a traditional boat and travel through the narrow canals leading towards the main market. Along the waterways, observe vendors selling tropical fruit, vegetables, snacks, souvenirs and local products from colourful wooden boats.
Damnoen Saduak is one of Thailand’s best-known floating markets and has a history extending for more than a century. An early visit provides a more atmospheric experience, as the market is particularly lively during the morning.
Enjoy time to walk through the market, photograph the canal scenes and taste local snacks before returning to Bangkok.
After lunch, choose from several afternoon experiences according to your interests:
-
Visit Jim Thompson House and learn about Thailand’s silk heritage.
-
Explore the Siam shopping district.
-
Relax at your hotel or enjoy a traditional Thai massage.
-
Visit a local handicraft or flower market.
In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in Bangkok or join an optional dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 4: Bangkok – Flight to Chiang Mai – Old City Temples
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your morning flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, meet your northern Thailand guide and transfer to your centrally located hotel.
After checking in and having lunch, begin exploring Chiang Mai’s historic Old City. Surrounded by sections of ancient walls and a moat, the Old City contains some of northern Thailand’s most important examples of Lanna architecture.
Visit Wat Phra Singh, admired for its elegant temple buildings, religious artwork and distinctive northern Thai design. Continue to Wat Chedi Luang, where the remains of an enormous historic chedi dominate the temple grounds. Both temples are among the principal cultural landmarks inside Chiang Mai’s walled city.
Walk through the old streets and stop at Tha Phae Gate before returning to your hotel.
In the evening, visit Chiang Mai Night Bazaar or a weekend walking street, depending on your travel date. Browse local textiles, silverware, wood carvings, paintings and handmade souvenirs while sampling northern Thai dishes.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 5: Doi Suthep Temple – Local Culture – Khantoke Dinner
After breakfast, travel into the mountains west of Chiang Mai to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of northern Thailand’s most revered temples.
Reach the upper temple area by climbing the impressive naga staircase or taking the cable car. Explore the golden chedi, religious shrines and viewing terraces overlooking Chiang Mai and the surrounding valley.
Return to the city and visit a local handicraft community or artisan workshop. Depending on the selected programme, you may learn about traditional silk weaving, umbrella painting, silverwork, wood carving or lacquerware.
After lunch, continue with a cultural visit to a local market, where your guide introduces the herbs, spices, fruit and ingredients commonly used in northern Thai cuisine.
The remainder of the afternoon is free for relaxation, shopping or an optional Thai cooking class.
In the evening, enjoy a traditional Khantoke dinner. Guests sit around low tables while sharing a selection of northern Thai dishes accompanied by traditional music and cultural performances.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 6: Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – White Temple and Blue Temple
After breakfast, depart Chiang Mai by private vehicle and travel through the mountainous countryside towards Chiang Rai. The journey includes rest stops and opportunities to enjoy the scenery of northern Thailand.
On arrival in Chiang Rai Province, visit Wat Rong Khun, internationally known as the White Temple. The contemporary complex is distinguished by its brilliant white exterior, mirrored decorations and imaginative artwork.
Continue to Wat Rong Suea Ten, commonly called the Blue Temple. Its intense blue interior, golden decoration and modern artistic details provide a striking contrast to the White Temple. Both have become prominent landmarks associated with contemporary religious art in Chiang Rai.
After lunch, visit Baan Dam Museum, also known as the Black House, subject to the selected tour programme. Its collection of dark wooden structures, regional objects and artworks presents another distinctive aspect of Chiang Rai’s artistic identity.
Transfer to your hotel and check in. In the evening, explore Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, where you can find local handicrafts, textiles and regional food.
Overnight in Chiang Rai.
Day 7: Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Departure
After breakfast, travel north through Chiang Rai Province towards the Golden Triangle, the historic region where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.
Stop at a scenic viewpoint overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers. From this location, visitors can see landscapes belonging to three countries and learn about the geographical and historical importance of the region.
Take an optional boat ride on the Mekong River for a different perspective of the international border area. Afterwards, visit the Hall of Opium or a local museum to understand the Golden Triangle’s transformation from a remote trading region into an important cultural and tourism destination.
Following lunch, transfer to Chiang Rai Airport for your onward flight. Depending on the departure schedule, guests may fly back to Bangkok or connect with another destination in Thailand.
Your 7-Day Immersive Northern Thailand Package Holiday concludes with unforgettable memories of Bangkok’s royal landmarks, Chiang Mai’s Lanna traditions, Chiang Rai’s artistic temples and the dramatic landscapes of the Golden Triangle.