DAY 01: BANGKOK (D)
Arrive in Bangkok, you’ll be greeted by our guide and taken by limousine to your hotel. Relax and enjoy the facilities until evening.
The Manohra Song luxury rice barge will be the venue for your first evening’s dinner. Beautifully designed in the blend of European and Thai styles King Rama V loved, it’s the ultimate in luxury. Here you’ll be served a delectable five-course dinner whilst cruising the Chao Phraya; the ‘River of Kings’.
Overnight in Bangkok.
DAY 02: BANGKOK (B, L)
Bangkok-life starts early, and we’ll get into the local spirit of things with a morning trip to the famous temple Wat Pho. Here you’ll see the temple’s monks begin their early morning chanting ritual; a serene and often moving experience.
After this, walk around the temple grounds, which are home to the famous massage school (rumored to be the first ever school in Thailand) and also the 45 meter reclining Buddha.
Next door to Wat Pho is Thailand’s most famous landmark, The Grand Palace; the heart of old Bangkok and home of the famous Emerald Buddha. The Temple of The Emerald Buddha shares the grounds of The Grand Palace and was built by King Rama the First, the founder of Bangkok, as a monument to his reign. Behind the breathtaking, opulent buildings and courtyards lies a fascinating history, which will be revealed by our knowledgeable guide (as with all temples or sites of religious importance in Thailand, please be sure to wear clothes which cover your legs and arms. Light cottons are perfect for this).
Enjoy lunch overlooking the Chao Phraya River at the charming Supatra River House, a restaurant owned and run by one of the most famous performance artists in Thailand.
Next, board your own long-tail boat for a cruise down the Bang Luang canal. Once a major trading route, this quiet waterway displays old aristocratic homes, temples and shop houses. You’ll glide along taking in the sights of the area, before stopping at an interesting art gallery housed in a 100 year old renovated house. Here you can participate in an art workshop and look around the community, before seeing a special puppet show which will be performed for you by professional puppeteers from the Joe Louis School of puppetry. See the iconic Wat Arun or ‘Temple of Dawn’ on the way back to Bangkok.
Overnight in Bangkok.
DAY 03: BANGKOK - CHIANG MAI (B, D)
After breakfast, transfer to Bangkok Airport for your flight to the north of Thailand.
After arriving in Chiang Mai, our guide will meet you and take you to your hotel, the fabulous Oriental Dhara Dhevi. Relax and enjoy your villa for the afternoon.
You’ll spend the evening at the delightful Baan Suan, a secluded restaurant set in a bend of the Ping River with a great view of the mountains. Its construction involved local wood craftsmen to create a style normally only found deep in the Thai countryside. The mountain view is almost as good as the Northern Thai cuisine served here; and members of the Thai Royal Family patronize it, as well as visiting dignitaries, the most recent being the President of Singapore.
After dinner, launch a paper lantern, or khom loy, in a traditional Northern Thai ritual. The belief is that as you launch it into the cool Northern sky, it will take misfortune away with it.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
DAY 04: CHIANG MAI (B, L)
After breakfast, we’ll visit a farmhouse in Mae Rim, a district on the outskirts of the city. Take some time to stroll around the farmhouse grounds before boarding a long-tail boat for a 30-minute cruise along the river banks; where traditional wooden houses sit alongside modern residences in a charming contrast of old and new.
Upon arrival at the boat landing take a short walk to Waroros fresh food Market, a great introduction to Northern Thai life and the perfect place to shop for interesting gift-foods!
Take a trishaw ride past the City walls and along Rajdamnern Road to the temple of Wat Phra Singh. Ride on to the temple of Wat Suan Dok - Flower Garden Temple, where the ashes of Chiang Mai’s royal family are interred. From here we’ll drive 1676 meters above the city to the famous Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the most sacred temple in northern Thailand.
Dusk is the best time to visit the temple, as the madding crowds have gone and the view is spectacular. Take part in your own private blessing ceremony, after which you can witness the magic of the monks’ evening chanting ritual. Finally, as the sun sets, see the Rose of the North in its pure beauty as millions of glittering lights stretch over its vast plain.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
DAY 05: CHIANG MAI - GOLDEN TRIANGLE (B, D)
Take a private helicopter flight to the Golden Triangle of Northern Thailand, enjoying fantastic views of the mountains and jungles of the area.
Once at the airport, transfer to The Four Seasons Tented Camp; a luxury camp set deep in the jungle. Take afternoon tea, after which you can look around the camp or learn about the wildlife all around with the help of our naturalist. Drinks will be served in time to see the spectacular sunset. Take time to welcome a new night under the jungle canopy; watching the hue of the sky change as the setting sun throws its golden rays on the foliage.
By the riverbank is Nong Yai restaurant with wooden floors and a thatched roof-cover. It serves Thai, Laotian, Burmese and Western cuisine and has a separate bar area complete with fireplace; perfect for pre or post-dinner drinks. You can choose to dine here on separate tables or on the long, family-style communal table.
Overnight in Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle.
DAY 06: GOLDEN TRIANGLE (B, L, D)
Have breakfast before meeting your professional mahout (elephant keeper). They will teach you some of the skills needed to care for an elephant. Put those skills into use now; as you care for your elephant and take it on a stroll around the jungle.
Your resort is home to the Spa: two bamboo pavilions with spa beds, bathtubs and double-treatment rooms; all blended into the bamboo forest. Here you’ll receive a relaxing massage treatment with mountain plants and herbs to calm and soothe.
Later, explore the Golden Triangle area with your guide before heading back to the camp for dinner.
Overnight in Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle.
DAY 07: GOLDEN TRIANGLE (B)
You are free to relax until your guide arrives for your limousine transfer to the airport, which includes assistance with your check-in and baggage handling.