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NORTHERN THAILAND TOURS

ANCIENT KINGDOMS OF THAILAND

5 NIGHT ESCORTED TOUR

scenery • culture • perfect with a beach stay

Phitsanulok 1 night | Chiang Rai 2 nights | Chiang Mai 2 nights

LANNA THAI & THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE

6 NIGHT ESCORTED TOUR

hill tribes • watch craftsmen at work • markets

Pai ( Mae Hong Son ) 2 nights | Chiang Mai 2 nights | Golden Triangle 2 nights

CHIANG MAI ADVENTURE

3 NIGHT PART-ESCORTED TOUR

elephants • traditional villages • striking scenery Chiang Mai 3 nights

DAY 1 Bangkok / Bang Po-In / Lopburi / Phitsanulok

Head north to Bang Pa-In , a former Summer Palace , and then on to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya . Continue to Lopburi to see Neolithic and Bronze Age artefacts , plus a former Buddhist sanctuary now home to hundreds of monkeys . Arrive at Phitsanulok to see the shrine of Wat Mahathat ( approx 270 miles / 9 hours drive ).

DAY 2 Phitsanulok / Chiang Rai

Visit Sukhothai before driving via Sri Satchanalai and Phayao , to Chiang Rai ( approx 295 miles / 6 hours drive ).

DAY 3 Chiang Rai / Golden Triangle

Drive by ‘ pick-up truck ’ to the Doi Mae Salong mountains and a remote hill tribe settlement stopping enroute at Akha and Yao hill tribe villages . Proceed to fascinating Mae Sai before visiting the heart of the Golden Triangle for views over Laos , Thailand and the Mekong River . Visit Chiang Saen to see its many ruins and carved Buddha images .

DAY 4 Chiang Rai / Chiang Mai

Start at Mae Ka Chan , a locally renowned hot spring . Later , drive through splendid mountain scenery towards Chiang Mai to visit the sacred Wat Prathat Temple at Doi Suthep . This evening , enjoy a North Thailand Khantoke dinner and folk dancing ( approx 116 miles / 5 hours drive ).

DAY 5 Chiang Mai

Begin at the Elephant Nature Park , a rescue and rehabilitation centre for elephants and other animals , which now live free of fear amidst natural surroundings . After lunch , visit some of Chiang Mai ’ s famous cottage industries , including silk , umbrellas and pottery .

DAY 6 Chiang Mai / Bangkok Return flight to Bangkok .

DAY 1 Bangkok / Chiang Mai / Pai

Early flight to Chiang Mai . Drive north amidst spectacular jungle-clad mountain scenery to Pai in the province of Mae Hong Son . Later , this afternoon visit local temples and the night market ( approx 160 miles / 5 hours drive ).

DAY 2 Mae Hong Son

Visit Tham Plaa Fish Cave then call at the hill temple in Mae Hong Son . After lunch continue by pick-up truck to the Long Neck Karens , a colourful hill tribe village whose women wear numerous brass coils around their neck and legs . Return by long tailed speedboat along the River Pai and then back to Pai ( approx 2½ hours drive ).

DAY 3 Pai / Chiang Mai

Early morning drive ( approx 2 hours ) to Chiang Mai to visit the Elephant Nature Park , a rescue and rehabilitation centre for elephants and other animals . After lunch at the sanctuary head to your hotel for leisure time . This evening , visit the Chiang Mai Cultural Centre * for a Khantoke dinner and folk dance ( approx 156miles / 5 hours drive ).

DAY 4 Chiang Mai

Begin with sacred Wat Phrathat Temple at Doi Suthep then this afternoon , tour Chiang Mai ’ s thriving cottage industries .

DAY 5 Chiang Mai / Golden Triangle

Drive north to Chiang Rai , stopping at locally renowned Mae Ka Chan hot spring . Continue to Mae Chan to visit Akha and Yao hill tribe villages ( approx 158 miles / 5 hours drive ).

DAY 6 Golden Triangle

Visit fascinating Mae Sai , stopping in the ruins of the 13th century city of Chiang Saen then travel to the heart of the Golden Triangle .

DAY 7 Golden Triangle / Bangkok Return flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok .

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Departures : Every Monday . Minimum 2 passengers required . Departures : Every Tuesday . Minimum 2 passengers required . Accommodation : 3★ Belle Villa Resort Pai or similar , near Accommodation : 3★ Amarin Lagoon Phitsanulok ; Teak Mae Hong Son , Empress Chiang Mai and Siam Triangle Hotel . Garden Spa & Resort Chiang Rai ; Empress Chiang Mai . Meals : Full board . Meals : Full board .

Tour price : The price shown includes domestic flights , transfers , accommodation , sightseeing as shown , services of

Tour price : The price shown includes domestic flights , a guide and entrance fees . Tours are by air-conditioned car , transfers , accommodation , sightseeing as shown , services of mini bus or coach and may include participants from different a guide and entrance fees . Tours are by air-conditioned car , nationalities , necessitating the use , occasionally , of bi or multilingual commentary . mini bus or coach and may include participants from different nationalities , necessitating the use , occasionally , of bi or multilingual commentary . closed to the public , so an alternative foodie tour will be offered

Note : * On some occasions the Chiang Mai Cultural Centre is . visit your travel agent or call 08444 937 444 • www . premierholidays . co . uk

DAY 1 Bangkok / Chiang Mai

Morning departure from Bangkok for a one hour flight north to Chiang Mai , famous for its friendly people , refined handicrafts , cool climate and striking mountain scenery . On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel . This afternoon take an “ Inherited Craftsmanship ” tour to witness the process of making and weaving silk and cotton . Proceed to Bor Sarng , the umbrella village where delicate Thai paper umbrellas are produced and hand painted . Finally , admire the intricacies of locally made lacquerware , silverware and teakwood furniture .

DAY 2 Chiang Mai

Enjoy a half day tour visiting the gilded temple buildings of Wat Phra That before admiring the panoramic views from Doi Suthep Hill at 3,300 feet . Finally visit the White Meo hill tribe for an insight into a different lifestyle . This evening why not explore the bustling night bazaar .

DAY 3 Chiang Mai

Transfer this morning to the Elephant Nature Park , a rescue and rehabilitation centre for elephants , as well as many other animals . Spend time observing the animals , which can now live free of fear in natural surroundings . After lunch , leave the camp for the Taeng River Pier where you board a bamboo raft for a gentle trip along the river . Travel onwards by road to visit the Padong long necked hill tribe village then continue to the Orchid and Butterfly Farm before returning to your hotel .

DAY 4 Chiang Mai / Bangkok Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Bangkok .

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Departures : Daily from Bangkok .

Accommodation : 4★ Dusit D2 Chiang Mai . Meals : Breakfast . Lunch also included on day 3 .

Tour price : The price shown includes domestic flights as indicated , 3 nights accommodation , sightseeing as outlined and transfers .

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