Day 01 Day 02 Day 03 Day 04 Day 05 Day 06 Day 07 Day 08 Day 09 Day 10 Day 01 - Arrive in Bangkok For many travelers, Thailand is the gateway to Southeast Asia and its exotic delights. Bangkok in particular is a city that has modernized quickly but still retains its authentic charm with beautiful temples, pagodas, spirit houses and historic sites amidst the skyscrapers, busy expressways and colorful billboards. Upon arrival, you clear the customs formalities yourself. When you leave the airport terminal, please proceed to GATE B or GATE C and look for Door 6 where our English-speaking guide is waiting for you and holding a sign with your names on it. Embark the comfortable vehicle for transferring (approx. 45mins) to your hotel for check-in and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Day 02 - Bangkok Wake up early this morning, and visit Wat Po in time to experience the monks’ morning chanting ritual. Followed by a short but exciting ride on Bangkok’s Tuk Tuk to Royal Grand Palace - the most important and impressive royal palace in Thailand and do not miss the mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. Continue with a long-tailed boat ride along the “klongs” of Thonburi to get a flavor of local life. Stop at Wat Arun, once the grand royal temple to King Rama II. After lunch, cross the river to Chinatown and get a first-hand look at old Bangkok. Walk along Yaworat Road where there are many interesting shops selling everything imaginable. Enjoy a cup of Chinese tea with the locals at a very old tea shop before exploring the bustling Talad Kao market, where a variety of food, fresh and dry fruits, and Chinese herbs are on offer. Day 03 - Bangkok / Chiang Rai via morning flight Transfer (approx. 45mins) to Survanabhumi Airport for flight to Chiang Rai. Visit the ancient temple of Wat Phra Kae, original home of the Emerald Buddha which is now housed in Bangkok. A replica was made and placed in the same spot where it was found. Continue with a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong with its large gold stupa. Visit Wat Rong Khun, which is different from any other temple in Thailand - in contrast to the ancient temples, this temple was built in 1997 and was designed using white glass. While travelling through the city, observe the influence of the city’s Chinese ethnic minorities. Day 04 - Chiang Rai Depart Chiang Rai and visit the Golden Triangle where the Ruak River comes out into the Mekong River. The borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos converge here, hence the nickname “Golden Triangle”, once the notorious centre of the opium trade. Stop to visit the Opium Hall, an excellent museum that traces the fascinating history of opium and details how the drug trade made its way to the Golden Triangle. An exciting long-tail boat ride along the Mekong provides spectacular views of the Laotian countryside. Continue to Chiang Khong, famous for being one of the few places where the giant Mekong catfish is still caught and visit to a Meo hill tribe village and observe the traditional way of life of the villagers. Try to strike up a conversation - your guide will help you with translations - and learn more about hill tribe life. Day 05 - Chiang Rai / Chiang Mai After breakfast, departs for Chiang Mai. On the way, make a stop to visit the Akha people, who have their roots traced all the way back from the Yunnan region in Southern China. They have their own religious beliefs and practices, based somewhat on animism and superstition. Continue the journey and visit the Yao people next, who distinguish themselves from the other tribe’s people with opulent attire and jewelry, which are often gold gilded. Day 06 - Chiang Mai Visit an Elephant camp, watch a herd of elephants taking their morning bath in a mountain stream and know how elephants work in the jungle nearby and what kind of tasks they undertake. Then, take an elephant ride through the jungle to visit a local ethnic minority village of the Lisu tribe, learn about the fascinating lifestyle and customs of the local people. End your day with a bamboo raft, float down the river and take in the tranquility and beauty of this area. Set foot again on the mainland and transfer back to Chiang Mai. Day 07 - Chiang Mai / Mae Hong Son via flight Spend a free morning at leisure in Chiang Mai until transfer to the airport for your short flight to Mae Hong Son. In the afternoon, set out to visit the Burmese style temples Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang. Then drive uphill to Wat Phra Dhat Doi Kong Moo, with its beautiful view over Mae Hong Son. Continue to the fish cave where numerous carts of strange colors can be seen. Drive back to your hotel for relaxation. Day 08 - Mae Hong Son Early morning, visit to Mae Hong Son's most colorful market, where scores of women barter with vendors for fresh produce, fruits and flowers. You will also see monks, swathed in yellow robes, setting forth on their morning alms rounds, accepting gifts of food from the faithful. Then, take the boat trip on the Pai River which provides the best vantage point to appreciate the beauty of this region. You'll stop to explore a Padaung Village, having migrated from the remote mountains of northern Myanmar. The Padaung women are distinguished by their brass neck rings which are worn when a girl reaches puberty. After lunch, you'll visit a Meo village, originally from southern China. You will also have an opportunity to visit a Meo home for a cup of herbal tea. Day 09 - Mae Hong Son / Chiang Mai via flight Morning is free at leisure until check out of hotel by 12:00 noon. Transfer to the airport for the afternoon flight back to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to your hotel for check in. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure and enjoy the nice setting of the hotel. Day 10 - Chiang Mai / Bangkok via flight After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight back to Bangkok and then take your connecting flight from Bangkok to next destination or onto your home.