Thailand North and Central: See & experience it all

Your tour starts in Chiang Mai, specifically at 5:00 pm. Your tour guide takes you to the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. There, enjoy a guided tour. This market is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chiang Mai. It consists of countless stalls packed along the sidewalks and spilling out into the street. The night ends with a visit to a nightclub complex called Zoe in Yellow.

Today, take a day trip from Chiang Mai to an adventure park. There, go ziplining. Return to Chiang Mai and head to Wua Lai Walking Street. This is an outdoor bazaar with vendors selling traditional street snacks, handmade crafts, and souvenirs. Note that Wua Lai Walking Street is open only on Saturdays. If you are in town on a Sunday, visit Sunday Walking Street. This street becomes a gallery for local arts and crafts.

Travel by land from Chiang Mai to the mountain village of Pai. Food stalls and handicraft shops line Pai Walking Street. There is a very atmospheric vibe on the streets, with tourists wanting to be nowhere else. Today, visit a hot spring called Sai Ngam. There, go bathing in the naturally warm water. Then, walk on the Bamboo Bridge and end the day at Pai Canyon. From this canyon, watch the sunset.

Before returning by land to Chiang Mai, visit Yun Lai Viewpoint and then Nam Lod Cave. Yun Lai is a hilltop village complex which sells tea service and offers panoramic valley views. Nam Lod Cave is filled with stalactites and stalagmites. It is also home to large numbers of bats and swifts. At this cave, enjoy a quick bamboo rafting ride.

Go on a daytrip today. The first attraction this morning is in town, a nearby temple called Wat Chedi Luang. Next, visit the Maetaeng Elephant Camp. There, watch an elephant performance. Then, ride on an ox cart. In the same area, go bamboo rafting. Afterwards, enjoy a meal. Lunch is included on today’s tour at the elephant camp.

After your meal, visit Namtok Bua Thong–Nam Phu Chet Si National Park. There, climb up gluey-like rocks beneath a small waterfall, hence the nickname “Sticky Waterfall.” A calcium-rich spring leaves mineral deposits on the rocks, preventing slippery things like algae from growing. Next, visit Tiger Kingdom. Lastly, see a temple called Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

Go on another daytrip today. Firstly, visit the White Temple (a.k.a. Wat Rong Khun), located in the city of Chiang Rai. This is arguably the prettiest temple in all of Thailand and is undoubtedly one of the country’s most striking architectural landmarks. Adjacent to this temple is a cave museum, which you check out. Next, enjoy lunch, which is included on today’s tour.

After your meal, visit the Blue Temple (a.k.a. Wat Rong Suea Ten) followed by an outdoor museum called Baan Dam. There, see traditional homes, kitchenware, and other centuries-old objects. Next, visit a village where mostly Burmese reside. There, see people with long necks and large ears. As a custom initiated by the parents, rings are placed on these Burmese people at a very young age. These rings usually are never removed. Lastly, go to a dock. There, take a boat ride and see the countries of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar all at the same time.

Go on another daytrip today. Visit Doi Inthanon National Park. There, enjoy a full-day guided tour. Doi Inthanon ranks second among Thailand’s national parks in number of bird species. What’s more, within the park’s borders are several waterfalls. Lunch is included on today’s tour. Return to Chiang Mai in the early evening.

Travel by land from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai, home to one of Thailand’s greatest archaeological parks. There, enjoy a guided tour, best explored on a bicycle. The park is maintained by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand with the help of UNESCO, which has declared it a World Heritage Site. Each year, the park welcomes thousands of visitors who marvel at the ancient Buddha figures, palace buildings, and ruined temples.

Inside this park, there are 193 ruins, the remains of the royal palace, and 26 temples. Visit Wat Chetuphon, Wat Chedi Si Hong, Wat Chang Lom, Wat Si Chum, Wat Sri Sawai, Wat Traphang Ngoen, Wat Sra Sri, King Ramkhamhaeng Monument, and Wat Mahathat. Watch the sunset at Wat Mahathat.

Travel from Sukhothai to Bangkok via a quick and direct flight. The capital of Thailand is popular specifically for its nightlife scene, food market scene, and the Grand Palace area. Today in Bangkok, enjoy a guided tour of the Grand Palace. Next, visit a large, open-air mall called Asiatique The Riverfront. There, have some time to shop around.

Afterwards, explore the Chinatown Market (a.k.a. Yaowarat) with a guided tour. In the later evening, visit Patpong. It features a busy night market and is home to one of the city’s biggest red-light districts. Enjoy a guided tour there. Next, head to Lebua hotel’s Sky Bar on nearby Silom Road. This is one of the highest rooftop bars in the world and had a starring role in the movie Hangover 2. The night ends on Khao San Road, arguably Bangkok’s best spot for nightlife. Parallel to Khao San Road is Soi Rambuttri, another vibrant street to explore before returning to your hotel.

Go on a day trip today. Firstly, visit Damnoen Saduak to see its floating market. Enjoy a guided boat tour followed by a walking tour. Next, visit the Maeklong Railway Market. Whenever a train approaches, the awnings and shopfronts are moved back from the rails. They are put back in place once the train has passed. After that, visit the nearby Amphawa Floating Market. Enjoy a guided boat tour there.

In the early afternoon, explore the Chatuchak Weekend Market with a guided tour. Come hungry, as there are many food vendors at this market. Walking distance from Chatuchak is the Jatujak Green Market. Enjoy another guided tour there. Note that today’s excursion may need to be switched with another day because these markets are usually open on the weekends only.

Go on a day trip today. Firstly, visit Damnoen Saduak to see its floating market. Enjoy a guided boat tour followed by a walking tour. Next, visit the Maeklong Railway Market. Whenever a train approaches, the awnings and shopfronts are moved back from the rails. They are put back in place once the train has passed. After that, visit the nearby Amphawa Floating Market. Enjoy a guided boat tour there.

In the early afternoon, explore the Chatuchak Weekend Market with a guided tour. Come hungry, as there are many food vendors at this market. Walking distance from Chatuchak is the Jatujak Green (a.k.a. JJ Green) Market. Enjoy another guided tour there. Note that today’s excursion may need to be switched with another day because these markets are usually open on the weekends only.

Your tour ends this morning. Transportation will be arranged for you to reach either airport in Bangkok.