2023 Chiang Mai Loy Krathong and Yee Peng Lantern Festival

Welcome to Bangkok. On arrival, your private guide will welcome you at the arrival hall and transfer you to your hotel with a private car and driver. Your guide will help you with luggage and hotel check-in and ensure your arrival is worry-free.

UME Travel's Complimentary Local SIM Card:

UME will help you prepare a local SIM card with unlimited 5G Internet and free international calling credit to make your stay in Thailand worry-free.

Depart early morning for a 2-hour drive to the 100-year-old Damnoen Saduak Floating Market located 100 km (62 mi) from Bangkok, one of Thailand’s most famous attractions. Day-in and day-out from about 8 am to about 11 am, the Floating Market is routinely crowded with hundreds of vendors and purchasers floating in their small rowing boats selling and buying or exchanging their goods. You will have a chance to take a ride on a long-tail boat to get a real sense of a floating village. After the long tail boat cruise around the village, you will stop at a transit point where you can choose to further explore the floating market by a 4-seat boat or stroll around by the river's banks. 

After having lunch, you will return to Bangkok, and you will visit Wat Pho, which is one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was built by King Rama I about 200 years ago and houses the gigantic, gold-plated Reclining Buddha image. This unique image is 49 meters long and 12 meters high with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl soles. Your last stop is The Royal Grand Palace, the nation's landmark and the most revered royal monument. You will see the Palace, which is used for many different occasions, and you will see The Coronation Hall, the Funeral Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the mysterious, famous Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. 

Depart for a 1.5-hour drive through Bangkok's rural outskirts to Ayutthaya History Park which was the capital of the Thai Kingdom for 417 years. The city was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong and in 1767 it was destroyed by the Burmese army. Nowadays the ruins of the former city are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. 

Stroll around the ruins of several ancient temples including Wat Yai Chaimongkol, a temple famous for its huge reclining Buddha lying comfortably in the sun (28-meter-long reclining Buddha); Wat Mahathat, where the roots of a tree surround the head of Buddha. During the visit, your guide will take you to sample a notable local snack – Roti Sai Mai which is also referred to as 'Sweet Angel Hair'.

This afternoon at around 1:00 pm, Welcome on board the Chao Phraya River cruise and enjoy a Superb buffet lunch whilst cruising back to Bangkok. Coffee breaks will be served while you enjoy the enchanting sight along the river banks such as the Royal barges, Thammasat University, The Royal Grand Palace, and the graceful Temple of Dawn. Witness the daily life of the river’s inhabitants and watch the scenery change from rural to cosmopolitan transfer back to Bangkok (at around 4:00 pm).

You will take your internal flight to the historical and colorful city of Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai, located in the north of Thailand, with its lovely Lanna temples, charming traditions, unique food, family-friendly attractions and stunning setting is a gem in Thailand’s northern hills. There’s so much for tourists to do here, from cultural exploration to adventurous treks and food tours. Your private guide is waiting for you at the airport to take you by private car to your hotel.

Hit the streets to discover the true flavors of northern Thailand. With a local foodie leading the way, embark on a tour of Chiang Mai's culinary heart, journeying through the city's lively markets and stalls, treating your palate to exotic flavors as you stop at one location after another.

**All the food mentioned above are samples for your reference, our guide will arrange the food for you depending on your preferences.

Your half-day, Chiang Mai old-city, temple tour takes you on an unforgettable drive through many different parts of the city. Your tour includes Wat Pra Singh which is one of over 200 ancient Buddhist temples located around the city and one of the most well-regarded examples of Lanna architecture. The temple of Wat Chedi Luang is the site of an enormous pagoda, originally 280 feet high, which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. Continue to Warorot Market to see and feel the real northern people’s way of life. Enjoy your meal at local restaurant. 

This Late Afternoon, let's Welcome Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival (ONLY on the 27th or 28th of November 2023), which will let you float lanterns in the sky, and enjoy Northern Thai-style celebrations, including many great activities in this festival. You will get festival's souvenirs, enjoy Lanna Thai cultural experience, including unlimited authentic Lanna Local food and beverage. There are many interesting activities.

Moreover, you will pray and meditate together. And then, you will launch floating lanterns float up into the sky to worship Phra Ket Kao Jura Mani, float away bad luck and misfortune. You are cordially invited to come and become part of the unique celebration of Chiang Mai Sky Lantern Festival, you will enjoy the greatest experiences of Lanna Style during this festival and get unforgettable moments of your travel in Chiang Mai.

A half-day package to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (join activity) offers you an enjoyable opportunity to spend quality time with elephants in their natural habitat as well as gain an insight into their history and behavior. It is here you will create cherished, lifelong memories of your time spent with these amazing animals!

You will be picked up (private transfer) from your hotel and will drive through scenic, agricultural areas before arriving at the sanctuary. There you will meet your English-speaking guide and learn a little about the elephants before changing into traditional Karen clothing.

After receiving bananas and sugar cane to feed to the elephants, you will walk with your guide through the sanctuary where you will find free-roaming elephants and hear their individual stories. You can touch, feed, photograph, and interact with the elephants at your leisure while you learn about their lifestyle and behaviors. 

After sharing time with the elephants, you will head to Doi Suthep Mountain. Climb 309 steps to the top (For the less active traveler, a tram is available for a small surcharge.), enjoying truly breathtaking scenery all along the way. You will find Wat Phra That at the very top, one of Northern Thailand’s most sacred temples. At the top, rest and relax while marveling at the panoramic views of the city of Chiang Mai. 

Join this cooking class at Mama Noi and experience making delicious Thai food in an open-air environment. Here you can learn how to make authentic Thai food and discover all the hidden secrets behind its unique flavors and tastes! 

You'll go on a tour of the local market and even an organic farm/herb garden before you start cooking - customize your cooking class by picking items from the full menu and choosing the recipes that you want to learn. Transform simple ingredients into an incredible dish by making traditional Pad Thai or create Green Curry for that distinctive but delicate mix between spicy and sweet. The Chicken and Coconut Soup (Tom Kha Gai) is also recommended for its rich and dynamic flavors of coconut milk and lemongrass! You'll have a half-day class and cook three dishes, and you'll also enjoy fresh fruits, refreshments, and even a dessert during the class. There's no reason to miss out on this fantastic cooking class!

Enjoy your free time until your guide come and escort you to airport for your onward flight.