Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Sawasdee ka & welcome to   enchanting Kingdom of Thailand - friendly & fun-loving, cultured & historic. Thailand radiates a golden hue, from its glittering temples & tropical beaches through to the ever-comforting Thai smile…...

Arrive in Bangkok - the city where the familiar & the exotic collide like the flavors on a plate of pat tai.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be met by The Journeys representative outside Door B, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel. He / she will provide assistance during Check-in & also discuss the program for the next few days.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer   Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the start hotel.

Enroute to the hotel, the Rep will introduce you to some landmarks of Bangkok & brief about the Yi Peng & Loy Krathong Festival.

Check-in at the hotel.

Fun Folks | Food | Urban Exploration | Contrasts

Bangkok is excess in all of its unrestrained glory. Bigger, better, more: the city is insatiable, a monster that feeds on concrete, shopping malls & diesel exhaust. The city demands that you be in the present & in the moment, not necessarily for a religious epiphany, but because the city is self-absorbed & superficial, blissfully free of wrinkle-inducing self-reflection. Smiles & sa·nuk (the Thai word for ‘fun’) are the key passports into Bangkok society. A compliment here, a joke there - the demands of social lubrication in this megalopolis are more akin to a small village than an anonymous city & a necessity for survival.

As Bangkok forcefully kneads out of you all demands for order & predictability, you will understand the famous Thai smile. It is the metaphorical brakes on the urban overdrive. Packed into these concrete corridors are religious spectacle, unapologetic consumerism & multi-flavoured hedonism - corrupting & purifying souls within footsteps of each other.

The language barrier can seem huge, but it is never prevented anybody from getting along with the Thai people. The capital’s cultural underpinnings are evident in virtually all facets of everyday life & most enjoyably through its residents' sense of fun (known in Thai as sa·nuk). Ordering food, changing money & haggling at markets will usually involve a sense of playfulness – a dash of flirtation, perhaps – & a smile. It is a language that doesn’t require words & one that is easy to learn.

Of the famous & infamous attractions, Bangkok’s best feature is its intermingling of opposites. A modern world of affluence orbits around a serene traditional core. Hop the Skytrain to the glitzy shopping malls where trust-fund babies examine luxury brands as carefully as the housewives inspect produce at the open-air markets. Or appreciate the attempts at enlightenment at the city’s famous temples & doorstep shrines, or simple acts of kindness amid the urban bustle. Or you can jump between all of these worlds - wining & hobnobbing at a chic club, eating at a street side market, getting plucked & pummelled into something more beautiful or sweating profusely on a long unplanned march. Bangkok is an urban connoisseur’s dream come true

With so much of its daily life conducted on the street, there are few cities in the world that reward exploration as handsomely as Bangkok does. It is the contradictions that provide the City of Angels with its rich, multifaceted personality. Here, climate-controlled megamalls sit side by side with 200-year-old village homes; gold-spired temples share space with neon-lit strips of sleaze; slow-moving traffic is bypassed by long-tail boats plying the royal river; Buddhist monks dressed in robes shop for the latest smartphones. A stroll off Banglamphu’s beaten track can lead to a conversation with a monk. Cap off an extended boat trip with a visit to a hidden market. Get lost in the tiny lanes of Chinatown & stumble upon a Chinese opera performance. . Or after dark, let the BTS (Skytrain) escort you to Sukhumvit, where the local nightlife scene reveals a cosmopolitan & dynamic city. And as Bangkok races towards the future, these contrasts will never stop supplying the city with its unique and ever-changing strain of Thai-ness.

And streets lined with food carts are overlooked by restaurants perched on top of skyscrapers & perhaps Bangkok has got to be one of the best-value dining destinations in the world. Until you have eaten on a Bangkok street, noodles mingling with your sweat amid a cloud of exhaust fumes, you haven’t actually eaten Thai food. It can be an intense mix: the base flavours - spicy, sour, sweet & salty - aren’t exactly meat & potatoes. But for adventurous foodies who don't need white tablecloths, there is probably no better dining destination in the world. And with immigration bringing every regional Thai & international cuisine to the capital, it is also a truly diverse experience.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or explore the city, your way or opt for one of the optional activities (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.     

Meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby at 09:00 am and proceed on a 4 hour sightseeing to discover this amazing kaleidoscope of old & new cultures. You will see a well-groomed corporate Executive whizzing by in a BMW or a Mercedes or a Bentley amidst the chaos of the Bangkok streets.

It includes some of the most unusual Buddhist temples in Bangkok: Wat Trimitr with its invaluable Golden Buddha (5-1/2 tons of solid gold) has the largest golden Buddha in the world. Measuring 12’ in diameter with a height of 15’ from the base to the crown, this 700 years artefact is a valuable treasure of Thailand & Buddhism.   

First stop will be Phra Kaeo, the holiest Buddhist site in Thailand, and home of its holiest image, the Emerald Buddha. This ornately decorated and gilded temple sits in one corner of the huge Grand Palace complex, which is full of different structures, statues and buildings. The whole site is surrounded by an arcade with 178 different painted panels depicting the story of the Ramayana.

Next is Wat Pho, or Wat Phra Chetuphon as it is generally known to the Thais, is mainly famous for the huge Reclining Buddha statue it houses. At 20 acres large, it is the largest Wat in Bangkok, and is technically the oldest too, as it was built around 200 years before Bangkok became Thailand's capital. However, today the Wat today bears virtually no resemblance to that originally constructed, as it was almost entirely rebuilt by Rama I when the capital was moved to Bangkok. It holds the dual honors of having both Thailand's largest reclining Buddha image & the most number of Buddha images in Thailand. The highly impressive gold plated reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high & is designed to illustrate the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. The feet and the eyes are engraved with mother-of-pearl decoration, and the feet also show the 108 auspicious characteristics of the true Buddha. The large grounds of Wat Pho contain more than 1000 Buddha images in total, most from the ruins of the former capitals Ayuthaya and Sukhothai.

You will also visit the Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful sample of an ancient Siamese court. It used to be the residence of the Kings of Bangkok. In the complex, you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and Wat Phra Keo, the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. (Note: The Grand Palace is closed during special royal ceremonies and during visiting heads of state).

After a lunch (own expense) in a restaurant by the river, board a long tail boat for a private cruise around the Klongs (small canals) of Thonburi, the site originally chosen for Thailand's new capital after the fall of Ayuthaya, enjoying the natural scenery along Bangkok's surprisingly rural western suburbs which feel a world away from the chaotic streets of modern Bangkok, across the river. Observe the daily lives of the people who live along the canals.

See the boathouse where the Royal Barges are kept & maintained. Visit the Royal Barge Museum and & then head off the normal tourist route to visit an Orchid & Spice Farm and gain some karma by feeding the fish at a local temple. Stop for an opportunity to talk to some of the students attending the temple school or take a leisurely stroll through vegetable & herb gardens

Return to the hotel by late afternoon.

Evening is set aside to enjoy a superb dinner onboard either a traditional rice barge or a luxury modern boat (you can choose which you prefer), while cruising along the Chao Phraya River. The spectacular sights along the river make an impressive backdrop to the meal & a traditional Thai Classical Dance Show is also included on the modern boat.

Full day at leisure to relax or explore   Lot of options for you to choose from, in this exciting city (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   B 

Early morning, you will be met by a Journeys Rep & transferred to the airport to board your flight to Chiang Mai.

On arrival, you will be met by The Journeys representative (holding a placard with your Name) as you exit from the Arrivals Hall at Terminal? - Chiang Mai International Airport, He / she will ensure your comfort, discuss the program for the next couple of days & immediately see you off for the drive to Chiang Saen, via Chiang Rai.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Chiang Rai & then continue on to Chiang Saen, the former capital of the first Thai Lanna Kingdom, situated on the Mekong River on the border between Thailand & Laos.

Enroute, you will also get an opportunity to enjoy the Mae Ka Chan hot springs, where you can soak sore muscles in three natural pools & let the tiny fish nibble dead skin from your feet, or purchase quail eggs to cook in the boiling waters

Drive on to Chiang Saen - the gateway the notoriously famous or infamous Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Burma & Laos converge, overlooking the mighty Mekong River.

The sleepy riverside town of Chiang Saen was once the seat of the powerful Lanna kingdom that ruled northern Thailand for several hundred years, starting in the 13^th century.

On reaching Chiang Saen, immediately proceed for a tour of the city

Visit to Wat Phra Dhat Jom Kitti - a classic Buddhist temple, a masterpiece is situated on the top of a hill. The foundations date to the 7^th century, making it the oldest structure in the region, but the existing temple was built in 1483. The pagoda at the top contains a relic from the Buddha, making it more special than other temples. You must climb the 383 steps hemmed in by two giant naga to reach the top, but the views across the Mekong and into Myanmar (Burma) are stupendous.

Take a look at other old temples & ruins as you learn a bit about the region's history, and then head to a lookout point to see the Golden Triangle, that is / was one of the world's largest opium-producing areas.

After the tour, hop on to a long-tailed speedboat & embark on a 1 hour cruise along the Mekong River towards the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar & Laos converge.

Disembark & proceed to the hotel by late afternoon & Check-in.

You may want to visit (optional - not included) Chiang Saen’s Hall of Opium - a museum & research center. Learn the history and impact of illegal drugs & support a campaign that works to eradicate drug trafficking & abuse in modern day Thailand.  Hall of Opium was built to educate people about the dangers of the drug through an entertaining exhibition which traces opium’s history from its first use 5,000 years ago to current issues of drug abuse and addiction. Many publications regard this as one of the best Museums in Thailand.

After breakfast, depart for Chiang Rai, enroute stopping at some interesting points.

First will be Mae Sai - one of the few well known border towns between Thailand & Burma, it  is a bustling town which has profited from legal & illegal trade.  Your first impression would be of the incredibly wide main street that runs essentially north-south through the town finishing at the bridge that spans the river & gives access to Burma. The border end of this street is lined by an enormous market. The wares available are many & varied with a very heavy Burmese influence - clothes, gems, you name it they have got it.

One of the more interesting pursuits in town for travelers is to watch the action up river from the bridge that spans the Sai River. Throughout the day, boats ferry people & goods back and forth between Burma & Thailand.

Visit a Jade Cutting Factory and the colorful market, where handicrafts and souvenirs are on sale.

Next stop will be at the Fish & Monkey Cave Temple Wat Tham Pla. While there are lots of fish here the main draw are the wild monkeys which you can see climbing the side of the cave and swinging from the trees.  The Temple got its name from the macaques that live here. They are not usually aggressive though and only stay in one area near the fish pond and shrine to Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy who is very popular with the Chinese. You can get up close to the monkeys, feed them and take pictures.  The Fish cave is a lake that ends directly at the mountain - or better in it, since the cave goes on under water. In the lake a lot of Koi (special fish - ask any collector how pricey they are) swim. You can feed the fish & enjoy the surroundings.

Continue on to a nearby Tea Plantation at Doi Mae Salong, passing through mountain scenery.

The official name of Mae Salong - a small, ethnically Chinese village right along the border of Myanmar. Name has now been changed to Santikhiri , however, locally, it is still known as Mae Salong.

At the end of the Chinese Civil War, a group of Chinese, who wouldn’t succumb to defeat, lived nomadic lives in Myanmar. Eventually they found their way to the hilltops of Mae Salong, where they set up a village. The Thai government allowed them to stay in Thailand, as long as they fought for Thailand. Today, the village still exists, and it is still very Yunnanese Chinese.

The village is quite small, but big enough to have a number of restaurants & quite a few little tourist souvenir stalls.

Stop at the tea plantation to see the tea fields, and to enjoy a cup of tea!

You can walk around the tea fields at first, and then make your way to the gift shop & cafe for a tea tasting session. The tea is exceptionally wonderful & most guests end up buying bags of different type of tea - many different prices & qualities.

The view from the top takes in a large part of Thailand, Burma and the Mekong Valley, which makes this trip very worthwhile.

From here, drive on visit the hill tribe villages of the colourful people of Akha, Yao & Lisu tribes.

Akha originated in Tibet and every Akha village is distinguished by their carved wooden gates, presided over by guardian spirits. Akha are now selling handicrafts, employing the traditional skills used in making their own clothing and cultural items. 

The Yao came from southern China, and are the only hill tribe to have a written language. Yao women are noted for their magnificent cross-stitch embroidery, which richly decorates the clothing of every member of the family. The costume of the women is very distinctive, with a long black jacket with lapels of bright scarlet wool. Loose trousers in intricate designs are worn and a similarly embroidered black turban. Yao silversmiths produce lovely silver jewelry of high quality. The Yao have a written religion based on medieval Chinese Taoism, although in recent years there have been many converts to Christianity and Buddhism. They are very peaceful and friendly, who pride themselves on cleanliness and honour and they are called the "businessmen" among the hill tribes.

Lisu - villages of this colourful ethnic group are to be found in the mountains of China, Myanmar (Burma) and northern Thailand. The Lisu make their clothing from gaily-coloured cloth stitched into outfits trimmed with row upon row of coloured strips of cloth. The more affluent wear massive amounts of hand-crafted silver ornaments for festive occasions. Lisu men produce crossbows, musical instruments, bird and animal traps, and other items made of wood, bamboo and rattan.

They believe strongly in the spirit world, and their shamans are used to divine the causes and cures of all problems and sickness. These hill tribe people are perhaps the best looking of all the tribes, and they like to think of themselves a little bit above their other hill tribe neighbours. They are among the least bashful of these ethnic groups and in general adjusting well to the changes taking place in their society.

Finally, reach the hotel in Chiang Rai by evening. Check-in & relax.

After an early breakfast, transfer to Pier to board simple long-tailed motorboats for a 3 hour journey on the Kok River, passing tiny hill tribe villages with bamboo &  jungle scenery.

Enroute stop to visit the village of Ban Pha Tai, & interact with the Lahu hill tribe.

The Lahu originated in China & Tibet before eventually migrating to Thailand. One of the largest hill tribes in Thailand, with a reported population of around 80,000, the majority of which lives around the Burmese border.

Their language has spread far & wide among the hill tribes of Thailand due to their propensity to outsource work to members of other hill tribes.  The Lahu are nature worshippers, who have a tendency toward one localized deity, as well as a deep spiritual connection to their ancestors.  Animism & ancestor worship are very common practices among the hill tribes of Thailand.

The Lahu traditionally inhabit homes that are built on stilts with walls of bamboo or wooden planks, at higher altitudes, typically settling their villages in areas where the altitude is at least 1,000 meters.

They are known for their skills in hunting & trapping. This is not their only talent, however. They are also widely renowned herbalists, due to a great knowledge of medicinal herbs. It is not unusual for the Lahu to either offer their services or accept services from other hill tribes. 

Both the men and women are talented in weaving & work together to make some of the most intricate baskets available in all of Thailand. The women are also able to work equally well with foot treadle looms or back strap looms & are known for their unique patchwork & embroidery. The men are very talented craftsmen, known for their impressive work on such facets as crossbows, musical instruments, and a multitude of other products that can be carved from bamboo, wood, or rattan. 

Arrive by early afternoon & disembark at Thatorn - a small charming town on the bank of the Mae Kok River. Visit Ban Lorcha - a Phami Akha hill tribe community center (a community-based tourism development project that promotes sustainable, self-reliant development to improve the quality of life of villagers of this Akha Community, a model for tourism in hill tribe villages).

Enjoy lunch here at the Maekok River Village Resort.

Then, board a vehicle & drive a short distance to Mae Rim via Fang & Chiang Dao.

Mae Rim is a small town packed with tourist attractions, just north of Chiang Mai. While the town consists of one long busy road, there are lots of unseen hotels, restaurants & activities hidden down the side streets  of the town.

The most popular area of Mae Rim is highway 1096 which goes though Mae Sa Valley, also known as the start of the Samoeng Loop (a popular day trip for motorcycle riders and adventure seekers as there are lots of extreme sports along highway 1096). There is also the popular Mae Sa Waterfall, Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, Mae Sa Elephant Camp & the Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park. Also located here is the super exclusive Four Seasons Resort, Mae Sa Snake Farm and the popular hilltop destination of Mon Chaem which offers stunning natural views from a mountaintop.

Arrive by early afternoon & Check-in at Hmong Hill-tribe Lodge.

The Lodge combines simplicity & style to create an environment of rustic elegance and offers guests a unique opportunity to experience traditional Hmong culture amidst striking natural beauty. Located in a jungle at an elevation of 2,700 feet above mean sea level, the weather at the Lodge is pleasantly mild & cool all year round.

Balance of the afternoon is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration. 

Visit the tribal communities nearby, where you can learn the intricate techniques of traditional Hmong embroidery, weaving & batik.  Trekking tours to villages farther afield through exquisite jungle scenery rich with endemic plant & animal life, while closer to home, our great pool area offer fabulous ways to unwind.

Evening, enjoy a BBQ dinner followed by a presentation of Meo dances performed by the Hmong neighbours from the village of Mae Khi who come to the Lodge every evening to perform, communicating key aspects of Hmong culture through song, dance &  rituals. 

After an early breakfast, Check-out & depart for Chiang Mai.

Enroute, you would stop at the Elephant Camp in the village of Mae Saa and watch the elephants at work. 

Elephant is the largest mammal surviving in the world at present. & have been revered in Thailand for many centuries, with elephants living together, working together - in normal time & at war time. Famous as the strongest beasts of burden, in Thailand they were important in battle, with kings mounted on Elephants fighting the Burmese to defend Thailand on many occasions.

Since the ancient time, the elephant was raised by men for many advantages such as a royal vehicle of kings in the wars, or even as worker in the forest. So, the elephant is considered greatly beneficial to Thai people.

The current roles of the elephant have changed entirely. 1927 is considered to be the time when functions the Asian elephants changed from military to labor. For the forestry industry in the depths of the forest, to get the best teak in the world, Elephants were employed in transporting. The government has now canceled the forestry concession.

They have also been noted for their intelligence, memory & pleasant nature. A Thai legend has it that a marriage is like an elephant and the husband is the front legs, that choose the direction, the wife the back legs, providing the power!

As the number of elephants grows decreases, conservation initiatives like Mae Saa Elephant Camp have dedicated their knowledge & expertise to help increase the number of elephants in the country. Their success in reproduction of elephants is passed on via this elephant nursery where the little elephant babies live with their mothers during childhood & their mahouts who provide full care. They also co-operate with various world organizations in studies & development of elephant reproduction techniques - natural way as well as artificial insemination.

There are a lot of elephants in Camp & they have created a travel program to provide visitors with the best experience, balanced with providing a better life for the elephants & their care-takers in surrounding communities.

Visitors can spend time enjoying the grounds while following expert guides who know just about everything there is to know about these massive animals. The camp employees work diligently to educate travelers about animal conservation & environmental protection.

You can meet big & little elephants, over 20, starting with watching elephant bathing in the river, from atop a bridge at exactly 09.30 am.

Then proceed to the ground to watch the 40 minute Show featuring demonstrating their traditional logging techniques & skills at hauling timber and elephants painting pictures, making music, demonstrating agility & more. Perhaps the most unique experience of all, is watching the animals paint & play instruments - truly impressive feat that is worth the cost of admission. Their strength & clever teamwork will amaze you.

You can even take a ride high atop one of these gentle giants into the jungle surroundings (Optional - not included).

Optional - If you have a full day to spare, you can get to learn from the professional Mahouts. Find out what they do every day and the secret of becoming a Mahout! Start by the introduction of instructions & elephant health care, the language to communicate with elephant followed by hands on practices.

After spending a couple of hours at the Camp, visit an Orchid Farm in the vicinity.

After lunch at a local restaurant, continue on your journey.

Enroute stop at the various Handicraft Villages, where you can watch the artisans at work: Observe how lacquer-ware is made, the spinning & weaving of Thai Silk and how paper umbrellas are painted. You will also visit a well-known Thai wood carving factory with possibility to buy Burmese antiques.

Arrive at the hotel in Chiang Mai by evening & Check-in. Relax for a while.

Chiang Mai is a lively, bustling city and its charming character makes the province "a must" to visit. One of the many questions Thais may ask a foreign visitor is ‘Have you been to Chiang Mai yet?’ underscoring the feeling that Chiang Mai is a keystone of any journey to Thailand.

Chiang Mai has in excess of 300 temples (121 within the municipal limits) - almost as many as are in Bangkok - a circumstance that makes the old city centre visually striking. Thais idealise their beloved northern capital as a quaint, moated & walled city surrounded by mountains with legendary, mystical attributes. In reality, Chiang Mai is a dynamic & modern city, which has successfully managed to combine its rich history & traditions with its increasingly modern side.

Chiang Mai has always had many feathers to its bow with its cultural riches, relative peacefulness, fantastic handicraft shopping, delicious food and proximity to many natural treasures. Changes are afoot however, with the city becoming somewhere to watch in the style stakes. Yet, the northern capital still manages to retain the relaxed, temple-sprinkled, cultural capital atmosphere of yore, alongside these new hip happenings. With its many & varied attractions, the days of Chiang Mai just being a quick stop off point before heading to the hills, are long gone.

In the evening around 06.30 pm, you will be transferred to best place in Chiang Mai to enjoy a traditional Khantoke Dinner - an important part of the northern Thai people's culture & hospitality.

The customary northern Thai style of eating involves a variety of northern dishes being served in large lacquerware & wooden platters at low tables while you sit on mats on the floor. About 7 dishes are put on this wooden plate & shared by the guests. You will have the chance to experiment:

During the dinner there will be a performance of traditional northern Thai hill-tribe music & dancing. As traditional as the food, these dances are exclusive to the Chiang Mai district & you will not see them anywhere else.

Let yourself be entertained by a selection of northern cultural performances including the charming Fon Lep (Thai Finger Dance) - a traditional dance that the Northern Thai people are very proud of. It is usually perform on special occasion, such as when greeting honourable guests or state visitors; Ram Dab (Thai Sword Dance) - this dance was developed from an ancient martial art. It was transformed in to a dance because of its ferocious beauty. The dancer will dance with twelve swords; the Celebration Dance - was composed & choreographed by Chao Dara Rasmi’s court poets & dance instructors in the year 1927. It was part of celebrations on the occasion of the royal king Prajadhipok’s visit to Chiang Mai and replicates & rejoices in the presentation of a white elephant to him. And many more styles.

To end the evening, there is a special show performed by various members of Yao, Lahu, Meo, Lisu & Karen hill-tribes.

After an early breakfast, Check-out & meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 & embark on a 4 hour sightseeing tour of this ancient city.

This Chiang Mai temple tour explores the most famous & picturesque of the city’s 36 Buddhist temples (Wats), both inside the city walls & in the nearby countryside - a perfect introduction to Northern Thailand’s cultural & religious capital.

No trip to Chiang Mai would be complete without visiting the highly revered 600-year-old Wat Phra Thart Doi Suthep which contains a holy relic of the Buddha - the spectacular Buddhist temple that can be seen, from wherever you happen to be in the city, clinging to the mountainside near the summit of the 5,300 foot (1,615 meter) Doi Suthep Peak. Situated amidst the forested mountain top, the temple affords spectacular views of the city & surrounding countryside & plenty of great photo-ops.

There are two ways of approaching this holy shrine: on foot, if you are fit enough to climb the 306 steps staircase adorned with the impressive body of the mythical dragon-headed serpent or Naga, or by the small cable car.

Gain first-hand insight into habits of the temples’ Buddhist monks as they go about their daily routines, plus plenty of opportunities to photograph historic environs of Chiang Mai and the majestic views from the foothills surrounding the city.

You will visit Wat Chedi, an ancient structure in Central Chiang Mai first constructed in 1411. The temple once rose over 278 feet (84 meters) above the city before it was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. Glance inside the temple to observe statues of guardian spirits that some say protect the temple to this day. 

Also, if time permits, stop at Wat Phra Singh is one of the biggest, finest & most famous temples in Chiang Mai, located on the western side of the medieval walled city of Chiang Mai. The name Wat Phra Singh means Monastery of the Lion Buddha. The original name was Wat Li Chiang Phra but this was changed to Wat Phra Singh when the Phra Sihing Buddha image was first housed there in 1367. This temple contains supreme examples of Lanna art & has two of the most exquisite structures of Lanna architecture that are still standing, namely the ho trai & Viharn Lai Kham.

The recently restored Viharn Lai Kham is a classic example of a Lanna style viharn & was built to house the Phra Sihing image enthroned inside. Lai Kham refers to the elegant gold tracery used for decoration. On the inner walls of the Viharn Lai Kham are some murals originally commissioned by Chao Thammalangka. These are famous for their period style and the detail depicting earthy northern Thai scenes and the ways of the Burmese Court. The small scripture repository - ho trai is the finest of its type in the north & sits atop a raised base decorated with stucco Devas. The upper wooden structure is decorated with carvings & stucco and is covered in glass mosaic & gilded lacquer.

Visit the Hill tribe Museum which aims to help educate local & foreign tourists about the Hill tribes' fast disappearing culture. The museum has some very interesting articles & cuttings about the long history of opium & the effect it has had on the lives of the mountain people & hill tribe villages. Along with displays of costumes & written information about the different hill tribes, it is a good way to learn about the people you may be visiting (or visited).  The displays on six major tribal groups (Lahu, Lisu, Yao / Mien, Akha, Hmong & Karen) are meant to compliment information presented in a 25-minute power-point Presentation. There is also a shop where you can buy genuine hill tribe clothing, bags etc.

Enjoy lunch (own expense) at a restaurant nearby & walk around.

In time, you will be transferred to Chiang Mai Airport for the flight back to Bangkok.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, you will be met by The Journeys representative (holding a placard with your Name) who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel. He / she will provide assistance during Check-in and also discuss the program for the next few days.

Alas, this wonderful glimpse of Thailand comes to end & it is time to say good-bye to the "Land of Smiles" & go home.  We sure hope that you may want to discover a bit more of Siam on your next visit. 

Check-out of the hotel by 12:00 noon (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the use of the hotel facilities & leave the luggage at the Bell Desk if you have the time to walk out). 

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport for your onward journey. B

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