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 your centrally located hotel & relax.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

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 & 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 & 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 & 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.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or explore (we will be happy to offer suggestions for “optional’ programs & make arrangements).

Late evening, you will be met by a Journeys rep who will transfer you to the Station for the ‘overnight’ Train to Chiang Mai.

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

On arrival in the morning, as you exit out of the train carriage, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative (holding a placard with your Name in front as you step out of the train), 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 day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 20 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 Platform & make your own way to the start hotel, unless advised.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Rest of the morning is free to relax.

Founded in 1296 AD, Chiang Mai is a culturally & historically interesting city, at one time the capital of the ancient Lanna kingdom. Thais idealise their beloved northern capital as a quaint, moated & walled city surrounded by mountains with legendary, mystical attributes.

A sprawling modern city has grown up around ancient Chiang Mai ringed by a tangle of superhighways. Despite this, the historic centre of Chiang Mai still feels overwhelmingly residential, more like a sleepy country town than a bustling capital.

Chiang Mai's historical centre is the walled city (sections of the wall dating to their restoration a few decades ago remain at the gates and corners, but of the rest only the moat remains). Inside Chiang Mai's remaining city walls are more than 300 temples (121 within the municipal limits) - almost as many as are in Bangkok - dating back to the founding of the principality, in a combination of Burmese, Sri Lankan & Lanna Thai styles, decorated with beautiful wood carvings, Naga staircases, leonine & angelic guardians, gilded umbrellas & pagodas laced with gold filigree. And this is what makes the old city centre visually striking. The most famous is Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, which overlooks the city from a mountainside 13 km away.

Chiang Mai has always had many feathers to its bow with its cultural riches, relative peacefulness, fantastic handicraft shopping, delicious food & proximity to many natural treasures.  It is a dynamic & modern city, which has successfully managed to combine its rich history and traditions with its increasingly modern side. Chiang Mai has expanded in all directions, but particularly to the east towards the Ping River (Mae Nam Ping), where Thanon Chang Klan, the famous Night Bazaar and the bulk of Chiang Mai's hotels and guesthouses are located. 

Loi Kroh Rd is the center of the city's nightlife. The locals say you have not experienced Chiang Mai until you've seen the view from Doi Suthep, eaten a bowl of kao soi, & purchased an umbrella from Bo Sang. Of course this is touristic nonsense, but the Kao Soi, Bo Sang umbrellas & Doi Suthep are important cultural icons for Chiang Mai residents. Ratchadamneon Rd hosts the main Sunday night walking street market from Thapae Gate to the popular Wat Phra Singh.

If you drive in a straight line in any direction, you will soon find yourself in the lush green countryside and pristine rainforests dotted with churning waterfalls, serene wat & blissfully calm & laid back villages – as well as a host of markets & elephant sanctuaries.

Participate in a vast array of activities on offer, or just stroll around the backstreets & discover a city that is still firmly Thai in its atmosphere & attitude.

Afternoon, meet the Tour-guide at 01.30 pm & embark on a 3 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.

Experience Chiang Mai’s most visually stunning Buddhist temples out of over 36, including the gorgeous & highly revered 600-year-old Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep which contains a holy relic of the Budhha atop the 5,300 foot (1,615 meter) Doi Suthep Peak. Situated amidst a forrested mountain top, the temple affords spectacular views of the city & surrounding countryside & plenty of great photo-ops.

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. 

You will ascend the rolling hills surrounding the Chiang Mai to experience the immaculate Wat Phrathat Doi Sutep, perched high above the urban center near the summit of the peak of Doi Suthep. The final staircase leading to the site is adorned with the impressive body of the mythical dragon-headed serpent, or Naga, snaking its way down 306 steps.

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.

Return to the hotel or continue exploring on your own.

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.

Return to the hotel by 09.30 pm.

Overnight. B D 

Early morning, depart by jeep or pick-up truck, heading north to the mountainous Huay Nam Dang National Park featurig scenic mountain viewpoints, waterfalls & hot springs, for a Trek.

The National Park covering an area of 1,252.12 square km, is a scenic splendour located amidst the rugged high mountains of the Thai-Burmese border & is known for its most picturesque seas of mist. In the colder season when the temperature drops & the sky is crystal clear, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy innumerable, twinkling stars in the celestial sea.

Staying overnight allows an opportunity to witness the impressive sunrise and the soft white sea of mist enshrouding entire vast valleys. On a sunny day the majestic Doi Chiang Dao mountain wonderfully emerges from the sea of cloud & can be seen vividly.

The mist is the result of the distillation of fine particles of water vapour in the air. During daytime, the soil absorbs heat from the sun before gradually cooling down at night. When air of a higher temperature flows past the area it is cooled, distilled & turns into mist. Normally, mist is formed at night, or on a cold morning, when the sky is clear & the wind is mild. The impressive misty sea of Huai Nam Dang appears in the vast valleys where a stream of mist flows down and gathers, creating this picturesque natural wonder.

The mountain, which is mostly ranged highlands, has verdant forests that are the source of tributaries & various streams.

Mixed deciduous & evergreen forest blankets the National Park with various plants. It is also home to wild animals such as Elephant, Sambar Deer, Bear, Tiger, Macaques, Mongoose, Porcupine, Civet, Palm Civet, Common Wild Boar, as well as different kinds of birds such as Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Richard’s Pipit, Rufous-throated Partridge, Hill Myna, Ashy Bulbul, Black Bulbul. Striped-throated Bulbul, Eagle & Hawk.

There is also a large 4 level waterfall originating from Huai Nam Dang stream. The falls, generally covered by rainforest vegetations, are 50 metres high & 40 metres wide.

The Park also features the Pong Dueat Pa Pae Hot Spring. The warn pool is located in Amphoe Mae Taeng area consists of 3-4 large hot springs fed with hot underground water, which sometimes emit a jet of hot water about 2 metres high & a gentle smell of sulphur fills the air. Normally, the water temperature is between 90-99 °C & Bathing is allowed.

Lot of Nature Trails, too.

Spend time in the Park & stop at a local village market to pick up fresh supplies, before you start trekking in the afternoon through forested & hilly terrain for about l - 2 hours (5-6 km) ending at a Karen hill-tribe village.

Breakfast at dawn is quite simple but sufficient to give you the necessary energy for a further 3 hour (7-8 km) of Trekking.

Depart with the Tour-guide who will explain about the local flora & fauna, and how the local villagers live & how they manage the forests.

Arrive around lunch time at the Elephant Camp & 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.

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 in the middle of the forest on small paths & trails, crossing rivers & streams ending up at a rafting camp near another Karen village.

You can also enjoy swimming in the stream that passes the village.

At the breakfast, eat as much as you can to have enough energy for the exciting bamboo rafting, 20 - 25 km downriver.

There will be some stops made at local Hill-tribe villages along the way.

This thrilling trip travels downstream as the river winds through steep valleys & mixed forests with the sounds of wildlife all around you.

There are occasional gentle rapids and the chance to swim in the river if you wish before the trip ends at a second Rafting camp.

The rafting can take about 3 - 4 hours with fast rapids in the rainy season and up to 6 hours in the summer when the water level is shallow and the current is slow.

After lunch, depart for Chiang Mai and on arrival, Check in at the hotel.

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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, leaving Chiang Mai behind, depart for Chiang Saen, enroute stopping at Mae Salong.

Aside from Bangkok’s Amphoe Yaowarat, Mae Salong is Thailand’s most China like community. The village of Mae Salong is home to refugees who fled from the Chinese revolution & therefore has a uniquely Chinese feel not found anywhere else in Thailand.  The atmosphere here is reminiscent of a small Chinese mountain village. The combination of pack horses, a mainly Yunnanese population, hill tribes (Akha, Lahu, Shan, Mien), red lanterns decorating shops & southern Chinese-style houses conjure up images of a small town or village in southern China’s Yunnan Province. Once centre of the infamous opium trafficking Golden Triangle, Mae Salong is now renowned for its tea & coffee.

Visit the Princess Mother Pagoda & Chinese Martyr's Memorial Museum or just wander around a bit before continuing on to Chiang Saen.

Chiang Saen is a sleepy crossroads town on the banks of the Mekong River, founded in 1328 & was once the site of an important northern Thai kingdom. Scattered throughout the town today are the ruins of the 14^th century Chiang Saen kingdom - surviving architecture includes several chedi, Buddha images, wíhaan pillars & earthen city ramparts.

A few of the old monuments still standing predate Chiang Saen by a couple of hundred years; legend says this pre-Chiang Saen kingdom was called Yonok. Formerly loosely affiliated with various northern Thai kingdoms, as well as 18^th century Myanmar, Chiang Saen didnot really become a Siamese possession until the 1880s.  Yunnanese trade routes extended from Simao, Yunnan through Laos to Chiang Saen & then on to Mawlamyine in Burma via Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, & Mae Sariang.

Nowadays huge river barges from China moor at Chiang Saen, carrying fruit, engine parts and all manner of other imports, keeping the old China - Siam trade route open. Despite this trade & despite commercialisation of the nearby Golden Triangle, the town hasnot changed too much over the last decade. Chiang Saen is an official border crossing for Thai & Lao citizens travelling by ferry to & from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic town of Ton Pheung on the opposite side of the river. 

Check in on arrival by late afternoon.

Early morning around 06.30 am, depart for a 10 hour excursion to the border on a scenic drive through the countryside to the infamous Golden Triangle that overlooks the mighty Mekong River & encompasses the Thailand, Burma & Laos borders.

Take a look at old temples & other 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.

Enroute to the Golden Triangle, listen to the Tour-guide sharing details of the day ahead & interesting facts about this former opium-producing capital, where fields of opium poppies were cultivated for thousands of years.

You will stop at Yao & Akha hill-tribe villages to observe their distinctive dress & traditional ways of life. 

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 & 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 & 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.

Also visit Mae Sai - one of the few well known border towns between Thailand & Burma on the most northern point of Thailand.

Your first impression of this bustling town which has profited from legal & illegal trade, would be 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 - lacquer ware, gems, jade, clothes & other goods from Laos & Burma are sold in the shops along the main street.

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 & forth between Burma & Thailand.

Visit a Jade Cutting Factory & the colorful market, where handicrafts & 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 & swinging from the trees. The Temple got its name from the macaques that live here. They are not usually aggressive though & only stay in one area near the fish pond & 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 & 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 and enjoy the surroundings.

Drive back to Chiang Saen.

You may also 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.

Situated on the banks of the Mekong River, this rustic haven makes a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside. Like Chiang Mai, Chiang Saen has a city wall surrounding the historic town, but the fourth "wall" is formed by the Mekong River.

Morning, Check out & proceed for a sightseeing tour of Chiang Saen.

Visit Wat Phra Dhat Jom Kitti - a classic Buddhist temple, this 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.

Spend time at the Chiang Saen National Museum where you can learn about the archaeology, settlements & history of the town. There are replicas of the community & scores of ancient relics including Lanna-style sculptures, Buddha statues and inscription stones from Phayao & Chiang Saen itself. In addition, there are exhibitions of indigenous art objects of the Thai Yai, Thai Lu & other hill tribes, including musical instruments, ornaments, opium-smoking accessories, etc.

You may also visit another temple, Wat Phra That Chedi Luang located in Chiang Saen old town, built by King Saen Phu, the 3^rd ruler of the Lanna kingdom in early 13^th century. Ancient sites here include the bell-shaped, Lanna-style principal Chedi which measures 88 metres height with a base 24 metres width, is the largest structure in Chiang Saen. There are also remains of ancient Viharn & Chedi.

Get ready to depart for charming & laid back city of Chiang Rai, driving through scenic villages.

Chiang Rai Province has such a diversity of attractions that its capital is often overlooked. This small, delightful city is worth getting to know, however, with its relaxed atmosphere & great local food. It is also the logical base from which to plan excursions to the more remote corners of the province.

Founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai, Chiang Rai was the first capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom (Kingdom of a million rice fields), which was later conquered by Burma. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became a Thai territory and was proclaimed a province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910.

Things are on a smaller scale here, from the night market to the amount of sites to see, but the city has a more relaxed atmosphere, less pollution, and its trekking areas are quicker to get to. Chiang Rai is endowed with abundant natural attractions & antiquities; the province itself is evidence of past civilization.

But today, Chiang Rai also known as ‘Siang Hai’, is being marketed as ‘the gateway to the Golden Triangle’.

Attractions range from magnificent mountain scenery, ruins of ancient settlements, historic sites, Buddhist shrines like the unique, sparkling white Wat Rong Khun temple & ethnic villages as the province is also home to several hill tribes who maintain a fascinating lifestyle

Check-in on arrival.

After an early breakfast, transfer to Pier to board a simple long-tailed motorboat for a 3 hour journey up-stream along the Mae Nam Kok River,

The river runs through portions of very dense jungle & at occasional intervals, you will see Hill tribe villages resting upon the banks. There are hundreds of small inlets off this river, and these are destinations of boat trips from Thaton carrying trekking parties.

You will pass through the Karen village of Ruammit, an elephant town where the Karen locals raise elephants & use them in their daily chores in the jungle. This village is easily seen from the river as you cruise by & depending on what time of the day your boat passes Ruammit, the elephants may be bathing in the Mae Kok as they do every afternoon. 

Travelling up-stream gives us more time on the river to enjoy watching the countryside and local villages passing by.

Arrive at Thaton by early afternoon.

Thaton is a small town located between Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai, near the border with Myanmar.  The river forms part of the border & consequently the village has changed hands numerous times in the turbulent history of the area with the latest change happening in the early 20^th century when the border was moved two miles upstream leaving the north bank, previously part of Burma (Myanmar), to Thailand.

Thaton, known in Thai as Ban Rom Thai, is inhabited by the Shan ethnic group. The area around Thaton is populated by various hill tribes including Yao, Lisu, Lahu, Karen & Akha. Thaton is also home to Chinese nationalists forced to further flee from their home-in-exile after the coup in Burma.

Disembark on arrival, walk to the Resort & Check-in.

After freshening up, meet the Tour-guide & proceed for a short tour of Wat Tha Ton - a large monastery bordering the village, occupies an area of more than 160 acres with nine levels or hills.

Each hill has something on it to visit, like a big Buddha image or a stupa. Level 4 has a meditation center, where they teach vipassana meditation, also in English. Level 8 is a very large chedi & several statues. Level 9 is two kilometers from level 8, on a paved footpath the forest, with a large standing buddha at the end of the path.  

The temple is situated on the bank of the river offers beautiful scenery & also houses a school for monks, novices & youths as well as a drug rehabilitation center & a hill tribe support unit.

Explore this picturesque riverside town & the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Early morning, depart for Chiang Mai.

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.

Arrive in Chiang Mai.

Balance of the day is at leisure for independent exploration or optional activities (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements). (We provide secure luggage storage for you in Chiang Mai so you don't need to worry about carrying your bags around with you)

In time, proceed to the Station to board your ‘overnight’ Train to Bangkok.

On arrival in the morning, you will be met by The Journeys representative (holding a placard with your Name) who will ensure your comfort and transfer you to the hotel. He / she will provide assistance during Check-in and also discuss the program for the day.

Check-in at the hotel.

Balance of the day at leisure for independent explorations or optional activities (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

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.

You will be picked up at 06.30 pm & transferred to the Pier.

Finally, 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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