Wild & Whimsical Thailand

Your itinerary begins in Chiang Mai, where you will stay at Le Meridien Chiang Mai for two nights. Enjoy your first day at leisure, to prepare for your private city tour to visit the sites of Chiang Mai the following day.

On day 3, your shuttle will meet you outside your hotel for a trip to Elephant Nature Park, where you’ll stay for one night. Your elephant interaction will continue through the following day, inclusive of lunch, after which you will be transferred back to Chiang Mai, returning to Le Meridien where you’ll stay another two nights.

Day 5 will be spent at leisure before you continue on to Mae Rim and Mae Saa Valley on day 6 for a visit to orchid farms and the Mae Saa Waterfall. Enjoy a two night stay at The Legend Chiang Rai Hotel.

After breakfast on day 7, meet your guide for a full day tour to visit the stunning mountainous landscape of Doi Mae Salong. You’ll check out after breakfast on day 8, meeting your guide in the lobby to visit Wat Rong Khun. From there, you’ll be transferred to Chiang Rai Airport for your flight to Bangkok.

On arrival in Bangkok, you will be transferred to Rembrandt Hotel where you will stay for three nights. Day 9 will feature a full day tour of Bangkok. You’ll have the freedom to explore the city at your leisure the following day, before returning to the Bangkok airport on day 11 for your flight home.

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Day 1

Make your way independently to the Bangkok airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. On arrival you will be welcomed by a Luxury Trips representative and transferred by private car to Le Meridien Chiang Mai where you will stay for two nights.

The remainder of the day will be yours at leisure to settle in to your hotel and begin exploring the area.

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Day 2

After breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel for your private city tour to visit the sites of Chiang Mai including many of the city’s most visually stunning temples. Wat Prah Singh temple compound makes for a great start with an ancient stupor and several temple buildings with intricate carvings, glistening Buddha statues, and sparkling rooftops. Other places of worship during this temple hopping tour include the elegant Wat Prasat, Wat Phan Tao and the ancient masterpiece of ChediLuang. ChediLuang lies in the heart of the walled city and has stood the test of time despite its crumbling appearance. Built in the 14th century, it still carries enormous spiritual significance in Chiang Mai, evident in the flurry of Buddhist activity that constantly takes place around the stupor. After the temples, jump onto a trishaw, which makes for a wonderfully relaxed way to explore Buak Hat Park and hunt out some jewelry bargains on Wua Lai Road.

Later this afternoon, take a transfer up to centuries old Doi Suthep just 15km from Chiang Mai. Atop one of the highest hills within easy reach of Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep is also one of the city’s most spiritually significant temples. Enjoy a unique private blessing and witness the chanting monks- an awe-inspiring and exotic experience that goes some way in reflecting the significance of religion and monkhood in Thai society. At such an altitude, there is no better place to then witness the sinking sun as the sky bursts into color.

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Day 3

Make your way to the front of the hotel to meet your shuttle transfer. Be sure you have prepared a day bag for your trip to Elephant Nature Park where you will stay for one night.

Upon arrival, enjoy an introductory orientation video and talk that you can learn all about our herd and the park is followed by a healthy lunch of fresh local produce then watch the elephants bathe in the river that borders our park. Discover how to communicate with them and learn with our trained staff. Observe our herd at play and watch them interact in each of their social groups. Full dinner at the park and accommodation at park huts.

Elephant Nature Park's Mae Taeng Valley location is naturally stunning. Combined with the company of a herd of rescued elephants you will have the chance to take numerous pictures and keep lifelong memories. Overnight stays are all about spending time with the herd and do not adhere to a strict schedule; the best way to make the most of your visit is to relax, watch and learn from the elephants.

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Day 4

After breakfast, join in on an elephant walk to see the elephants roaming in the open pasture.

Upon returning to the park with the elephants you get to feed and bathe the herd.

You will soon begin to identify different elephants by their shape, markings and attitude. Observe and enjoy the communications and interactions between these highly intelligent and loving herd elephants.

After lunch and some more time at the park, you will be transferred by shuttle bus back to Chiang Mai and Le Meridien Chiang Mai where you will stay for two nights.

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Day 5

Today is yours at leisure to discover Chiang Mai.

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Day 6

Start in the early morning for a transfer to Mae Rim for Mae Saa Valley where you will visit orchid farms and Mae Saa Waterfall. If time permits, you will continue to Chiang Dao and visit Chiang Dao Cave. Next is Doi Angkhang, a destination to connect with not only the beauty of the nature but the intriguing lifestyle of the local tribes as well. Your stops along the way can be adjusted/ changed flexibly through discussion with your local guide.

From there you will make your way to The Legend Chiang Rai Hotel where you will stay for two nights.

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Day 7

After breakfast, meet your guide for your full day tour to visit the stunning mountainous landscape of Doi Mae Salong and its tea, coffee and wine cultivation and production. These rolling hills seemingly go on forever, as the fertile land produces some of Thailand’s finest quality agricultural products. Next is Mae Sai, which rests gently on the Ruak River and just a stone throw from neighboring Myanmar. Stroll around the local shops where you’ll find a myriad of interesting souvenirs on offer, as well as the bustling local markets that owe their vibrancy to a flourishing trade between borders.

Continue to the Golden Triangle, the area is locally referred to as "Sop Ruak", where the Mekong meets the Ruak River. This is where the borders of three countries, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, come together. Stop at the Hall of Opium a big museum exhibiting various tools used in the planting, harvesting and trade of the infamous plant, also on display are ancient smoking pipes from the region.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and spend the evening at leisure.

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Day 8

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel with your luggage.

This morning you will have an opportunity to visit to Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple. The jagged spikes of this gleaming white temple emerge from a grassy garden like white fire, and the whole structure is elegantly reflected in the adjacent pond. This ambitious project was undertaken by local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, and it clearly reflects both movements in contemporary art and traditional Thai architecture.

From there you will be transferred to Chiang Rai Airport for your departure flight to Bangkok.

On arrival in Bangkok, you will be transferred to Rembrandt Hotel where you will stay for three nights.

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Day 9

After breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel for your full day tour of Bangkok.

You will leave the hotel by public transportation vehicle and head straight to Wat Pho, one of the biggest Reclining Buddha in Thailand for visiting. You might hear the morning monk chanting ritual from the main hall during your visit.

Then continue walking to Wat Phra Keo, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and one of the most respected temple in Thailand and Grand Palace, home of the Kings of Siam of the Chakri Dynasty, originally built by King Rama I.

After lunch break, for a bit of adventure, ride a Thai tuk-tuk to visit Wat Saket and climb the Golden Mountain, which offers an incredible view over Bangkok. Travel aboard "Sam Saeb" taxi boat to discover the Jim Thompson house, home of the famous founder of Jim Thompson Thai Silk. One last ride by BTS or taxi to go back to the hotel.

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Day 10

Today is yours at leisure to discover Bangkok. Bangkok, pronounced Krungthep in Thai, is full of amazing sights. Boasting more than 400 temples or "Wat" as they are referred, rise up to the sky and present a storied history, especially the historical area of Bangkok, which is full of cultural highlights. Here is a list of some "don't miss" attractions:

-Grand Palace

-Wat Arun

-China Town

-Khaosan Road

-Floating Market

-Weekend Market (Chatuchak)

-Thai Boxing or Muay Thai

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Day 11

Meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel for your private road transfer to the Bangkok airport, taking with you the sights, sounds, and memories of an incredible Thailand experience!

Included

– All activities and tours as specified in your itinerary, unless referred to as optional
– All accommodation as specified within the program
– Services of the lodge guides and staff
– Meals and drinks – will differ between accommodations
– Laundry can be done at most camps/lodges and hotels. In some cases this is included in the tariff quoted
– Air/ground transfers as specified within the program
– Relevant park fees;
– Accommodation taxes, the applicable Tourism Levies and all relevant Value Added Tax (VAT) or Government Sales Tax (GST)
– Luxury Trips’ local representatives available 24/7 while traveling
– Luxury Trips Final Documentation