former Royal Temple. A short drive to Wat Chong Lom Pier takes us to the boat for a cruise down the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok. A buffet lunch will be served on board. The boat arrives at the River City Pier in Bangkok. Later in the day, we will go to MBK Hall or the Siam Parago shopping mall. You will spend the night in Bangkok.
Day 4: Bangkok – Chiang Mai This morning, we take the flight north to Chiang Mai known as “the Rose of the North”. You will be picked up and brought to check into the hotel (early check-in is subject to hotel’s availability). In the afternoon, we will go sightseeing around Chiang Mai City. The Moat tour will take you around the old city which is surrounded by historical and cultural heritage. We will visit 3 important temples, Phra Singh (the most beautiful architecture in northern style Chiang Mai), Jedi Luang (Temple of the Big Stupa), and Chiang Man (the oldest temple in Chiang Mai). After that, visit Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Centre to understand Chiang Mai’s history, customs, art, culture, and way of life. If you choose, you can enjoy the optional Khan Toke Dinner at night where you will be treated to traditional northern cuisine during a savory Khan Toke dinner. Dine in classic Thai style at this communal meal. You will sit on a raised platform in front of a toke, a low, circular table made of lacquered wood or rattan. During the dinner, you will be entertained by a cultural performance which includes the candle dance, sword dance, drum dance and more. You will spend the night in Chiang Mai. Day 5: Chiang Mai Sightseeing Today we will drive up to the North and visit Mae Sa Elephant Camp. This is an experience not to be missed. You will see the elephants taking their daily bath in the river before they are ‘put to work’ with a demonstration of their skills and abilities. As well as seeing the elephants playing football and painting, you will also see how they were used in the logging trade in the past. Although some of the activities are more frivolous than others, they are all designed to keep these intelligent animals occupied and happy and demonstrate the amazing relationship and communication between rider and elephant. After the demonstration, you will get to experience an elephant ride for 30 minutes through the jungle and into the water. Then visit the Orchid Farm to see the variety species of the orchids in Chiang Mai. In the afternoon, we will continue to Doi Suthep Temple which is located on the top of a mountain and about 15 km from the heart of the city. The temple has been a holy place for more than seven hundred years and was built in the late 14 th century under King Geu Na. The temple is located over 3,500 feet (1,053 meters) above sea level and offers a fabulous view of the city and the Ping Valley beyond.