Essential Thailand 12 Days / 11 Nights

Pristine beaches, buzzing cities and intriguing cultures, our Essential Thailand tour showcases the many sides of the Kingdom and is sure to leave you with a lifetime of memories. Covering three cities in twelve days, this well-paced itinerary balances our signature excursion tours with ample free time to explore at your own leisure.

Duration: 12 days/11 nights

Tour Code: MTSD07

Tour Valid: Until April, 2014

Highlights: Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Chiang Mai - Chiang Dao - Mae Kampong - Phuket

• Day 1 - Bangkok Arrival

  Place Transport: Airplane->Car
  Meals: Dinner

  Welcome to the 'City of Angels'. Begin your journey with an evening tour of the city's old quarter to see Bangkok's most amazing monuments illuminated in the night sky. Dine along the riverfront and enjoy the sights and sounds of the buzzing late night flower market before retiring to your hotel for the evening.
  Stay overnight in Bangkok

  Day 2 - Bangkok

  Place Transport: Car->Boat
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Awake early to witness the serene morning chants of the monks at famed Wat Po, an incredible start to the day. Tour the temple grounds and explore the grandeur and majesty of the nearby Grand Palace. After lunch, continue to Chinatown and absorb the vibrant street atmosphere with a walking tour followed by a longtail boat trip through the winding city canals.
  Stay overnight in Bangkok

  Day 3 - Bangkok - Countryside Tour

  Place Transport: Car->Boat
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Experience the lifestyles and local rhythms of rural Thailand with a full day excursion to the countryside. Less than two hours from the capital, you will discover unusual markets on the train tracks, take a paddle boat through an authentic floating market and travelling by trishaw through beautiful landscaped gardens. Encounter friendly local and taste local delicacies along the way, making for an unforgettable day out.
  Stay overnight in Bangkok

  Day 4 - Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Bangkok

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Absorb centuries of Thai history today as you travel by local train to the former capital of Ayutthaya. Spend this morning among the magnificent ancient ruins of the city with an expert guide and spend the afternoon exploring nearby markets and the royal palace of Bang Pa In. Timed to perfection, you will miss the tourist crowds and enjoy the sights of this fabulous city at your own pace.
  Stay overnight in Bangkok

  Day 5 - Bangkok - Chiang Mai

  Place Transport: Airplane->Car
  Meals: Breakfast

  Fly to the cultural center of Thailand, Chiang Mai, where your introduction to the north begins with a long-tail boat cruise along the Mae Ping River. After enjoying scenes of river life, continue your city tour on foot in the heart of the old quarter followed by a trip to Doi Suthep mountain temple. Arriving in Doi Suthep in the late afternoon, the temple is virtually empty. Receive a special private blessing from a monk and then witness the evening chants as the sun sets, capping off a memorable day.
  Stay overnight in Chiang Mai

  Day 6 - Chiang Mai - Chiang Dao - Chiang Mai

  Place Transport: Car->Boat->Elephant
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Drive north through the hilly, wooden area on the outskirts of Chiang Mai to the Chiang Dao elephant camp for elephant riding and a bamboo raft journey down the Ping River. After lunch, amid the lush scenery, continue to Chiang Dao area where you visit Palaung, Akha and Lisu tribal villages and learn about their traditional lifestyles. Return to Chiang Mai in the afternoon.
  Stay overnight in Chiang Mai

  Day 7 - Chiang Mai - Sightseeing

  Place Transport: Car->Bicycle
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Spend the day discovering the hidden treasures of Chiang Mai. Take a trishaw to a local market, purchase a selection of offerings and head to a temple for an offering ceremony with Buddhist monks. Afterwards, head to Wiang Kum Kam, a lost civilization buried under layers of earth, and explore by bike. Return to Chiang Mai to visit the local cultural hall which chronicles the town's history.
  Stay overnight in Chiang Mai

  Day 8 - Chiang Mai - Mae Kampong - Chiang Mai

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Learn more about the north's hill tribe culture with a full day excursion to Mae Kampong. Join the villagers for a walk through the area and surrounding forest, stopping at the tea and coffee fields en route. Prepare lunch and dine alongside a family in their house, followed by a traditional Thai massage to help you relax. Before returning to Chiang Mai, there is more time in Mae Kampong to discover other aspects of the rural lifestyle.
  Stay overnight in Chiang Mai

  Day 9 - Chiang Mai - Phuket

  Place Transport: Airplane->Car
  Meals: Breakfast

  Today is free at your leisure until transferring to the Chiang Mai airport for the flight to Phuket. Breathe in the fresh air of the seaside, swim in the turquoise water and relax on what many consider to be Thailand's finest beach.
  Stay overnight in Phuket.

  Day 10 - Phuket - Sightseeing

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast

  Set off after breakfast to discover the interior of Phuket Island. Visit a rubber plantation and gibbon rehabilitation project followed by a guided tour of the Thalang National Museum where you will get a glimpse of the former glory of Phuket. Stop to sip a cup of locally grown coffee before ending the morning tour with a tour of a cashew nut factory and blessings at Wat Prathong, the island's oldest temple. Return to the hotel for an afternoon at the beach.
  Stay overnight in Phuket.

  Day 11 - Phuket

  Place Transport: 
  Meals: Breakfast

  Today is free at leisure to relax on the beaches or take an optional snorkeling or boat trip to the nearby islands.
  Stay overnight in Phuket

  Day 12 - Phuket Departure

  Place Transport: Car->Airplane
  Meals: Breakfast

  After a few days of beachside bliss, today you will transfer back to the airport for your onward flight- filled with memories of your incredible holiday in Thailand. Thanks for travelling with us.

  The Tour Inclusion:

  - 11 Nights Accommodation in deluxe twin / double room view with daily BKF.

  - Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above.
  
  - Boat, Bicycle as indicated in the itinerary.
  
  - Domestic flight tickets as indicated in the itinerary.

  - The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary.

  - Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the program.

  - Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available.

  The Tour Exclusion:

  - Visas on arrival

  - International flight tickets and airport tax.

  - Dinners, except as specified above.

  - Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.

  
  

  
  

  - Travel insurance 

  - Surcharge for peak season (if any) & other not mentioned in the above detail program.

  Additional Information

  Importance note
  - The itinerary is just a sample of our Thailand tours; we'll be pleased to design similar programs with dates and itinerary customized to your personal preferences in Tailor Made Tours section. Rates may vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs.
  
  What to bring?
  - Sun Block, Wide brim hat, Camera + Film, Comfortable shoes, Rain gear, Warm clothes, original Passport...
  
  How to start?
  - MinMax Travel is a fully escorted tour and best-available all year round; the only thing you need to prepare in advance is the international air-ticket from/to your country.
  - If you don’t have enough time to complete visa before your departure, we will help you to obtain Thailand Visa on arrival easily (getting visa at the airport, on your arrival).