The Experience

Discover the best of Thailand, exploring exotic markets in lively Bangkok, revered temples in Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle of Chiang Rai, where you may venture to neighboring Laos and Myanmar. Day 1: Arrive Bangkok, Thailand Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand’s vibrant capital city where some of the world’s most extraordinary markets and cuisine meet with Buddhist temples and modern megamalls. Upon arrival, you are greeted by an A&K representative, who assists with expedited immigration and customs formalities. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok Day 2: Bangkok | Venice of the East Board a boat on the mighty Chao Phraya River, exploring traditional Thai klongs (canals) and glimpsing the still-active waterborne life of the residents of Nonthaburi, as seen from their stilted homes and floating bank barges. Next, visit the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), embedded with pieces of multi-colored porcelain that reflect the morning sun. After lunch, visit the extraordinary Grand Palace. Begun in 1782 by King Rama I, Bangkok’s former royal palace is one of the best examples of a Siamese Court; wander its Throne Hall, Coronation Hall, Reception Palace and Funeral Palace. Later, visit Wat Po and the 50-foot Reclining Buddha, covered entirely in gold leaf and depicting the 108 auspicious signs of the Buddha in the soles of its feet. Drive to bustling Pak Klong Talaat Flower market to take in Thailand’s exotic flora, including many species of orchids. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok | Meals: B L Day 3: Bangkok | Extraordinary Thai Markets Travel south of Bangkok to Samut Songkhram province, stopping first at a country market along the railway tracks; witness the amazing spectacle of vendors quickly pulling and replacing their tables and wares from the tracks as the trains come and go. Continue to an old Buddhist temple, the unseen small chapel enclosed within the roots of a banyan tree; inside the temple, discover life-size models of Thai boxers in different poses. Later, shop the Amphawa floating market, an authentic food market frequented by locals. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok | Meals: B L Day 4: Chiang Mai | Rose of the North Fly to Chiang Mai, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. A complete departure from Bangkok, this breathtaking city boasts hundreds of sacred temples, and a surrounding lush and mountainous landscape. Visit Meo Hilltribe Village to explore a local house and experience tea sipping. Drive to Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep at 3,500 feet above sea level where you experience the city’s most important temple at the perfect hour as the tourist masses depart and dusk settles in. After your private blessing ceremony, witness the magical evening chanting of the monks and a spectacular view over Chiang Mai with its millions of glittering lights. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai | Meals: B Day 5: Chiang Mai | Silversmiths of Wualai Road Experience the Northern Thai way of life at Waroros Market before taking a trishaw ride on Tapae Road, travelling through the City Walls and along Rajdamnern Road. Then, visit Wat Sri Suphan and the surrounding Wualai Silversmith village, where you find the region’s famed silversmiths and stores hawking their unique wares. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai | Meals: B Days 6-7: Chiang Rai | The Golden Triangle Transfer to your luxurious Zen-inspired hotel on the banks of the Mekong River in Chiang Rai, where Thailand meets Myanmar and Laos. Choose one of four activities to enjoy each day during your stay: a treatment at the resort’s Anantara Spa; a three-country tour of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos; Thai cooking class; or elephant and mahout training. Opt for the spa and choose from locally inspired services, including body wraps, massages and revitalizing treatments. Choose to tour three countries in one day, joining an experienced guide through Thailand, Laos and Myanmar; see the ancient Lanna Kingdom in Thailand’s Chiang Saen; traverse the Mekong by traditional longtail boat in Laos; and explore Myanmar’s local food markets and golden Shwedagon Pagoda by tuk tuk. Choose the Thai cooking class and partake in a gastronomic journey through the culture and history of Northern Thailand. For the elephant training experience, guests saunter through bamboo forest from a uniquely lofty perspective and learn to command an elephant in the age-old mahout tradition. Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa | Meals: Day 6: B D; Day 7: B L D Day 8: Depart Chiang Rai After lunch, transfer to the airport to fly back to Bangkok and connect with your international departure flight. Meals: B L