14-Day Cultural Thailand Tour with the Lantern Festival

Welcome to the Land of Smiles. Meet your guide at the airport and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel in Bangkok. You'll have free time to explore by yourself for the rest of the day.

• Get a quintessential impression of Thailand when listening to the monks chanting in Wat Pho, which is one of the oldest temples of Bangkok.
• Take a Tuk Tuk ride to the Grand Palace to experience the glorious history of Thailand.
• Continue with a long-tail-boat ride along the ancient canals of Thonburi to get glimpses of the local lifestyle.
• Stop at iconic Wat Arun, which was once the grand royal temple of King Rama.
• Cross the Chao Phraya River and we'll drive you to Chinatown for a look at Old Bangkok.

The Grand Palace of Bangkok

• Get up early, head out to Mahachai Market, the largest seafood market in Thailand.
• Take a local 3-wheeled bicycle trip to Bangkok's first train station, where you'll board a train to Maeklong Railway Market. Experience the market from a unique perspective: onboard the train! Avoid the crowds and witness the daily routine of locals as the train travels slowly through the market.
• Next, head to another market highlight — Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Hop on a long-tail boat and cruise through the canals, surrounded by fruit plantations, seasonal produce, flowers, and the homes of local residents.
• After these amazing experiences, your guide will take you back to Bangkok.

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

• Fly to Sukhothai, where the famous Thai Loy Krathong ('Floating Lantern') Festival originated. Upon your arrival, your private guide and driver will take you directly to your hotel..
• In the evening, head to the Loy Krathong Festival venue to experience festival celebrations with local people: see the different exhibitions, walk around open souvenir and food stalls, watch traditional Thai shows...

The Loy Krathong Festival in Sukhothai

• Take a bike ride to explore the medieval ruins of the Kingdom (1238–1438). The solemn and exquisite Buddhas offer a feeling of timeless peace. Don't miss the only Buddha with open eyes in Sukhothai.
• Try your hand at crafting a krathong (floating lantern) during our specially arranged lantern-making experience. Once it is dark, head to the Yom River to release your lantern and make a wish as it floats away
• Enjoy the Loy Krathong Festival in the evening. The show incorporates Thai history, folk dancing, lasers, and fireworks and is performed from 7:30 PM in Sukhothai Historical Park.

The Light and Sound Show of Sukhothai

• Drive to Chiang Mai in the morning. Stop in Lamphun to visit Wat Phra That Hariphunchai. Appreciate the beautifual decoration of the lanterns in the temple.
• Enjoy some free time after arriving in your hotel in Chiang Mai.

Wat Phra That Hariphunchai

• Head for Doi Suthep mountain. Discover the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand — Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
• Continue to Wat Suan Dok, a temple just outside the ancient city walls of Chiang Mai.
• Return to Chiang Mai and take a rickshaw ride through its busy streets and quiet alleys.
• In the late afternoon, you will be taken to the Yi Peng Festival Celebration and Sky Lantern Release venue and enjoy Premium access and benefits. Taste some traditional food, enjoy colorful performances, and release a sky lantern to make a wish at the most romantic moment.

Release a sky lantern

• We'll drive you for about 1½ hours to Elephant Rescue Park — a paradise for homeless elephants.
• Take a half-day Memorable Caring Experience there. You'll learn a lot about elephants and interact with them — you can feed them, walk with them, hug them, and bathe them.
• You will get back to the hotel around 2 pm. Enjoy your free time to explore the old town of Chiang Mai.

Interact with the elephants

• Witness the "White Temple", Wat Rong Khun. It showcases unconventional and contemporary art within a Buddhist temple setting.
• Then visit Baandam Museum, which is commonly referred to as the Black House and is a popular destination. It serves more as a museum than a temple, although it does contain some shrines.
• Admire Wat Rong Suea Ten, known as the Blue Temple at the end. Despite being relatively unknown to tourists, it is considered one of the most picturesque sites in Chiang Rai.
• In late afternoon, return to Chiang Mai.

The blue temple in Chiang Rai

Fly from Chiang Rai to Phuket via Bangkok. Enjoy free time to settle in for the rest of the day.

• Enjoy a relaxing morning. Start our guided Krabi adventure at noon.
• Discover the hidden sea caves and lagoons of picturesque Phang Nga Bay. Hop on a canoe and your experienced guide will paddle you though dramatic lagoons and mysterious limestone caves.
• Learn how to create a traditional loy krathong using eco-friendly materials provided by our guide.
• When the reflection of shining stars dots the boundless crystal-clear sea, float your self-made krathong, and immerse yourself in the peaceful scenery and romantic moment.

Create your own Krathong on board

Enjoy 2 free days in Phuket. Island-hopping tours and adventures in the rainforest are optional. You could just relax on the dreamy beaches.

Relaxing on the beach

Say goodbye to Phuket. Have a private transfer to the airport and catch your flights back home or to your next destination.