BANGKOK, GOLDEN TRIANGLE, CHIANG RAI AND CHIANG MAI
The Kingdom of Thailand is a veritable feast for the senses, and you’ll savor its fascinating culture, extraordinary art and architecture, and flavorful cuisine with gusto. Our escorted Thailand tour package takes you to places both remote and well-known, starting with bustling Bangkok, the capital and the most visited city in the world. After the visual splendor and vibrant energy of Bangkok, you’ll be ready to breathe in Northern Thailand’s zen beauty and cultural delights. Intersect with Thailand, Myanmar and Laos at the Golden Triangle before visiting laid-back Chiang Rai and temple-rich Chiang Mai, where an elephant experience and a Thai cooking class add spice to this amazing destination! 5/5 stars on Tripadvisor!
Did you know you can make this tour private? Find out about pricing and options
for groups of 15 or more travelers.
Itinerary at
a Glance
Tour Itinerary:
- 4 nights in Bangkok
- 1 night in Phitsanulok
- 1 night in Lampang
- 2 nights in Chiang Rai
- 3 nights in Chiang Mai
Tour Highlights
- Buddhist Temples (Bangkok)
- Floating Market (Bangkok)
- Patom Organic Village (Bangkok)
- Wat Mongkol Borpith Statue (Ayutthaya)
- Elephant Nature Park (Chiang Mai)
- Wat Doi Suthep (Chiang Mai)
- Thai Cooking Class
Your Tour Includes
- Optional round-trip airfare from Los Angeles (LAX) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Intra-Thailand flight and ground transportation
- Accommodations at superior first-class hotels
- 14 Meals: 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
- Sightseeing Thailand tours as per itinerary and all transfers
- Professional English-speaking Tour Director throughout
Max Group Size: 30 travelers
Activity Level: Recreational
Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 3 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day) on easy terrain with some light stairs. Learn More
Pacing Level: Balanced
Expect either half-day or full-day tours most days with a free day or free half-day to explore independently in most cities. There may be a few early mornings or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 3+ nights. Learn More
No Additional Entry Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders
A valid passport is required for international tours. Currently, there are no additional entry requirements for U.S. passport holders, but this can change at any time. Before travel, both U.S. and non-U.S. passport holders should visit our Passports & Visas page to reconfirm entry requirements.
The Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai and the Hilltribe visit in Chiang Rai are intermediate-level but can be modified by the Tour Director if necessary. There are a few early mornings on the days of the visit to the Floating Markets and the travel days. Most cities include 2-4 night stays, but there are two one-nighters en route north.
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit
our Before You Depart section.
Click the Day by Day itinerary above (or swipe on mobile devices) to see the experiences that await on each day of your tour.
Passengers who purchase flights will depart 1 day before the tour starts and return 1 day after the tour ends.
For flight details, see Before You Depart.
Land in Thailand’s capital, the “city of angels,” in the evening. Your Tour Director will be waiting at the airport to meet you and escort you to our home base for the next four nights.
Accommodations: Menam Riverside Hotel or similar
After a special orientation breakfast, we’ll tour some of Bangkok’s most impressive Buddhist temples. We'll see the White Marble Temple, one of the finest examples of Thai architecture. Marvel at the five-ton solid gold statue of Buddha at Wat Trimitr and the colossal 150-foot-long reclining Buddha at Wat Po. Spend the afternoon at your leisure or hop aboard an optional canal boat ride across the river for a glimpse of daily Thai life. Your first full day in Thailand ends with a welcome dinner.
Note: Depending on your arrival time in Bangkok on Day 2, you may enjoy your welcome dinner on Day 2 instead of Day 3.
Accommodations: Menam Riverside Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, explore one of Bangkok's floating markets! It’s great fun watching merchants selling food, produce, baskets, and other wares from their boats. Photo ops abound! Later, we'll travel to Nakhon Pathom province on the outskirts of Bangkok. Here we'll visit Patom Organic Village, a family-run eco-cultural project on the banks of the idyllic Tachine River. Immerse yourself in this organic living concept and participate in a wide range of engaging hands-on workshops where we can learn about soil, seedling, planting, compost, and fertilizer. Afterward, we'll visit the traditional kitchen where farm-to-cooking workshops are hosted. We'll see how they turn raw organic ingredients into traditional Thai foods and then enjoy lunch. We'll stop by the organic coffee shop before we return to Bangkok with the afternoon at leisure to discover Thailand's vibrant capital independently.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
With a day at leisure to discover the vibrant, exotic city of Bangkok, what will you choose to do? Your Tour Director is full of ideas for independent exploration to match your pace and interests. You can also take advantage of an optional tour of the Grand Palace specially priced for smarTours travelers. See Optional Tours for specific details.
Meals: Breakfast
Our travels through amazing Thailand continue as we venture into regions rich with culture, history, and stunning landscapes. First: the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, which was one of the world’s largest cities in 1700. We’ll see some of its former glory in the giant bronze statue of Wat Mongkol Borpith and the three ancient pagodas at Wat Phra Sri. Our Thai adventure continues to Wat Mahathat, "the Temple of the Great Relic" which was once the kingdom's most important temple. Our drive winds past rice paddies to Phitsanulok, the gateway to Northern Thailand, where Buddha images are made in an authentic way.
Accommodations: Topland Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Before leaving Phitsanulok, we'll stop at the famous Buddha Foundry where Buddha images are made in an authentic way. Afterward, we'll continue to two UNESCO World Heritage sites featuring imposing temples and monument ruins. First: Sukhothai, the capital of the first kingdom of Siam in the 13th and 14th centuries. Next, we head to its sister city, Sri Satchanalai where we'll view a unique private textiles museum before traveling to our final stop of the day: Lampang.
Accommodations: Tree Tara Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
This morning we'll visit Thalor Village where we'll stop at the Apple Saa Paper shop, famous for making paper from mulberry bark. We'll have the chance to create our own original Sa Paper canvas (delivered to the hotel in Chiang Rai). This afternoon, journey to Phayao, a quaint lakeside town, and Chiang Saen, which borders Laos. Continue to Chiang Rai where we'll check in to the hotel.
Accommodations: Phowadol Resort & Spa or similar
Meals: Breakfast
An unforgettable and exciting awaits as you board a longtail boat for a ride up the Mae Kok River. En route visit a temple located in a beautiful cave. Proceed to the Karen Hilltribe village at Baan Ruam Mid for an unforgettable visit. The hill-tribe members maintain their own distinct culture, religion, and language. You’ll see the unique way of life passed down from generation to generation within this minority group. Continue to visit Wat Huay Prakan and then Wat Rong Suea Ten or the “Blue Temple,” renowned for its magnificent blue interior, colorful murals, and immense white Buddha image.
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, we'll visit the White Temple, one of the most recognizable temples of Thailand. Afterward, we'll drive on to Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North.” Your hotel is centrally located and only a short walk to the renowned night market. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore or relax. In the evening, you can take advantage of the proximity to the night market or partake in an optional Khantoke Dinner and performance. See Optional Tours for details.
Accommodations: Empress Premier Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Today we meet Thailand’s beloved national animal, the stately elephant at a world-famous Elephant Nature Park. This top-rated Elephant Reserve has rescued elephants all over the country and serves as a sanctuary not just for elephants, but for hundreds of cats and dogs as well.
Meals: Breakfast
Chiang Mai has no shortage of temples; in fact, there are over 300! Take an optional morning city tour to see some of the city’s most interesting ones, including the regal Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which sits on a mountaintop overlooking Chiang Mai, where you'll have the opportunity to take part in morning offerings and prayers with the local monks. (See Optional Tours.) In the evening, we explore the balanced flavors of Thai cuisine with a cooking class. Whether you participate or watch, you’ll enjoy the delicious results of our labors at our farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our final day in Chiang Mai offers ample free time for shopping or independent pursuits. It’s a manageable city to navigate, and your Tour Director will have plenty of suggestions. We’ll fly back to Bangkok late in the day. Our tour comes to an end upon arrival in Bangkok.
Meals: Breakfast
Book by Jun. 2, 2023 to get the best price.
Prices listed as “with flights” below include
round-trip airfare from one or more airports
in the USA.
Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only,
and arrange their own arrival in destination.
Please note this may change your tour start date.
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From
$1,949
$1,449
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From
$2,099
$1,599
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Book Tour Only Only 3 spots left |
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$2,099
$1,599
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Sold Out Join Waitlist |
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From
$2,024
$1,524
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Book Tour Only Only 4 spots left |
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$2,049
$1,549
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Sold Out Join Waitlist |
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$2,099
$1,599
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* Departures designated as "Guaranteed" may be canceled or rescheduled only
under Extraordinary Circumstances, for example in situations deemed to be unsafe
or nonviable due to local conditions. See Terms
& Conditions for full details.
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a
date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
For more information on this tour, please
contact us here
or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Eastern)
at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or by phone
(1.800.337.7773)
and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable,
non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the
time of reservation.
Deposits are $300 per person.
Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
Space and prices subject to availability.
Please see the
smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete
booking information.
Optional Tours
Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Enhance your trip with our recommended optional tours.
Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book
when you reserve your trip and can be added to your
reservation up to final payment. This is the best option
to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour!
Optional tours require a minimum number of participants.
Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and
may cost extra. The payment methods and currency
information to purchase tours in-destination will be
provided on final documentation.
Discover why Bangkok has been nicknamed the “Venice of the East!” Depart your hotel to Thornburi, situated on the right bank of the river, where you’ll board a private motorboat and ride along the canals to get a firsthand impression of the scenic life along the city’s waterways. A stop will also be made at the Royal Barge Museum.
Note: This optional activity is available as an afternoon tour on Day 2.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
This not-to-be-missed morning guided tour takes you to the Imperial Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful examples of ancient Siamese architecture. Former residence of the Kings, the mile-square palace grounds contain the greatest concentration of Thai arts and architecture in the country, including the Temple of the “Emerald Buddha.”
Note: This optional activity is available as a morning tour on Day 4. A dress code is strictly enforced at the Grand Palace. Men must wear long pants, and women must cover their legs to just above the knee. Avoid wearing tight-fitting stretch pants or “revealing” clothing, and refrain from wearing sleeveless shirts or showing your shoulders.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Enjoy a dinner featuring local specialties, followed by a breathtaking performance of songs and dance by members of local hilltribes dressed in traditional garb.
Note: This optional activity is available as an evening tour on Day 9.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
After meeting our tour guide at the Three Kings Monument, we'll set off on three wheels to Waroros Market, the biggest local market in Chiang Mai where locals can find everything under one roof. During Thai festivals like Songkran and Loy Kratong, people from surrounding districts and provinces come to Waroros Market to buy decorations and new clothes. This market is brimming with local food, desserts, and fruit to be savored. We'll continue by rickshaw to Wat Puak Tam, the center of brass ornament making. We'll learn about the history of the community and how to make a brass ornament. Next, we'll visit Wat Srisuphan, also known as the Silver Temple thanks to its impressive handcrafted silver decorations. The temple was built around 1500 and was meant to serve as the main temple for a silversmith village. Since 2008, the temple has become completely covered in silver including the walls and roof, and displays detailed silver carvings. DUe to old Buddhist customs, women are not allowed to enter the inside of the temple and must remain outside. The surrounding Wat Sri Suphan features many small silver studios where we can see local artisans at work. We'll return to the Three Kings Monument by rickshaw where our optional tour concludes.
Note: This optional activity is available as a morning tour on Day 11.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Featured Accommodations
Set on the Chao Phraya River, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Bangkok Menam Riverside features luxury rooms, free shuttle boat, spa and pool.
2074 Charoenkrung Road, Bangkorlaem, Bangkok, 10120, Thailand
Website
Conveniently located with spa and outdoor pool.
68/33 Akathodsarod Road, A. Muang, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
Website
Chomphu, Mueang Lampang District, Lampang 52100, Thailand
Website
This relaxing haven welcomes with an outdoor pool and Bodhi Tree Spa, offering traditional Thai massage and more.
183 Moo 3 Rimkok Subdistrict, Muang, Chiangrai, 57100, Thailand
Website
199/42 Chang Klan Rd., Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand
Website
Bonita
Amazing Thailand was a Amazing experience
Greer
I would recommend this tour company tour destination tour guide to anyone and everyone who would listen. We saved many years for this trip it was money well spent
Rijkaard N
Excellent tour and experience
Huo C
Over all the tour was good especially the tour Director and she is so friendly and helpful.
Elaine K
Loved everything about this trip. The tour guides made it all happen for everybody in our group. Beautiful sites, kind local people, great group of people to travel with, elephant sanctuary, temples, nature, culture, spirituality, great food, boat rides, gorgeous beaches, snorkeling, massages… Just saying, perfection. Plane rides could be better arranged. Way too long getting home.
Tony V
Gre.at trip. We had 2 excellent tour guides
D. S
This tour shows you a lot of Thailand. We were lucky to have a most excellent tour director, Boeing. He made the trip awesome! He showed us a lot and he taught us a lot. Our 2 drivers were excellent too! My favorite thing about the bus ride were the bus snacks they bought us to try. I tried a lot more foods that I wouldn't have tried without them getting them for us! Eating Dancing Shrimp was my favorite! I don't cook, but The best cooking school in Chiang Mai was so fun with Chef Paul! It was the most delicious Thai food and I made it! We saw a lot of beautiful temples, but my favorite one was the Blue Temple in Chiang Rai. Breathtaking! Making paper was fun too and gave us a pretty souvenir. Seeing the elephants in their retirement home was wonderful also. There are many more memories too, but just too many to name them all! I also loved the Cambodian extension.
Lynn G
I submitted detailed feedback already.
Duane B
Excellent tour guides and itinerary. An excellent tour value.
Terese G
This was a fabulous trip with two outstanding Tour Directors, Ketsara and Nok. Both were very professional and friendly and were willing to take us on many extra adventures, simply because we asked. I had high tea, traveled in a rikshaw with 19 others throughout Chiang Mai, visited elegant temples and palaces, and tasted a lot of new foods. Flower markets, floating markets, night markets-all were wonderful, unexpected adventures.
Thailand's people are warm and welcoming and very polite. Language was not an issue. Don't miss an opportunity to visit this country!
Norma D
This tour provided a well balanced experience of the significant sights, direct observation of how people in various places live, restaurants, excellent hotels, fun and shopping opportunities along with both group and individual time. We were given an understanding of elements of history, cultures, modern day life and directly experienced the kindness and a heart-connection with people in Thailand. The Angkor Wat extension explored not only Angkor Wat but other marvelous temples. Our tour guides were deeply knowledgeable, professional, incredibly attentive and went out of their ways to make this a positive and memorable experience. I cannot commend this tour positively enough.
FRANCINE B
Great guides on amazing Thailand portion of trip.
Ray K
Amazing tour guide for Thailand. Ketsera and Nok have a high degree of knowledge about their country history and places we visited. They also have such a warm personality, unselfish devotion to our group of 17 tourists. Definitely, I will visit Thailand again in a few years.
Joe A
Great tour Smartours delivered again, this was my 4th trip with them! Beautiful country and amazing hospitality across the board, felt safe at any time of the day/night. Tour guides were both top notch professionals, educational and fun! Recommend to anyone wanting to discover Asia, worth the long trip!
Jill t
Great trip with lots to see, the most fabulous guides we have had in a while, most hotels were very nice to great, food very varied and excellent
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