8 Days Thailand Tour with Golden Triangle

The Best Thailand Tour for the First-time Travelers

Discover the historical and natural wonders of Thailand with this 8-day tour from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. You are able to visit the country’s main heritage sites such as the Ayutthaya and Phitsanulok and meet the lovely elephants in Chiang Mai.

Travel Route: Bangkok - Phitsanulok - Lampang - Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai

Day: 8

Best for: First-timers

Tour Type: Escorted private tour with personal tour guide and vehicle

Highlights

Explore the charming capital of Bangkok, the “city of angels”.

Visit top highlight destinations in Bangkok, including temple of Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the magnificent Grand Palace, and Klongs of Thonburi.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya.

Explore the great ancient temples in the Ayutthaya Historical Park.

Get to know the historic former capital Sukhothai

Pay a visit to Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, to see the ruined temples and palaces as well as the Buddha statues of all sizes.

Visit the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet

Enjoy a boat trip around the Golden Triangle with a stop at Don Sao Island, and learn the history of this drug and the devastating effect its trade had on local communities.

Meet adorable elephant in Chiang Mai.

Explore the Elephant EcoValley and make friends with the elephants there.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Bangkok Arrival

Welcome to Bangkok!

Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for you to take a good rest or have a leisure walk around to have a glimpse of the city.

Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok Tour

After breakfast, you will have a sightseeing tour of Bangkok city, the capital and one of the most popular destinations of Thailand.

First, you will go to visit the Wat Pho, one of the most visited temples in Thailand. Believed to be found in the 16th century, the temple has a sacred 46-meters-long reclining Buddha inside its main ordination hall. The temple also houses the richest collections of Buddhist art in Thailand.

Then visit the Grand Palace nearby, to see the magnificent architecture of the ancient Siamese court. As the former royal residence built in 1782, the palace now is served to host royal ceremonies and welcome the king’s guests. You may get a chance to visit the Temple of Emerald Buddha here. Besides, you need to dress properly when visiting the palace, making sure to wear long loose pants and shirts to cover your shoulders and knees.

After that, you will continue to travel on the Chao Phraya River and on through the Klongs (canals) of Thonburi. You will feel the ramshackle charm of the houses and temples along the waterway, which gave the city the name “Venice of the East”.

In the late afternoon, you will pay a visit to the Wat Arun, a missile-shaped temple named after the Indian god of dawn. It is one of the most photographed sights in Bangkok. You will see and photograph the imposing view of the temple at sunset.

Stay overnight in Bangkok.

The stunning night view of the Grand Palace.

Day 3: Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Ang Thong - Phitsanulok

After breakfast, you will leave Bangkok and head to Phitsanulok, one of the most exotic travel destinations located in the heart of Thailand.

On the way to Phitsanulok, you will head to visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace which was first used by the royal court as a summer retreat in the 17th century.

ext, you will continue to the ruins of the old city now form the Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that is full of Buddhist temples, monasteries, and ancient statues. Here you will explore the great temples of the Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Mahathat and holy Wat Phra Sri Sanphet.

Then you will travel to Ang Thong to visit the temple of Wat Muang. It is famous for housing the Big Buddha, the tallest Buddha statue (92 meters high) of Thailand, and the ninth-tallest in the world.

In the afternoon, you will continue northwards to the city of Phitsanulok, one of the most exotic travel destinations located in the heart of Thailand. It takes 3 to 4 hours to arrive in Phitsanulok. After arrival, you can have a good rest in the hotel.

Stay overnight in Phitsanulok.

Wat Muang houses the Big Buddha, the tallest Buddha statue of Thailand.

Day 4: Phitsanulok - Sukhothai - Lampang

Today, you will head to Sukhothai to explore this ancient city packed with a visit to the Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. You are able to see the ruined temples and palaces as well as the Buddha statues of all sizes here.

Then, you will continue your journey Si Satchanalai, which boasts the evocative ruins of half a dozen temples, including Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat which is reached by crossing a wooden suspension bridge, as well as countless statues of Buddha and elephants.

After that, you will drive to Lampang, which is considered by some Thais as the last paradise in Thailand. After arrival, you can have a good rest in the hotel.

Stay overnight in Lampang.

The Sukhothai Historical Park ruins are one of Thailand's most impressive World Heritage sites.

Day 5: Lampang - Chiang Rai

After breakfast, you will go to visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, and marvel at the elaborate decorations and beautiful Buddha statues here.

Next, you will continue to drive to the north, and on the way, you will stop at the Phayao Lake for a short break to enjoy the view.

After that, you will drive to the glorious Wat Rong Kun, also known as the White Temple, one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand. Unlike the traditional Thai temples, White Temple is all white with silver mirrors embedded into the outside, symbolizing the purity of the Buddha and the wisdom of the Buddha shining through the universe.

Then continue your journey to Chiang Rai. After arriving in Chiang Rai, you will leave your luggage in the hotel and then head to the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.

Here you can enjoy a boat trip around the Golden Triangle with a stop at Don Sao Island, which forms part of Laos (the boat trip lasts approx. 45 minutes). Later, you will visit the 212 House of Opium and stroll around its rare collection of opium paraphernalia such as weights, scales, and pipes.

After the tour, you will be transferred to Chiang Rai.

Stay overnight in Chiang Rai.

Wat Rong Kun, one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand.

Day 6: Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai

After breakfast, you will first visit the Wat Rong Suea Ten, also known as Blue Temple. As the newest temple in Chiang Rai, it is completed in 2016 and is painted in an eye-catching blue with overlays of gold embellishments.

Then you will go to visit the village of Akha, to learn about the local culture and traditions of the hill tribe people.

After that, you will move on to visit the glorious Wat Rong Kun, also known as the White Temple, one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand. Unlike the traditional Thai temples, White Temple is all white with silver mirrors embedded into the outside, symbolizing the purity of the Buddha and the wisdom of the Buddha shining through the universe.

After the sightseeing in Chiang Rai, you will travel to Chiang Mai, another important city in northern Thailand.

Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Explore the local village of Akha to learn its culture and traditions.

Day 7: Chiang Mai Tour

Today, you will first enjoy a wonderful half-day excursion to the Elephant EcoValley. Besides getting to know Thailand’s favorite creatures, you will take part in some exciting animal-friendly activities, such as harvesting grass for the elephants’ snacks; planting a banana tree or herbs; make herbs into vitamin balls and feed the balls to the elephants; hike with elephants to the upper EcoValley; etc.

Then in the afternoon, travel back to Chiang Mai to visit the famous temple of Wat Doi Suthep. Sitting on the mountain after which it is named, the temple offers the best site to appreciate the impressive view of Chiang Mai city.

Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Travelers can experience elephants up close and personal.

Day 8: Chiang Mai Departure

Say goodbye to Thailand!

You are free to arrange your time before taking the scheduled transfer to the airport.

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Service Included

Private English-speaking tour guide

All entrance ticket fees for sightseeing listed in the itinerary

Private van for land transportation

Meals as specified in the itinerary

Hotel accommodation

Governmental taxes

Service Excluded

International air tickets

Visa Handling fee, visa stamp fee

Meals as not listed in the itinerary

Tips and gratitude to the guide and driver

Surcharge for public holidays (if any)

Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, etc.

Thailand Travel Restriction 2022

From July 1, Thailand has been fully open for overseas tourists. Travelers can simply show proof of a complete vaccination certificate name or a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours before arrival. Documentation of the test result must indicate the traveler's name, the date of the test, and the type of test.

You will need to apply for a Thai visa before departure. For more information on visa-free countries and visas, please feel free to contact us.