Temples, Heritage & Secrets of River Kwai

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, prepare to discover the history surrounding the famous River Kwai and the bridge that crosses it, protagonists of books and movies for their impactful roles during World War II. Early in the morning, depart by bus from Bangkok and head to the Kanchanaburi province, where we encounter the River Kwai.

Pay a visit to the War Cemetery, where prisoners who lost their lives during the construction of the bridge lie buried, and the War Museum, where you can immerse yourself in the history and gain a deeper understanding of these events.

Take a boat ride on the River Kwai to the bridge, with free time to stroll across. From there, head to the unusual railway section known as "Hellfire Pass", a cutting built in record time by Allied POW (mainly British and Australians) between 1942 and 1943. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Kanchanaburi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Our first visit of the day will be the city of Ayutthaya, ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam and archaeological center of the country. Upon arrival, visit its temples and remains of the most representative ancient fortifications. Ayutthaya, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is a magical place and a must-see for enthusiasts of history and ancient civilizations. Next, head to the town of Ang Thong to visit the Wat Muang Temple, famous for housing the largest seated Buddha figure in Thailand and the ninth largest in the world at nearly 330-ft high. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to the city of Nakhon Sawan to visit the 'Pa San', constructed at the point where the Ping and Nan tributaries converge giving birth to the famous Chao Phraya River, aka "River of Kings", which flows down, passing through several provinces including Ayutthaya and Bangkok, into the Gulf of Thailand. To wrap up this exciting day, visit the exterior of Wat Kiriwong atop a hill and reach a beautiful pagoda, where you’ll enjoy privileged views of the entire region. Overnight stay in Nakhon Sawan.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to the city of Sukhothai. The highlight of today is the Archaeological Park that houses this population, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its incredible beauty. A true example of prosperous Thai civilization, raising monumental cities and sophisticated temples. After this visit, head to Chiang Rai passing through Lampang, a small town surrounded by forests and abundant nature where you can enjoy the wonderful views along the way as well as the splendorous Phayao Lake. Lunch en route. Arrival in the mountainous province of Chiang Rai in the afternoon, transfer to the hotel and rest of the day at leisure to start exploring this incredible city. Overnight stay in Chiang Rai.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit the "Golden Triangle" of the Mekong River, which includes areas of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar formerly dedicated to the opium trade. Upon arrival, take the opportunity to visit the Opium Museum located in the town of Chiang Rai. From there, and before stopping at the White Temple, one of the most renowned temples in Thailand, head to the new and striking Wat Rong Suea Ten or Blue Temple. Find paintings with a similar style to those at White Temple as it was there where the same architect trained for many years. Stop at the spectacular and contemporary Wat Rong Khun, where white signifies purity and glass signifies the wisdom of Buddha. Lunch en route. Finally, we make our way to the fascinating city of Chiang Mai. Upon your arrival, visit the beautiful mountainside temple of Doi Suthep, a sacred site to many Thai people, and contemplate its beauty and intricate architecture.  Overnight stay in Chiang Mai.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy today at your leisure in charming Chiang Mai. Enjoy the city's vibrant cafe scene in the trendy Nimmana Haeminda neighborhood, explore the surrounding rainforest or even take a Thai cooking class. We recommend an optional full-day excursion to the amazing Doi Inthanon National Park.* Overnight stay in Chiang Mai. 

* Full-Day Doi Inthanon National Park Excursion: Head to Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand. Explore this fertile natural treasure trove, popular among bird watchers for its huge birdlife diversity. Visit "Vachirathan" waterfall, climb to the top of the mountain, see the royal pagodas and gardens. Stop at Mhong tribe’s local market, one of the largest ethnic groups in the country. Lunch at a local restaurant. Next, trek for approximately 2 hours by the hand of a local guide through jungle, terraced rice fields and waterfalls, in an epic natural environment. Meet another ethnic group, Karen, and finally stop in the Mae Klang area to visit our guide's village, Karen, to learn about their way of life and taste fresh local coffee.

Please note: We recommend bringing a raincoat during the rainy season and appropriate walking shoes, mosquito repellent and sunscreen.

Breakfast at the hotel. At scheduled time transfer to the airport for domestic flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in. Depending on the time of your flight, you can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore more of the capital. Why not visit one of the many street food districts such as the world famous Petchaburi Soi 5 to enjoy the exquisite cuisine during your last moments in this colorful country. Overnight stay in Bangkok.