ANTICO SIAM E IL REGNO LANNA ** TOUR PRIVATO DELUXE **

Km 440
At approximately 07:00, the tour begins with departure from the hotel towards northern Thailand. The first stop leads to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of the Kings of Siam for over four hundred years, from the 14th to the 18th century, famous for its imposing historic ruins. The visit begins with Wat Chai Wattanaram, a temple on the banks of the Chao Praya river, built in the 17th century in Khmer style. At the centre of the complex stands a distinctive group of five majestic "Phrang". Next, you continue with Wat Sri Samphet, the ancient temple of the Royal Palace, known for its three enormous bell-shaped pagodas. Immediately afterwards, you visit Wat Mongkhon Bophit, which houses a gigantic statue of the Buddha in a seated position. The itinerary ends with one of the destinations most loved by international visitors: Wat Mahathat, the "Temple of the Great Relic" of the Buddha. Built in Khmer style in the 14th century and dominated by a central tower in 'Phrang' style, this site is particularly known for the striking stone face set among the roots of an ancient tree. Lunch at a restaurant. After lunch, the journey continues ever deeper into central Thailand, as far as the province of Kampheng Phet, where orchards stretch as far as the eye can see. This region, famous for its extraordinary variety of tropical fruits, uses these natural delights as the basis for the typical dishes of the local cuisine. Among the specialities, the very sweet "Gluay Kai" stand out, known as "egg bananas" for their small size and lightness, celebrated in a dedicated market, where you can taste them in various preparations and cooking styles. The ruins of Sukhothai, ancient seat of the first capital of Siam, are now a short distance away. In the 13th century, this place was the cradle of the culture, language and national identity of the Siamese people. At around 19:00, you arrive near the ancient Historical Park. The day ends with dinner at the hotel. Accommodation Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort & Spa.

Please note: restoration work is under way on the statue of the giant Buddha at the Wat Mongkhon Bophit temple in Ayutthaya.

Km 310
breakfast. The morning begins with a pleasant bicycle excursion among the ruins of the Sukhothai Historical Park. For those who prefer to avoid pedalling, an alternative is available: moving around inside the park aboard the distinctive local electric trains. Along the way you visit the most significant sites, such as Wat Mahathat, a royal palace temple built to a Mandala plan, which once housed a precious relic of the Buddha. Next come Wat Sa Sri, with its iconic bell-shaped pagoda, and Wat Sri Sawai, an ancient Hindu temple built by the Khmer. Leaving the Historical Park, the bicycle ride continues towards the old quarters of the town, known for being thriving centres of craftsmanship. In ancient times, Sukhothai was renowned for the production of high-quality ceramics, known throughout Asia by the name "Sangkanlok". The finest pieces were exported as far as China and other Asian countries, carried on large junks along the rivers to the South China Sea. This craft tradition has been kept alive to the present day and is still practised in numerous workshops in the historic quarters. Sangkanlok ceramics are distinguished by their original decorations in black, depicting floral or fish motifs. The bicycle route includes a stop at one of these workshops, where you can watch the craftsmen at work. Once the visit is over, you leave Sukhothai and head north, reaching the town of Phrae, capital of the province of the same name. Here you have the opportunity to discover the architectural and cultural style typical of northern Thailand, known as "Lanna". Lunch at a restaurant. Phrae is famous for its magnificent noble wooden residences, many of them large and richly furnished. Among these, the Khum Vongburi residence stands out, today converted into a museum, which has received numerous awards for the preservation of traditional architecture. The visit to the museum offers an in-depth look at ancient architectural styles and at the elegance of period houses. Afterwards, the route continues towards a craft village on the outskirts of the town, renowned for the production of "Mor Hom", the distinctive blue jacket widely used in the countryside of northern Thailand. During the visit, you can watch the craftsmen at work in the various stages of working and dyeing the fabrics. Continuing further north, you reach the province of Phayao, one of the country's most authentic northern regions. Here, the historic centre stands out for its small wooden houses and for the traditional atmosphere that surrounds it. The town looks out over a large lake, an iconic feature that characterises its landscape. At around 18:00 you arrive in Phayao, with accommodation at the hotel. Accommodation M2 Hotel Waterside.

Km 250
At approximately 07:15, transfer to the boarding pier, about 2 km away. At around 07:45, at the pier in the town centre, you can attend the traditional rite of the offering to the novice monks (Taak Bat). Participants have the opportunity to purchase locally the "Sangkatan", the set of offerings intended for the monks. Next, you board small rowing boats handled by local fishermen, to reach a small island in the middle of the lake. Here stands the historic statue of the Tilok Aram Buddha, a symbol of great spiritual and cultural value. (note: during the dry season, the water level may not allow the boat trip. In the event of bad weather or high waves, the outing may be cancelled.). Return to the hotel. Breakfast. Departure to Chiang Rai. The route soon leads to a vast plain planted with rice and tropical fruit, crossed by the main tributaries of the Mekong, the majestic river that rises in the Himalayas and runs through the whole of South-East Asia to the China Sea. In this region, the Mekong is in its middle-lower course, serving as a vital artery of trade for the local populations. This area is one of the most active ethnic and commercial crossroads in Asia, where cultural interaction has given rise to a fusion of traditions and folk knowledge. Among the local communities are hill groups alongside Chinese, Laotian and Burmese communities, many of which live on the slopes of Mount Mae Salong, on the border with Burma. The road to the summit is dotted with meeting places, such as the traditional market of Mae Salong Nai. Here, it is not unusual to meet people of different ethnic groups, often dressed in their traditional costumes. This region is also famous for Khao Soi, a delicious curry soup, enriched with coconut milk and spices. After a visit to the market, the route continues into the countryside, to a local farmstay surrounded by nature. Here guests are welcomed to discover the secrets of preparing Khao Soi, which will also be the main dish of the lunch. The farmstay is set in a rice paddy surrounded by gentle hills, offering an authentic glimpse of rural life in northern Thailand. The farmer grows rubber, raises buffalo – traditionally used for work in the fields before the introduction of the tractor – and, depending on the season, devotes himself to the sowing and harvesting of tropical fruits. The crops and livestock are immersed in the jungle, which forms the backdrop to the daily life of these populations, always in harmony with their natural environment. After lunch, the journey continues towards the famous Golden Triangle, the border point where Thailand, Laos and Burma meet. Here you visit the local museum, which tells the story of poppy cultivation and opium production, an important part of the region's past. From the top of the hill that hosts the sacred site known as Phrathat Doi Pu Khao, you can admire the meeting point of the rivers. The visits end with the transfer to Chiang Rai, where arrival is expected at around 18:00. Accommodation at the hotel. Accommodation Riva Vista Riverfront.

PLEASE NOTE: on request and at no supplement it is also possible to visit Wat Rong Seua Ten or the "Blue Temple", by Putha Kabkaew, a pupil of the master Chalermchai, builder of the "White Temple". Psychedelic effects, colossal statues depicting disturbing "Yak", the Buddhist demons, or mythological animals such as the "Makara", capture the visitor's attention. This additional visit requires an earlier departure in the morning and/or a later arrival in Chiang Rai.

Km 230
breakfast. Departure to Chiang Mai. The landscape is mountainous, with hills covered in dense tropical vegetation. Visit to Wat Rong Khun ("White Temple"), a famous monument designed and built by Ajarn Chalermchai and characterised by a stylistic hybrid between modern architecture and traditional forms of the past. Its vast proportions and sumptuous finishes have made it today one of the most photographed places by international tourists. You arrive in Chiang Mai at approximately 13:00. Lunch at a famous and excellent fine-dining restaurant serving traditional Lanna cuisine, set inside a period residence. The city of Chiang Mai extends over a wide valley, bounded to the east by the imposing Mount Doi Suthep, which reaches an altitude of 1,600 metres and dominates the entire urban area. Shortly before sunset, you climb the mountain to visit one of the most famous and revered sanctuaries in Thailand: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, situated at over 1,000 metres above sea level. According to legend, the site for the construction of the sanctuary was chosen thanks to a mythical white elephant. The animal, carrying a sacred relic of the Buddha, stopped at the spot where the imposing golden Chedi stands today, the central symbol of the sanctuary and one of the most iconic religious images in Thailand. At around 17:00, the visit to Doi Suthep ends. You descend from the mountain and proceed to check in at the hotel. Accommodation Tamarind Village.

Breakfast. At around 08:30 (or at another time to be defined according to flight schedules) the visit to the historic heart of Chiang Mai begins. The old town, with its distinctive quadrangular plan, was once protected by mighty walls, of which only a few stretches remain today. Within these walls stood no fewer than 119 Theravada Buddhist temples. Even today, the historic centre preserves its traditional structure, with alleyways winding between small two-storey wooden houses in Lanna style. To immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of local daily life, you take part in a pleasant walking tour. The route begins from the large square dominated by the bronze statues of three legendary Kings of antiquity. Continuing on, you pass through Wat Inthakhin Sadue Muang, a place that in the past housed the city's foundation stone. The tour then leads to Wat Chedi Luang, where you can admire the largest Chedi (pagoda) in the Lanna region, dating from the 14th century. After the visit to the temple, there is a direct transfer to the airport. End of the tour.