IL MEGLIO DELLA THAILANDIA (con accompagnatore locale) ** TOUR COLLETTIVO **

After completing customs formalities, make your way to exit gate number 6, where a representative of the local agent will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name. Direct transfer to the hotel (driver only). Assistance from one of our Italian representatives at check-in and informational orientation. The rest of the day available. Bangkok is the geographical heart of the country, a crazy metropolis with shining golden temples, floating markets, and trendy nightclubs. Accommodation Holiday Inn Silom Bangkok.

Breakfast. At 08:30 you meet the guide in the hotel lobby and set off for the day's tour. The first stop will be Wat Saket, also known as the "Golden Mount". In the 19th century, King Rama III ordered the construction of an imposing Chedi (bell-shaped pagoda), but the building collapsed during construction. The rubble formed a hill, which in time became covered with vegetation. The site was later restored and enlarged with a smaller Chedi, erected above the mound of rubble. On this occasion a relic attributed to the body of the Buddha arrived from Sri Lanka and was placed inside the Chedi. Today the shrine is reached by climbing a spiral staircase of about 300 steps, which also passes alongside the row of sacred bells that pilgrims ring for good fortune and to drive away evil spirits. From the panoramic terrace you enjoy a spectacular view over the most representative districts of Bangkok, ideal for memorable photographs. Afterwards you will cross the Chao Phraya river to reach one of the city's most famous symbols: Wat Arun, or the "Temple of Dawn". Located in Thonburi, on the opposite bank of the river, Wat Arun is famous for its imposing pagoda, a true emblem of Bangkok. After the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767 by the Burmese, Thonburi temporarily became the capital of Siam until the founding of present-day Bangkok in 1782 by King Rama I. During this period, King Taksin chose Wat Arun as the state temple. The complex was enlarged in the following century, with the construction of the tall and majestic central pagoda, which represents Mount Meru, the centre of the universe according to Buddhist tradition. Lunch in a local restaurant. At 14:00 the visit to the Royal Grand Palace begins, the royal residence built at the end of the 18th century when Bangkok became the capital of Siam. The Grand Palace was a residence and seat of government until 1925 and houses the famous Wat Phra Kaew, the temple where the Emerald Buddha is kept, one of the most representative symbols of the royal dynasty. According to legend, the statue comes from India and reached South-East Asia through the Khmer of Angkor, passing through Lanna (today Northern Thailand), Luang Prabang and Vientiane, before being brought by the Siamese to Bangkok in 1779. Inside the Grand Palace there are also other historic complexes: the Montien Group, once the private residence of the kings and today the keeper of the ashes of several sovereigns of the current dynasty; the Dusit Maha Prasat Audience Hall; and the Chakri Throne Hall, designed by English architects on the orders of Rama V at the end of the 19th century. The Chakri complex can be visited only from the outside, while the Dusit and the Montien may occasionally also be visited inside (access not guaranteed). Next, a visit to Wat Pho, the oldest Buddhist monastery in the city. The sacred "Bot" holds a revered image of the Buddha, protected by two surrounding walls, while four imposing bell-shaped stupas behind it contain part of the ashes of the first kings of the current dynasty. Wat Pho is also famous for the Reclining Buddha, a gigantic statue symbolising the majesty of the Buddha in the face of evil, linked to a legend unique to South-East Asia. Inside the complex there is also the seat of the oldest school of Thai massage. Return to the hotel at around 17:30. Dinner free. Accommodation Holiday Inn Silom Bangkok.

Breakfast. At 06:45 the tour departs from your hotel in Bangkok. At 08:30 the first stop is at Samut Songkhram, a town strategically situated on the estuary of the legendary river Kwai, the scene during the Second World War of crucial clashes between Japanese and Allied forces, culminating in the construction of the historic wartime railway. In its lower course, the river is known as the "Maekhlong". A branch railway line from Bangkok also ends at Samut Songkhram. Along the railway, street vendors have created a curious market, displaying their goods directly on the tracks. This peculiarity attracts tourists from all over the world, who watch the rapid moving of the goods each time the train passes. At 09:00 you continue towards the floating market of Damnern Saduak, one of the most famous among international tourists, set in the fertile plains of Ratchaburi province. Free time to visit the market and admire its lively colours and scents. In the late morning, return to Bangkok, to the western part of the city known as Thonburi, once an independent village and today absorbed into the metropolis. Thonburi still preserves its canals, which once earned it the nickname "Venice of the East". Small wooden houses line them, creating picturesque views and an exotic, peaceful atmosphere that is increasingly rare in the city centre. Among the best-known places is the "Artist House", overlooking one of the main canals. You continue with a motorboat trip along the canals, as far as the mighty seated Buddha of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen. The boat will take you to some panoramic spots that are ideal for photographs, admiring the giant Buddha in all its majesty. Visit of the temple, which as well as the statue also houses a sacred tower with particularly striking interiors and finishes. After the visit, a short walk of approximately 800 metres along a lane that offers a glimpse of daily life in the suburbs, as far as the underground station. From here you return to the centre of Bangkok. The next destination is the Lumphini public gardens, the green heart of the city. Covering 57 hectares, the park is the largest urban green lung in Bangkok and contains lakes and wide green areas, home to the large "Monitor Lizards", which can reach 2 metres in length and, with a little luck, may be spotted. Those who wish may wait until 18:00 to witness the evocative moment of the Thai national anthem, when the people in the park interrupt whatever they are doing, remaining still and silent (activity not guaranteed and subject to the day's timings). From the Lumphini area, return to the hotel by Sky Train or other public transport, depending on traffic conditions. Dinner free. Accommodation Holiday Inn Silom Bangkok.

Km 410
breakfast. Departure of the tour. Arrival in the provincial capital city of Ayutthaya, home to the famous ruins that once formed the capital of the Kings of Siam for more than four hundred years, from the 14th to the 18th century. Visit Wat Chai Wattanaram, located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and built during the 17th century in Khmer style, featuring a central group of five monumental “Phrang” towers.
Continue with visits to Wat Sri Samphet, the temple of the ancient Royal Palace, characterized by three gigantic bell-shaped pagodas, and then the adjacent Wat Mongkhon Bophit, a temple housing a gigantic seated Buddha statue. Finally, visit one of the most famous and sought-after ruins among international visitors: Wat Mahathat, the Temple of the “Great Relic” of the Buddha. Built in Khmer style in the 14th century and distinguished by its imposing “Phrang”-style tower, the site is especially renowned for the stone Buddha face hidden among the roots of centuries-old trees.
Lunch at a local restaurant set within a beautiful tropical garden. After lunch, continue deeper into central Thailand, reaching Kamphaeng Phet Province, where orchards dominate the landscape. The variety of juicy tropical fruits here is so rich that it forms the basis of many typical local dishes. The exceptionally sweet “Gluay Kai,” known as “egg bananas” because of their small size and weight, are so famous that an entire market has been dedicated to them, where they can be enjoyed in many different styles of cooking and preparation. The ruins of Sukhothai, the city that served as the first capital of Siam, are now only a short distance away. It was here, in the 13th century, that the culture, language, and concept of nationhood of the Siamese people first emerged. At approximately 7:00 PM, arrival near the ancient Historical Park. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay. accommodation Le Charme Sukhothai.

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

Km 330
breakfast. Early morning departure for a pleasant bike ride in the heart of the ancient city, surrounded by three rows of perimeter walls. You will visit the main temple Wat Mahathat, the charming Wat Sa Sri, and the Khmer-style Wat Sri Sawai, originally built as a Hindu temple. Continuing by bike, you will reach the old neighborhoods of the city to observe the work of artisans who still produce the precious Sangkanlok ceramics, which Sukhothai used to export to China in ancient times. For those who do not enjoy cycling, it is possible to move around the Historical Park with an electric train. During the morning, we will leave Sukhothai and head north. We will arrive in the city of Phrae, the capital of the homonymous province, where we can begin to appreciate the style, architecture, and culture of Northern Thailand, also known as 'Lanna'.
Lunch will be at a restaurant in Phrae. Phrae is known for the beauty of its ancient wooden noble residences. Some of them are of impressive size and elegantly furnished, such as the Khum Vongburi residence, which is now a museum. The building has received various recognitions for the preservation of ancient architectural styles. We will visit the museum and then continue to a craft village on the outskirts of the city, known for the production of 'Mor Hom', the typical blue blouse worn in the Northern countryside. In the village, we will be able to admire the artisans in the production and coloring of the fabrics. From here, we will continue further north to reach one of the most traditional northern provinces of the country: Phayao, known for its historic center with small wooden houses and the large lake on which the town overlooks. I will arrive around 18:30. Available evening. Dinner free. Accommodation M2 Hotel Waterside.

Km 250
Early in the morning departure to the boarding pier where you can witness the traditional offering to novice monks (Taak Bat). Participants will be able to personally purchase the Sangkatan on site (optional activity and not included, the cost of Sangkatan in Phayao is about 200 baht). Afterwards, you will board small rowing boats of local fishermen to reach a small island in the center of the lake where the ancient statue of the Tilok Aram Buddha is located. (Note: in case of bad weather and high waves, the boat tour may be canceled). The date of the works has not yet been planned. However, the place will remain open to the public during the restoration and with a bit of luck, visitors who come here during this period will have the opportunity to see the country's most famous artist at work. Return to the hotel around 08:30 for breakfast on the panoramic terrace of your hotel overlooking the lake. Departure to Chiang Rai. Arrival at Wat Rong Seua Ten, or the "Blue Temple", a contemporary work by the artist Putha Kabkaew. Psychedelic effects, colossal statues depicting unsettling "Yaks", the Buddhist demons, and mythological creatures such as the "Makara" capture the visitor's attention. You climb towards the border with Laos and Myanmar, among mountains covered with dense tropical vegetation that hide tribal villages in narrow valleys. You enter the region of the great Mekong River, an impressive ethnic and commercial crossroads, one of the most active and bustling in Asia. Many mountain communities inhabit the slopes of Mount Mae Salong, on the border with Myanmar; in the traditional market of Mae Salong Nai, it is easy to meet various ethnic groups in traditional costumes. Here you can find the ingredients for the typical Khao Soi, a delicious curry soup with coconut milk and various spices, which you will enjoy during lunch on a local farm, in a cultivated clearing surrounded by the jungle; here you can observe a glimpse of life in the fields. After lunch, you reach the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle, the vast region between Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos where opium used to be cultivated, but now for tourist convenience, it refers to the convergence point between the three states in the village of Sop Ruak, 70 km northeast of Chiang Rai; instead of poppy fields, you will find souvenir stalls and a shrine topped by a huge golden Buddha. In the late afternoon, continue to Chiang Rai. I will arrive around 18:30. Available evening. Dinner free. Accommodation Mantrini Boutique Resort.

Km 200
breakfast. Departure for Chiang Mai at 07.00/07.30. Visit to Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), a famous monument designed and built by Ajarn Chalermchai, the country's best-known contemporary artist, and characterised by a stylistic hybrid of modern architecture and traditional forms of the past. It presents the Buddhist message of the life cycles of Samsara in a modern key. Its vast proportions and sumptuous finishes have today made it one of the most photographed places by international tourists. The historic centre of Chiang Mai lies in a broad valley, closed to the east by the imposing Doi Suthep mountain which, at 1,600 metres, dominates the entire city. In the afternoon you climb its slopes to reach one of Thailand's most venerated and celebrated sanctuaries: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, built at over 1,000 metres above sea level. According to legend, the site was chosen by following the path of a mythical white elephant carrying a sacred relic of the Buddha on its back; it was here that the relic was enshrined, beneath the imposing golden chedi that still today represents one of the country's most iconic symbols. At around 16:45 you leave the mountain to return to the city, with arrival expected at about 17:30. For those who wish (at no supplement), it will be possible to take part in a pleasant walking tour through the historic heart of Chiang Mai, to discover local daily life. Those who prefer not to join will be taken directly to the hotel. The route winds through narrow lanes dotted with traditional Lanna-style houses and the many Theravada temples - 119 in all - which over the centuries have made Chiang Mai one of the leading centres of Buddhism in South-East Asia. The visit begins at the great Three Kings Square, with the bronze statues of the legendary founding rulers, and then continues to Wat Inthakhin Sadue Muang, where the city's foundation stone was once kept. Finally, you reach the majestic Wat Chedi Luang, with its 14th-century chedi, the largest in the entire Lanna region. Dinner not included and overnight in Chiang Mai. Accommodation Empress Chiang Mai.

Breakfast. Check-out of the room by 12:00. Transfer to the airport with your guide at the locally indicated time. End of the tour.