Day 1 - Beijing - Bangkok -

Take a flight today to Bangkok.

Hotel: Stay at The Heritage Bangkok.

Day 2 - Bangkok - Ayutthaya (B,L)

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the boat pier to board the cruise upriver bounding for Wat Chong Lom in Nonthaburi. Enjoy the scenic view on the River of Kings along the way.
International buffet lunch is served on board while cruising.
Disembark the cruise and continue driving to Ayutthaya – the former capital of Thailand – to visit the Historical Park and its temples among them Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Phra Mahathat, Wat Phra Meru, Wat Yai Chaya Mongkol and the ancient ruins of Wat Chai Wattanaram.

Hotel: Stay at Ayodhara Village (Superior room)

Day 3 - Ayutthaya – Uthai Thani - Sukhothai (B,L)

Breakfast at your hotel, then drive further north with an interval in Uthai Thani in the heart of rural Thailand. Reach the provincial capital then visit the local market place to experience the local lifestyle and their daily routine and Wat Chantharam (Wat Tha Sung) with its spectacular Crystal and Golden Halls.
Lunch at local restaurant en route
Reach the provincial capital of Sukhothai. Visit the Historical Park which was once a walled city surrounded by a moat, the park contains almost 200 ruined chedis in remarkable condition.
See the main sites and Ramkamhaeng Museum before checking to your hotel. (Bike ride possible in supplement in the historical park. A nice and easy way to stroll around the ruins!)

Hotel: Stay at Legendha Sukhothai (Superior room)

Day 4 - Sukhothai – Phrae - Lampang (B,L)

After breakfast, drive north to Si Satchanalai Historical Park on the bank of the Yom River north of Sukhothai.
The ancient town, formerly called "Muang Chaliang" was named "Si Satchanalai" during the reign of Phra Ruang and 134 ruined monuments have been discovered within the park.
Visit the main sites including several temples, as well as the Celadon Kiln Site Study and Conservation Center at Ban Ko Noi, some 4 kilometres to the north of Si Satchanalai.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Continue to Phrae, one of Thailand’s oldest cities. Phrae is packed with traditional Thai architecture in the form of beautiful teak houses, eclectic wats and quiet lanes as well as several large colonial period teak mansions. You will spend some time visiting Vongburi House, a large two-storey teak mansion built in 1897 for a family that held a large teak concession in the area. The house has remained in the family ever since and is a living museum.
Also visit the small silver workshop on site to see bowls and other ornaments being made.
Continue to Lampang, a large trading centre during the 19th Century, and wander along Taladkao Road where you can see old Thai, Chinese, British and Burmese merchant houses. Or take a horse cart ride through town (optional at extra cost).

Hotel: Stay at Wienglakor

Day 5 - Lampang – Phayao – Chiang Rai (B,L)

After breakfast drive up to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, one of the most spectacular temples in Thailand.
Dating back to 1486 it is believed to be one of the oldest wooden buildings in Thailand.
Then continue north to Phayao situated on the scenic Kwan (Lake) Phayao. Visit the interesting local museum and the quirky Wat Analyo with its eclectic mix of religious architecture and iconography perched on a hilltop with views of the Lake.
Arrival in Chiang Rai in the late afternoon, board a rickshaw and start with a short ride to Wat Phra Kaew with its beautiful brass and copper Buddha image, Wat Phra Singh then to the main market area, to get a feed for local life in Chiang Rai.

Hotel: Stay at Laluna Resort (Superior room)

Day 6 - Chiang Rai - Golden Triangle – Chiang Mai (B,L)

After breakfast at your hotel, drive to Mae Sai, the northern most Thai town on the Myanmar border (Tha khilek). Walk around the local market, and continue to visit Chiang Saen on the steep banks of Mae Khong River, opposite of Laos where you will see some magnificent ancient ruins and temples then drive to Sop Ruak, a small trading village and the actual point where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet.
Lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, head South-West towards Chiang Mai after a visit to Wat Rong Khun the “White Temple”. Coffee break on the way at the excellent Jarin Garden Resort famous for its homemade pies operated by the Population and Community Development Association to serve and assist the rural people. Arrive in Chiang Mai in late afternoon, and check in at your hotel.
You may wish to walk or take a Tuk Tuk ride to night bazaar for shopping or even enjoy local sumptuous dinner at the riverside restaurant.

Hotel: Stay at Baan Thai Village (Superior room)

Day 7 - Chiang Mai - Beijing (B,L)

In the morning, drive to the mountain temple of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the most famous landmark of Chiang Mai. Climb the Naga staircase to visit the exquisite golden pagoda. The sound of temple bells fills the air and the view overlooking the city makes an irresistible photo opportunity.
Afterwards drive up the mountain by “songtaew” onto a rough dirt road to the Chang Khien Coffee Research Project where you can enjoy a cup of the local "arabica" surrounded by fabulous gardens of flowers.
Continue to the white Hmong village of Chang Khien where the 800 inhabitants still wear their traditional hill tribe clothes and practice a culture that dates back 500 years.
In the afternoon, transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your departure flight.