Mae Hong Son Highland Loops 15 Days

Today, we will take the whole day to explore Bangkok – the city of golden temples.

The first destination is the Grand Palace.This huge architectural complex is over 2 sq. kilometers, including 3 main sites: Royal Palace, Royal Office, and pagodas (Wat) built in the 1770s. Nowadays, the Grand Palace is no longer home of Thailand Royal, most national events take place there.

Wat Phra Kaew is the most outstanding architectural complex, built in 1785 when King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok. The pagoda is famous not only for its beauty of unique Thailand Buddhist architecture but also for the sacred jade Buddha statue.

Nearby Grand Palace is Wat Pho – the oldest and biggest pagoda in Bangkok with more than 1000 Buddha statues and the huge sit-back Buddha in gold. This pagoda is also famous for being the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, since there is a traditional medicine school established in 1982, educating the arts of Thai massage.

We visit Wat Traimit. This pagoda is famous for its unique and historic beauty, and also for the huge golden Buddha statue. Thai people believe that the statue represents prosperity and purity, as well as strength and power.
After having lunch, we will board a boat to pay a visit along the Chao Phraya River, watching the life of local people close by.

On route, we stop at Wat Arun, known as the most beautiful pagoda in Bangkok not only for its location on the Chao Phraya’s riverbank but also for the different architecture from other pagodas. The pagoda was decorated with glass pieces and Chinese ceramic, in a complicated style.

Return to the hotel and you are free to explore Bangkok by night.

Having a breakfast and today we will pay a visit to some sites of Ayutthaya Historical Park, situated in the old city of Ayutthaya. Being a ruin with many temples which characterize this handicraft type of architecture built with red bricks, the park was recognized as World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO. One of the most visited historical site of Ayutthaya, Wat Chaiwattanaram rests on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, to the west of the City Island. The Temple was ordered to built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to honor his mother, featuring the architectural style influenced by Angkor temple in Cambodia-its unique feature is a large, central prang (Khmer-style pagoda) surrounded by smaller prangs, symbolizing Mount Sumeru, the gods' mountain according to Hindu belief. The lighting at night makes the temple even more exotic and beautiful.
Then you will visit Wat Phu Khao Thong, or the “Monastery of the Golden Mount”, which is located just outside Ayutthaya. Then you will proceed to the ancient palace and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. You will also visit Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit, one of the largest bronze Buddha’s in Thailand. Have lunch by your own account. Afterwards you will visit Wat Lokaya Sutha. This temple enshrines a large reclining Buddha image. Our last visit will be the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, built during the Ayutthaya era. The palace showcases an eclectic collection of buildings that blend European, Khmer, Thai and Chinese architectural styles. It’s the favorite summer palace of the King.
Come back Bangkok and free time for relaxation.
Overnight in Bangkok.
 

After breakfast, enjoy your time and wait for our tour guide to pick you up to the airport, taking a flight to Chiang Mai, Upon arrive you for hotel check in.
This afternoon continue to the Buddhist temple of Wat Umong, nestled in the forested foothills of Suthep Mountain. Learn about the Buddhist proverbs posted throughout the grounds in English and Thai before you head inside to see the impressive Buddha statue. You’ll also visit the 14th-century Wat Suan Dok, a white bell-shaped temple housing a 20-foot (6-meter) Buddha. See the large prayer hall and the unique open-sided chapel, then enjoy an opportunity to chat with a monk about Buddhism and temple life, after the tour transfer back to your hotel and the rest of the day is free at your own leisure. 
Overnight in Chiang Mai

Pick up in Chiang Mai (in the hotel booked by yourself) and departure for the North, up to Pai. On the way, visit the market of Mae Malai, where you can experience local foods like some exotic fruits. Then you'll stop at Pong Deuid, one of the most beautiful hot springs in the province of Chiang Mai. This Spa is little exploited commercially, in fact, and is part of a well maintained in a very picturesque wooded Valley Park. Downstream of bubbling geysers, the rock formations are shallow pools where you can have a nice swim.
On the way, stop at Pai Memorial Bridge, is a bridge over the Pai River with a long history dating back to World War II.
You will then have lunch in a restaurant before arriving in Pai. 
It is a small community located in a hilly and beautiful, natural environment clean, refreshing and warm atmosphere. Its different ethnic groups of the Plains or mountains, with their religious beliefs and their different languages, are mixed to form singular and common cultural traditions together.
If the weather permit, you will have chance to visit Pai Canyon viewpoint - (also known as Kong Lan) is an incredibly scenic canyon with stunning valley views and it’s one of the most reputable locations to catch a Pai sunset!

Have dinner by own. You can also discover Pai warking street market.
Overnight to Pai.

After breakfast, visit the local market then departure to Mae Hong Son. Stop at Ban Jabo village where the black Lahu community is located. You can get a chance to see the local Lahu people dressed in traditional costumes and playing wooden instruments. You continue the road towards Ban Tham Lod, and visit the caves of Tham Lod by bamboo raft. Cruise on the inland lake; discover its calcareous concretions and its prehistoric coffins. Since the entrance to the exit of the cavity, a water course follows a circular path on nearly 500 meters of height, by eroding it for more than a million years. The site includes three separate caves, in fact, those Sao Hin, Tukta and IP Man; to visit, tourists must climb aboard a raft on 1600 meters.

Lunch is served along the way.

You then take the road to Mae Hong Son with the visit of three temples near the picturesque lake of Jong Kham. It is one of the central points of the city, the western part of the Lake has a few restaurants, a night market, and a walk along the Lake path. Visit to Wat Chong Kham: located next to Wat Chong Klang, it is the oldest of the two wats (temples), founded in 1827 by the Shan of Mae Hong his sovereign. The Buddha, Burmese style, 5 meters high, is sitting. Wat Chong Klang was built in the 1860s, his Burmese style chedi can easily be seen from the banks of the Lake. Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu is the main attraction of Mae Hong Son, keeping the city like a Sentinel. The best time to visit is during the sunset between November and February when the surrounding mountains are shrouded in fog.

Stay overnight in Mae Hong Son.

Morning we begin the journey by taking a boat for sightseeing along the Pai River. You can catch sight one of the most beautiful scenery and simply life style along the Pai River. Drop in to visit Long-Necked Karen village, the women in this tribal village wear their one brass winding rings on their neck.
Lunch will be provided at local restaurant. Continue the journey to visit the Su Tong Pae Bridge, which is the longest bamboo bridge in Thailand. Then taking the next programmed directly journey to “Baan Rak Thai Village.” This interesting village located on the border between Thai and Myanmar with a big lake nearby. Next visit is the beautiful, calm and peaceful atmosphere in Shan village “Baan Ruam Thai”. Also known as Pang Oung, the village is located among the rugged mountain range. The reservoir or a big lake is so spectacular landscape that it is entitled Switzerland in Thailand, surrounded by pine forest and colorful winter flowers including year-round cold weather.
Stay overnight in Mae Hong Son.
 

Enjoy a relaxing day at your own pace in the charming town of Mae Hong Son. You may choose to unwind at your hotel or explore the area independently.

After breakfast, you will head towards the charming town of Mae Sariang. The authentic hill tribe villages scattered around Mae Sariang are a true cultural treasure of the region. You will discover ancient traditions and spectacular landscapes that offer a complete immersion into local life.

Lunch is free en route.

On the way, you will stop at Mae La Noi to visit the Kaew Komol Cave, famous for its impressive 30-meter-deep vertical shaft. The entrance is reached via a 120-meter staircase, and to preserve the natural beauty of the site, a small platform has been built so visitors can admire the cave walls without venturing too far inside. This site is considered one of the most beautiful caves in Thailand, with similar formations found only in Australia and China. An interesting fact: the Queen of Thailand visited this cave—formerly known as “Mae La Noi Cave”—in the early 2000s. She suggested renaming it “Kaew Komol Cave” and giving each smaller chamber its own name.

In the afternoon, you will arrive in Mae Sariang, where you will have free time to relax and explore the surroundings at your own pace.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, you can visit the two most beautiful temples in the city, Wat Si Bunruang and Wat Jong Sun, built in the 19th century, in Burmese style. The market, filled with colors and smells is to be surveyed. Then you will visit the Mae Sariang Museum, a wooden building with traditional Thai architecture. The museum is a center for the display and sale of “One Tambol One Product” (OTOP) and includes presentations on the lifestyle of indigenous peoples, including Lua, Thai Yai, Karen, Lawa and Hmong with the local history
Free lunch at the local restaurant.
In the afternoon, return to Chiang Mai via Hod to explore Ob Luang National Park. This fascinating site is made up of magnificent natural elements as well as mysterious landscapes. Under a bridge connecting the two sides of a narrow and steep gorge, flows a zigzag river, framed by teak forests and mountains. During the rainy season, the rapids crash on the rocks and you can take spectacular photos from the ravine, showing the strength of nature. Eroded by the powerful currents of the river, the rocks and cliffs have become a canyon with strange formations. The water must make its way over the stone blocks which obstruct its course, offering a magnificent view.
Arrival at the hotel, installation and relaxation.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai.

After your breakfast, transfer to Chiang Mai airport for next flight to Phuket.
Upon arrival Phuket, Transfer to pier for the boat/ferry to Koh Yao noi.
Overnight Koh Yao noi
 

Your free day.

Your free day.

Your free day.

Breakfast at the hotel. Then take the speedboat from Koh Yao Noi to Phuket pier.

Pick up and transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok and then connecting with your international flight.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: None