Thailand Tour 13 days: From center to the north

Today, we will take the whole day to explore Bangkok – the city of golden temples.
The first destination is the Grand Palace, which includes 3 main sites: Royal Palace, Royal Office and pagodas (Wat) built in 1770s. Nowadays, most of national significant events takes place there.
Wat Pra Kwae is famous not only for its beauty of unique Thailand Buddhism 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 one sit-back Buddha in gold.
We will board on 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, 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.
After having lunch, we visit Wat Traimit. This pagoda is famous for its unique and historic beauty, and also for the huge golden Buddha statue.
The last destination today is Jim Thompson House - one of the best places in Bangkok to see traditional Thai teak homes, as Thompson built up his historic houses shipped to Bangkok from around the country.
Return to the hotel and you are free to explore Bangkok by night.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok
Meal                :  Breakfast
 

Having a breakfast and we will transfer to Ayutthaya, visit the Royal Summer Palace in Bang Pa-in district. Being a favorite resort of royal, the Royal Summer palace showcases an eclectic collection of buildings that blend European, Khmer, Thai and Chinese architectural styles.
We continue the northern to pay a visit to some sites of Ayutthaya Historical Park. Being a ruin with many temples which characterize the handicraft architecture, the park was recognized as World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO.

• Wat Phu Khao Thong is a massive pagoda towering in the middle of paddy fields. There is a high golden plated chedi on the top, which makes the pagoda outstanding.
• Wat Phra Sri Sanphet was the most important temple of Ayutthaya with 3 towers standing high together in Ceylonese style.
• Vihara Phra Mongkhon Bophit is the pagoda in which the bronze Buddha statue in the attitude of subduing Mara is situated. This is one of the biggest Buddha statue in Thailand.
• Wat Lokaya Sutha is considered as the sacred place for pilgrims since it’s famous for the reclining Buddha statue. It is also the most important relics in most of those in Wat Lokaya Sutha.

Transfer to Uthai Thani, checkin-in the hotel and take your time to relax.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Uthai Thani
Meal                :  Breakfast
 

Today after breakfast, we come to Si Satchanalai Historical park. The park covers the ruins of Si Satchanalai which literally means "City of good people", and Chaliang. 
We drive along mountainous area for visit Wat Phrathat Suthon Mongkhol Kiri, the magnificent Reclining Buddha, the decorative Lanna Style stupas covered with gold and the compound.
Continue driving to the north, we come to Lampang for horse carriage ride to visit a Burmese style temple at Wat Prakaew Dontao,  built in the 14th or 15th century, this is an important temple, since it houses the Emerald Buddha statue, the Thailand’s most sacred Buddha statue during the 15th century.
Proceed to the hotel in Chiang Mai. Checking-in the hotel and you can relax after a long day exploring.
Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai
Meal     :  Breakfast

Today morning, we have a walking tour to the old town with a stop at the old wall, the moat and a door of the old town. You will see the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh temple, built in Lanna style architecture. Known as “The Monastery of the Lion Buddha’, this temple houses a number of highly revered and very old Buddha images.

The next is Wat Phan Tao, an ancient temple sitting right next to the sacred Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai town.
Next to Wat Phan Tao is Wat Chedi Luang. This is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Then you will stroll along small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take a rickshaw tour. After that, you will take a walking through the central market of Warorot, which is a great spot for travelers wanting to experience the true Thai culture and daily life.

In the afternoon we visit the Doi Suthep hill. The mountain's temple is one of the most historically and spiritually significant places in Thailand. So, many Thais and foreigners come to experience the special magic of this holy place.

Return to the hotel and you can relax or enjoy going to the night market.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai
Meal                :  Breakfast
 

After breakfast, departure for Chiang Dao, famous for huge limestone mountains. Interstingly, when you visit an elephant camp, you can watch the elephants taking their morning bath and demonstrating some their skills. You will also learn how to properly ascend the elephant and lumber along a trail in the dense, leafy forest and along the Mae Ping River.

Lunch is served at local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will get an up-close look at the river on a bamboo raft trip. You will languidly cruise past traditional teak houses high on stilts along the lush banks. Bidding farewell to chilled-out Chiang Dao and its gentle people won’t be easy. Soften the blow with a stop at an orchid farm on your return to Chiang Mai. Revel in the assortment of colors and designs from stripped to dots. At the end of the day, you’ll have seen that Thailand’s natural bounty is an open-air art museum.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai
Meal     :  Breakfast
 

After breakfast, we visit the Mae Fah Luang botanical garden, sited high up on the mountain of Doi Tung. Coming here, visitors are rewarded with a stunning display of plants and flowers.
We continue the trip by heading to the northern Thailand to Doi Mae Salong, which has early history focusing on opium trading. Here, you will get a chance to admire the green hills and taste the delicious tea of the region.
From Doi Mae Salong, we will visit two villages of ethnic minorities: the village Akah of Loyo, and the village Lisu of Ban Hanygo.
Having lunch at the local restaurant at the Golden Triangle, then taking a boat trip along Mekong Kong River to see Thailand, Burma & Laos, confluence at the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle is known for its beautiful scenery. Some of the sights in the area include a large golden Buddha image seated in a boat, an ancient temple on a hill and the House of Opium Museum.
Return to the hotel and you are free to relax.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Saen
Meal                :  Breakfast