Jewels of Thailand

Your journey begins on an overnight flight. Red-eye flights are possible on arrival and departure.

If you purchased airline tickets from YMT, a representative will welcome you at the airport and transport you to the hotel.

Spend the day exploring Bangkok, the colorful Thai capital known for its exceptional food, ornate temples, and boundless energy. See the city’s most iconic sites, starting with the Golden Buddha in the temple of Wat Traimit.

Continue to Wat Pho to see the 150-foot-long Reclining Buddha. The Grand Palace is the anchor of Bangkok’s historical center, adorned with spires, architecture, and gardens. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand, is at the heart of the Grand Palace.

Take a boat across Chao Phraya River and enjoy an authentic Thai lunch. Then continue to the Museum Siam to discover the national identity and history of the people of Thailand. Travel through Bangkok’s Chinatown to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. (B, L,D)

Travel through stunning rice fields and rural scenery to the resort town of Kanchanaburi. Following a city tour, visit the floating market at Damnoen Saduak.

Spend the rest of the day uncovering Thailand’s WWII history, starting at the world-famous Bridge over the River Kwai. Continue to the Thailand-Burma Railway Museum, which provides insights into the history of the railway line built by the Imperial Japanese army. Finally, visit the visit the Allied War Cemetery, where thousands of allied prisoners of war were laid to rest. (B, L, D)

En route to Ayutthaya , stop at the massive Buddha carved into the limestone quarry cliffs of at Khao Tham Thiam. Visit the lavish 17th century Wat Chaiwatthanaram temple outside of Ayutthaya Historical Park, then enjoy a tour of this incredible UNESCO Site! (B)

Stop at an amulet workshop to craft an authentic, handmade souvenir en route to Sukhothai, a name that means “The Dawn of Happiness.” The ruins of Sukhothai are one of Thailand’s best-kept secrets. The remnants of the Thai state’s first capital are dotted with the columns and spires of 700-year-old temples and shrines guarded by massive Buddha statues! (B)

Discover antique fabrics and garments at the Sathorn Gold Textile Museum. Then see how Thai ceramics—including the utterly enchanting Lampang Chicken Bowl—are made at the Dhanabadee Ceramic Museum.

The highlight of your day will be the Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, an ancient compound including a stunning wooden Lanna temple. The open-sided Wihan Luang dates back to 1476 and features a triple-tiered wooden roof supported by immense teak pillars. (B)

Explore the charming Phayao Lake on the way to Chiang Rai, Thailand’s northernmost province. The area has an alpine-like landscape and climate, and is known for its hill tribe villages, tea plantations, and cherry blossoms.

Visit the fascinating Hill Tribe Museum, dedicated to the history, culture, beliefs, and ways of life of several local hill tribes. Next, visit the serene Mae Fah Luang Art & Cultural Park, a hidden lakeside gem that houses folk art and teak artifacts from the Lanna Kingdom! (B, D)

Spend the day in the Golden Triangle, the hilly, forested area where Northern Thailand meets Laos and Myanmar. Visit the Blue Temple, whose signature sapphire hue is associated with purity and wisdom. From there, take a tour of the Black House. The Baan Dam Museum is set amongst sprawling gardens, its ebony structures filled with the surreal artwork of Thawan Duchanee.

Head high into the mountains to Doi Mae Salong. The de facto heart of “Little Switzerland” is known for its enchanting scenery and tranquil atmosphere. Visit a tea plantation, where you can enjoy fresh-picked oolong tea whose plump leaves blanket the lush hillsides.

Your final included stop of the day is the Hall of Opium, a museum that takes a deep look into the devastating narcotic that defined so much of Northern Thailand’s contemporary past (B)

On your way to Chiang Mai, visit Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple. The ivory building is covered with glass and mirrors that make it shine and sparkle in the sun or moonlight.

Continue to the 600-year-old Wat Chedi Luang, the ruined temple famous for its chedi. There are also daily Monk Chats on the temple grounds, where friendly brothers welcome your questions.

Tour Wat Phra Singh, a temple dominated by an enormous, mosaic-inlaid sanctuary. See the bronze Three Kings Monument, then continue to Wat Chiang Man, an Old City temple established in the 13th century. Your final stop is the Tha Pae Gate, part of the crumbling city wall that protected the Old City from the armies of the Mongol Empire. (B)

Your day begins at the mountainside Wat Phra That Doi Suthep a temple reached by a long staircase flanked by naga, Thailand’s scariest sea serpents.

Then visit Bhubing Palace, the Thai Royal Family’s winter residence. There are a number of charmingly rustic buildings and an excellent garden, including hundreds of varieties of roses and rare orchids. Join your fellow travelers for an included farewell. (B, D)