Thailand Lantern Festival Tour (November 2024 & 2025)

Itinerary

• Day 1: Bangkok, Arrival

  Fly into Thailand's throbbing capital of Bangkok and get warmly welcomed by your local guide at the airport. A private transfer afterwards will whisk you to your comfortable hotel for check-in. The rest of today is yours to relax and recover from jet lag.

  • Bangkok

• Day 2: Bangkok City Discovery by Local Transport

  Today, spot Bangkok's essential sights via different forms of public transport on a full-day guided tour.

  Your guide will accompany you on a BTS Skytrain or MRT Subway ride to a pier along the Chao Phraya River, followed by a shared water bus transfer with the locals to your next stop. Disembark and walk to the highlight of today's tour - Grand Palace, a sprawling royal complex that boasts a dazzling array of buildings, including the highly-revered Wat Phra Kaew.

  After sampling Thai dishes at a local restaurant, step into the nearby Wat Pho to worship the giant gilded reclining Buddha and drop coins in votive bowls - if you like. To cap off the day, jump aboard a tuk-tuk to a colorful and fragrant flower market for a true insight into local life. Finally, return to your hotel by BTS Skytrain or MRT Subway.

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  • Bangkok

• Day 3: Bangkok Side Trip to Local Markets

  Enjoy some leisure time this morning before exploring two unusual yet authentic Thai markets on the outskirts of Bangkok. Spreading over a 100-meter length, a bustling country market called Mae Klong has sprouted up along the railway tracks. Be sure to capture the unique sight of vendors quickly packing up their stalls and pulling them back as the slow-moving train rolls through the market.

  While at Amphawa Floating Market, a longtail boat ride, passing wooden boats laden with tropical fruits and other delights, will take you to see what a floating market originally was like decades ago. As you like, stop by the food vendors, practice your haggling skills, and sample local treats. After your visit, transfer back to Bangkok for the night.

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  • Bangkok

• Day 4: Bangkok - Sukhothai

  After a leisurely morning, take a private transfer to the airport for a brief flight to Sukhothai, where Loy Krathong - the festival of light - originated from the period of the Sukhothai Kingdom (1238 -1438).

  Upon landing, be collected from the airport and transferred directly to your hotel. This evening, head out with your guide to join the exciting celebration, such as traditional exhibitions of dance, play, and martial art.

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  • Sukhothai

• Day 5: Sukhothai, Loy Krathong Festival

  Start by exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sukhothai Historical Park. Inside the walls are ancient city ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist temples, and other important structures, revealing the nation's glorious past. An insightful visit to the adjacent Ramkhamhaeng National Museum will deepen your understanding.

  Have you seen a river illuminated by the glow of lights? There is no better way to celebrate the festival than by releasing your hand-made Krathong, a Thai floating lantern decorated with candles, incense sticks, and flowers, onto the water. Thai people believe that such a spiritual act will drift worries away and bring happiness in the coming year.

  Wrap up this exciting day with the fantastic Light and Sound Show telling the story of Loi Krathong and Sukhothai's history, as well as fireworks, and dance by Wat Mahathat.

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  • Sukhothai

• Day 6: Sukhothai - Lampang - Chiang Mai

  Depart Sukhothai for Chiang Mai (about a 5.5-hour drive), visiting Wat Phra That Lampang Luang en route. Dating back to the 13th century, this ancient Buddhist temple stands as a magnificent testament to Lanna architecture. From the towering chedi to the intricate murals and carvings, every detail exudes a sense of awe and charm.

  Once reaching Chiang Mai, the historical seat of the Lanna Kingdom from the 13th to 18th centuries, settle into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of today at leisure.

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  • Chiang Mai

• Day 7: Chiang Mai, Yi Peng Festival

  Start by visiting the riverfront Warorot Market, full of vendors selling local delights. A traditional Samlor or three-wheel rickshaw ride will take you through the iconic Thapae Gate to the Old City of Chiang Mai, exploring two remarkable temples - Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh.

  You are then free to relax for a few hours before heading out in the late afternoon to experience the grand Yi Peng Festival Celebration. Enjoy cultural performances such as Sword Dance, sample Lanna Thai basket set, and witness the monk chanting and meditation ceremony before releasing sky lanterns as a form of worship to the Lord Buddha. Swarms of lit lanterns resemble giant fluorescent jellyfish gracefully rising into the night sky. Thai people believe that this will float worries away and wish for good luck in the coming year.

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  • Chiang Mai

• Day 8: Chiang Mai, Leisure Day

  Today is on your own to explore the city wrapped in the magical atmosphere. There are some free, public events available in different parts of Chiang Mai, including Traditional Lanna Archway Display, Magical Lanna Lantern Decorations, and Lighting Blissful Lanna Candles. As Yi Peng Festival usually coincides with Loy Krathong Festival in Chiang Mai, you may also like to attend the festivities related to Krathong, such as Hand-made Banana Leaves -fresh flowers Krathong Contest, Traditional Floating Krathong Ceremony and Large Krathong Parades.

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  • Chiang Mai

• Day 9: Chiang Mai, Elephant Encounter

  Travel out of the city into the countryside to care for Asian elephants - Thailand's national animal - on a join-in excursion at an elephant sanctuary. After a quick safety briefing, change into traditional mahout attire, feed these gentle giants by hand, and walk them to a clean water pond.

  This afternoon goes with a winding drive to a magical temple of tunnels, Wat Umong. Follow your guide to discover Buddha heads, relics, and altars along the labyrinthine paths and receive blessings from a monk at the temple's Viharm. Continue up to the mountaintop Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which provides fantastic panoramic views over Chiang Mai. Be sure to admire the gleaming golden spire and listen to the chanting of the monks in the evening.

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  • Chiang Mai

• Day 10: Chiang Mai - Khao Lak

  After the festival celebration, why not kick off a blissful getaway by catching a late-morning flight to the tropical islands in southern Thailand?

  As you touch down at Phuket airport, transfer to your beach resort in Khao Lak, which sits pretty on a sublime stretch of coastline on Phang Nga. The rest of today should be spent in total relaxation on the beach, by the pool, or at the spa.

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  • Khao Lak

• Day 11: Khao Lak, Leisure Day

  Indulge in a full day of leisure in Khao Lak. Surrounded by crystal clear water, pristine beaches, and ancient rainforests, you'll be spoiled for choices on things to do in this idyllic beach destination. Please consider taking an idyllic day out to the outlying islets, like the famous James Bond Island, Phi Phi Islands, and Similan Islands. If land adventures are more your style, venture into the nearby Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park or farther Khao Sok National Park.

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  • Khao Lak

• Day 12: Khao Lak, Leisure Day

  Enjoy another day free to do as much or as little as you like, whether lazing on the soft sandy beach or exploring more of the area's attractions.

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  • Khao Lak

• Day 13: Khao Lak, Departure

  After a final morning relaxing at your hotel, you will be taken to the airport well in advance of your departure flight, either home or to your next destination.

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