Thailand Lantern Festival

Start your adventure in charming Chiang Mai, a sprawling modern city and host to the famous Lantern Festival (or ‘Yi Peng’) each November. After landing in the city and settling in to your hotel, head out to explore some of the Old City’s most beautiful temples. Temples Wat Chiedi Luang, Wat Pan Tao, Wat Chiedi Man and Wat Phra Singh are all nearby and will stun you with their beauty and history. As the sun sets, stroll through Chiang Mai’s night market to sample fresh local foods and shop for traditional handicrafts.

Rise early and join the throngs of locals who take part in their morning alms-giving ritual, donating to monks from all temples and monasteries in Chiang Mai. This ritual is considered an important act for individual karma and is believed to have a profound affect on one’s future circumstances and environment. Afterwards, return to your hotel for breakfast before heading out to visit the bustling Warorot Market and Ton Lamyai Flower Market, where preparations for tomorrow’s festival are well underway. After lunch head to the Tribal Museum of Chiang Mai to learn the fascinating history and culture of the regions various tribes.

Start your day with an exciting elephant experience at the Thai Elephant Care Center. Spend a few magical hours interacting with and feeding the care center’s friendly elephants, a once in a lifetime experience! Afterwards, head back to your hotel to prepare for the Yi Peng festival. Take part in the Lantern Festival’s lavish opening ceremonies, then join your fellow festival-goers in a peaceful meditation ceremony led by Buddhist monks. When the lantern release begins, light your own lantern and release it into the sky while you make a wish and marvel at the breathtaking spectacle that surrounds you.

Board a morning flight from Chiang Mai International Airport to Phuket, Thailand’s dazzling island known for pearly white beaches and fabulous food. Spend your day relaxing and playing on Patong Beach, one of the most popular and beautiful beaches on the island. In the evening return to your beachside hotel to relax by the water.

Rise early to catch a spectacular sunrise at Promthep Cape, one of the most eye catching viewpoints in all of Phuket. Take a boat ride to picturesque Phang Nga Bay to canoe or kayak through emerald green waters surrounded by incredible limestone cliffs. Return inland to tour one of Phuket’s biggest attractions, the Buddhist temple of Wat Chalong. Then make your way to Nakkerd Hills to visit The Big Buddha statue sitting majestically on top. Marvel at the sheer size of the colossal statue and take in the hill’s spectacular panoramic views before ending your night with dinner and shopping in one of Phuket’s many night markets.

Today we’ll head back to the bustling Bangkok! Spend the day on a walking tour of the Ancient City and its gorgeous landscaped gardens. After lunch of traditional Thai cuisine, set out on an afternoon tour of the Chao Phraya River canals via long-tailed speedboat. Drift past stilted homes, mobile shops, floating restaurants and colonial mansions while enjoying the unique water view of the city.

End your Thailand adventure with one last heaping plate of pad Thai and sweet mango sticky rice for dessert.

Wake up to one more morning in this vibrant city. For breakfast, enjoy a variety of all the delicious fruits Thailand has to offer. Stroll along the river walk and reflect upon your journey.