Hike, Bike & Hilltribes Northern Thailand

Hotel's outdoor swimming pool is located at the ground level. Other hotel facilities also include Asian-inspired treatments, fully equipped gym room, steam room, hydro pool and yoga studio. There is also a trendy style bar right next to the lobby where light snack and lunch is served as well as being a cool place to hang out in the evening. Meeting facilities are available up to maximum of 90 covers. This is one of the trendy and branded hotel from England, most suitable for individual travellers. This design hotel is located at the north of Sathorn road, parallel to famous Silom Business district.

It takes approximately 10-15 minutes drive to the riverside and close to famous shopping night bazaar at Patpong and Suanlum night bazaar within 10 minutes walk. Distance from Suvarnabhum Airport takes average 45 minutes by expressway. Endlessly airy and filled with natural light, these rooms are what make us a Bangkok business hotel with style. Each City Room (a number of which can be interconnected to Metropolitan Rooms) reflects our clean-lined aesthetic with Makha wood and cossetting textures.

You will be picked up at 14:00. Start the afternoon with a visit to the Grand Palace, which has served as the seat of Thailand's revered Royal Family for more than two centuries. Take a walk around the vast grounds, stopping in to explore the various temples, throne halls, the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddhist image in Thailand and museums within the compound with a particular focus on Queen Sirikit Museum. Not only does the visit showcase high fashion but it also chronicles the Queen's life and state visits.

On your way to Wat Pho, you will enjoy a coffee break in an authentic cafe.

Go behind the scenes for a closer look at Buddhist culture. Continue your journey with a trip to Wat Pho which is one of Bangkok's most enchanting temples. Take a walk around Wat Pho and see the vast collection of religious treasures on display. Admire the famed reclining Buddha image, which stretches 45-meters in length. Learn about the symbolism of the Buddha's intricate footprint and witness devotees making offerings to this revered image.

Enjoy the afternoon monk's chants. Witness this deeply spiritual ritual and gain a better sense of Thailand's Buddhist heritage.

Following the tour of these iconic Bangkok monuments, return to the hotel.

Early this morning, you'll will be picked up from your hotel at 7:00am to escape from the buzz of Bangkok for an adventure by bike and boat. Travel south of the city to the Mae Klong Delta area and visit Lad Plee Floating Market. Walk through the market to see wooden houses perched on the edge of the canal including one that once was an opium den. Continue to DamnoenSaduak, Thailand's biggest and most famous floating market.

After discovering the sights and sounds of the floating market, embark on a long-tail boat to cruise a maze of canals cutting through local villages and various plantations. This eye-opening boat ride offers a glimpse of traditional Thailand where locals are going about their daily life with the canal as the focal point. After the boat ride, start your bikejourney to Wat Bang KhaeNoi, a temple famous for its teakwood carvings. Continue passing through coconut plantations, fruit orchards and along quiet backroads. Stop often for photos and to explore Wat Bang Kung, a quirky temple held up by a huge banyan tree.

Take a rest at midday and enjoy lunch at a scenic riverside restaurant. Then it's back on the bikes for more riding on picturesque trails toward Amphawa Floating market. Explore this colourful canal side market and its nearby temples before returning to your hotel in Bangkok.

Nestled within the mist-shrouded hills of northern Thailand, Katiliya Mountain Resort & Spa brings contemporary luxury to a land steeped in lore. Located in the countryside between Chiang Rai, Mae Sai and Doi Mae Salong, this all-suite resort presides over a spellbinding landscape of lush green valleys, mountain lakes and endless forest-covered hills. Facilities include a large outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, library room and spa.

Delve into the traditions and culture of the Akha people. Travel into the hills to Hloyo village and spend a day partaking in the daily activities of the Akha.

Be welcomed into Hloyo by the village headman and residents. The hosts will give an informative introduction to the Akha people and their beliefs, religions, traditions and ways of life. Then get a more in-depth look at these customs at a museum. Housed in a mud house, this unique museum is filled with insightful displays about the history of the Akha people.

Walk through the village, seeing traditional bamboo houses constructed by hand. Meet with local artisans and help them create handmade crafts. Then step into the kitchen for a cooking class. Prepare and cook typical Akha dishes using fresh ingredients and traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation. Sit down and enjoy this freshly prepared meal, exchanging stories with the host while dining.

Following lunch set off on a short trek into the forest. Discover the beautiful natural landscapes that provide sustenance for the residents of Hloyo. Visit local farms and see how the farmers rely on the land's resources for their livelihood. Learn how the Akha make use of the forest's natural resources and appreciate how human, animals, and the environment co-exist in this part of Thailand.

Return to the village and say farewell to the hosts. Leave Hloyo filled with a greater appreciation and understanding of the Akha people and return to your hotel in Chiang Rai.

The Northern Thai city of Chiang Rai is steeped in tradition. There's no better way to experience its cultural highlights than with a classical rickshaw ride through the ancient streets.

The day starts at the King Mengrai Monument. The monument pays tribute to the ruler who founded Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai and built the foundations of the Lanna Kingdom. From here, take a three-wheeled rickshaw, or 'samlor'. This classic vehicle is the perfect way to explore Chiang Rai's quiet streets, traveling at a slower pace and soaking up the sights and sounds.

After a short ride, stop at the local market for a visit. Browse the stalls piled high with fresh produce, and join the locals as they chat with stall owners and bargain for the best prices.

Continue by samlor to the Wat Phra Kaew temple, home to a beautiful brass and copper Buddha. Then it's onwards to the Hilltribe Museum to explore the impressive displays and gain wonderful insight into the colourful ethnic communities that live in the hills surrounding Chiang Rai. Continue by road for a visit to the stunning white temple of Wat Rong Khun with its unusual, and controversial, kanok architecture.

Following this introduction to Chiang Rai, stop for lunch at a restaurant and enjoy fabulous views of the Kok River while dining on traditional Thai dishes.

This morning, you'll be met by your private guide and driver for the overland road transfer to Chiang Mai.

You'll begin with a visit to Wat Rong Khun. Translated as 'The White Temple', this modern monument was designed by a famous local artist and features unusual Buddhist paintings and sculptures. After exploring the site, continue the drive south. You'll enjoy scenic landscapes along the way of surrounding mountains and lush paddy fields. Enjoy a coffee break along the way to stretch your legs.

Rati Lanna Riverside Spa Resort is a luxury boutique resort nestled serenely along the bank of the Mae Ping River in center of Lanna historical city. Chiang Mai is only minutes away and the hotel is close to the city's popular Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
All 75 luxurious guestrooms feature private balconies, widescreen plasma televisions, home theatre, broadband internet and bathrooms with built-in LCD TVs and rain showers. RatiLanna, the 5 star luxury resort, offers the highest standard of services and tasteful facilities.

Spend a memorable day at Doi Inthanon National Park as you venture away from the buzz of Chiang Mai's city centre, driving into the hills for a day of trekking through the pristine landscapes of Thailand's north.

The adventure begins with a hike to a Karen hilltribe village. Meet with the locals to discover their traditional ways of life and unique culture. Learn about their work at a mountainside coffee plantation which produces high-quality beans sold throughout Thailand.

Continue to walk deeper into the lush forest, catching glimpses of towering peaks and mountain streams on the way. Stop often for photos or simply to relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery. During the Doi Inthanon hike, keep an eye out for wildlife. The park is teeming with a variety of species including gibbons, deer, wild boar and more than 350 bird species.

Conclude the Doi Inthanon hike at one of the most spectacular sites, the Wachiratharn waterfall. Be amazed at the stunning 70-metre fall which crashes into refreshing shallow pools at the base. Rest, relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings before being returned to your hotel in Chiang Mai late this afternoon.

Take a memorable bike ride through Chiang Mai's outskirts. Escape from the busy streets of downtown and drive out to the countryside where you will begin cycling. First explore the ancient city of Wiang Khum Kham, a 13th-century town that was buried under mud until being excavated in the 1980s. Pedal around the atmospheric ruins learning about their origins and the local legends that surround the site.

Continue along quiet roads, passing traditional teak houses and meeting friendly locals on the way. Stop in a grassy parkland to refresh with a snack of fresh tropical fruits and a cool drink. Then continue cycling to Ban Tawai. Commonly referred to as 'The Village of Handicrafts', this small community is filled with workshops making traditional Thai crafts. Witness the production of items such as silverware, wood carvings, and more.

Then ride along the banks of the Ping River to see fishermen at work on the river and enjoy the lush green surroundings. After approximately 25 kilometres of scenic riding, the adventure comes to an end with a transfer back to your hotel.

This evening, enjoy a lively night in Chiang Mai, wandering through the South Gate of the old city to the traditional street food market.

During the walk, you will be tempted by the delicious aromas emanating from the various food stalls and simple carts. Your guide will be on hand to introduce the many local dishes on offer. And of course, you will be able to try all the dishes you fancy. Some of the local specialities include deep fried pancakes, deep fried taro, kanom jeen (rice noodles with curry soup), kanom krok (Thai coconut pudding), noodle soup, pad Thai, and the summer favourite of sweet mango with sticky rice. You might also have an opportunity to sample the local rice whisky.

After the evening's gastronomic adventure, you'll be returned to your hotel with your stomach filled with delight.

Today, be met at your hotel by your guide and venture away from the city centre of Chiang Mai for an insightful look at Thailand's rich culture. Start with a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Situated on a mountain rising high above the city, this sacred pagoda offers fabulous views of Chiang Mai and its surroundings. Walk up the stairs to see the exquisite gilded stupa and learn about Thai Buddhist beliefs.

Afterwards, continue higher into the hills, traveling by songtaew, a local truck. Drive along rough dirt roads to the Chang Khien Coffee Research Project. Enjoy a fresh cup of locally-grown Arabica coffee and hear about the North's flourishing coffee industry.

It's a short drive onwards to a village inhabited by the White Hmong hilltribe. Spend time exploring the village, meeting the inhabitants and learning about the traditions and customs of this unique ethnic group.

Following this insightful village visit, return to the songtaew and drive back to Chiang Mai. You will be transferred back to your hotel at the end of your day tour.