Bangkok to Chiang Mai Private Tour via Lopburi – 4 Days / 3 Nights
Four days by private vehicle from the capital up to Chiang Mai, following the old road north. You walk the ruins of Ayutthaya, meet the macaques on the Khmer towers of Lopburi, stand before the Chinnarat Buddha in Phitsanulok, cross Sukhothai and the lake at Phayao, and finish among the modern temples of Chiang Rai and the shrine on Doi Suthep.
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Four Days of Siamese History: the Bangkok to Chiang Mai Tour via Lopburi
Four days and three nights running north out of the capital, up the Chao Phraya valley and into the hills. The itinerary is built around a change of era rather than a change of scenery: Khmer stonework at Lopburi, the most venerated bronze Buddha in the country at Phitsanulok, then the temple art of Chiang Rai and the old Lanna piety of Chiang Mai.
You leave Bangkok early and reach Ayutthaya before the heat, then carry on to the towers of Lopburi, a working provincial town where the macaques have simply taken the ruins over. The second half of the route turns visual: Wat Rong Khun in dazzling white, Wat Rong Suea Ten in sapphire, and the colossal white Goddess of Compassion on the hills above Chiang Rai. It closes on Doi Suthep, where the gilded chedi looks down over the whole Chiang Mai valley.
The tour begins in Bangkok and ends in Chiang Mai, so the last day belongs to you: a slow morning, a market or a massage, until the agreed hour when your driver takes you to the airport for your onward flight. On request that day can be filled with an optional trip or a tailor-made extension.
Destinations visited
General Information
| Tour Code | FTTR04SNL |
|---|---|
| Starting from | Bangkok |
| Duration | 4 Days / 3 Nights |
| Tour Type | Multi-Day Tours |
| Tour Format | Private |
| Guide Language | Italian, English, Multilingual |
| Interests | Culture & Temples, Food & Cuisine, Local Markets, Nature & Trekking |
| Available Period | All year round |
| Availability | Daily |
Highlights
Sample Itinerary
After breakfast you meet your guide and driver at your hotel reception at about 06:45. You leave the capital and head north, starting a journey back through the great remains of the kingdom of Siam.
The first stop of the day is the old capital of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO site. You visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet, once the most sacred temple of the royal palace, recognisable by the three chedi in a row that held the ashes of three kings, and the nearby Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit, home to one of the largest bronze Buddhas in Thailand. The morning closes at the famous Wat Mahathat, where a Buddha head sits held in the roots of an old bodhi tree, one of the most photographed images in the country. After lunch at a local restaurant the road continues to Lopburi, a city where Khmer ruins and ordinary modern life share the same streets. Here you visit Phra Prang Sam Yod, three towers of sandstone and laterite built in the thirteenth century by the Khmer king Jayavarman VII and originally dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Today the temple is best known for its residents: hundreds of macaques roaming free among the ruins, who even have a festival of their own every November, with a banquet laid on for them.
A word of advice: hold on to your glasses, hats and bags, because the monkeys have no scruples about borrowing them.
The day ends at Phitsanulok with a visit to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, the spiritual heart of the region: it holds the Phra Buddha Chinnarat, cast in bronze in the Sukhothai period and held by many Thais to be the most beautiful Buddha in the country, recognisable by the flame-shaped halo around it. At the end of the day, transfer to your hotel in Phitsanulok, check-in and overnight.
After breakfast you meet your guide and driver to explore Sukhothai, the first capital of Siam. You enter the Historical Park (UNESCO), where time seems to have stopped among tall temples and great seated Buddhas. You can visit on foot, by bicycle, on the local tram or, for a supplement, by golf cart to move easily between the monuments.
From there you head north to Phayao, where you stop for lunch. The lake here is the largest in northern Thailand, an immense basin fed by eighteen rivers. Out of its water rise the remains of Wat Tilok Aram, a fifteenth-century temple now submerged, which gives the view something you will not see anywhere else.
Before the day closes in Chiang Rai you visit the fairy-tale Wat Rong Suea Ten, better known as the Blue Temple. Famous for its vivid sapphire tones and gold detailing, this modern temple has an atmosphere that borders on the supernatural.
Final transfer to your hotel in Chiang Rai and overnight.
After breakfast your guide and driver meet you at reception. Today you travel to the Rose of the North, on a road that takes in some of the most spectacular temple complexes in Thailand.
The first stop is the great Wat Huay Pla Kang, where a giant white statue of the Goddess of Compassion looks out over the hills. You can go up inside the structure to see the detailed white stucco work and take in the view. You carry on to Wat Rong Khun, the iconic White Temple: a contemporary work of art with no equal, where the white plaster and the mirror inlay stand for Buddhist purity and for rising above worldly temptation.
After the included lunch at a local restaurant you reach the slopes of Doi Suthep. Before the summit you stop at Wat Pha Lat, a hidden treasure deep in the jungle. This secret temple, beside a waterfall, is a place of complete quiet away from the tourist route, its old stone structures seeming to grow out of the forest around them.
Finally you climb to the top for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most venerated shrine in Chiang Mai. You can take on the monumental 306-step staircase or ride the funicular up to the golden pagoda. From here the whole valley opens out below as the lights of the city start to come on.
At the end of the day, transfer to your hotel in Chiang Mai, check-in and overnight.
After breakfast and check-out the time is yours, for a rest or for whatever you feel like doing. At the agreed hour you meet your driver for the transfer to the airport and the flight on to your next destination.
The itinerary may change due to weather conditions or other unforeseeable circumstances.
Hotels
Sukhothai Legendha - Sukhothai
View HotelChiang Rai The Heritage Chiang Rai
View HotelChiang Mai Bodhi Serene
View HotelPrice
| Participants | 1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person (EUR) | 1,160 € | 610 € | 460 € | 400 € | 350 € | 330 € |
| Price per person (THB) | 42,288 ฿ | 22,188 ฿ | 16,688 ฿ | 14,538 ฿ | 12,768 ฿ | 11,988 ฿ |
Note: prices in Euros are worked out at the current exchange rate and are indicative. The final price may change because of currency movements or updated operating costs at the time of booking.
Inclusions
What the Tour Includes
- English-speaking assistance throughout the tour.
- Transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle.
- Private professional English-speaking guide.
- Accommodation (3 nights) in selected hotels, breakfast included.
- Typical Thai lunches from Day 1 to Day 3 (drinks not included).
- Entrance tickets to every site, temple and park listed above.
Not Included
- Tips for the guide and the driver.
- Drinks with meals.
- Golf cart rental in Sukhothai (optional).
- Personal spending.
- Domestic and international flights.
Useful Tips
- Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the temples (this applies to men and women alike).
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for the historical parks.
- Carry cash (Thai Baht) for anything you buy along the way
- Lopburi: watch your glasses, hat and food around the macaques, which are quick and completely used to people
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a custom tour with Thailand Fantastic work?
You can draw inspiration from our sample itineraries, or we can create a trip tailored 100% to you. We will work together to define every detail according to your wishes, your specific needs, your budget and your dates.
What happens after I contact you?
One of our English-speaking consultants will contact you within 24 hours of receiving your enquiry.
- Introductory call: we will get in touch to arrange a short call. This allows us to explore your travel idea and understand the character you would like to give your adventure.
- Receiving the proposal: you will receive a detailed quotation, free of charge and with no obligation.
What does the price of the trip include?
The price of the trip includes all the services, any domestic flights and the accommodation mentioned in the programme we have proposed to you (for example: overnight stays, transport, excursions and any other experience specified).
Do I need a visa to visit Thailand?
Entry requirements for Thailand depend on your nationality, so there is no single answer that applies to every traveler. As of August 2026, citizens of more than 90 countries can enter for tourism without a visa and are granted a 60-day stay on arrival, extendable once by a further 30 days at an immigration office. Travelers from other countries must apply for a visa before they set off.
Two requirements apply to almost everyone: a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter the country, and the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, which you complete through the online form before you arrive.
Important: always check the rules currently in force for your own nationality with the Thai embassy or consulate in your country before you book, as regulations can change quickly. If you are unsure, ask us and we will point you in the right direction.
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate, but the seasons vary from one region to another:
| Period | Climate and recommended areas |
| November - February | Cool season (high season): the best time of year. Ideal for the North and the Andaman Sea (Phuket, Krabi). |
| March - May | Hot season: high temperatures. Excellent for the Gulf islands and for diving. |
| June - October | Rainy season: short showers. The Gulf islands (Koh Samui) are often less affected. |
What happens when I book the trip?
Once the final quotation has been confirmed, the procedure is as follows:
- Deposit: you will be asked for a deposit (30% or 50%), to be paid within 5 days in order to secure the services.
- Balance: the balance must be paid no later than 40 days before departure.
- Documents: no later than 3 weeks before departure, you will receive the complete itinerary with vouchers and confirmations.
Which payment methods do you accept?
You can choose between several options:
- Bank transfer: to a European bank account (in Euros) or directly to our Thai bank account.
- PayPal: payment by PayPal is also possible.
How can I buy cancellation and/or medical and baggage insurance?
Your Travel Consultant will recommend the best insurance partners for your needs. On request, we can book the policy on your behalf, with a small handling fee for managing the paperwork.
Do you also offer international flights?
We do not have our own flight ticketing service, but we are happy to help you look for the best deals. We can handle the booking for you, with a small handling fee.
What if I can no longer travel? (trip cancellation)
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions. If you have cancellation insurance, you will be refunded by the insurance company. Without insurance, the penalties set out in the contract will apply.
What if something unexpected happens during the trip?
Your peace of mind is our priority. Should anything go wrong, we will act promptly with our local partners to rearrange your itinerary, and you will have English-speaking assistance with you throughout the trip.
