Uncover the wonders of Northern Thailand, including an overnight stay beside the peaceful Ping River in Chiang Mai followed by a chance to walk with elephants in the Golden Triangle. Along the way, discover a natural hot spring, experience a healing Thai massage and savor a traditional northern Thai style dinner and cultural dance.
Note: This program is limited to 20 participants. Guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.
DAY 1 – April 15, 2025
Disembark the ship in Singapore, meet your guide and transfer to the Singapore airport. Drive time is approximately 45 minutes. Check in for a flight from Singapore to Chiang Mai via Bangkok.
Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, proceed to your hotel. Nestled on the peaceful Ping River, Anantara Chiang Mai Resort is a chic contemporary resort built around a 100-year-old heritage house which once belonged to the British Consulate. The rooms and suites are housed in a sleek, modern building decorated in a simple yet sophisticated style with elements of Thai design. Adding an element of fun, the restaurant presents a 20th-century secret service theme with hidden chambers and James Bond-inspired cocktails.
Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel with the group.
DAY 2 – April 16, 2025
After breakfast, depart from your hotel for an overland journey (approximately 3-hours) through the northern Thai countryside to Chiang Rai.
En route, make a short stop at the Mae Kachan Hot Springs where you can dip your feet in the natural hot water pools. Continue the drive towards Chiang Rai and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, travel to the Golden Triangle for a scenic boat ride to a viewpoint overlooking the Mekong River. Here you will see the spot where three countries meet - Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.
Nearby, visit the Hall of Opium which offers an interesting insight into the history of the opium trade which once affected many hill tribe villagers in this area. Learn about the impacts of the poppy as well as the steps made to help the Golden Triangle community in more recent times.
Continue to your hotel. Perched on a ridge overlooking rolling hills, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is a beautiful mountain hideaway with captivating views of the jungle-covered landscape and overlooks the border with Myanmar and Laos. The resort boasts an award-winning elephant camp with scientific research and a conservation program.
In the afternoon, immerse in a Thai healing tradition with a relaxing 90-minute spa session. With a 30-minute body treatment and 60-minute massage, facial or salon treatment, this is an opportunity to focus on mindfulness while being pampered with a soothing herbal experience or a detoxifying spa treatment.
Later, enjoy dinner at the hotel.
DAY 3 – April 17, 2025
Start the morning with a visit to the Chiang Saen local market. Admire the fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables and stop for a coffee at a local place. Return to your hotel for a lesson in the art of Thai cooking.
Immerse in Thai culinary culture, learning about the key ingredients and how they are used and stored, as well as alternatives you can substitute when you are at home. Head to the kitchen to prepare a selection of authentic regional dishes which you can later savor for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a rare opportunity to walk side-by-side with elephants through natural forests and grasslands. Accompany the elephants on their daily walk in the jungle and watch them roam freely in their natural habitat. See how the gentle giants splash in the river, play in the mud or snack on jungle leaves.
Celebrate the artistic heritage of the old Lanna kingdom with a farewell dinner in the rice field. Savor a traditional khantoke meal where a selection of classic northern Thai dishes is served on a tray, such as pork curry, green chili dip and other local favorites. The meal is accompanied by a traditional Thai dance performance that celebrates centuries of northern Thai culture and heritage.
DAY 4 – April 18, 2025
After breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to Chiang Rai Airport for your flight to Bangkok.
You are met on arrival in Bangkok and transferred to the pier.
Land Program Step by Step:
Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
Day 1 – timings subject to actual flight times
6:15am Disembark the ship in Singapore
6:30am Proceed to the port terminal for security screening
6:45am Drive to Singapore Airport
7:30am Check-in for the flight to Bangkok
9:30am Fly to Bangkok (Flight details TBA and subject to change)
11:00am Arrive at Suwanabhume Airport then connect flight to Chiang Mai
3:10pm Fly to Chiang Mai (Flight details TBA and subject to change)
4:25pm Arrive at Chiang Mai Airport
5:00pm Proceed to your hotel and check in
6:30pm Dinner served at your hotel
Overnight at the Anantara Chiang Mai Resort or similar hotel
Day 2
7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
8:00am Drive to Chiang Rai. En route, make a short stop at the Mae Kachan Hot Springs
11:00am Scenic boat ride
12:00pm Lunch at a deluxe restaurant
2:00pm Visit the Hall of Opium
3:00pm Proceed to your hotel and check in
4:00pm Spa session
7:00pm Dinner served at your hotel
Overnight at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort
Day 3
7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
8:00am Lesson in the art of Thai cooking
12:00pm Lunch at cooking lesson
3:00pm Walk side-by-side with elephants
7:00pm Farewell dinner in the rice field with a traditional Thai dance performance
Overnight at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort
Day 4
6:00am Breakfast at the hotel
7:30am Drive to Chiang Rai Airport
9:00am Arrive at Chiang Rai Airport
10:25am Fly to Bangkok (flight details TBA and subject to change)
11:50am Arrive at Suwanabhume Airport
12:30pm Drive to Laem Chabang
2:00pm Approximate arrival at the port – re-board the ship
Expected Weather:
Hot and Dry. The average mid-day temperatures can hover to upper 30s C (85-90 F), especially in inland areas like Chiang Mai. It is less breezy at this time of year; the sun can be quite intense and the air becomes hazier with the rising humidity. Though sometimes quite hot, the lack of rain still leaves this good time of year to visit the temples.
What to Bring:
On this tour the key words are comfortable and casual. Remember we are visiting a foreign country and local dress codes should be observed.
*Please avoid uncovered shoulders, shorts or revealing clothing.
*Full length trousers or pants and/or skirts covering the knees are required to be worn when visiting the temple
Although dinners are not formal, you may want to bring something a bit dressier for that time of day.
Bring a hat or a head covering for sun protection and don’t forget your sunscreen, sunglasses and bug spray (you should have mosquito repellent for sunrise and sunset hours). It’s also a good idea to bring along a small packet of tissues or wet wipes. It is also suggested that guests wear flat comfortable walking shoes (not sandals or open toed shoes / flip flops). Guest are requested to take-off their foot wear and hats when visiting religious sites.
Local Currency:
Guests are encouraged to bring US Dollars with them as they are most accepted in Thailand. The local currency is the Thai Baht. You should take smaller denominations of US Dollars with you, as they will keep you from ending up with a lot of local change that you will not be able to re-exchange back home.
Electricity:
Rooms are equipped with 220-volt, two-pin US style electrical outlets. We recommend travelling with your own adaptor kits should you have electronic devices.
Luggage information:
20kg (44lbs) - Light luggage would be most suited for this 3-night trip. Please note that the airlines allow a maximum of 1 checked suitcase (20 kg or 44lbs) and one small carry on. Any additional pieces will be in excess and fees will be paid to the airline at the guests’ expense.
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations):
1. Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type)
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at RSSC at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which Regent Seven Seas Cruises nor our local ground operator be responsible for.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
Guests must carry a valid passport with at least 6 months validity and have spare pages for the immigration stamp
Guests should be aware if they require a visa for their nationality for the countries visited on this program (Singapore and Thailand).
VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program, otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time or incorrect names on flight tickets will result in denial of travel or ticket re-purchase and guests will be responsible for any fees incurred.
Hotel addresses:
Chiang Mai – Anantara Chiang Mai resort
123-123/1 Charoen Prathet Road, Changklan, Muang, Chiang Mai 50100
Phone: +66 53 253 333
Chiang Rai – Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort
229 Moo 1, Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai 57150
Phone: +66 53 784 084
Please Note:
We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests
•1 night at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort (Deluxe Garden View Room)
•2 nights at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort (Deluxe Three Country View Room)
•Meals included: 3 x Breakfast, 2 x Lunch and 3 x Dinner
•Transfers
•All touring and entrance fees per the program and itinerary mentioned above
•Local English-speaking guides
•Bottles of water per person on all sightseeing tours
•Cold towels per person on all sightseeing tours
•Akorn Tour Leader to accompany guests throughout the program
•Economy class flights per the itinerary (direct flights not guaranteed)
Program Excludes for guests:
•Any additional touring and meals not mentioned in above itinerary
•All services not mentioned in the above itinerary
•Gratuities for drivers and guides
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
•Excess or overweight luggage on the flights
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
Price: $4,899 per guest based on double occupancy.
Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.
