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Walk in the footsteps of kings on Saga’s tantalising new 11-night tour of Thailand, taking in temples and tea plantations while staying in fabulous hotels and sampling authentic Thai cuisine along the way.

The tour will begin in Chiang Rai where guests spend three days at the Dusit Island Resort Chiang Rai (4Q), set in tropical gardens overlooking the Mae Kok River. Tours will include viewing the new clock tower built by Thai national artist Chalemchai Kasitpipat, a visit to the local market and Wat Phra Kaew temple.

There will also be a tour to Doi Wawee, a long-established Chinese community in the north of Thailand where drinking tea is an important part of the culture. Guests will walk through tea plantations for a hands-on experience of tea leaf picking before seeing the tea-drying process and enjoying a tasting. While in the region there will be a visit to a hill tribe village.

From Chiang Rai the tour will continue to Phayao, stopping en route at Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple.
In Phayao, highlights will include Kwan Phayao Lake and Tung Hong village, where the high quality fabric morhom is produced.

Guests will check in to Nantrungjai Boutique Hotel (4Q) for a two-night stay in Nan, allowing plenty of time to view the city and National Museum before driving to Wat Phumin monastery and Wat Phra That Chae Haeng temple. A further option will be to visit the House of Chao Fongkham, one of the last noble teak houses.

The tour will continue to the Legendha Sukhothai Resort (4Q) and from here guests will view Sukhothai Historical Park, the capital of Thailand’s first kingdom. There will also be a visit to Wat Phra That Suthon Mongkhon Khiri temple with its 86-metre reclining Buddha.

Bangkok awaits and en route will be a stop at Uthai Thani to view Wat Tha Sung temple with its spectacular Crystal Hall. The last three nights will be spent at the Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside hotel (4Q) and sightseeing will include the flower market, travelling by long-tailed boat from the hotel pier, and continuing on to the Grand Palace, formerly the residence of Bangkok kings.

A farewell dinner at the Blue Elephant restaurant, an elegant and traditional Thai dining experience, will complete this exceptional new tour.

Ends

For details call free on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/thailand

11 nights from £1,849 departing London Heathrow based on August 28, 2016. Departures also available on September 25, 2016, January 15 and 29, February 26, 2017. Guests can combine the Royal Kingdoms of Thailand tour with Saga’s 13-night Gulf of Thailand tour to travel south for the ultimate Thai adventure and make great savings with a combined package price from £2,648.

Price includes VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, return flights, airport taxes, accommodation, most meals, porterage, tour manager, optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount if passenger has own insurance.

Editors: Saga Holidays is the winner of 16 Gold British Travel Awards 2015 including Best for Escorted Adventures Singles and Best Holiday Company to South East Asia.