Thailand Lantern Festival + Elephant Sanctuary and Thai Cooking Class

Welcome to the Thailand Lantern Festival registration!

Embark on an unforgettable adventure in the colorful Southeast Asian Kingdom of Thailand during the most festive period of the year. Our journey will take us through Northern Thailand exploring shimmering temples, lending a hand at an elephant sanctuary, learning to cook Thai food and making our way through the bustling markets. We’ll venture to the countryside to experience village life in the rolling green hills one day and dive into Thailand’s Buddhist traditions the next helping to create traditional clay amulets.

The experience will be built around two of Thailand’s most colorful festivals, the Loy Krathong festival of lights and Yi Peng sky lantern festival. Although Loy Krathong is now celebrated throughout Thailand, it’s believed to have originated in Sukothai, the first Thai capital. We’ll first experience the festival here in true Thai tradition, as this is the original home of the festival. We’ll then venture to Chiang Mai to participate in both Loy Krathong and the Yi Peng festival of lanterns. Enjoy an authentic experience complete with traditional Thai food as well as an opportunity to float krathongs in the water and release lanterns into the sky for good luck!

TRIP DATES (land portion) November 1-8-, 2025

PRICE:   Single Room: $5,090 + airfare* 

              Double Room (room share): $4,195 + airfare**

*Round trip airfare cost (Chiang Mai):  approximately $1,250+ depending on departure city and time of booking

++If requesting a double room, we can try to pair you with another passenger, however we cannot guarantee we'll be able to find you a roommate.

DEPOSIT: $395 per person to book your spot ($30 booking and a $365 deposit per  person).

BALANCE DUE: The remainder of the trip fee is due 30 days after the deposit or 60 days prior to departure

The price includes

• 5 nights lodging at the 5-star Ratilanna Riverside Spa Resort in Chiang Mai
• 2 nights lodging at the Sriwilai Resort & Spa in Sukhothai
• All transportation including roundtrip airport transfer
• All meals throughout the trip except one lunch in Sukhothai
• A schedule of exclusive activities around the Lantern Festivals of Loy Krathong & Yi Peng
• Admissions and entrance fees to parks, historic sites and all transportation during the trip
• A bilingual, licensed guide that will be by your side through the entire journey
• $50,000 emergency medical evacuation insurance

Not included

• Tips for the guide and driver
• Alcoholic beverages
• 1 lunch

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS

Phuket & Koh Phi Phi (4 Days/3 Nights)  $1,495

Travel to Thailand’s tropical southern beaches and relax amongst the swaying palms and turquoise waters.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• Bike through Sukothai’s Historical Park, visiting ancient ruins
• Release a lantern as part of the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival
• Bathe and feed elephants at the internationally recognized Elephant Rescue Park
• Try a local coffee or tea in rural Mae Kampong and relax with a traditional Thai massage
• Create a clay amulet Buddha and learn traditional Thai cooking from a local chef

 

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Arrive and relax before dinner at one of the top restaurants in Chiang Mai
Arrive in Chiang Mai and meet your guide and driver, who will assist with your hotel transfer. Get settled and
relax before our welcome dinner at one of Chiang Mai’s top restaurants.

DAY 2: Experience the charm of Chiang Mai with visits to an herb garden, a local market, and an ancient temple Today, we’ll slow down and immerse ourselves in the laid-back pace of life and culture of Chiang Mai. We’ll begin our morning with an intimate visit to a traditional herb garden before boarding a long tail boat for a scenic cruise on the Mae Ping River to the famous Warorot market. After taking our time to peruse the wares of local vendors, we’ll climb aboard a pedal-powered rickshaw and travel the streets of Chiang Mai to the ancient Wat Phra Singh temple. Spend time enjoying the serenity of this tranquil, historic temple before returning to the hotel for a relaxing dinner together. 

DAY 3: Make your own amulet clay Buddha and learn traditional Thai cooking in the home of a local chef After breakfast, we’ll begin our drive to Sukhothai. After settling into our hotel and enjoying lunch, we’ll head to a cultural center, Baan Phra Phim. Local expert, Mr. Kob, will guide us as we make a clay amulet Buddha, sharing with us the history and significance
of such amulets while we create. He’ll also provide a tour of the museum and live demonstrations of ancient activities. Enjoy a unique Discover Corps dinner experience in the home of talented local chef, Miss Na. She’ll teach us how to make a few traditional Thai dishes, using local ingredients such as herbs and vegetables typical to Central Thailand’s home gardens. You won’t experience local, home-cooking quite like this anywhere else. 

DAY 4: Explore Sukhothai Historical Park by bike and participate in the city’s Loy Krathong festivities
Enjoy a leisurely morning on your own or join the Suthep Sangkhalok making workshop. This hands-on experience
allows you to paint your own ceramic bowl at the iconic Suthep Sangklalok factory while learning about this historic bowl and how its produced. This afternoon, we’ll hop aboard bikes to explore Sukhothai Historical Park (tuk tuk ride also available for those that do not bike). In the evening, we’ll enjoy the Loy Krathong celebration where you can expect to see displays of lighted candles and fireworks, folk dancing, and a spectacular light and sound presentation. 

DAY 5: Explore the ancient Sri Satchanalai temples and enjoy Krathong celebrations and activities in Chiang Mai
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive to the site of an ancient town at the Sri Satchanalai Historical Park. Visit numerous monuments throughout the park including stunning ancient temples and the Thuriang Kilns, an archaeological site containing the ruins of a 13th century pottery factory that features the oldest known kilns in Thailand. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before making the drive back to Chiang Mai. Once we’ve arrived, you can either rest or take an evening walk around the town to enjoy the Krathong celebration, decorations, activities, and more.

DAY 6: Bathe and feed elephants at the Elephant Rescue Park and enjoy an immersive experience at the Yi Peng Festival event Prepare yourself for an unforgettable excursion to the Elephant Rescue Park in the picturesque valley of Chiang Mai, a sanctuary and rescue center for Asian elephants. Experience a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to feed and bathe the elephants with park volunteers. Later that night, we’ll join the annual Yi Peng Event for an unforgettable evening of traditional dance performances as thousands of candle-lit offerings are sent out on the river.

DAY 7: Experience Mae Kampong’s scenery and relax with a traditional Thai massage Sleep in for a bit before we head for the rolling hills of North Thailand, specifically the beautiful rural village of Mae Kampong. We’ll make a stop along the way at a local market where we’ll purchase fresh ingredients for our lunch. In Mae Kampong, your Discover Corps Guide will introduce you to locals who will take us on a light hike to explore and learn about their coffee and tea plantations before we enjoy a home-cooked meal. Relax after lunch with a Thai massage, allowing the tranquil setting and traditional techniques refresh your body and mind. We’ll end the evening back in Chiang Mai with an elegant farewell dinner.

DAY 8: Return Home After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight home. (B)

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