Asia Highlights Travel is the official partner of Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival. Based in Asia, we have helped over 10,000 worldwide clients plan trips to attend a Thailand Lantern Festival.
This tour will enable you to experience the celebration of Thailand's two mesmerizing Lantern Festivals — Loy Krathong in Sukhothai and Yi Peng in Chiang Mai.
In 2023, Loy Kratong Festival might be celebrated in Sukhothai from Nov. 16th to Nov. 26th while Yi Peng Festival will be observed on November 27th–28th at Chiang Mai Arts and Design (CAD).
Why Travel with Us
- Premium Festival Ticket: ONLY with Asia Highlights
- AH exclusive experience: create and release your own water lantern
- Most competitive price without a big-coach-tour feel

Tour Highlights
Here are the awesome attractions, the most must-do activities selected by Asia Highlights (AH Hand-Picked), and exclusive cultural experiences offered by Asia Highlights (Only With AH) included in this tour:
Experience the most authentic Thai celebrations with locals in the city where Loy Krathong began.

Learn how to make your own krathong (floating lantern) and release it the way locals do.


Take a leisurely ride around the ancient ruins of Sukhothai Historical Park.

Appreciate the extra-special evening light and sound show in Sukhothai

Get the best out of the Yi Peng Festival sky lantern release with a premium seat.


Interact with elephants at their best conservation camp (Elephant Rescue Park ranks #1 on TripAdvisor for Chiang Mai).


Pilgrimage to the most sacred temple of Northern Thailand on Doi Suthep mountain.

Soak up the exotic charm of Thailand's capital city — Bangkok.

What Our Customers Said
Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
A special shoutout to our last guide in Bangkok - Ms. Ka-Noon who spoiled us with her kindness and then got us through check in and security for our flight home in record time at that huge Bangkok airport. MoreDeby, Feb 2023
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Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
Three weeks encompassing Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. Albee Ning arranged everything perfectly. Not a flaw in the whole 3 weeks. Guides, flights (7 in total), hotels, private tours…everything was excellent. Travelling on a private tour gave us so much freedom to change our day if we chose to rest or go somewhere else. MoreDeby, Feb 2023
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Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
Asia Highlights is the way to go without any question. Next overseas trip will be booked with them for sure. Thank you for a wonderful and stress free vacation experience. MoreDeby, Feb 2023
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Over the last 5 years we've used Asia…
Over the last 5 years we've used Asia highlights twice. And both times we've had fantastic vacations. Would not want to do it any different when we travel to Asia from now on. Sharon was fantastic. She was a wonderful agent who helped us nail down our trip and make everything go as smooth as possible. MoreTodd Atwell, Feb 2023
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Family Trip to Thailand
Our trip to Thailand comprised three generations of the family , ten people and an age range of 4 to 70 so a potentially difficult brief.Our itinerary over two weeks involved four locations, and a number of different trips and tours.From out arrival at an extremely busy Bangkok airport Asia Highlights were terrific.In each location we were met by a smiling , knowledgeable and professional guide who simply made everything easy and stress free for everyone.Our transportation was clean and comfortable . Transport was always ready for us at the agreed time and the drivers were excellent.There were so many highlights enjoyed by all the age groups. The floating houses , railway market and elephant sanctuary were particular favourites.We had one minor glitch with the accommodation in Phuket which was immediately dealt with by Tip. I think we would have struggled to resolve the problem by ourselves. So, thank you Asia Highlights , Cathy, Tip and tour guides Tanny, Sam and Lisa. It was a memorable holiday and we will be back. MoreRoger Pyle, Feb 2023
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Family Trip to Thailand
So, thank you Asia Highlights , Cathy, Tip and tour guides Tanny, Sam and Lisa. It was a memorable holiday and we will be back. MoreRoger Pyle, Feb 2023
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Trip of a lifetime from Asia Highlights!
I recommend highly Asia Highlights as a travel company. Our travel consultant Albee took the time to connect with us during the planning process to make sure we were comfortable with our itinerary. When we arrived, we were met by our guide and all the details were attended to. They picked great hotels and tours. I often describe our trip as the trip of a lifetime! Would definitely use them again when we come back to Asia MoreNancy Parker, Feb 2023
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Asia Highlights and Albee - highly recommended
Asia Highlights is very reliable agency and Albee is an amazing representative of the company. From the moment when we contacted her until our departure, the whole support we received was 6* level. She prepared our trip offer within few hours and afterwards she was extremely flexible to adjust as per our needs. In the period between the offer and the trip, Albee was always available for all our questions and supported us on the best possible way. During the trip she was again flexible to add new activities/transfers and this went on the smoothest possible way. Thank you, Albee and Asia Highlights. Definitely we will approach you again for our next Asian trip MoreAZ, Feb 2023
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Suggested Route

The Itinerary in Detail
Welcome to Thailand — the land of smiles, the land of joy! Airport to hotel transport would be according to your own arrangements.
Your day will commence with a visit to the magnificent Wat Pho, which houses the sacred Reclining Buddha. A holy ceremony is held there every day, and locals visit to offer worship.
Then, hop on a tuk-tuk and head to the imposing Grand Palace. Take a break and have lunch at a local restaurant before taking a water taxi to visit the legendary Wat Arun, this is one of the best-known landmarks of Bangkok.
Take a long-tailed boat ride along the old klongs (canals) of Thonburi to get a flavour of local life. Conclude your day with a visit to the bustling Chinatown area.

Today, you can get up late and relax in the morning.
In the afternoon, you will be taken to the airport, fly for an hour to Sukhothai, where the famous Thai Loy Krathong ('Float a Lantern') Festival originated. Upon your arrival, your private guide and driver will take you directly to your hotel.

In the evening, your guide will accompany you to the Loy Krathong Festival venue to experience festival celebrations with local people: see different exhibitions, walk around open souvenir and food stalls, watch traditional Thai shows...

Explore the ancient ruins of the Sukhothai Kingdom by bike. You will visit the four representative sights in Sukhothai Historical Park and Ramkhamhaeng National Museum.

Make a Thai Krathong (Floating Lantern):
—As Thailand's most famous lantern festival began in Sukhothai, there is no better way to experience this important part of local culture and tradition than to learn how to make a lantern yourself.
— Try your hand at crafting a krathong (floating lantern) during our specially arranged lantern-making experience. Once it is dark, head to the Yom River to release your lantern and make a wish as it floats away.

Enjoy the Loy Krathong Light and Sound Show
— The light and sound show is an important part of the Loy Krathong festival in Sukhothai. The show incorporates Thai history, folk dancing, lasers, and fireworks and is performed at 7:30 PM in Sukhothai Historical Park.

Visit One of the Oldest Temples in Thailand
— After breakfast, leave Sukhothai and head to Chiang Mai. On the way, you will stop in Lampang to visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. Built in the 13th century, Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is one of the most revered temples in Thailand and is one of the best examples of Lanna architecture.
Upon your arrival in Chiang Mai, enjoy some free time to relax or explore in the afternoon.

After breakfast, head for Doi Suthep Mountain, where you will visit one of the most sacred temples in Northern Thailand — Wat Phra That. Continue to Wat Suan Dok, just outside the ancient city walls of Chiang Mai. Return to Chiang Mai and take a rickshaw ride through its busy streets and quiet alleys.
In the late afternoon, you will be taken to the Yi Peng Festival Celebration and Sky Lantern Release venue and enjoy Premium access and benefits:
Asia Highlights Exclusive Premium Experience
— Round-trip private transfers between your hotel and the event venue, maximizing your time during the busiest time of the lantern festival
— Buffet dinner at the 'special food zone' (enjoy Thai cuisine, soft drinks, juice, and water)
— 2 sky lanterns for each traveler

Situated in a pristine and picturesque valley, about 1½ hours' drive from Chiang Mai city, Elephant Rescue Park is a paradise for homeless elephants. It provides a safe, loving, and secure environment for all the elephants that go there. Take a half-day Memorable Caring Experience there. You'll learn a lot about elephants and interact with them — you can feed them, walk with them, hug them, and bathe them.
After the program, have lunch at the park. Your private guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel at around 2 p.m.

Depart Chiang Mai. Getting to the airport will be by your own arrangement.!
Hand-Picked Hotels
We select hotels with style and local features.
![]() Bangkok Maitria Hotel Sukhumvit 18 (4-star)
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![]() Burirattana Hotel Chiang Mai (4-star)
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Price Includes:
- Domestic flights from Bangkok to Sukhothai.
- English-speaking tour guide and business vehicle service
- All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
- Hotels listed in the itinerary or similar options
- Breakfasts at hotels and listed meals in the itinerary
- Governmental taxes
Tour code: ah-58-gp
*It is possible to have a private tour with the same itinerary as this one (or a bespoke version of it). Please contact us for a quote using the tour code: ah-58-gp, and let us know any customization you would like.
Price Excludes:
- International flights to Bangkok and depart from Phutket
- Airport transfers on Day1 and Day 8
- Tips for the guide and the driver
- Personal expenses
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation received up to 30 days before departure: 100% refund
- Cancellation received 14 to 29 days before departure: 50% refund
- Cancellation received 0 to 13 days before departure: 0% refund
Book this trip now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
Why Travel with Asia Highlights During the Pandemic
- Tailor-made experience: All of your ideas/needs will be carefully considered to create your ideal trip.
- Worry-free planning: Your 1:1 travel consultant in Asia will take all the uncertainty out of your planning, helping you navigate any travel restrictions.
- No-risk booking: 100% refund policy! (prior to 3 weeks before departure, more details)
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