Thailand Lantern Festival + Elephant Sanctuary and Thai Cooking Class

This is the first of many to come of our curated Unforgettable Vacations with Purpose... travel that's designed to change your perspective and inspire you to engage with the world.
Loy Krathong, known as Thailand’s Festival of Lights, dates back nearly 800 years and is one of the biggest festivals in the country. Taking place over one or two days, the people of Thailand celebrate by making krathongs, small lotus-shaped boats traditionally made from banana leaves and decorated with flowers that are then released along waterways as an offering of thanks to the Goddess of Water. The festival also includes firework shows, kathrong building competitions, beauty pageants, and more.
In Chiang Mai, we’ll experience both Loy Krathong and the Yi Peng Festival on the same day. Dating back to the thirteen century Lanna Kingdom, the Yi Peng Lantern Festival was traditionally celebrated to mark the end of the monsoon season and beginning of the cool season. Many locals view the festival as a way to release negative energy and wish for good luck and fortune in the coming year. The most popular and recognizable practice of the festival in the launch of thousands of lanterns into the night sky, but you can also expect to see rituals of worship, decoration contests, parades, traditional Thai dance shows, and live music.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM THIS TRIP:

• 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
• Learn traditional Thai cooking from a local chef

TRIP DATES (land portion) November 1-8, 2025
PRICE: Single Room: $5,090 + airfare*
Double Room (room share): $4,195/pp + 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

VIEW THE FULL ITINERARY AND RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE!

Questions? Contact Monica at m.deardi@cruiseplanners.com