Detail of Thai temple
architecture
| Departure
from USA |
Hotel
Category |
|
2008/09 |
Silver |
Gold |
|
5/23 - 8/18 |
$2,499 |
$2,689 |
|
8/19 - 11/20 |
$2,429 |
$2,599 |
|
11/21 - 12/11 |
$2,499 |
$2,689 |
|
12/12 - 12/22 |
$2,669 |
$2,899 |
|
12/23 -1/10/09 |
$2,889 |
$3,159 |
|
1/11 - 3/31/09 |
$2,729 |
$2,939 |
|
Departs every
Saturday
|
Exclusions
Airport Fees & Taxes, Personal Expenses and meals
other than Breakfast are not included in the tour price.
Silver & Gold
Hotels
Two categories of accommodation
are offered. Gold hotels are better located, offer more amenities and have higher
standards of service than Silver Hotels
Silver
Category hotels include:
Bally's Studio Suites, Bangkok
Novotel Lotus Bangkok
Gold Category hotels include:
Royal Orchid Sheraton, Bangkok
Millennium Hilton, Bangkok
Sheraton Hua Hin Resort
|
This
wonderful introduction to Thailand takes you from the glittering temples and busy
waterways of cosmopolitan Bangkok to the exotic North, where local hill-tribes still maintain the
traditional customs of their ancestors. Watch the landscape change before your eyes on
this exciting overland journey. Explore ancient towns witness to Thailand's
rich heritage, shop for local handicrafts, and sample the diverse flavors of
regional Thai cuisine as you make your way to the infamous Golden Triangle.
Then, travel south to the Gulf of Siam, to enjoy a couple of relaxing
days in the neighboring beach resorts of Cha Am or Hua Hin.
Your vacation package includes all
this:
 |
Round-trip air from either Los
Angeles or San Francisco to Thailand. Departures from other airports are
available at a surcharge.
|
| All airport /
hotel / airport transfers.
|
| 2 Nights'
accommodation in Bangkok, with a tour of the city and the spectacular Grand Palace.
|
| 5-Day tour of
northern Thailand, covering architecturally significant locations such as Ayutthya,
Sukhothai etc., the famous 'Golden Triangle' and the northern attractions of Chiang Mai
& Chiang Rai.
|
|
3 Nights'
accommodation in the beach resort of Phuket.
|
| Daily buffet
breakfast at all hotels. |
|
All
applicable hotel taxes and Thai VAT |
|
Currently
applicable airline fuel surcharges (as of 25 May 08)
|
Of course you may choose to extend
your vacation in Thailand or visit some of the fascinating neighbor destinations. You
could also stop over for a few days at en route points such as Tokyo or Hong Kong. Please
request a custom quote.
The Itinerary
Day 1:
U.S. - Asia
Depart from Los Angeles
or San Francisco and fly over the Pacific Ocean, crossing over the International Dateline en route.
Day 2: Bangkok
Arrive
in Bangkok this evening and after clearing immigration and customs, you will
be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay.
This bustling city is a colorful kaleidoscope of traditional and
contemporary aspects with something special to offer every visitor.
Day 3: Bangkok
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of some of Bangkok’s most important
temples and landmarks this morning, with the afternoon / evening free to
spend as you wish.
Day 4: Bangkok – Ayuthaya -
Phitsanuloke
Depart from your hotel in the morning
and travel to the historic city of Ayuthaya, former capital of the Thai Kingdom. Explore
the ancient ruins there and then proceed to Lopburi to visit the fascinating Khmer
temples. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant enroute. Arrive in Phitsanuloke in the early
evening and visit Wat Mahathat before checking into your hotel for dinner and an overnight
stay.
Day 5: Phitsanuloke – Sukothai
– Lampang
Visit Wat Maha That and its highly revered Buddha statue, Phra Buddha
Jinaraj. Drive to Sukhothai, where you will visit the ancient ruins at
Sukhothai Historical Park and Wat Sri Chum with it's gigantic Buddha statue.
Continue to Sri Satchanalai for lunch at Gaeng Luang Restaurant. Upon
arrival in Lampang, go on a short horse carriage ride from the local market
to Baan Sao Nak, a 100-year old teak-wood mansion. Then drive to visit Wat
Don Tao. Overnight in Lampang.Day
6
Lampang – Phayao – Chiang Rai
After breakfast,
drive to Phayao with the biggest natural lake in Thailand. Proceed to Chiang
Rai for lunch. In The afternoon, continue to Chiang Saen and take a boat
ride on the Mekong River towards the Golden Triangle, where the borders of
Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge. Continue to Mae Sai, the northern most
city bordering Myanmar. Overnight in Chiang Rai.
Day 7:
Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai
Depart Chiang Rai early this morning and head towards Chiang Mai. Visit the
local handicraft centers around Chiang Mai, followed by lunch at a local
restaurant. In the afternoon visit Wat Doi Suthep, a famous landmark of the
city, tucked away in the mountains at an elevation of 1,056 meters. The
temple is reached by climbing 290 steps, flanked by a NAGA balustrade on
both sides. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 8: Chiang Mai – Bangkok (by train)
Visit the Mae Saa Elephant camp and watch the skilled elephants at work.
Enjoy a 1 hour elephant ride. Continue to visit an orchid farm. After lunch
at a local restaurant, free time until transfer to Chiang Mai Railway
Station. Depart by second-class air-conditioned train with sleeping berth.
Overnight on the train.
Day 9:
Bangkok – Cha Am/Hua Hin
After arrival at Bangkok railway station this morning you will be met and
then transferred by car to your resorts on the Gulf of Thailand, just about
2 hours away from Bangkok. Spend 3 nights at your resort.
Days 10 + 11: Cha Am/Hua Hin
Enjoy your time at the resort for some R&R and use the opportunity to
discover some fresh seafood cooked Thai style!
Day 12: Cha Am/Hua Hin – Bangkok - USA
Early this morning you will be transferred back to the airport for your
return flight to the US. Crossing the International Date Line the other way,
you arrive back on the West Coast on the same day! |
Visitors are warmly welcomed
The Grand Palace, Bangkok
Thai Temple
Architecture
Floating Market, near
Bangkok
Exquisite carving /
crafts
Monks at Doi Suthep, Thailand
 |
