Taste of Thailand

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Destination: Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, River Kwai, Hua Hin
Category: Culture, History, Nature, River, Beach
Class: 4 Stars
Description: Visit the charming north, enjoy the bustling city of Bangkok, the serene nature of the River Kwai and relax at the quaint seaside resort of Cha Am.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVE CHIANG MAI (D)

Upon arrival in the northern capital of Thailand, you'll be transferred to your hotel for check-in. This evening we'll take you to enjoy a Khantoke dinner presentation of classical, folk and hill tribe dances, songs and ceremonies. After removing your shoes you will be seated, comfortably, on the floor with Thai-style cushions for the dinner of a special variety of northern-Thai food, served in Lanna Kingdom court style.

DAY 2: CHIANG MAI (B)

Visit a picturesque Meo hill tribe Village set in an attractive hillside spot and see the Meo tribesmen dressed their colorful traditional costumes. The tour also take in Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is almost sacred temple containing a holy relic of the Lord Buddha. A panoramic view of the city can be seen from here at 3,500 feet above sea level.

DAY 3: CHIANG MAI (B/L)

You will visit a training camp of elephants, which is almost like a school. You are shown how the animals are trained from young age onwards and the “pupils” will demonstrate what they have learned then ride on an elephant through the jungle for an hour. View the beauty of the country- side along the river by raft. Lunch will be provided. After Lunch a visit to an Orchid farm is now on the program.

DAY 4: CHIANG MAI - TRAIN (B)

Following breakfast you have the day at leisure until check-out at approximately noon. Your guide and vehicle will pick you up in the afternoon for the transfer to Chiang Mai railway station for the overnight sleeper to Bangkok.

DAY 5: TRAIN - BANGKOK (B)

Early morning arrival in Bangkok and transfer to your hotel. Since your rooms may not be ready for immediate occupancy, we have included a hot breakfast at the hotel for you to enjoy whilst waiting.

DAY 6: BANGKOK (B)

Breakfast followed by a tour of the home of the Kings of Siam of the Chakri Dynasty, originally built by King Rama I, it served as the royal residence until 1946. Today the palace is still used on certain occasions for visiting royalty or special guests of the Kingdom. Adjoining the Grand Palace you will find the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keo), this is probably the best known of the royal temples. It is regarded as the most important temple in all Thailand and it is the venue of many of the numerous religious ceremonies in which the King participates, especially at the beginning of each of the three seasons when His Majesty personally changes the elaborate robes of the Buddha image, carved out of a single piece of emerald-green jasper. Continue to Vimanmek Palace, home to King Rama V in the early 1900s, is located behind Bangkok's National Assembly, and it is the world's largest building made entirely of teak. The three-storey palace has 81 rooms, halls and anterooms, excluding terraces and verandahs. Interestingly enough this palace was actually constructed on Srichang Island in the Gulf of Siam, but in 1901 King Chulalongkorn had it moved to its present site.

DAY 7: BANGKOK - KANCHANABURI (B/L/D)

Early morning, pick up passengers from various Bangkok hotels and depart to Kanchanaburi. Visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Museum, an interactive museum, information and research facility dedicated to presenting the history of the Thailand-Burma Railway. The fully air-conditioned center offers the visitor an educational and moving experience. Continue to the War Cemetery, final resting place for over 6,000 allied prisoners of war, and the world famous Bridge over the River Kwai. Take a long-tailed boat on the Kwai River, passing unspoiled mountainous jungle scenery. Check in at your resort. After lunch, long-tail-boat transfer to Resotel pier and continue by coach to Hellfire Pass Memorial. Late afternoon, return to your resort.

DAY 8: KANCHANABURI - HUA HIN (B/L)

Breakfast at the resort. Visit to the nearby ethnic Mon Tribal Village (Optional tour: Elephant Riding through the bamboo forest – payable on spot). Check out and boat transfer to Resotel pier. After lunch at a local restaurant, take a historic ride on the Death Railway Train. Then continue by air-conditioned van Hua Hin.

DAY 9 - 10: HUA HIN (B)

Free days at leisure for personal activities or optional tours.

DAY 11: DEPART HUA HIN (B)

Pick-up from your hotel and transfer from Cha Am to Bangkok Airport.


HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

TOUR PRICE IN THAI BAHT
On a per person basis

COMPULSORY GALA DINNERS

24 Dec 2011: Christmas Eve Dinner
Empress Chiang Mai @ Baht 1,890 per person

31 Dec 2011: New Years Eve Dinner
Empress Chiang Mai @ Baht 2,145 per person
Courtyard Marriott Hua Hin by Cha Am Beach@ Baht 5,670 per person

INCLUDED

Accommodation as stated
Sightseeing tours and transfers as outlined
Meals as mentioned
English speaking tour guide
Air-conditioned private vehicles

NOT INCLUDED

Services not mentioned
Expenses of a personal nature
Tips and porterage
Domestic & international air tickets
Visa fee and handling services