Absolute Thailand

Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights
Destination: Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, River Kwai, Cha Am, Koh Tao, Koh Samui
Category: Culture, History, River, Adventure Beach, Island Hopping
Class: 4 Stars
Description: There's no other tour that covers more regions of Thailand then Absolute Thailand Tour, starting from the north and travelling down to the central regions before heading down south to the islands.

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: ARRIVE 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)

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. We then 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 (B)

Today is a day when we explore Bangkok through a different angle, Start the day with a visit to the Bangkok Corrections Museum, a former Bangkok maximum security prison built in 1890, it was planned to follow the Brixton Prison of England, now a museum and park. The museum records the macabre history and Thai prison life. Block 9 exhibits the execution chamber and quarters where they would eat their last meal. Numerous weapons used in the old penal system are on display, notably the man-sized rattan ball with sharp nails pointing inwards. Continue to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), the actual name of which is Wat Phra Jetupon, famous as the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok the temple also teaches the techniques of traditional Thai massage. From the temple walk through Tha Tien market to take a ferry across the river to the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), with its sparkling spires covered with broken bits of glass and pottery. Return to Bangkok side to catch a river taxi for your journey downstream into modern day Bangkok. Board a sky train and walk the remainder of the route to your hotel.

DAY 8: BANGKOK - KANCHANABURI (B/L/D)

Following breakfast at the hotel you will be picked up along with other passengers before leaving Bangkok for River Kwai. Our first stop in Kanchanaburi will be at the Railway Museum which will give you a good overall view concerning this portion of the track. After visit the War Cemetery and the famous bridge over the River Kwai before proceeding by long tail boats for the River Kwai Jungle Rafts for check-in and lunch. In the afternoon visit the Hell Fire Pass. Dinner at the hotel followed by a Mon cultural dance and song.

DAY 9: KANCHANABURI - CHA AM (B/L)

Wake up to the sounds of nature. Breakfast at the rafts, followed by a stroll to the Mon tribal village. Just before lunch we head down stream to take a ride along the infamous Death Railway as we pass hanging cliffs and river scenery. After transfer to Hua Hin, a quaint beach resort town located on the West Coast, check-in at your hotel.

DAY 10: CHA AM - KOH TAO (B)

After breakfast, pick-up from your hotel to board a coach for the trip south, enroute you will pass many different small towns and plantations. Upon arrival in Chumphon, board a cataraman ferry to the island of Koh Tao.

DAY 11 - 12: KOH TAO (B)

Free days at leisure.

DAY 13: KOH TAO - KOH SAMUI (B)

Transfer from hotel to board the ferry to Koh Samui, enroute the ferry will make a short stop at Koh Phangan famous for it's Full Moon parties before continuing it's journey to Koh Samui where you will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel.

DAY 14 - 15: KOH SAMUI (B)

Free days at leisure.

DAY 16: DEPART KOH SAMUI (B)

Transfer Koh Samui Hotel – Koh Samui Airport.

TOUR PRICE IN THAI BAHT
On a per person basis

COMPULSORY GALA DINNERS

24 Dec 2011 : Christmas Eve Dinner
Empress Chiang Mai @ Baht 1,810 per person

31 Dec 2011 : New Years Eve Dinner
Empress Chiang Mai @ Baht 2,055 per person
Courtyard by Marriott Hua Hin at Cha Am @ Baht 5,435 per person
Charm Churee Villa @ Baht 3,480 per person
Bhundhari Spa Resort & Villas @ Baht 5,920 per person

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

INCLUDED

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

NOT INCLUDED

Services not mentioned
Expenses of a personal nature
Tips and porterage
Domestic flights in Thailand
International flights to/from Thailand

REMARKS

Some portion of the tour will be provided on seat-in-coach basis.