13 Days of Thailand Splendor (ABT13)

Board an international flight bound for Bangkok, eager to begin our Asia vacation. Spend the night aboard as our flight crosses the International Date Line.

Sawadikap!
Welcome to Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand!

Upon Arrival, greeted by our local tour guide at the airport and transfer to your luxury hotel. Time to rest, relax and acclimate to your new time zone.

Bangkok is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, steeped in ancient Buddhist traditions and culture.

After breakfast, make your way to the Grand Palace, a “must-see” for every visitor to Bangkok. Located close to the banks of the Chao Phraya River (The River of Kings) the Grand Palace is the perfect example of an ancient Siamese court. Within the compound is the Temple of The Emerald Buddha (Wat Pra Kaew) which houses Thailand most precious image of the Lord Buddha. The Emerald Buddha is believed to have supernatural powers and is dressed in robes according to the season by the King of Thailand himself.
Important: Please note that for visiting the Grand Palace you will be required to wear proper attire (no bare shoulder bare knees or strapless-heel shoes). Shoes must be removed before entering all temple buildings as a matter of respect. Return to your hotel and the rest of the day is free on your own.

Optional Evening Program: Asiatique Riverfront Night Market plus Thai Dinner and Classical Dance Show. ($39/person, minimum 2 to operate)

Full-Day Tour today: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, ride the speed boat along the canal to the colorful Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, observe how the ancient trading of wares is conducted between hundreds of local farmers and villagers aboard with fully loaded of all kinds of products including fruits, vegetables, dry goods, and freshly cooked food on the small Sampan boats. Continue to Kanchanaburi and visit War Cemetery, resting-place for over 6,000 Allied prisoners and an opportunity to take a short train ride across the bridge on the Kwai River. During WW II, Japan constructed the meter-gauge railway line from Ban Pong, Thailand to Thanbyuzayat Burma. The line passing through the scenic Three Pagodas Pass runs for 258 miles. This is now known as the Death Railway. The construction was done using Prisoners of War (POWs) and Asian slave laborers in October 1942 and was completed in a year. Due to the difficult terrain, thousands of laborers lost their lives. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue our trip to the Hellfire Pass, which is the name of a railway cutting on the former Burma Railway in Thailand built with forced labor during the Second World War, in part by Allied prisoners of war. Head to Bangkok in the evening.

Today is free on your own.

Or join the optional tour to Thailand’s former capital city Ayutthaya & Cruise with Lunch. ($99/person, minimum 2 to operate)

(In the morning, leave Bangkok for Ayutthaya, the ancient Siamese capital. Today, Ayutthaya hosts some of Thailand’s most important historical landmarks and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The magnitude and number of the ancient temple ruins speak of the former greatness of the city. You will visit some of the most interesting temples and nearby Bang-Pa-In. The Bang-Pa-In Summer Palace of King Rama V consists of buildings in Gothic, Renaissance, Chinese and Thai architecture. Cruise back to Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River aboard a river cruiser. En route, you can observe the scenic river life as you enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon).

Board on a short flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, transfer from Chiang Rai airport to hotel.
Your city tour starts from the hotel to Chiang Rai city visit the King Mengrai Monument; the great king who built Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Then visit Wat Phra Kaew where the Emerald Buddha image of Bangkok, was formerly housed in 1434 A.D.
Chiang Rai City remains a sleepy provincial town with a pleasant atmosphere, it has relaxed and down-to-earth feel but is never short on historical and cultural attractions of its own. Founded in 1262 as the capital of the Mengrai Dynasty, after Chiang Saen, today the city retains a strong Lanna identity, mostly through its impressive collection of temples, art, language, cuisine, and music. The city also offers little diversity when it comes to nightlife, entertainment, and shopping, and most of these are concentrated in the area around the Clock Tower.

Start your full-day excursion to Mae Chan to visit a tea plantation. Continue on to the Golden Triangle area where the mighty Mae Khong River joining the Ruak River and forming the triangle with the borders of Thailand, Burma, and Laos convene. Visit Hall of Opium Museum. Then continue on to the old city of Chiang Saen (A.D.1260) on the steep banks of Mae Khong River opposite to Laos, to witness some magnificent ancient ruins and temples. Overnight in Chiang Rai.

After breakfast drive from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. In the afternoon, visit Wat Rong Khun, the white temple. Wat Rong Khun is a unique temple that stands out through the white color and the use of pieces of glass in the plaster, sparkling in the sun. The white color signifies the purity of the Buddha, while the glass symbolizes the Buddha’s wisdom and the Dhamma, the Buddhist teachings. And then make your way to Hot Spring Baan Pong Nam Ron, Pong Nam Ron village is known for hot spring as the name of village“Nam Ron” means “Hot Water”. Guests can relax in the local mineral hot spring pond. This is a quiet place to relax with calm and clear weather.

Morning at leisure
In the afternoon, you will explore around the famous city for an up-close and personal look at some of its most notable temples, as well as stops at its old city walls, gates, and moat. Highlight of this trip include Wat Phra Sing home of the beautiful Lai Kham Chapel with its exquisite woodcarving and northern style murals; Wat Chedi Luang and its enormous Pagoda (which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545); and the famous landmark of Chiang Mai – the mountain temple Wat Doi Suthep, which is situated on a hill, 1050 m high. On clear days, you will enjoy a fantastic view over the town and the province.

Optional Tour: Half-Day Maewang Elephant Conservation ($159/person, minimum 2 to operate)
Our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Depart from Chiang Mai by local truck at 08.30 am. On the way from Chiang Mai to the camp, you can enjoy the views of villages, temples, beautiful scenery of mountain and farms around Chiang Mai countryside.
Arriving at Maewang Elephant Conservation with warm hospitality from our Karen staff. Welcome to our main lodge for relaxation and change into your mahout’s outfit.
Start briefing by our staff about the elephants, background information, general instruction and question of the elephant. Meet and introduction to your elephants and mahouts. Feed some food and herbs to your elephant, learn about the elephant’s habit and their daily routine. Training in basic mahout course with easy commands and get along with the elephant by walking to the beautiful trail in the forest with them for about 1 hour. Take them to find the grasses and sugarcane around the forest which is the favorite food for them. Enjoy harvesting elephant foods from the organic garden like cutting grasses, banana, sugarcane, and many more which depends on the season.
Play in and enjoy the mud spa with your own elephant, bathe with the elephant. Then finish and say goodbye to your elephant. Picnic Lunch will be served at Elephant Camp.

Things to bring: Hat, Sunscreen, Sandals/Flip Flops, Clothes for change as you may get muddy or wet (swimming suit), Towel, Shoes for walking, Bug Repellent, Camera.

By vehicle from Chiang Mai Hotel (In Town) to Chiang Mai Airport, board the flight to Phuket, the largest and most popular island, nestled in the southwestern coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea, this exotic destination boasts stunning landscapes of sandy white beaches and endless turquoise waters. The island’s coastlines, filled with lush foliage, offer a variety of water sports, restaurants and bars to suit any traveler’s tastes. After arrival, we will be transferred to hotel for checking in. The afternoon city tour includes most famous lookout point on the island – Promthep Cape and the old Sino-Portuguese Shophouses of Phuket around Thalang road, the beautiful architecture along these roads will take you back to the charm of a century ago. Additionally, you will not be disappointed as stops at a local gemstone and cashew nut factories are also on the agenda.

Spend the day to explore on your own, you can enjoy the sun and the beautiful beach.

Optional Tour: Phi Phi Island with lunch by speedboat ($129/person, minimum 2 to operate)
A full-day excursion to the beautiful scenery at Phi Phi Island with lunch. Depart from the pier by speedboat to Kho Phi Phi Island, sightseeing includes discovering the tropical landscape of Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, Pi Leh Cove, Viking Cave, Camel Rock, Monkey Beach, and Khai Island. Lunch at a local restaurant. Spend the rest of the day swimming, sunbathing or just relaxing at the beach before transferring back to the hotel.

A free leisure day at white sandy beach or join optional tour to a “must-see” destination – Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island with lunch.

Optional Tour: Phang Nga Bay & Khai Island by Speed Boat ($129/person, minimum 2 to operate)
Pick up from your hotel. Depart from the pier at Royal Phuket Marina. Arrive at Phang Nga Bay and pass.
Panak and Hong Island. At Koh Hong, we will explore by canoes. Visit Koh Tapu, known as James Bond Island. Then go to through Mangrove swamp and pass Tham Lod Noi and Lod Yai. Lunch at Koh Panyi, a Muslim village built on pillars. Depart to Khai Nai Island Relax, snorkel and sunbathing at Koh Khai Nai. Return to our pier at Royal Phuket Marina and transfer back to your hotel.

Bid farewell to Thailand and board the return flight back to your hometown today in the early morning.