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DAY 1: ARRIVE BANGKOK Upon arrival in Bangkok, our local representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to The Peninsula (Deluxe Room) for a three-night stay. With a population of 7 million, Bangkok has been Thailand's capital city since 1782. Locals call it Krung Thep (City of Angels) and almost any visitor will agree that it is an exhilarating city. Settle into your hotel; the remainder of your day is at leisure. DAY 2: BANGKOK This morning depart with your guide and driver on a private longtail boat ride along the Chao Phraya River and its residential canals. Visit Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, before continuing to the Grand Palace, the ceremonial home of the Thai Royal Family. Here you will visit the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew, a glistening temple that houses the country's most sacred religious image - the Emerald Buddha. Also visit Wat Po, home to the School of Thai Massage. Continue to Bangkok's central market, a labyrinthine maze of stalls alongside the Chao Praya River. Begin in the flower district, where women weave tuberose, marigolds, and rose blossoms with lotus seeds into colorful offerings and garlands. Also visit the produce and spices sections. You will then be taken to the lovely home of Jim Thompson, the legendary American entrepreneur who is largely credited with reviving the Thai silk industry after World War II. His teak home is filled with an incredible collection of Asian art and antiques and is a must for any art aficionado. The evening is free to sample some of Thailand's excellent cuisine, considered by many to be the most complex and delicious in all of Asia. (B) DAY 3: BANGKOK Depart early this morning to the Marble temple where you will witness monks practicing their morning chants. Proceed to the Monks Bowl Alley, one of the few places where traditional alms bowls are still handcrafted. Next permission will be arranged for you to visit the Prasart Museum, a virtually unknown jewel located on an exclusive private Bangkok estate surrounded by lush gardens. The museum houses an important, private collection of Thai and other Southeast Asian art and artifacts dating back to the 13th century. This afternoon is at leisure. (B) DAY 4: BANGKOK - CHIANG RAI Fly to Chiang Rai, the first capital of the ancient Lanna Thai kingdom, and check in to the Anantara (Deluxe Room) for a two-night stay. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and then embark on a full day Golden Triangle excursion. The first stop is the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, dedicated to the promotion and conservation of Lanna heritage. Stroll the impeccably manicured botanical gardens, visit the golden pavilion, and admire the collection of northern Thai religious and secular art, considered one of the very finest in the country. Continue on to Mae Sai, the northernmost point in Thailand, an excellent stop for shoppers of all tastes. You will have the opportunity to cross into Myanmar (formerly Burma), to the market town of Tachilek. After lunch, travel to the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar converge. Then drive along the Mekong River to the ancient ruins of Chiang Saen. Return to your hotel by sundown. (B,L) DAY 5: CHIANG RAI Embark on an early morning boat ride up the Mae Kok River to the Karen village of Ruam Mitr. The terrain is hilly on the two-hour elephant ride through rice paddies and precarious ridges (you may also choose to walk instead). Descend to a Yao hilltribe village where our representative will pick you up for a picnic lunch at Ya Pou. Walk to the Lahu village of Jaleh, continuing another hour along the trail to a local waterfall. Return to Chiang Rai by late afternoon. (B,L) DAY 6: CHIANG RAI - CHIANG MAI Early this morning, depart by car for the northern city of Chiang Mai, where you will check in to the Four Seasons Chiang Mai (Mountain View Pavilion) for three nights. The rest of the day and evening are at your leisure. Tonight, we suggest a visit to the festive Night Bazaar, where a vast array of handicrafts and delicacies from around the region are available. (B) DAY 7: CHIANG MAI On a full day of private touring, explore the city and numerous Lanna Thai temples (wats) of Chiang Mai, starting with the mountain temple of Doi Suthep. From the base of the temple, it is about 300 steps up an intricately carved staircase - the longest in Thailand -- to the temple gate. The temple is situated 1,000 meters above sea level and affords a beautiful panoramic view of Chiang Mai. After exploring Doi Suthep, stop in at Wat Chedi Luang, the original home of the Emerald Buddha. Finally, take a city tour. Chiang Mai is considered the second most important city in Thailand, and it has an entirely different feel than bustling Bangkok. Chiang Mai's local government has tried hard to preserve the charm - the result is a pleasantly quaint city that is easy to traverse on foot or bicycle. If you wish, after touring the city sights, you may visit some of the numerous handicraft areas for souvenirs: the umbrella-making factory and the celadon pottery factory are both popular. (B) DAY 8: CHIANG MAI Today is at leisure for you to explore independently, or to enjoy the facilities at your resort. (B) DAY 9: CHIANG MAI - PHUKET This morning you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to the resort island of Phuket, located in southern Thailand. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Chedi Phuket (Deluxe Beach Suite) for three relaxing nights. (B) DAYS 10 - 11: PHUKET Phuket epitomizes the splendor of tropical Southeast Asia, with spectacular stretches of white sand beaches and towering limestone stacks rising vertically from gentle, lapping aquamarine waters. Activities available at the resort include karst island cruises and sailing on the Andaman Sea, snorkeling, and pure relaxation. These days are free to enjoy your luxurious surroundings as you please. (B) DAY 12: PHUKET - BANGKOK Today you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Bangkok. You will be met and driven to the Peninsula (Deluxe Room) for an overnight stay. (B) DAY 13: DEPART BANGKOK Today you will be driven to the airport for your international departure flight. (B) |