THAI IMPRESSIONS

Arrive in Bangkok, meeting assistance and transfer to Hotel. Bangkok has dominated Thailand’s urban hierarchy, as well as its political, commercial and cultural life, since the late 18th century. Rest of the morning is at leisure. This afternoon, visit the Grand Palace, Bangkok’s most famous landmark and the kings’ former residence. Several buildings are located within the complex. You will see the Reception Palace, Funeral Palace, Throne Hall and the beautiful, revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Optional – WELCOME DINNER CRUISE – Meandering along the Chao Phraya River on board an antique rice barge, travel past some of Bangkok’s most historic riverside landmarks. Enjoy dinner accompanied by soft Thai music in the background and traditional dance presentations during the dinner. D

Travel as the locals do, by Tuk Tuk! Visit some of Bangkok’s most famous sights: Phra Sumeru Fortress, the bustling Amulet Market, Wat Pho and its Reclining Buddha, Thieves Market and the colorful flower market of Dheves on this fun and exciting Bangkok tour. Board your motorized rickshaw commonly known as Tuk Tuk with your ACTC guide. Travel past Thammasart University into Phra Chan Road to the Amulet Market, where various religious amulets, charms and traditional medicines are available. Your ACTC tour guide will explain the significance that these items play in the Thai culture. Continue by Tuk Tuk to Wat Pho temple, the oldest temple in Bangkok. Explore the Wat Pho temple complex followed by Phahurat Market, in the heart of Bangkok’s little India where all kinds of fabrics, cloths, ornaments and accessories are sold along with stalls selling delicious Indian snacks. Continue to Woeng Nakorn Kasem in the Klong Thom quarter, also known as the “thieves market.” It is a second hand market for Thai and Chinese antiques where you will find an array of goods for sale from porcelain to furniture. Your next stop is Wat Saket, at the bottom of an artificial hill, often referred to as the Golden Mount and dates back to the Ayutthaya era, prior to Bangkok becoming the capital of the Siamese kingdom. The temple was used for cremation ceremonies. The more energetic participants can climb up the 318 steps to the top of the Golden Mount for an amazing 360 degree view of the surrounding old Rattankosin Island. The final stop is at the Flower and local market. Time free to explore the markets, shop and/ or lunch at a local restaurant. Return back to Hotel on own by Taxi or Tuk Tuk. B

During the days at leisure, explore Bangkok on your own or participate in the optional tours.

Optional –

AYUTHAYA EXCURSION – BUS & RIVER CRUISE TRIP – Depart for Ayutthaya by bus. Visit the Bang-Pa-In Summer Palace (the summer palace of Thai monarchs since the 17th century), Wat Phra Sri San Phet (the largest temple in Ayutthaya used as the royal temple-cum-palace by several Ayutthaya kings. Built in the 14th century. Wat Chai Wattanaram (built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong, a replica of Angkor wat with a huge prang surrounded by smaller ones, symbolizing mount meru, the abode of the heavenly gods. Embark the cruise boat at the Bang Sai pier & enjoy buffet lunch while cruising back to Bangkok.

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KANCHANBURI – BRIDGE ON RIVER KWAI – Travel to Kanchanaburi to see the famous Bridge on the River Kwai. The original bridge inspired the movie of the same name, which dramatized how Allied prisoners of war during WWII were coerced into building the bridge by Japanese troops. Visit the World War II museum & Bridge over the river Kwai. Lunch at Local Restaurant. After Lunch visit the Tiger Temple & learn about tigers and their lives in domestication inside the boundary of the temple run by Buddhist monks. Watch the Monks accompany tigers on walks etc. Return back to Bangkok in the evening.

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Transfer for the morning flight to Chiang Rai. Meeting assistance and transfer to Hotel.

Optional –

HALF DAY TOUR OF WAT RONG KHUN & BAAN SI DUM – Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple is very different to any of temple you are likely to see in Thailand. A lifetime project of artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the temple has a fine blend of traditional Buddhist art with contemporary themes. It is almost entirely white, decorated with small pieces of mirrored glass which add substantially to the temple’s spacious and airy feel, designed to be viewed in moonlight.

Continue to visit the residence of Dr. Thawan Duchanee, renowned Thai National Artist. The area consists of many unique buildings. The main building “Baan Si Dum or The Black House” is very unique. There is a great collection of furniture designed by the artist, animal skins, and wood carving. Each building consists of different of categories of things that inspire the artist.

Visit Chiang Saen, the former capital of the first Thai Kingdom & its most important temple and the Opium museum. Enjoy a thrilling long tail speedboat on the mighty Mekong River. Visit the viewpoint of the infamous Golden Triangle where Laos, Burma and Thailand meet. Continue to Mae Sai, the border town to Myanmar. Lunch at a local restaurant followed by a stroll through the market. Return to Chiang Rai in the evening. BL

Drive to Thatorn visiting enroute a Yao & Akha hill tribe village as well as Mae Salong. Lunch in Thatorn overlooking Kok River. Continue to Chiang Mai with brief stops at a picturesque local market and at Chiang Dao caves. Short drive up the hillside to Chiang Mai‘s most impressive temple, Doi Suthep. Arrive in Chiang Mai and check in at Hotel. BL

During the days at leisure, explore Chiang Mai on your own or participate in the optional tours.

Optional –

ELEPHANT SAFARI – Full day tour including lunch – Visit Mae Taeng elephant camp to see the elephants taking their morning bath before giving a demonstration of how they were trained to help in hauling timber logs in the forest and other task. Afterwards take a ride on elephant back through the forest and across the stream to the hill tribe village. Take an ox-cart ride passing by rice fields and small farms. After picnic lunch, take an exciting bamboo raft trip down the Mae Taeng River.

Optional – THAI COOKING CLASS – includes introduction to Thai Spices, making Thai Curry Paste, tour of the Local Market, shopping at the Market and Vegetable Carving. Begin with a shopping at the local market, an introduction to Thai ingredients followed by cooking 4 dishes. Each dish will be demonstrated by Chef Sompon or qualified instructors in English. Participants will then cook each dish themselves with the assistance from expert staff including written instructions. Enjoy the dishes for lunch before returning back to Hotel.

Optional – BIKING TOUR – through the southern part of Chiang Mai known as “Colors of Chiang Mai” biking tour. The route is through country roads, passing by the former capital of Lanna; visit temples and ruins dating back hundreds of years. Next visit a Chinese temple; the McKean rehabilitation center; a former leper colony; a special school for monks or an elementary school mostly attended by hill-tribe children; a local pottery place to see handmade artifacts made in front of you. Ride along the Ping River, enjoying beautiful scenery that makes Chiang Mai so special. Sample some of the delicious candy that Chiang Mai is famous for; a local bakery to watch them make a variety of products by hand. At the village market explore the small traditional shops and opportunity to sample some of the most delicious and exotic fruits and other snacks. Water or a soft drink is provided during 4 hr ride with ample stops and sampling Thai meal (Kao Soy Kai) in a local restaurant. Bicycles are all US design – 24 speeds, front suspension, and all terrain comfort bikes. Note: The visit to the school is subject to school schedule.