The Best of Central and South Thailand 14 Nights / 15 Days

Destinations: Bangkok, Ayuthaya, Kanchanaburi, and Krabi including Lanta Island.
Activities: Sightseeing ancient palaces and temples, cruise in the river to explore scenery and local culture, wildlife sanctuary and national park to explore nature, visiting villages to explore rural Thailand lifestyles, trekking in the jungle trails, kayaking, and relaxing beach and island trips in south Thailand. Tour Grade: Easy, fun filled and action packed trip Best Season: Thailand is best from November to March while this tour is best till May.
Highlights of Bangkok: Welcome to Bangkok, the capital and the major metropolitan city of Thailand! The Grand Palace, ancient temples, riverboat cruise, floating market, and classical Thai dance are some of the highlights of the tour here. The bustling capital offers sightseers a full range of historic monuments and avant-garde modern architecture. Temples, monasteries, museums, libraries, cultural centers, safari parks, huge shopping complexes and first class hotels make Bangkok one of the greatest cities in the Far East. Our guided tours will take you through most attractive historic monuments and sites of Bangkok.

Ancient Capital City of Ayuthaya: Ayuthaya, historic ruins of second Thai capital from 1350 to 1767, was the seat of 33 kings. During this period Thai culture flourished and so did international relations with the Dutch, French, Portuguese, Japanese and Chinese. Ayuthaya, situated in the middle of the Pasak River, boasts uncountable ancient temples, monuments, ruins and stupas. The Ayuthaya Historical Park is a UNESCO declared World Heritage site. In 1767, the Burnese Army conquered and burnt down Ayuthaya to complete ruins. Although it suffered a great destruction, Ayuthaya is still a very attractive to visit and is only 82 kilometers north of Bangkok. Other attractions in Ayuthaya that we incorporate as part of our tour are The Bang Pa In-Summer Palace and the Bang Sai Art Village under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Queen Sirikit.

Kanchanaburi Ecotourism:
Kanchanaburi is a province along the Myanmar border in the central-west some 130 kilometers from Bangkok. The attractions of Kanchanaburi are the historic railway bridge built by the Japanese during WWII, scenic Mae Klong and Kwae Noi Rivers, Buddhist monasteries, hill tribe villages, national parks with scenic trails and resorts in quiet locations in the nature. The Jungle Raft Floatel and the River Kwai Resotel are perfect examples of superb resort destinations in the wilderness of Kanchanaburi, which offer visitors some of the best ecotourism experience in the region.

Ecotourism Programs:
The Jungle Rafts Floatel (the floating hotel) on the Kwai Noi River and the River Kwai Resotel built on the bank of the same river are located in the nature in quiet locations some sixty kilometers off the beaten tracks from Kanchanaburi town. These resorts are perfect places to escape from the crowded areas and busy life styles in the cities to relax in the ambience of nature where privacy, serenity and comfortable accommodations are guaranteed. We offer eco-tour programs that involve elephant riding, canoeing, bamboo rafting, hill tribe village trekking, mountain biking, river excursions, cave excursions, and Mon Hill tribe cultural show. Moreover, the resort offers various health treatment options such as stream aromatherapy massage, Royal Thai Massage, foot massage and sauna to rejuvenate you.

Highlights of Krabi:
Krabi has spectacular beaches and islands made up of craggy limestone cliffs and lush mangrove forests. Railey Beach is one of the most exclusive destinations that are surrounded by a sheer wall of craggy limestone cliffs. These cliffs cut off from the mainland, prohibiting vehicle access. Hence, the sandy beach is undisturbed. Railay Beach is also a popular destination for rock climbers for both experienced and beginners from around the world.

Railay Beach offers various standards of accommodations (tourist class, middle class and five star) in limited numbers, all shaded by the original coconut palms.

Ao Nang Beach, the main gateway of Krabi, offers many choices of accommodations such as luxury five to four star resorts with spa facilities, middle class and tourist class hotel resorts. Restaurants serving local Thai and Western cuisines are abundant at Ao Nang Beach. Moreover, this small beach town offers various tastes of souvenirs, ATM machines and spa facilities to pamper you.

Krabi has hundreds of craggy karsts islands ideal for boating, diving and snorkeling. There is considerable exploring to do in the nearby destinations, inside and outside the many limestone cliffs. The possibilities for rock climbing and caving are infinite.

Our Krabi tours take you to some of the most beautiful limestone islands, lush mangrove forests and national park conservation areas where you can hike, kayak, snorkel and swim in the paradise of nature.

Highlights of Lanta Island:
The Lanta Island group consists of 52 islands located in Krabi province, South Thailand. The archipelago's largest island, Lanta Yai, is long and slender with low, forested hills down the middle and beaches on its West Coast. Relatively undeveloped from tourism, Lanta Yai is truly a paradise destination with fewer visitors. The islands' long sandy beaches complemented by the surrounding scenery are amazingly beautiful. Nearby islands in the Andaman Sea with excellent dive and snorkel sites make a perfect day excursion. Lanta Island offers top four to five star, middle class and tourist class resorts with spa facilities.

Discover Asia Travel specializes in operating tours in popular and off the beaten track destinations of south Thailand. We can offer special package deals to suite every budget traveler and can offer quality hotels at reasonable prices. Please ask for special offers and programs when booking throughout the year except during high to peak season.

Itinerary: The Best of Central and South Thailand 15 Days:
Day 1 Arrive Bangkok
Meet on arrival at Bangkok International Airport and transfer to hotel.
Remaining time at leisure.
Briefing on tour schedule, staff introduction and various necessities to make your trip smooth and enjoyable. Meals: None.

Day 2 Bangkok Royal Grand Palace and ancient Temples.
Breakfast at the hotel,
08:00am depart to visit the National Museum in Bangkok. The visit to the National Museum is to give you an insight about the history of Thailand, its people and culture. Museum opens 9.00am to 4.00pm, and closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and National holidays.

Next, visit Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) is the oldest, largest and most visited temple in Bangkok, which is also well known as the first open university of Thailand; for example, Thai people learned therapeutic Thai massage techniques from this temple.

From Wat Pho, walk to visit the Royal Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keow (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) located within the palace complex, various halls of royal function such as Amarindra Throne Hall, Chakri Mahaprasart, Dusit Mahaprasart Throne Hall and the residential area. Wat Pra Keow (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is one of the most beautiful temples in the royal grand palace compound. The temple itself is being used for principal royal function and royal chapel. This temple is the repository of The Emerald Buddha, the most holy Buddha Image of Thai Buddhism. The Image is carved in semiprecious green stone 66cm high. The temple is regarded as the oldest and the most beautiful decoration in the country.

Dress Code: Formal attire is required to enter the Royal Grand Palace. Thus, please wear comfortable casual clothes while touring the Royal Grand Palace. High cut-shorts, skirts, beach attires, bare shoulders and ankles are not allowed. If you are not in proper attire, you will be asked to rent one at the palace gate! Recommendation on Foot Wear: Wear comfortable walking shoes covering your ankles; Tevas covering ankles are acceptable.
Wear shoes that you can take off and put on easily while visiting the temples.

Lunch will be served at local restaurant near the Chaophraya River around noon, depending on when you finish the tour inside the Grand Palace.

Canal tour affter lunch, we board on long-tail boat and cruise along the main river of Thailand's Chao Phraya River (The River of Kings). There are well over 100 canals in Bangkok. Hence, it is often called the "Venice of the east". Early Thai lifestyle of dwelling along the riverbanks is still experienced in this hustle and bustle city of Bangkok.

Canal tour gives you an opportunity to observe how the local people live here. Bangkok has many canal ways, many of which are still active. The canal tour also takes you to the impressive Royal Barge Museum located along the riverbank.

End of canal tour, visit Wat Arun (The Temple of dawn), the former palace of King Taksin of Thonburi (period 1767-1782), one of the most revered temple of Thailand, and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: BL.

Day 3 Ayuthaya Tour and Cruise
Breakfast at hotel and depart to see Ancient Capital city of Ayuthaya.
We'll see Bang-pa-in, the famous summer palace of the royal family, which was built about a century ago. Here, different buildings reveal different architectural designs - Thai, Italian, and Chinese. We'll drive to the town of Ayuthaya via Wat Phanancheang and visit the largest sitting Buddha image, Luangpor Tor. Made from gilded brick and plaster, this Buddha's knee span is 45 feet, and its height from shin to scalp is 62 feet. Records indicate that it was built in 1324, about 20 years before Ayuthaya was founded. Other highlights include the ruins of the Royal Grand Palace built by King Trilokanart in the 15th century and Wat Mahathat, said to hold a holy relic of the Buddha. Historians don't know who built this later temple, but it is believed that it was either the second king or the fourth king of Ayuthaya.

Finally, we'll pay a visit to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, built by king U Tong in 1357, which was once famous for meditation temple. The compound contains a very large stupa from which the wat takes its name and a large reclining Buddha; Buddhist monks and nuns reside within the temple ground.

We'll then drive to Bangsai pier (Wat Potengtai) to begin our three-and-a-half-hour cruise to Bangkok. From the boat, we'll enjoy splendid views of the Chaophraya River and the settlements along the riverbanks. A buffet lunch will be served on board. On arrival, in Bangkok, board local boat to pier, and sky train back to hotel. Meals: BL.

Day 4 Kanchanaburi with Indochina Tiger Conservation Project
Breakfast at hotel and depart to Kanchanaburi.
On arrival, visit the War Museum, "DEATH Rail Way War Museum" which is the replica of prisoners-of-war camp during the World War II. The museum houses fragments of war weapons, paintings, drawings and pictures of life in the camp during the war that have been donated by former prisoners of war and their families. The museum has been upgraded, and provides additional information through modern multimedia in addition to the traditional displays. Don Rak Cemetery is located next to the museum. Next, we drive to "the bridge over river the way" and sightsee before boarding the original train from world war II which passes through the death railway, a complex wooded bridge against the cliff that gives you an adrenaline rush. We disembark the death railway train at Thamkrasae to visit a cave shrine, and drive for lunch break at Thai Wisdom (local farmers' cooperative center).

Indochina Tiger Conservation Project:
Next, after briefing on project and safety, we visit the Indo-Chinese Tiger Conservation Project at a local temple.
Touch the nature of tigers and other kind of wild animals such as deer, Serow, wild fowl, and wild boar. Finally, we drive to the pier to take a short boat trip to the resort at the bank of Kwai Noi River. Around 7.00PM, buffet dinner is served at the restaurant.
At 8.00PM Mon Hill-tribe cultural show and overnight at River Kwai Resotel.
Meals: BLD.

Day 5 Rivers, Waterfalls and jungle hikes
07.00 AM American Breakfast.
Eight O'clock board a long-tail boat and cruise along for about one hour upstream to Sai Yoke National Park, where we will visit the Sai Yoke National Park, Waterfall, teak wood forest to experience the nature at its best. We will do approximately three plus hours of nature hike in the forest through the marked nature education trails and visit some of the local bat habitats before lunch. We'll also visit the to WWII Japanese army camp kitchen remnants at inside the park.
Lunch break will be at Sai Yoke Waterfall, and return by boat down stream back to our resort. Remaining time at leisure for relaxation in paradise, swim in the pool, read a book or walk in the herbal garden around the resort.
19:00PM Dinner and overnight at River Kwai Resotel.
Meals: BLD.

Day 6 Lawa Cave Hike, kayak Kwai Noi and leisure day
Breakfast at the resort.
08.00AM Walk about one kilometer to Lava Cave to see the fascinating rock formations (stalactite and stalagmite) and small personified shrines inside the cave. After exiting the cave, we will take a short ride on long tail boat to visit the Mon village and school. We'll then walk back to the Kwai Noi River and kayak downstream to our resort. Put on hiking shoes for the cave visit and carry wet bag for your Camera for the kayaking part of the trip. Good Tevas are sufficient for both the cave and the kayak. Around noon, Thai buffet lunch at the resort, and enjoy relaxing rest of the day at the swimming pool, sauna or receive traditional Thai massages.
Meals: BLD.

Day 7 Kanchanaburi-Bangkok-Krabi flight
Early breakfast, drive to Bangkok Airport for a flight to Krabi.
On arrival in Krabi, transfer to our beach resort and remaining time at leisure.
Overnight at a beach resort.
Meals: B.

Day 8 Krabi sea kayak
(Than Bok Khor Ranee Marine National Park)
On the cave route, you will enjoy kayaking along the river, which is flanked by mangrove trees on both sides. The highlight of the trip is paddling through the marvelous caves. We will see stalagmites and stalactites in Lod cave, and visit the Pee Hua Tho cave with prehistoric paintings.
Once we paddle through the Light cave, we will find ourselves in the fascinating paradise room, where we can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful scenery. Next, we paddle through the Dark passage cave. At the end of kayak trip, drive to Taan Bok Khor Ranee National Park, walk through the nature trail, refresh yourself by swimming in the freshwater pool and waterfall, which comes out of a huge limestone cave.
This kayak program is under the limitation of the weather conditions.
Basic kayak instruction is provided on how to use a sit-on-top hard shell kayak.

Kayak Trip Include: lunch, fruits, drinking water, coke, beach towels, life jacket, kayak equipment, first aid kit, insurance, and English speaking guide.
Accessories to Bring: swimwear, sunglasses, suntan lotion, camera, clothes and beach slippers. Tevas are the best footwear for kayaking and short walks.

Program Schedule: Breakfast at resort and depart at 09.00am,
Around 10.00am, arrive at Bor Tor pier of Than Bok khor Ranee National Park, where we begin our sea kayak trip.
Basic instruction on how to use a sit-on-top hard shell kayak is given for your knowledge and safety issues.
Enjoy kayaking and exploring the fascinating stalactite and stalagmite at the Light Cave, more exciting kayaking to the Dark Cave;
Continue adventure through the Lod Cave, which is famous for the stalactite and stalagmite in beautiful shapes.
Visit Pee Hua Tho Cave with prehistoric paintings and paddle back to the pier. Enjoy freshly cooked delicious lunch.
Next, transfer Taan Bok khor Ranee's natural pool for refreshing swim.
Then return to Krabi resort and at leisure.
Meals: BL.

Day 9 Snorkel around the outlying islands by long-tailed boat
Breakfast and then depart for a half-day trip by covered long-tailed boat will take us to the outlying islands, one of which (Koh Hong) boasts a former pirate's cove surrounded by sheer cliffs. It is accessible only at high tide. Its clear water makes great snorkeling while the sandy beaches around this island is great for swimming, walking and sunbathing. After lunch, return to resort and at leisure.
Meals: BL.

Day 10 Krabi at Leisure
Breakfast at resort and day at leisure to explore Krabi on your own.
Meals: B.

Day 11 Transfer to Lanta Island
Pick up from Krabi hotel and transfer to Chao Fa pier for Lanta Island.
Arrive at Lanta Island in the afternoon, remaining time at leisure.
Meals: B.

The Lanta Island group consists of 52 islands located in Krabi province, South Thailand. The archipelago's largest island, Lanta Yai, is long and slender with low, forested hills down the middle and beaches on its West Coast. Relatively undeveloped from tourism, Lanta Yai is truly a paradise destination with fewer visitors. The islands' long sandy beaches complemented by the surrounding scenery is amazingly beautiful. From our base on the West Coast of Lanta Yai, we will make fun filled day trips in the nearby islands in the Andaman Sea. The area is rich with excellent dive and snorkel sites.

Day 12 Four Island Excursion
Breakfast at hotel.
Four Island tour by ferry boat, sightseeing at Ma Island, forward to Chuerk Island and Rok Island for snorkeling and swimming, Buffet lunch at Kradan Island (famous for its wedding under the sea), transfer back to hotel.
Meals: BL.

Day 13 Sea Kayak
Breakfast at hotel.
Sea Kayak at Talabeng Island and Mangrove forest. Access by long-tail boat, lunch at Babu Island and transfer to hotel.
Meals: BL.

Day 14 Lanta Island at leisure
Breakfast at hotel and day at leisure.
Lanta Island has long sandy beaches with scenic views; its beachfront restaurants serve a wide variety of delicious local and international cuisines.
Meals: B.

Day 15 Departure from Lanta
Breakfast at hotel and at leisure till departure to Krabi Airport.
Those of you connecting late evening or night flight back home can walk to the International terminal.
If your connecting flight is the next day, you need to book hotel near the Bangkok Airport for the overnight. Meals: B.

Meals: (Breakfast=B, Lunch=L, Dinner=D): The meals, such as lunch and dinner are not included in some locations. This is done in purpose in order to let you have choices of choosing your own favorite dish where the variety of local and international cuisine is abundant.

Group A (3 and 4 star, boutique and quality non star hotels)
Group B (3 star, boutique and quality non star hotels)

Bangkok-Krabi roundtrip Airfare US$190 per person
Airfare is current and subject to change.

Tour Cost Includes:
Fourteen nights accommodation in quality hotels and resorts in Bangkok, Kanchanaburi and Krabi on twin sharing with breakfast,
Transfers by air-conditioned tour van or coach in the cities to plains and off road vehicles in remote areas,
tour activities as mentioned in the itinerary,
entrance fees to monument & parks visited,
English speaking local tour guide service throughout the tour,
all ground transfers including on arrival and departure,
Meals are based on half and full-board as outlined in the tour program, and minimal coverage insurance for the duration of the tour against accident.

Tour Cost Does Not Include:
Visa fees, international and domestic airfares (Bangkok-Krabi roundtrip), airport departure tax, lunch & dinner not mentioned in the itinerary (particularly in the cities), personal clothing, personal insurance, alcoholic beverages, telephone, laundry, tips, charges for delays caused by situations beyond our control such as bad weather, natural disasters, civil unrest, and emergencies. Note: The above itinerary is guideline only to plan your trip. Itineraries will be modified as per the local conditions and logistical needs. A final program outline will be given before departure.

Package Price Changes and Alternation of Itineraries:
All package prices are net per person in US Dollars. Package prices are subject to change should there be major changes in government tax policies, Thai currency exchange rates and/or major changes in US Dollar exchange rates. We reserve the right to alternate an itinerary in the event of natural disasters, bad weather, civil unrest or other unforeseen factors that pose threat to our clients and crew. Alteration of an itinerary is made for the safety of our clients and the crew. Please treat the above program as guideline for your trip planning. We will provide you with fine tuned itinerary with specific details before departure.