Nature and Culture of Thailand 12 Nights / 13 Days

Destination: Bangkok-Kanchanaburi-Chiangmai-Mae Hongson-Ayuthaya.
Activity Highlights: Sightseeing extraordinary ancient palaces and temples, cruising in the rivers, riding the Death Railway train, walking in the national park forest rails, swimming in the waterfalls, caving to explore exotic formations of rocks, canoeing, elephant trekking, bamboo rafting, visiting villages to explore ethnic cultures and artifacts.

Trip Grade: Easy and fun filled tour
Best Season: Thailand is best from November to March; however, this tour departs throughout the year.

Highlights of Bangkok:
Welcome to Bangkok, the capital and the major metropolitan city of Thailand! The Grand Palace, ancient temples, riverboat cruise, floating market, 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 Chiang Mai, Mae Hongson and Chiang Rai:
Chiang Mai, the northern province of Thailand, founded by King Mengrai in 1296. This northern region was known as the Lan Na Thai kingdom in the 13th to 14th centuries. Chiang Mai City is the second biggest in Thailand, the most active trading post in the north and a vibrant university center. Visitors will be amazed by the well over 300 temples and its scenic landscape. Thailand's highest peak, Doi Inthanon (2595 meters above sea level), crowns the north. Here, travelers can enjoy scenic trekking, elephant riding, hiking through hill tribe villages, bamboo rafting and magnificent vistas at sunset and sunrise. The province is home to many hill tribes with distinct cultures. Extraordinary woodcarvings, silverware and the artworks, beautiful flower festival parades and diverse cultures are some of the attractions here. Chiang Mai offers variety of top five star, middle class and tourist class hotels in the latest styles with spa, both boutique and traditional.

Mae Hongson, a northwestern province bordering with Myanmar (Burma), is the home of diverse ethnic minority groups as well as refugees from neighboring Burma. The province is very remote, mountainous and far less developed than neighboring Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, and fewer tourists visit here. Thus, people looking to explore pure ethnic cultures and wanting to experience natural forest covered landscapes, should consider to travel here. Scenic trekking, rafting, mountain biking and hill tribe village excursions are a few of the leisure to adventure tours here.

Chiang Rai, the northernmost province in the Golden Triangle area, offer sightseers historic monuments, temples, museums, scenic hills for trekking, river trips, tea estates and hill tribe village excursions and local cultural artifacts among the key attractions of this province. The province is accessible by road and air. Chiang Rai can cater visitors to variety of luxury five star, middle class and tourist class hotels with spa facilities.
Join Discover Asia Travel to explore the nature and culture of northern Thailand.

Itinerary: Nature and Culture of Thailand 13 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, we 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.

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 and 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 after 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 of the modern 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 at 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 Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
06.30AM depart for Kanchanaburi.
On arrival in Kanchanaburi, visit the War Museum (Thailand-Burma Rail Way Centre), 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. Then, we drive to "the bridge over river the Kwai" and sightsee before boarding the original train from the war era 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 (cooperative center of local farmers).

Indochina Tiger Conservation Project: After briefing about the 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 and take a short ride on long tail boat to River Kwai Resotel.
Around 7.00PM, buffet dinner is served at the restaurant.
At 8.00PM Mon Hill-tribe cultural show.
Meals: BLD.

Day 4 Rivers, Waterfalls and jungle hikes 07.00AM 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. While on the nature walk, we will also visit the to WW II Japanese army camp kitchen remnants.
Lunch break will be at Sai Yoke Waterfall, and return by boat down stream to visit the Mon village and school, and return 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 5 Lawa Cave Hike, Canoe Kwai Noi River, drive Bangkok and evening flight to Chiang Mai
Early breakfast at the resort.
07.30AM Walk about one kilometer to Lava Cave and explore the fascinating rock formations (stalactite and stalagmite), and experience small personified shrines inside the cave. After exiting the cave, walk down the slope to begin about an hour kayak in the Kwai Noi River. 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.
11.00-12.00noon Thai buffet lunch at the resort.
12.00-1.00PM depart by long-tail boat to Resotel Pier, drive to Bangkok Airport and early evening flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Dinner is on your own as there are plenty of local and international cuisines in town. The dazzling night bazaar of Chiang Mai opens from around six in the evening to midnight. Stroll at leisure to pick up your favorite souvenirs. Meals: BL.

Day 6 Wat Prathad Doi Suthep and Handicrafts
Breakfast at the hotel and depart to Chiang Mai National Museum and the Hill-Tribe Museum. After the museum visits, we drive to visit Wat Prathad Doi Sutep, which proclaim to have a holy relic of Lord Buddha, the most celebrated temple in Chiang Mai located on a scenic hilltop inside the Doi-Pui National Park. To reach the temple, we drive up the base of Doi Suthep, and climb up 300 steps to get to the temple courtyard. Both sides of the steps are flanked by enormous mythological Nagas (snakes). A panoramic view of the city can be seen from here at 3,500 feet above sea level. Those of you do not wish to walk up the stairs can take the tram both ways. Then, we will return to Chiang Mai town for lunch break.

Chiang Mai Handicraft and cottage industry in the afternoon: In the afternoon, we visit local handicraft centers on Sankampaeng Road to see Thai silk and cotton loom industries, Bo-sang the paper and umbrella-making village; lacquer-ware, teak-wood carving, jewelry, and silverware artworks.
This particular street in Chiang Mai is set aside for small and medium handicraft as well as cottage industries to show case and make their products. Thus, visitors can see how the local handicrafts are made, a first hand experience. Then, return to hotel and at leisure until departure for Khantoke Dinner.

Evening-we enjoy Kantoke Dinner, traditional northern Thai welcome dinner, and observe Northern Thai folk song and dance performed by different hill-tribes in their colorful costumes. Each tribe is different in costumes, dialects, and culture. Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai. Meals. BLD.

Day 7 Elephant trekking and bamboo rafting
Early breakfast at the hotel, and travel about 50 kilometers from the city to Chiang Dao elephant camp. Watch the elephants taking their bath in the stream before starting their work. See demonstration of elephants at work. Then, take an hour elephant ride through the semi-jungle vegetation to visit a Lisu hill tribe village, and return trek to the elephant camp for refreshment at its riverfront café.

Next, we will take an exciting bamboo rafting (traditional transportation in the river) down the scenic Mae Ping River for about an hour. Along the river, you can see various species of birds and squirrels. On the way back to hotel in Chiang Mai, we'll visit an orchid nursery and butterfly farm. Dinner is on your own as there are plenty of local and international cuisines in town. Chiang Mai has a dazzling night bazaar, which opens from around 6.00pm to midnight. Stroll at leisure to pick up your favorite souvenirs.
Overnight at hotel. Meals: BL.

Day 8 Chiang Mai to Maehongson flight and tour
After breakfast, we'll transfer to Chiang Mai airport for a flight to Mae Hong Son. Upon arrival, we'll check into our eco resort in the ambience of nature and have lunch. In the afternoon, we'll take a leisurely tour of the ancient temples, such as Wat Jong Kham, Wat Jong Klang near the city and then walk to Wat Phra Thart Doi Kong Moo, situated atop a hill with panoramic view of Mae Hongson Valley. We'll overnight at resort. Meals: BLD.

Day 9 Nature and Culture of Maehongson
In the early morning, we'll visit the Mae Hong Son morning market, return to hotel to eat breakfast, and drive to a local pier on the Pai River. We'll then board a long-tail boat and ride downstream to visit the long-necked Padong hill tribe people at the Karen village and its school. Then, We'll long-tail boat up river to eat lunch at a local restaurant and return to resort to relax at the pool remaining part of the day.
We'll overnight at the resort again. Meals: BLD.

Day 10 Mae Hongson morning hike and at Leisure
Breakfast at the resort and hike in the Nam Tok Mae Surin National Park nature trails in cool morning temperature. Be in hiking boots, wear comfortable clothes for walking, and take plenty of water and some snacks. It is a nice hike along the stream to the waterfall. We can hear some birds and possibly sight some wildlife. Sighting wildlife is not easy; so, keep your fingers crossed for good luck! Meals: BL.

Day 11 Maehongson-Chiang Mai-Bangkok flight
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport for a flight to Chiang Mai and to Bangkok. Upon arrival in Bangkok, we'll transfer to our hotel. Remaining time at our leisure. Meals: B.

Day 12 Ayuthaya Tour and Cruise
Breakfast at hotel and depart to see the 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 13 Departure from Bangkok
Breakfast at the hotel and at leisure until transfer to Bangkok International Airport to connect for your next destination flight. 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-Chiang Mai and Mae Hongson roundtrip airfare US$230 per person.
Airfares are current and subject to change.

Tour Cost Includes: Twelve nights accommodations in quality hotels in Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai and Mae Hongson on twin sharing with breakfast,
Transfers by air-conditioned van or coach on arrival, departure and on tour,
tour activities as mentioned in the itinerary,
English speaking local tour guide service throughout the tour,
entrance fees to monument and park visited as per program,
Meals are based on half to full-board or as indicated in the tour program,
value added tax to the government, and insurance for the period of tour.

Tour Cost Does Not Include:
Visa fees, international and domestic airfares & 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.

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.