Depart via the services of United Airlines from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland Oregon, Seattle or many other US or Canadian cities at an additional cost (See complete listing below) to Bangkok, Thailand on one of the following dates:
September 2, 2008
October 7, 2008
November 18, 2008
December 16, 2008
January 6, 13 or 20, 2009
February 3 or 10, 2009
March 3, 2009
Seasonal Surcharges apply for travel during certain time periods. Please see below for details.
ITINERARY
Day 1 USA to BANGKOK
Your unforgettable Orient holiday begins with a transpacific flight aboard a United Airlines wide-cabin jet. Cross the International Date Line enroute to Thailand's capital, Bangkok.
Day 2 ARRIVE BANGKOK
A warm welcome awaits you in exotic Bangkok, as you are met at the airport and accompanied to check in to the Menam Riverside Hotel.
Day 3 BANGKOK
The exotic tapestry of Thai culture unfolds as you embark on a visit to Bangkok's landmarks. See the resplendent seat of the Thai royal family, the Royal Grand Palace with its 100-building opulence. No less awe-inspiring are the Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaeo, the Eight Colored Towers, Pantheon of Kings and Golden Chedhi. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a welcome Thai dinner with dance performance.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Dinner Show
Day 4 BANGKOK
A scenic drive takes you to visit Damnoen Saduak and its Floating Market, where vendors hawk their exotic goods along the canals (klongs) from produce-laden skiffs. Visit Nakhon Pathom, the world's tallest pagoda.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 BANGKOK/AYUTTHAYA/BANGKOK
A drive to Bang Pa In, King Rama V's magnificent summer residence, starts the day's sightseeing. The ruins of Ayutthaya, an ancient Thai capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site, loom in regal dignity as you walk along its well-planned byways. Lunch is served aboard a motor launch as you cruise down the “River of Kings,” Chao Phraya, returning you to Bangkok. Evening is at leisure.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 BANGKOK/RIVER KWAI/BANGKOK
Today, a full day tour to the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, featuring the railway and bridge whose World War II construction cost hundreds of lives and spawned epic tales of courage. Visit the memorial dedicated to over 9,000 Allied soldiers who died building the so-called “Death Railway”. Evening is at leisure.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 BANGKOK to CHIANG RAI
Today, fly to Chiang Rai where the balance of day is at leisure. Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight at the Dusit Island Resort.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Dinner in the Hotel
Day 8 CHIANG RAI
Intricate designs and the fetching color of Thai handicrafts surround you as we visit the Doi Tung Development Project (an ethnic minority village and agricultural training center). Rest of the day is at leisure with dinner at the resort.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Dinner in Hotel
Day 9 CHIANG RAI
A day at leisure, or join one of our optional tours. We suggest a full day tour to visit the unique and fascinating Long Neck hill tribe village (Padong Karen) before continuing to Doi Mae Salong village, located on the highest peak in Chiang Rai, an area known as Thailand 's “Little Switzerland.” Here, visit the hilltop village of Santikhiri. Return to Chiang Rai for a trishaw trip in the city. This evening in Chiang Rai, dinner is included.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Dinner in the Hotel
Day 10 CHIANG RAI
Wonders of Chiang Saen, a city that dates back to the 1300s, is the highlight of today's sightseeing. Board a longboat for a cruise to the Golden Triangle, the fabled region where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma) converge. Formerly notorious for raising the area's opium poppy crop, the Golden Triangle is now a showcase of lush fruit orchards and coffee plantations sponsored by the Crown of Thailand. Continue on to the border trading town of Mae Sai.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Dinner in the Hotel
Day 11 CHIANG RAI to CHIANG MAI
Free morning before you depart for Chiang Mai. Dinner is at the hotel. You may wish to enjoy an after-dinner walk along the glittering Night Bazaar of Chiang Mai. Overnight at the Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Dinner in the Hotel
Day 12 CHIANG MAI
Experience centuries of Thai history as you visit the ancient city wall and ornate temples, of which the Wat Chedi Luang and the 1345 A.D. Wat Phra Singh are the prime examples. Wat Chiang Man enshrines two Buddha images and a remarkable chedi guarded by elephant head statuary. Wat Suan Dok houses the ashes of the royal family of Chiang Mai and other relics. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight we treat you to a traditional northern Kantoke dinner and a cultural show by a troupe of ethnic hill tribe performers.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Dinner Show
Day 13 CHIANG MAI
The beauty and intricacy of Thai cottage arts comes to life during a visit to local handicraft villages. Enjoy the selection of wondrous silk and other fabrics, elaborate jewelry, handmade celadon, lacquer ware, paper umbrellas, and other gems of Thai handicraft. The rest of the day is free. This evening, enjoy dinner at a charming riverside restaurant (dinner in the hotel if tour group is less than the minimum 4 participants).
MEALS: American Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14 CHIANG MAI
Today is highlighted by a trip to an elephant camp at Mae Sa to see the gentle behemoths' feats of brain and brawn. You may opt to try an age-old mode of jungle transport: a ride atop a tame elephant's back. Then visit Queen Sirikit's famed Botanical Garden and an orchid farm, with tropical hues and fragrance in abundance. Enjoy Lunch at a local restaurant. The rest of the day is at leisure for your own activities.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch
Day 15 CHIANG MAI
Doi Suthep awaits us this morning, as we drive up the mountain pass that takes us to the temple compound of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, famous for its breathtaking vistas of Chiang Mai below. The balance of the day is at leisure.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Dinner in the Hotel
Day 16 CHIANG MAI
Discover Chiang Mai's treasures on your own, or take an optional tour. A popular option is a full-day visit with lunch to Lamphun and Pasang. This tour features Wiang Kum Kam's relics, and the impressive ruins of Lamphun, the former capital of the Haripoonchai Kingdom. Buddhist monks now study at a school built on the site of the magnificent palace that presided over Lamphun in the 9th century. Amphur Pasang's cotton weaving industry and the White Karen hill tribe village are must-see features of the optional tour. We host a farewell dinner party in your honor this evening at the hotel.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Dinner Party
Day 17 CHIANGMAI to BANGKOK
Transfer to the airport and fly to Bangkok; check in to the Menam Riverside Hotel.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Dinner in Hotel
Day 18 BANGKOK to USA
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home via United Airlines.
********************
*NOTE: If you would like to extend your vacation, consider our 4-Day Pre-Tour to Angkor Wat or 7-Day Post-Tour to Vietnam (see below).
OPTIONAL TOURS (Per Person):
4-Day Pre-Tour Extension to Angkor Wat
TOUR FEATURES:
*All Thailand & Cambodia air/land transportation
*Locally Hosted: Local guides provide transfers, sightseeing, information, and assistance in each city
*3 nights in superior first class hotels
*3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
*Round-trip transfers between airport and hotel, baggage handling, hotel taxes and service charges
*Sightseeing tours, cultural entertainment, and other performances as specified
Tour Cost (Per Person)
*Tour only $1108.00
Tour only Single Supplement $250.00
Tours are subject to availability.
This tour may also be arranged as a Post-Tour, with the tour itinerary in reverse order.
7-Day Post-Tour Extension to Vietnam
TOUR FEATURES:
*Daily Departures
*Local Hosts
* All Thailand/Vietnam air & land transportation
*6 nights in superior first class hotels
*6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
*Round-trip transfers between airport & hotel, baggage handling, hotel taxes & service charges
*Sightseeing tours, cultural entertainment, & other performances as specified
Tour Cost (Per Person)
*Tour Only $1678.00
Tour Only Single Supplement $360.00
Tours are subject to availability.
This tour may also be arranged as a Pre-Tour, with the tour itinerary in reverse order.
********************
BID PRICE IS PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY.
Single Supplement: Accommodations are based on double occupancy and a minimum of 2 passengers must travel. A $950.00 single supplement is available for odd numbered parties over 2 people.
Tax & service charges of $425.00 per person is additional.
Airport embarkation taxes are not included in the tour fare and will be collected upon departure from each city. The customary end-of-tour gratuity to tour managers and tips to local guides and drivers are not included.
A Valid Passport is required for travel to Thailand. The Names submitted must be spelled correctly and exactly match the names on the passports. Any fees associated with name changes will be the passenger's responsibility.
Reservations are subject to availability.
