Description
Day 1 Departure
Arrival at your departure airport* ready to check-in for an overnight flight to Bangkok. Night on board.
* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2 Bangkok
Touch down in the buzzing capital of Thailand and transfer to the hotel. Bangkok is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, located in the heart of the country. It offers a variety of unique experiences, from its impressive temples and lively culture, to its exciting night markets and world-renowned cuisine. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to begin discovering this fascinating city. If your flight arrives before 2pm, you have the possibility to take the optional Dinner and Cruise excursion on the Chao Phraya River*. Overnight stay in Bangkok.
Optional evening Dinner & Cruise Excursion along the Chao Phraya River (optional, $77/person): Transfer to the Chao Phraya River, or King of Thai rivers, to embark on board a modern river cruise with open-air terrace from where you will enjoy the panoramic night view of the illuminated city, while enjoying an international buffet dinner (drinks not included). The temples on the river banks, the skyscrapers and the live music accompanying the dinner will make you spend an unforgettable night in Bangkok. After the dinner and river tour, return to the pier and transfer to the hotel or head to Patpong night market to enjoy the nightlife and stalls.
* Activity only available if your flight arrives in Bangkok before 2pm.
** If you arrive in the early hours between 00:00 and 11:30, you must add the optional early check-in (optional, $41/person) to have access to your room immediately.
Day 3 Bangkok
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, get ready to discover the city and its temples on an exciting tour! Begin along the main avenues of Bangkok to reach the vibrant Chinatown neighborhood. Our first stop will be at Wat Traimit Temple or better known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha. It houses a 5-ton solid gold Buddha loaded with history as it remained hidden for centuries after being covered in plaster to prevent its destruction during the war. Our next stop will be the Wat Pho Temple or Temple of the Reclining Buddha, one of the largest reclining Buddhas in the world at over 150 feet-long, where you’ll find a spectacular engraving of 108 images representing positive actions of Buddhism. To finish the tour, head to a local precious stone factory where you will see a demonstration of how local craftspeople make their products. We recommend an optional excursion to the Grand Palace* to learn more about the culture of this country. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Bangkok.
Optional excursion to the Grand Palace (optional, $68/person): Discover the impressive Grand Palace complex, symbol of the city and former official residence of the King of Thailand between the 18th and mid-20th centuries. Considered one of the most beautiful in the world for its exquisite decoration, it mixes traditional Thai style with Renaissance influences. During the visit to the Grand Palace we will also visit Wat Phra Kaew or Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most important in Thailand.
NOTE: For the Grand Palace visit you should wear long pants that cover the ankles and a long- sleeved shirt.
Day 4 Bangkok
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy the day at leisure to continue exploring the capital. Why not discover some of its many markets, where you can sample some of the famous street food dishes. We recommend an exciting and entertaining optional excursion to visit the train market and floating market*. Overnight stay in Bangkok.
*Optional Excursion to the Train Market and Floating Market (optional, $100/person): Travel by road to the town of Mae Klong where you’ll see a curious market installed on the train tracks. If time and luck permits, we will be able to see how the train crosses through the market and, in record time, the merchants collect all the products they have on display on the train tracks. From there, head to the Klong Damnersaduak floating market in Ratchaburi province, considered the most important in the country. Arrive at a pier in the vicinity of the floating market. Take a motor boat ride through the canal area to reach the market itself, disembark, and enjoy free time to walk around, explore their products and enjoy the lively atmosphere. After the market visit, return to Bangkok and transfer to the hotel.
Day 5 Bangkok – Chiang Mai
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to board the flight to Chiang Mai. Arrival in the mountainous Chiang Mai, one of the gems of the country. Transfer to the hotel and rest of the day at leisure to start exploring this magical destination. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 6 Chiang Mai
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit the incredible temple of Doi Suthep, located at the top of the mountain of the same name, from where you’ll enjoy beautiful views of Chiang Mai in all its splendor. After the visit to the temple, head to the old part of the city through its ancient walls to visit two of its most famous temples. First, the Wat Phra Singh temple, whose construction dates back to 1345 and where you’ll find a Buddha that’s over 1500 years old. Next, Wat Chedi Luang, built at the same time but following a different architectural style, which is believed to be the first temple that housed the famous Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew, which we find today in the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
After the visit, transfer to the hotel and enjoy free time to continue exploring this incredible city. Overnight stay in Chiang Mai.
Day 7 Chiang Mai
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy the day at leisure to explore the amazing temples in the area. Chiang Mai’s location, surrounded by mountains, also makes it an ideal corner to enjoy the luscious nature. We recommend an optional trekking excursion to Doi Inthanon*. In the evening enjoy a tasting dinner of traditional northern dishes, accompanied by a traditional Khantoke show with dances typical of the ancient Lanna Kingdom. After dinner, transfer to the hotel or to the city’s famous night market. Overnight stay in Chiang Mai.
*Full-Day Doi Inthanon National Park Excursion (lunch included) (optional, $147/person): Head to Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand. Explore this fertile natural treasure trove, popular among bird watchers for its huge birdlife diversity. Visit “Vachiratharn” waterfall, climb to the top of the mountain, see the royal pagodas and gardens. Stop at Mhong tribe’s local market, one of the largest ethnic groups in the country. Lunch at a local restaurant. Next, trek for approximately 2 hours by the hand of a local guide through jungle, terraced rice fields and waterfalls, in a completely natural environment. Meet another ethnic group, Karen, and finally stop in the Mae Klang area to visit our guide’s village, Karen, to learn about their way of life and taste fresh local coffee.
NOTE: We recommend bringing a raincoat during the rainy season and appropriate walking shoes, mosquito repellent and sunscreen.
Day 8 Chiang Mai – Phuket
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight to Phuket. Arrive in beautiful Phuket, a paradise island of rainforests and mountains known as the ultimate escape in Thailand. After getting comfortable at your hotel the rest of the day is at your leisure to lounge by the pool or search for the most idyllic paradise coves. Overnight stay in Phuket.
Day 9 Phuket
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to relax, explore and enjoy Phuket. Take a walk along the beaches, sip a cocktail or have a dip in the ocean, and for the more adventurous, maybe have a go at some water sports. We recommend an optional full-day excursion to iconic Phi Phi Islands.* Overnight stay in Phuket.
Optional excursion to Phi Phi by speedboat (with lunch) (optional, $116/person): The fabulous Phi Phi Islands are a must-see paradise archipelago. First, discover the wonders of Bamboo or Khai Islands. From there we head to the famous Monkey Beach where, if we are lucky, we can spot wild monkeys. Continue to the other island that forms the archipelago, Phi Phi Don, where we see monkey beach and swim in a bay surrounded by cliffs. Stop at a nearby beach where we enjoy local lunch (drinks not included). From there we head to Viking cave and those who wish can go snorkeling (both mask and snorkel are included in the excursion). Free time for swimming at Pileh Lagoon before making the last stop of the day at Rang or Pearl Island, where you can chill until the time to return to Phuket.
Note: We recommend that you bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen for this excursion. Itinerary may be altered or varied depending on sea, tide and weather conditions. Drinks and fresh fruit on board included.
** Children under 3 years and adults over 70 are not allowed to join the excursion.
Day 10 Phuket
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to enjoy the magnificent beaches of the island, either sunbathing, strolling around or cooling off in its crystal clear waters. Why not visit the old part of Phuket Town, the beautiful Buddhist and Chinese temples on the island or the great bazaars of Karon Beach and Patong Beach. We recommend an exciting optional excursion to Phang Nga Bay*. Overnight stay in Phuket.
*Optional Excursion to Phang Nga Bay by speedboat (with lunch) (optional, $124/person): Discover a landscape formed by the curious cliffs, limestone formations and caves. Arrive at Khai Island and do a little snorkeling to kick-off the day. Set off in the direction of Hong to board a small canoe to explore the eroded cliffs and the island’s famous sea caves. Discover the “hongs”, inland lagoons between the rock formations and only accessible through caves at low tide. Lunch at Panyi or Fisherman Village. After the canoe ride we will head to the famous James Bond Island. On the way to Phuket we will make a last stop at Panak Island. Return to the port in Phuket and transfer to the hotel by land.
Note: We recommend bringing a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen for this excursion. Itinerary may be altered or varied depending on sea state, tide and weather conditions. Drinks on board included.
Day 11 Phuket – Home
After breakfast at the hotel, say goodbye to beautiful Thailand as you transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. * Night on board.
* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
If your return flight departs early in the morning, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast.
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