CHARISMA VOYAGE

TRIPS OF DREAMS 2007/08

BEST OF THAILAND

12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS : ( BOT-1211 )

 

BANGKOK - KANCHANABURI - AYUTHAYA - SUKHOTHAI - CHIANG RAI - THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE - CHIANG MAI - PAI - MAE HONG SON - BANGKOK

 

Day 1 :  Bangkok

Arriving at Bangkok (Don Muang) Airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel.   O/N  in Bangkok.

 

Day 2 :  Bangkok  (B+L)

This morning, we embark on a long-tail boat to cruise along the Chao Phya River and the inner canals of Bangkok and Thonburi.  Stops are made to visit the majestic Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) and site of the Royal Ceremonial Barges.  Later on, we visit the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew).  O/N in Bangkok. 

 

Day 3 :  Bangkok - Damnearn Saduak – Kanchanaburi  (B+L)

Leaving Bangkok, we drive to Damnearn Saduak to visit the rural floating market where the scenes are always crowded and colorful.  Continuing to Kanchanaburi, we visit the Allied Cemetery, the Jeath War Museum and the famous River Kwai Bridge.  Thereafter, we head for the River Kwai Village.  O/N in Kanchanaburi. 

 

Day 4 :  Kanchanaburi - Nakorn Pathom - Bang Pa In – Ayuthaya  (B+L)

Stopping to visit the world’s tallest pagoda at Nakorn Pathom and the famous fruit market at Nakorn Chaisri, we drive north to Bang-Pa-In, the summer palace with a collection of marvelous pavilions in Thai, Chinese, Italian and Victorian architectural styles.  Further north, we drive to Ayuthaya, visit the historical park, temples and monuments.  O/N in Ayuthaya. 

 

Day 5 :  Ayuthaya - Lopburi - Phitsanuloke – Sukhothai  (B+L)

Today, we drive to Lopburi.  We visit the sacred “Prang Sam Yod” of Khmer architecture and  “Sarn Phrakarn”, a holy shrine populated by hundreds of friendly monkeys.  We stop to visit Phra Buddha Jinaraj Temple at Phitsanuloke before proceeding to Sukhothai, the 13th century capital and explore the magnificent complex of ruins.  O/N in Sukhothai. 

 

Day 6 :  Sukhothai - Lampang - Phayao - Chiang Rai  (B+L)

Heading for Lampang, we enjoy a short tour of the old city on horse carriage, visit Ban Sao Nat as well as Wat Chedi Sao.  We continue our drive through the rolling countryside to the rural town of Phayao.  After visiting Wat Si Kom Kan, we continue to Chiang Rai and from there, embark on a boat to visit the hill tribe villages along the riverbank.  O/N in Chiang Rai. 

 

Day 7 :  Chiang Rai - The Golden Triangle - Chiang Mai (B+L)

We go uphill to visit the large Akha and Yao hill tribe settlements near Mae Chan, then to ancient Chiang Saen, the Golden Triangle junction and the border town of Mae Sai.  Thereafter, we continue to Chiang Mai.  O/N in Chiang Mai. 

 

Day 8 :  Chiang Mai  (B+L)

We begin our tour of Chiang Mai with a visit to the famous Doi Suthep Mountain Temple and follow by a visit to the cottage industry villages of Sakampaeng and Borsarng on the out skirts of the city.  O/N in Chiang Mai. 

 

Day 9 :  Chiang Mai - Mae Malai – Pai  (B+L)

Today, we leave Chiang Mai by road to visit an orchid farm, then to see the elephants at work in the tropical forest.  We also visit the local market of Mae Malai, the Mok Fha waterfall and the Lisu hill tribe village en route to Pai.  O/N in Pai. 

 

Day 10 :  Pai -  Mae Hong Son  (B+L)

On the way to Mae Hong Son, we stop to explore Tham Lod, the biggest cave in the area and Tham Pla (Fish Cave) where thousands of carps live an undisturbed life.  A boat trip up the Pai River takes us to the “Padong” village.  This ethnic group still retains their old cultural tradition with the women attempting to have long necks by wearing numerous brass rings around their neck from early age.  O/N in Mae Hong Son. 

 

Day 11 :  Mae Hong Son - Chiang Mai  (B+L)

We visit some Burmese style temples - Wat Jongkam, Wat Doi Kong Moo and Wat Hao Wieng.  In the afternoon, we fly back to Chiang Mai.  O/N in Chiang Mai.

 

Day 12 :  Chiang Mai – Departure  (B)

Free time to explore the city on your own and catch up on your shopping areas.  Transfer to Chiang Mai airport , fly Chiang Mai / Bangkok to connect your onward flight.  The trip terminates upon arrival at Bangkok airport.

 

PACKAGE INCLUDES :

All transfers and transportation, domestic airfare Mae Hong Son / Chiang Mai by Thai Airways, Chiang Mai / Bangkok by budget airline, hotel accommodation on bed & breakfast, other meals where specified (B= breakfast / L= lunch / D= dinner), , visits & sightseeing with entrance fees where applicable, service of English, French or Russian speaking guide.  Other foreign language speaking guide subject to availability and extra charge.

 

EXCLUDED :

Visa fee, insurance, tips to driver/guide, phone calls, laundry, drinks, other expense of personal nature.

 

YOUR HOTELS

R.K. Village / Royal Wing

Krungsri River / Ayuthaya

Pailyn / Sukhothai

Pailyn / Phitsanuloke

Tha Pai Hot Spa / Pai

Golden Pai Resort / MHS

YOUR HOTELS