Essential Thailand

Numbers of the beauty and the fascination of travel destinations in Thailand may sometimes confuse many first time visitors and make it harder to decide where to choose. This tour package was designed to be simple but filled with quality for your impression. Same tour by other operators is cheaper and sweeter in the paper but when it comes to the real date real service, we are known to the travel community to be on top of the list. It will be another non-removable memory in your travel book.

Destination	Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket
Start City	Bangkok
End City	Phuket
Tour Type	Private Tour
Duration	12 Days & 11 Nights
Depart	mtwthfsasu
Condition	Easy Moderate Strenuous

Essential Thailand

DAY 1: ARRIVE BANGKOK

Transfer

Itinerary

Overnight: Bangkok
Meal:

DAY 2: BANGKOK SIGHTSEEING

Depart from hotel to Rattanakosin Island, the original area of Bangkok when it was first established as the capital over 200 years ago.

Visit Wat Phra Kaeo, the most beautiful and important Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is so richly and intricately decorated that, once entering the temple, you will feel as if you are in a real city of angels.

Visit The Grand Palace, an area of 218,400 sq. metres and is surrounded by walls built in 1782. The length of the four walls is 1,900 metres. Within these walls are situated government offices and the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha besides the royal residences.

Take a comfortable long-tail motor boat trip along the Chao Phraya River and canals in Thonburi area. You will be treated to a spectacular and colorful scenery of Thai life along the river banks.

Visit to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is one of Bangkok s best know landmark. It stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Thon Buri. Wat Arun is best seen from the opposite bank of the river; it glistens in the sunlight during the day and stands dark and noble at dawn or dusk. A visit to the beautiful, peaceful monastery complex surrounding the familiar towers is very worth-while. These towers, the Phra Prang, although best known, the only part of Wat Arun. It also contains narrow lanes; elegant, old white buildings; shrines, pools of turtles; and two fine giants, Yuk Wat Jaeng, mortal enemies of the Yuk Wat Po across the river.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Visit Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), founded in the 16th century, the oldest and biggest temple with the largest number of pagodas (95 in all) in the city. Wat Pho was the first open university of Thailand which offered courses in several branches of knowledge like literature, astrology, medicine and massage. It’s well known for its huge Reclining Buddha, 46 m. long and 15 m. high.

Then return transfer to hotel and free at your own leisure.

Remark:
Wat Phra Kaew is Thailand s most sacred temple, so please do not wear shorts, or sandals.
Certain buildings in the Palace grounds are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Itinerary

Overnight: Bangkok
Meal:

DAY 3: DAMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET + MAE KLONG RAILWAY MARKET

Depart for Damnoen Saduak, situated 110 Km. west of Bangkok. Your journey commences with a leisurely drive through rice paddies and salt fields.

The tour continues with a 30 minutes speedboat trip along fruit plantation to see Thai houses and the traditional way of life.

Arrive at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Here you will be fascinated by boats of various shapes and sizes used by local merchants to ferry their goods. Your are able to hire small boat board along the market for shopping local products. [small boat is not included]

Depart floating market.

Visit Maeklong Railway Market (Talad Rom Hub). It is one of the largest fresh seafood markets in Thailand, and is centred around the track of the Maeklong Railway. When trains approach, the awnings and shopfronts are moved back from the rails, and then replaced once the train has passed.

Then return transfer to Bangkok

Itinerary

Overnight: Bangkok
Meal:

DAY 4: AYUTTHAYA & BANG PA IN SUMMER PALACE

Depart for Ayutthaya, located 76 kms. north of Bangkok. It was one of Indo-China s most prosperous cities and is one of Thailand’s major historical attractions.
The grandeur of Ayutthaya is reflected by numerous magnificent structures and ruins concentrated in and around the city island surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lop Buri Rivers. The area, well conserved as a historical park, has been included in UNESCO s list of World Heritage since 1991.

Visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, was first used by the royal court as a summer retreat in the 17th century. However, the Palace was destroyed with the fall of Kingdom of Ayutthaya and was restored by King Rama IV in the mid-19th century. Most of the buildings that exist today date from the reign of King Rama V, who regularly spent his summers there. The structures represent a variety of architectural styles, set in a large park around ponds and waterways. The only royal residence open to the public is the Chiness-style Wehat Chamroon Palace, constructed entirely of materials imported from China. In addition, there is an Italian-style palace, a circular pavilion with steps leading down to a pool, the graceful Thai-style Aisawan Tippaya Asna Pavilion in the middle of a lake, and, across one of the waterways, a Buddhist chapel in the neo-Gothic style with stained-glass windows. Scattered around the extensive gardens are European statues as well as monuments ordered to be built by King Rama V in memory of members of his family, one of them a much-loved Queen who drowned in a boating accident.

Continue to visit Wat Phanancherng, contains the oldest large cast bronze Buddha image in Ayutthaya.

Visit Wat Yai Chaimongkon. A large working wat, with ruins that appear on some of the well known photos of temples in Thailand. It features a large reclining Buddha in saffron robes in its own ruined wiharn, and, most spectacularly, a huge chedi swathed in golden cloth set in a courtyard which is lined by Buddha images all wearing saffron robes. Very photogenic.

Lunch will be provided at riverside restaurant.

Visit Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit. Phra Mongkhon Bophit, a large bronze cast Buddha image was originally enshrined in the open area outside the Grand Palace and later covered by a building in the reign of king Songtham. During the fall of Ayutthaya, the building was badly destroyed by fire. The one currently seen was reconstructed, but does not have as beautiful craftsmanship as the previous one. The open area east of the sanctuary was where the royal cremation ceremonies took place.

Visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet. This is the most important temple within the Royal Palace compound and the original from which the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok has been copied. Three outstanding Ceylonese style pagodas were built during the 15th century to enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthayan kings.

Continue to Ayutthaya Ancient Palace, was original built King U-Thong in the 14 th century, and was expanded over the years. These pavilions were completely destroyed in 1767, leaving only brick foundation, porticos and walls.

Then depart from Ayutthaya pass green paddy fields, villages, and temples then return to Bangkok.

Remark:
Visitors are requested to be dressed properly and appropriately upon entering the ground of Bang Pa-In Palace.
Please do not wear shorts, sandals or no-sleeves.

Itinerary

Overnight: Bangkok
Meal:

DAY 5: BANGKOK-CHIANG MAI / CHIANG MAI / DOI SUTHEP TEMPLE

Free at your own leisure until departure time, provide by private vehicle air0con transfer to Bangkok Airport for flight to Chiang Mai.

Arrive to Chiang Mai airport, meet and greet with local guide. Then transfer to the hotel for check in, free at leisure.

Continue visit to Doi Suthep Temple, which was built in 1383. It is located 1,050 meters above sea level. See the marvelous golden pagoda, which is containing the holy relics of Lord Buddha. You will receive a special blessing from a monk and then witness the evening chants as the sun sets.

Then transfer to the hotel for check in, free at leisure.

Itinerary

Overnight: Chiang Mai
Meal:

DAY 6: MAE SA ELEPHANT AT WORK, ORCHID FARM, LONG NECK KAREN VILLAGE

Travel to north of Chiang Mai route Chiang Dao Elephant Training Camp; (1 hour drive) explore the spectacular mountainous scenery along the way.

Watch Demonstrations of how trained elephants are used as working animals in teak forests. The show includes elephant bathing in the river, working in the jungle, elephant painting, dragging, pushing logs and responding to commands.

Elephant Ride for one and a half hours through the beautiful mountain scenery, passing bamboo trees and hanging creepers.

Bamboo River Rafting cruise along Mae Ping River for 45 minutes, softly moving along the river while relaxing as the rafts men pole you down through farm houses and stunning green.

Lunch served at the local restaurant

Continue to visit Long Neck Tribe Village. The woman from this tribe wears several brass rings around their long, slender necks and they are originated from Shan state.

Visit the Orchid Nursery to see a large collection of different types of colorful exotic year-round-bloom orchids. Then transfer back to the hotel.

Itinerary

Overnight: Chiang Mai
Meal:

DAY 7: CHIANG MAI / CHIANG MAI LIFESTYLE / WIANG KUM KAM

Experience the gentle way of Chiang Mai local s life; Leave resort to Warorote Market, the biggest local Market in Chiang Mai which sells everything from clothes and textiles to fruits, herbs, flowers, vegetables, insects and even fireworks.

In order to feel more about the local lifestyle, take a Sam-Lor (Trishaw) ride along Thapae Road down though the Old City Walls and visit to Phra Singh Temple, which was built in the year 1345. This temple contains marvelous examples of Lanna art including a Lanna style viharn and the finest scripture repository of its type in the north.

Continue by walking to Chedi Luang Temple, where the great chedi which was built at the end of 14th century is located. Even though it was destroyed in an earthquake in 1545, it was to remain the tallest structure in Chiang Mai till today.

You can proceed for making merits by giving requisites of life to the monks and receiving blessings from them at this special time.

Lunch served at the local restaurant

Depart to visit Wiang Kum Kam; which dates around 1287-1290. This site was later buried under mud when the river changed course during the Burmese period. The area was restored as a historical park during the 1980 s.

Start the tour with Wiang Kum Kam Information Center, to get a clearer picture of Wiang Kum Kam during former times. Continue to Chang Kam Temple, located in the heart of the city

Then visit E-Kang Temple, which was once covered with sand, but now its pagoda has emerged. The temple has been named as E-Kang because many monkeys used to reside here.

Proceed to Chedi Liem Temple, which has never been affected by flood. The main chedi was built around 1286 on a square base. The five tiers of the chedi contain 60 niches for Buddha images. Then transfer back to the hotel.

Then transfer back to the hotel.

Itinerary

Overnight: Chiang Mai
Meal:

DAY 8: CHIANG MAI / MAE KAMPONG VILLAGE

Travel to east of Chiang Mai route to Mae Kampong Village; a small community but offers numerous natural attractions such as a hill evergreen forest including forest tea orchards, many species of wild orchids, a seven-level waterfall and a stone cliff.

Join the villagers for a walk through the area and surrounding forest, stopping at the tea and coffee fields en route. Prepare lunch alongside a family in their house

Lunch served at the villager house

Followed by a traditional Thai massage to help you relax. Before returning to Chiang Mai, there is more time in Mae Kampong to discover other aspects of the rural lifestyle.

Then transfer back to the hotel

Itinerary

Overnight: Chiang Mai
Meal:

DAY 9: CHIANG MAI-PHUKET

Transfer

Itinerary

Overnight: Phuket
Meal:

DAY 10: PHUKET SIGHSEEING

After breakfast, depart to discover the interior of Phuket Island.

Visit a rubber plantation and gibbon rehabilitation project followed by a guided tour of the Thalang National Museum where you will get a glimpse of the former glory of Phuket.

Stop to sip a cup of locally grown coffee before ending the morning tour with a tour of a cashew nut factory and blessings at Wat Prathong, the island s oldest temple.

Return to the hotel for an afternoon at the beach.

Itinerary

Overnight: Phuket
Meal:

DAY 11: PHUKET FREE

Today free at leisure to relax on the beaches or take an optional snorkeling or boat trip to the nearby islands.

Itinerary

Overnight: Phuket
Meal:

DAY 12: PHUKET DEPARTURE

Transfer

Itinerary

Meal:

Meals

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12

FIT Group All

Rates: Essential Thailand

Service Class	FIT				Group
Service Class	1 Person	2 Person	3-4 Person	5-8 Person	9-16 Person	17-32 Person	33+ Person
Land Only	$ 2,879	$ 1,579	$ 1,239	$ 1,021	$ 197	$ 182	$ 161

Note: Price/Person in $ USD - US Dollar (1 USD = 33 THB - Thai Baht)

Inclusions:

All transfers air-conditioned vehicles within the journey, including pick-up at airport
A local English-speaking guide (other languages available upon request)
All admission fees as mentioned in the program
All meal as mentioned in the program

Exclusions