Siamese Discovery. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai & Trang

Transcription

1 Siamese Discovery Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai & Trang

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3 Background Smiling Albino s Siamese Discovery takes you to lesser-visited but not less spectacular sights throughout Thailand. Featuring the best of urban and rural areas, and creative boutique accommodations, this adventure focuses on outstanding food, smooth transitions, and the opportunity to meet fascinating local characters along the way. This is an epic twelve day, multi-activity trip designed with an eye to value, authenticity and seamlessness, creates a total quality experience. You ll experience a colorful concoction of fun in the city that is Bangkok, from must see temples to interesting alley-side bars and hidden neighbourhoods. Enjoy a day of casual cycling between floating markets outside of Bangkok before flying to Chiang Mai, ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom, to completely shift gears (literally). We ll drive our own tuk tuks south, making our way to Siam s birthplace of Sukhothai before rounding off this historic and immersive Siamese experience exploring the villages, caves and beaches of Trang in the South. Add it all up and you ve got a once-in-a-lifetime Siamese discovery adventure. Prepare to be hosted!

4 Day 1: Welcome to Bangkok! We ll be there as you step off the plane to Fast Track you through VIP immigration and baggage collection. You ll be introduced to your Bangkok host in the Arrival hall and be privately escorted to your hotel. Enjoy the day relaxing by the pool or exploring on your own and get ready for tonight's main event - Headlights! Headlights is your chance to experience One Night in Bangkok. Typically the evening begins with a walk through various interesting neighbourhoods followed by some great local food, a cocktail in a unique spot, and a fascinating visit through market areas and historic districts. The trip can be customized to suit your interests (such as more food grazing, less markets, or more culture, less glitz, etc.). Exploration by: walking, three-wheeled tuk-tuk and SkyTrain Meals: D Accommodation Suggestions 4-star: - Ariyasom Villa, boutique and convenient - Riva Surya, luxury boutique riverside convenient - Chann Riverside luxury boutique riverside - Shanghai Mansion luxury boutique Chinatown theme

5 Day 2: Bangkok Unwrapped Never the same twice, this flexible excursion goes deep into lesser-visited neighborhoods, discovering historic sites, stunning temples and ancient workshops. You ll visit old Chinese mansions, marvel at 200 year-old murals painted by Thailand s foremost artists at the time, watch craftsmen hammer out beautiful bronze bowls over open flames and sample cake made from a 500 year old recipe in an old Portuguese settlement. We recognize the fact that the Grand Palace and Wat Pho are famous highlights and considered must-sees for some guests we can always fit them in the best way possible at the start or end of this adventure. We find many of our guests now opt-out of these crowded sites in preference for the immersive and unique trips we design for them in Bangkok. Full day, approx. 9am-4pm Exploration by: Multi-transport walking, boats, tuk-tuks and SkyTrain. Meals: B, L Accommodation suggestions 4-star: - Ariyasom Villa, boutique and convenient - Riva Surya, luxury boutique riverside convenient - Chann Riverside luxury boutique riverside - Shanghai Mansion luxury boutique Chinatown theme

6 Day 3: Cycling the Floating Markets This morning we ll pick you up at your hotel and drive about an hour-and-a-half to an authentic charming floating market. Enjoy riding a paddle boat along the canal, trying local snacks sold by local people and seeing a way of life that has gone on undisturbed for hundreds of years - truly a long way from the big city life of Bangkok. From here we ll get on mountain bikes and enjoy a casual ride along the Mae Khlong River to a number of key sites including the Church of the Virgin Mary, Wat Bang Goong and through various orchards and coconut plantations. Our goal for lunch is Amphawa Floating Market, a very neat, new take on floating markets. From here we ll board a boat and head down river to the Railway Market, this charming cacophony that is Thailand plays out a Talad Rom Hoob as the train station doubles as a market, seeing locals scamper to fold up stalls when trains pass. From here, we ll head to the airport for the flight to Chiang Mai.

7 Day 3 continued Chiang Mai First Date After checking into your hotel and freshening up, we ll take you on a unique adventure exploring a large swath of Chiang Mai s evening attractions. Sit back, relax and enjoy the experience aboard our six-seater tuk tuk. Your chauffeur will skillfully pick the best routes through town allowing you to see and experience much more than you would be able to by foot or even a four-wheeled vehicle. We ll enjoy a northern Thai feast for dinner and end up at one of the many night markets or walking streets depending on the day of the week. Pick up time: 8:00am Cycling: 10km (paved roads), van support is provided for non-riders Activities: casual cycling, boat ride, walking Flight: late afternoon TBA Meals: B, L, D Accommodation suggestions 4-star: - Tamarind, boutique and convenient - Na Nirand, romantic boutique riverside - Rachamanka luxury boutique convenient

8 Day 4: Chiang Mai Life and Legends Chiang Mai means "New City" and was so named because it became the new capital of the Lanna Kingdom when it was founded in Today, we ll explore key historical sites that tell the story of Chiang Mai s colorful history while getting to know the local life, customs and fabulous northern Thai cuisine. We ll start by ascending Doi Suthep, a 1,676 metre (5,499 ft) mountain overlooking the city of Chiang Mai. It is an important and revered site with an intriguing legend and a perfect vantage point to plan the day s adventure through the ancient city below. On the way back to town, we ll stop off at Wat Umong, a 700 year-old temple set in tranquil shaded woods, famous for the tunnels below it s large chedi, which display original wall paintings from the 13th century. Next we ll stop off at one of our favourite local restaurants to indulge in some northern culinary specialties before visiting Wiang Kum Kam, a historic settlement along the Ping River which predates the city of Chiang Mai. This is a large archaeological site with many beautiful ruins in various stages of restoration. We can explore on foot or take a horse cart around the pleasant historical park. We ll then explore the vast grounds of Wat Chedi Luang, the

9 first temple of Chiang Mai, before strolling through some of the charming streets of the Old City and returning to your hotel. Flexible touring means we can explore as much or as little as you like - your wish is our command! Time: 09:00-16:00, flexible Meals: B, L Accommodation suggestions 4-star: - Tamarind, boutique and convenient - Na Nirand, romantic boutique riverside - Rachamanka luxury boutique convenient

10 Day 5: Self-drive Tuk Tuk to Hod After breakfast, we ll embark on a scenic adventure using rather unconventional (but loads of fun) vehicles - tuk tuks! After a quick training course, jump behind the controls and self-drive your tuk tuk through the rice fields, river valleys and national parks of southern Chiang Mai province to the town of Hod. This choice of transportation allows you to really experience the sights, sounds and scents of the countryside while being able to stop for a photo or snack at your choosing. This is where the saying getting there is half the fun is emphasized! On arrival in Hod, check-in to the resort and relax. We ll have dinner at a local restaurant tonight. Tuk Tuk: 100 km Accommodation: Phu-Anna Eco House, Hod Meals: B, L, D

11 Day 6: Grand Canyons and Ancient Villages Today we ll depart Hod in our air-conditioned van and drive to the old teakwood town of Li. On the way, we ll stop off at Pha Singh Leaw Canyon, a unique rock formation created by millennia of erosion. Lunch will be at a local favourite restaurant in Li. We ll continue on after lunch through teak and fruit plantations to our day s destination, Baan Pailyn Resort. Accommodation: Baan Pailyn Resort Lamphun Meals: B, L, D

12 Day 7: From Khmer Ruins to the Birth of Thailand After a leisurely breakfast, we ll follow a route the ancient Khmers took as they consolidated their power over Southeast Asia in Angkor. Passing over a mountain range through pristine forests, we ll head to Si Satchanalai Historical Park. Spread out over forested hills and plains along the Yom River, the ruins of an 11th century Khmer city through to 16th century Sukhothai-era temples and pottery factories make for a fascinating discovery. This remote historical park draws far less visitors than its contemporaries allowing you the peace and quiet to reflect upon the remains of two impressive ancient Kingdoms.. From Si Satchanalai, we ll continue on to Sukhothai, the birthplace of modern Thailand. Check in and relax, enjoy a swim at the resort s pool. Meals: B, L Accommodation: Tharaburi Resort

13 Day 8: Dawn of Happiness Good morning! Sukhothai translates as Dawn of Happiness and was founded by two Thai chieftains who declared independence from the great Khmer empire. The inception of the first Sukhothai King in 1238 traditionally marks the founding of the modern Thai nation. The old capital 10km outside of New Sukhothai, but right next to our resort is in ruins and located in a 800-acre historical park. This morning, we'll walk the grounds of the Sukhothai Historic Park, and visit the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum, which offers a comprehensive look at life during the Sukhothai era through the sculptures and antiquities on display. After lunch, we ll visit Kamphaeng Phet, the Diamond Wall built to defend Sukhothai from the Khmer, and later the Burmese. This UNESCO world heritage site is a beautiful site to spend an afternoon walking amongst the ancient ruins in the shade of the forest. You ll encounter few other visitors here. Tonight, we ll take you out for a traditional Sukhothai feast. Meals: B, L, D Accommodation: Tharaburi Resort

14 Day 9: Fly to Trang This morning, we ll catch connecting flights to Trang in Thailand s deep south. After checking in, we ll visit one of Trang s unique local cave formations, steeped in layers of folklore and intrigue. Khao Pina Cave - Khao Pina is hollow mountain on the mainland that looks like an upside down wok. Located at the foot of the mountain is Wat Pina, a temple where a reclining Buddha image is enshrined at the cave entrance. Concrete stairs allow visitors to explore the cave s beauty, with options of three trails offering a panoramic view. Lush forests and a tranquil environment make for a perfect place for relaxation. Meals: B, L Flight: morning, connecting through Bangkok Accommodation: Sivalai Ko Mook Resort - 4-star* Upgrade: Anantara Trang Si Kao - 5-star* *Day 9 & 10 itineraries will be adjusted to best fit accommodation choice

15 Day 10: Caves, Beaches and Lagoons Today we ll have an early morning excursion to Emerald Cave on Koh Muk. We ll enter through a small entrance only 10 metres wide and depending on tides, we can swim or wade 80 metres through a dark tunnel. The reward when you reach the centre is breathtaking. You ll find you re in a secret lagoon surrounded by high cliffs of lush greenery and a pure white sandy beach under the open skies. The sunlight filters through the sea water creating the stunning emerald colour. From here we re well situated for a morning of beach bliss at Koh Kradan and Koh Waan, for some of the nicest sand in Thailand. Enjoy a swim and some snorkeling in crystal clear waters and feast on a beach picnic lunch. We ll return to the hotel early afternoon and chill-out for the rest of the day Accommodation: Sivalai Ko Mook Resort - 4-star* Upgrade: Anantara Trang Si Kao - 5-star* *Day 9 & 10 itineraries will be adjusted to best fit accommodation choice

16 Day 11: Caves and Community Khao Kop Cave. This is one of the ultimate unseen Thailand adventure experiences! We ll row boats along a canal which flows from Banthat Mountain and tunnels right underneath Khao Kop and narrows into labyrinthine channels with low rock ceilings, creating a surreal almost lunar-undersea-landscape like no other. The nearby Tam Le Village eco-education and forest preserve is an interesting example of community-based forest preservation. The community preserves local teptaro wood to create natural health products, in addition to its mission to conserve the natural forest area and provide an example for living under the sufficiency economy practices espoused by former King Bhumibol of Thailand. The stunning giant dragon sculptures made from collected driftwood and unused teptaro makes this worthy of a stop in and of itself. During the afternoon there are several options for local outreach or eco-tourism activities, or visiting the old town of Kantang and it s vintage railway station and old rubber baron home-cum-museums.

17 Trang province is famous for the dugong, an endangered sea mammal which are visible several times during the year. We ll arrange dugong spotting with a local conservation expert, seagrass planting to provide habitat for fish and small marine life, in addition to a charming local outreach project supporting local communities creating products using nipa palm leaves. Back to hotel around 4pm; chill time Accommodation: Sivalai Ko Mook Resort - 4-star Upgrade: Anantara Trang Si Kao - 5-star Day 12: Departure After breakfast, you will have a private transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Bangkok connecting to your onward flight home. We will have an airport representative meet you as you leave the plane to assist you with your airport transit. Pope kan mai na! (until we meet again)

18 INCLUDING : English Speaking hosts All transportation and logistics 11 nights accommodation with daily breakfast Internal airline tickets (Bangkok - Chiang Mai, Sukhothai - Trang) Personalized Adventure Kit Most meals as indicated, drinks and snacks Private airport transfers at all locations Admissions and executive care The only surprises are good ones. We ve got you covered. EXCLUDING : International arrival and Departure flights Personal expenses, alcohol drinks, laundry, souvenirs, meals are not indicated. Additional activities that are not indicated in itinerary

19 The Smiling Albino Service Difference We understand implicitly that a perfect adventure is much more than nice hotels, great meals and hassle-free logistics. For a travel experience to be perfect, all pieces must work together like a symphony. It is the fine details which our guests appreciate most, like cold face towels after a hike, electrolyte beverages for your day cycling, and wine uncorked when the moment is right. From local maps to bottled water and colorful anecdotes on the areas we visit, a Smiling Albino adventure is a thorough, intimately hosted experience. We will also provide you with a complimentary mobile phone/sim card for your use throughout your stay. You ll be treated with executive care during your Smiling Albino adventure. We look forward to hosting you! The Team at Smiling Albino Smiling Albino - Bangkok, Thailand info@smilingalbino.com - Ph: "See a different part of the world, differently"