THAILAND FAMILY ADVENTURE 10 days/9 nights Bangkok Chiang Mai - Phuket TCTFA

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1 THAILAND FAMILY ADVENTURE 10 days/9 nights Bangkok Chiang Mai - Phuket TCTFA Day 1: Arrival Bangkok (-/-/D) Arrival at Bangkok International Airport, you will be welcomed by our guide and transfer to the hotel. Evening, enjoy an exquisite Thai Dinner at your choice of the best located riverside restaurants against the stunning backdrop of the Rattanakosin skyline at The Deck with the fantastic view of illuminated Wat Arun or enjoy an artistic dining experience at Studio 9 ** dining theatre by the river with the majestic night scenery of Bangkok Grand Palace and Chao Phraya River (Note: Free Stage performance at Studio 9 is available on Fridays and Saturdays at 19.30) Overnight in Bangkok Day 2: Bangkok Visit to the Museum Siam, a newly opened discovery museum - a stone s throw away from major landmarks in Rattanakosin Island. The museum was awarded for preserving the original architecture of the building it resides in. With signboards displaying explanations in both Thai and English, it allows both local and foreign visitors to gain a comprehensive insight into the history of Thailand, or Siam as it was previously known as. Designed with children in mind, there are many exhibits with interactive features and video presentations to engage visitors of all ages. Lunch at a local restaurant Continue by Tuk Tuk to The Grand Palace, the number one must see attraction as well as Thailand s most important landmark, where you will be awed by the grandeur and majesty of the building and its throne halls. Then, of course, marvel at the mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. Visit Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), the Bangkok s oldest temple is home to the magnificent reclining Buddha as well as the first school of traditional medicine and Thai massage. Relax your tiring muscles with a session of massage with well-trained masseuses, or your kids can even experience an hour body massage. Overnight in Bangkok Day 3: Bangkok Chiang Mai In the morning, let us take you on an exhilarating long tail boat ride through the klongs of Bangkok to Nonthaburi in the far north of the city, where the cityscape turns into countryside and the skyscrapers give way to teak houses, noodle shops, fruit orchards and rice fields. Stop at one of the riverside temples to release the turtles for the blessing trips and best luck then continue on the river then another stop to walk through a bustling local market place and discover a riverside temple with an impressive reclining Buddha far from the tourist crowds. We will often stop for a fresh coconut juice and chat with the locals before cruising back into town. Thailand Family Adventure 1

2 Afternoon is free at leisure to explore the city of angles at your own pace or just relax at your hotel and get ready for the journey to the north. Your guide will meet you at hotel in the late afternoon and transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to Bangkok Railway Station for an overnight train ride to Chiang Mai. Overnight onboard the train. Day 4: Chiang Mai Arrive at Chiang Mai Railway in the morning. Then transfer to the hotel in Chiang Mai for fresh up and breakfast before head-out for Chiang Mai City discovery by local trishaw. Take you to explore ancient and modern Chiang Mai including the city s most important places. Experience your own private blessing ceremony at Wat Pantao. Visit Wat Suan Dok, where the ashes of Chiang Mai s royal family are interred, Wat Phra Singh, home to an old and sacred Buddha image, and Wat Chedi Luang, where the famous Emerald Buddha was once enshrined. Drive around the old city walls and gates and see markets, residential areas, foreign Consulates, Government buildings and Tapae, Chiang Mai s main street. Stops are made at Chiang Mai University grounds, Monument of Three Kings (who established Chiang Mai as the Capital of Lanna Thai Kingdom), and Buak Haad Public Park. Lunch at Just Khao Soy, a restaurant for northern specialty Khao Soy -noodles in curry soup Drive to the mountain temple of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the most famous landmark of Chiang Mai. Climb the Naga staircase to visit the exquisite golden pagoda. The sound of temple bells fills the air and the view overlooking the city makes an irresistible photo opportunity. Afterwards drive up the mountain by songtaew onto a rough dirt road to the Chang Khien Coffee Research Project where you can enjoy a cup of the local arabica surrounded by fabulous gardens of flowers. Continue to the white Hmong village of Chang Khien where the 800 inhabitants still wear their traditional hill tribe clothes and practice a culture that dates back 500 years. Overnight in Chiang Mai Day 5: Chiang Mai Mae Teang Drive north to a Lisu village where you pick up your mountain bike and cycle for an hour or so along quiet, easy country roads through serene rural scenery to the Mae Taeng River where you are met by your elephant. Climb aloft and ride along narrow jungle paths for about an hour, with views of mountains and the river below, to the rafting camp. You will have a picnic lunch in this beautiful spot before boarding a rubber raft after a brief training session, and paddle downstream through the sometimes calm, sometimes exciting waters of the river. Disembark for a visit to an exotic and very friendly Akha hill tribe village where you take tea with a family. Cycle ride back to the Lisu village (45 mn) before returning to Chiang Mai. Overnight in Chiang Mai Day 6: Chiang Mai Mae Kampong (B/L/D) Depart by minivan for Mae Kampong village in Mae On district, driving through the picturesque countryside of Chiang Mai. The village is nestled 1,300 meters above sea level Thailand Family Adventure 2

3 and has a cool climate all year long. En route a stop is made at a local market to select ingredients for today s dinner. Continue to Mae Kampong village where you are met upon arrival by villagers. Start a stroll through the community forest, passing tea and coffee fields to a refreshing waterfall where picnic lunch will be served. Return to the village in the afternoon to relax with a traditional Thai massage, and join your host family to prepare the dinner. OPTIONAL ACTIVITY : Flight of the Gibbon (Not suitable for children under 7 years old / 120 cm): Afternoon observe jungle life from a unique perspective, once reserved for a select group of scientists and primates: an exhilarating opportunity to soar through the rainforest canopy on zip lines and sky bridges via the Flight of the Gibbon experience. Additional charge: THB 2,000 per person (Adult & Child) Overnight in Mae Kampong Day 7: Mae Kampong Chiang Mai Phuket A hot breakfast will be served with your hosts while the morning mist is being swept away from the valley by the cool mountain wind. Take a walk around the village to see the processing of fermented tea leaves, and various products which are hand-made in the village. After a last cup of local coffee, head back towards Chiang Mai stopping on the way at Sankampaeng Hot Springs, a popular recreation area for locals. The water has a temperature in excess of 100 degrees centigrade and attempts have even been made to harness this energy! Transfer back to Chiang Mai Airport for your flight to Phuket. Arrive at Phuket Airport. Then transfer to your hotel Continue to the spectacular show inspired by Thailand s rich and exotic heritage - Phuket FantaSea - a 140-acre theme complex which showcases the beauty of Thailand. This complex visits ancient Thai traditions with the wonder of cutting edge technology and special effects and is packed with a multitude of activities and entertainment; a festival village which has games, carnivals, handicrafts and shopping. A breath taking Las Vegas style theatrical show, where state-of-the-art technology and special effects enhance the beauty of Thailand's Myths, Mysteries and Magic is performed. Overnight in Phuket Day 8: Phuket You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to Bang Rong Pier which is located in the northeast of Phuket Island and is surrounded by a beautiful mangrove forest. You will be welcomed with local coffee/tea and traditional Thai snacks. Travel to Koh Yao Noi by long-tail boat. Visit Koh Yao Noi by song-taew (open-air local transportation) with a village leader to learn about the community, stop at a local Muslim school that we will visit to experience their way of life. On a short walk through a local market, you will have the opportunity to experience the culture of this island and interact with the local people. Visits to a rubber plantation, rice field and fishing village, these industries provide the local people with their most important sources of income. Thailand Family Adventure 3

4 A fresh seafood lunch will be provided at a local house (not a restaurant), you will get a chance to interact with a local family and see how they live. The end of tour will be a stop at Koh Nork where you can swim or relax on this remote island. Soft drinks & fruit will be served. Return to your hotel after a memorable trip. Overnight in Phuket Day 9: Phuket Day is free at leisure to relax at the beach or book the optional tours to one of the islands. Overnight in Phuket Day 10: Phuket Departure Day is free at leisure until the time for depart from the hotel to Phuket Airport for your onward flight. ** END OF SERVICE ** Thailand Family Adventure 4

5 RATES & CONDITIONS SUPERIOR CLASS Accommodation City Hotel Name Room Type Bangkok Holiday Inn Silom Premier Room Bangkok Chiang Mai Overnight Train 1 st Class Cabin Chiang Mai U Chiang Mai Hotel Superior Room Chiang Mai Mae Kampong Homestay Dormitory Style Phuket The Aspasia Deluxe Grand Garden Tour Prices (THAI BAHT) Please contact your travel agent or Period 26 Jan - 30 Apr 09 SHARED IN 1 BEDROOM + 1 Child SEPARATED IN 2 BEDROOMS + 3 Children 01 May - 31 Oct 09 Note: - Child / Children s ages must not over 12 years old Holiday Inn Silom - Peak Season surcharge during 25 Feb Mar 09 = 1,470 Baht per room per night DELUXE CLASS Accommodation City Hotel Name Room Type Bangkok Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa Deluxe Room Bangkok Chiang Mai Overnight Train 1 st Class Cabin Chiang Mai Rati Lanna Riverside Resort & Spa Deluxe Room Chiang Mai Mae Kampong Homestay Dormitory Style Phuket Indigo Pearl Hotel Kelly Quarters Thailand Family Adventure 5

6 Tour Prices (THAI BAHT) Please contact your travel agent or Period 26 Jan - 15 Apr Apr - 31 Oct 09 SHARED IN 1 BEDROOM + 1 Child Note: - Child / Children s ages must not over 12 years old SEPARATED IN 2 BEDROOMS + 3 Children Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa - Peak Season surcharge during Jan 09 = 660 Baht per room per night - Peak Season surcharge during Apr 09 = 660 Baht per room per night Inclusive: Accommodation in selected hotel Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner). English or French speaking guide Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle Entrance fees for mentioned visits Exclusive: Other meals than mentioned Other services than mentioned International and Domestic Flights Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature ADDITIONAL AIRFARES incl. taxes Route (One way ticket) Chiang Mai Phuket Phuket - Bangkok Airline Thai Airways Int l Thai Airways Int l Prices (per person) Note: All airfares, taxes and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. Please contact your travel agent or Thailand Family Adventure 6