13 Days/12 Nights Departs Daily from Bangkok Thailand Discovery: Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Phitsanulok, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, & Phuket A true discovery of all the best of Thailand. This well-rounded experience sets off in the City of Angels, Bangkok, and then journeys through Thailand's historical heartland where the traditions, customs, and temples are most easily accessed. Wind down on the south eastern shore for a tropical beach escape. ACCOMMODATIONS 2 Nights Bangkok 1 Night Kanchanaburi 1 Night Phitsanulok 1 Night Lampang 2 Nights Chiang Rai 2 Nights Chiang Mai 3 Nights Phuket
INCLUSIONS Private Arrival & Departure Transfers Per City Private Grand Palace Half Day Tour Private Transfer from Bangkok Hotel to Kanchanaburi Hotel with Excursion en route Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi Hotel to Ayuttahaya to Phitsanulok Hotel with Excursion en route Private Transfer from Phitsanulok Hotel to Sukhothai to Lampang Hotel with Excursions en route Private Transfer from Lampang Hotel to Chiang Rai Hotel with Excursions en route The Golden Triangle Tour Private Transfer from Chiang Rai Hotel to Chiang Mai Hotel with Excursion en route Phang Nga Bay & Khai Island by Speedboat Daily Breakfast ARRIVE BANGKOK: Arrival in Bangkok. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Bangkok. (Accommodations, Bangkok) BANGKOK: Private Grand Palace Tour The Grand Palace is a must see for every visitor to Bangkok. Located close to the banks of the Chao Phraya River (The River of Kings), the Grand Palace is the perfect example of an ancient Siamese court. Within the compound is the Temple of The Emerald Buddha (Wat Pra Kaew) which houses Thailand's most precious image of the Lord Buddha. The Emerald Buddha is believed to have supernatural powers and is dressed in robes according to the season by the King of Thailand himself. (Breakfast, Lunch, & Accommodations, Bangkok) BANGKOK TO KANCHANABURI:
This tour takes you to the world-famous Bridge on the River Kwai. Built during World War Two by prisoners of war, the bridge is located near the town of Kanchanaburi 130 km west of Bangkok. About 9,000 allied POWs died while building the bridge and the infamous death railway which passes over it. You will visit the JEATH War Museum, where you can view the many historical exhibits. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. After lunch you'll visit Hellfire Pass Memorial, a part of the Death Railway that was cut through the Stone Mountain during World War II. Nowadays there are walking trails and also a museum dedicated to all Allied prisoners of war and Asian laborers who suffered and died at Hellfire Pass and elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region during the WWII. (Breakfast, Bangkok; Lunch & Accommodations, Kanchanaburi) KANCHANABURI TO PHITSANULOK: We leave Kanchanaburi in the morning, heading in northerly direction to Ayutthaya, which used to be the capital of Siam from 1350 to 1767. The city was almost completely destroyed after an invasion by the Burmese in 1767 and today only the remains of the once so impressive temples and palaces remind us of its glorious past. We will visit the gigantic bronze statues of Wat Mongkol Borpitr, three ancient pagodas at Wat Phra Sri Sanpetch and Wat Panancherng. Continue to Lopburi to visit Phra Prang Sam Yod, a temple with three towers and impressive ornaments as well as the shrine of the Hindu Goddess Kali at the Sarn Phra Karn temple. Lunch at a local restaurant. We continue to travel further north towards Phitsanulok, an important traffic meeting point at the River Nan. Many houseboats can be found along the river. Overnight in Phitsanulok. (Breakfast, Kanchanaburi; Lunch & Accommodations, Phitsanulok) PHITSANULOK TO LAMPANG: After breakfast, stop at Wat Phra Sri Mahatat, a temple built in the 13th century with its sacred Buddha Jinaraj, one of the most beautiful Buddha statues in Thailand. Proceed to Sukhothai to visit the Historical Park of Siam's former capital - Wat Mahathat, Wat Sri Chum, and others. Drive on to Lampang for overnight. Overnight in Lampang. (Breakfast, Phitsanulok; Accommodations, Lampang) LAMPANG TO CHIANG RAI: This morning, we visit the famous Emerald Buddha of Ko Kah and Wat Phra Keo
Don Tao with interesting Burmese style temple. Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, a paradigm of temple building of Lanna. The temple itself is prominently sited on a hillock surrounded by wall. The entrance arches, called Pratu Khong, is adorned with fine plaster designs. The wall-less main Vihan houses a bronze Buddha statue called the Phra Chao Lan Thong. To the back is a golden Chedi in Lanna architectural style containing a Holy Relic. Also in the back is another Vihan with beautiful murals on wooden walls, said to be the oldest in the North. The temple also has a large collection of ancient wooden utensils. Then drive further north to Chiang Rai and check-in at your hotel. (Breakfast, Lampang; Accommodations, Chiang Rai) CHIANG RAI: Private Golden Triangle Tour Chiang Rai region is a beautiful and mountainous area, and shares borders with Laos and Myanmar. As a result of the political instability in bordering countries, many groups of Hill Tribes migrated into northern Thailand over the centuries. On this tour, you will drive north, via up-country villages, to visit the colorful Yao and Akha tribal villages in Mae Chan district. These Hill tribes have settled their homes at one location and have established improved standards of living under supervision of the Thai government and with the support of Royal Projects. The tour continues to Mae Sai - the northern-most town in Thailand, at the border of Myanmar. Visit high quality and skilled Jade cutting factory and find bargains at the colorful border town market of Mae Sai. After lunch in a local restaurant, drive along the border to The Golden Triangle where three countries converge - Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. This area was well known as the World's largest Opium trading center. Enjoy wonderful views of The Golden Triangle from the hilltops. (Breakfast & Accommodations, Chiang Rai) CHIANG RAI TO CHIANG MAI: Depart in the morning and proceed further north throughout a beautiful landscape in the direction of Chiang Mai. After arrival in Chiang Mai you will visit a landmark of the North, the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. The temple originates from the 13th century and is located 1050m above sea level. From up there you can enjoy a beautiful view over the city of Chiang Mai. (Breakfast, Chiang Rai; Accommodations, Chiang Mai)
CHIANG MAI: After breakfast, explore on your own. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (Breakfast & Accommodations, Chiang Mai) CHIANG MAI TO PHUKET: Transfer to the airport. Arrival in Phuket and transfer to your hotel of choice. (Breakfast, Chiang Mai; Accommodations, Phuket) PHUKET: After breakfast, explore this enchanting area on your own. Overnight in Phuket. (Breakfast & Accommodations, Phuket) PHUKET: Phang Nga Bay & Khai Island with Seacave Canoe by Speed Boat This special full-day trip offers you an excursion for exploring Phang Nga Bay with a visit to Khai Nai Island by speedboat. The discovery of Phang Nga Bay will make you excited with lots of fascinating islands and limestone outcrops. Along the bay, you will enjoy scenic views of fauna and flora at Panak Island and the amazing limestone mountains at Hong Island. This trip also offers you a visit to Tapu Island ("James Bond Island"), Talu Cave, the fishing village called Ban Tak Dad, and the landscape of mangrove forest. Another visit is the Muslim Village called Koh Panyi which has been entirely built on pillars for 150 years. Then you will have leisure time to relax, swim, and snorkel at Khai Nai Island, a small, lovely island surrounded by coral reefs featuring white sandy beaches and colorful fish.
Overnight in Phuket. (Breakfast & Accommodations, Phuket) DEPART PHUKET: Transfer to the airport to continue on to your next Avanti destination! (Breakfast, Phuket)