Bangkok to Chiang Mai Multi-Active Duration: 7 days / 6 nights Start: Bangkok Finish: Bangkok Price From: US$5,995 per person (based on 4 people, double occupancy) Request your date for exact pricing. Designed by Karen MacRae With stints living and working in Myanmar and Thailand before becoming B&R s Regional Director for India, Trip Designer Karen MacRae s resumé racked up nearly as many pages as her passport. This is one of our Private Ready-to-Book trips. Think of B&R s Ready-to-Book collection of carefully crafted itineraries as prêt-à-porter from your favourite designer. These trips showcase the essential highlights of each destination, and because they are set to go, booking your private trip couldn t be easier. Please note that your final itinerary may vary slightly from this one as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather though we d like to think there won t be any may also necessitate minor alterations. All pricing in U.S. dollars. 2015 Butterfield & Robinson Inc.
Your Journey Northern Thailand exudes both rustic beauty and serene elegance in every respect. The people have a vibrant character and culture, reflected in their carefree attitude a refreshing change compared to our frenetic pace in the West. Here you can really feel a special connection to a place when surrounded by the gracious and easy-going hospitality of the local people. We will bike through rice paddies, jungles, farmland and forests, exploring magnificent ancient temples along the way. By night, we ll marvel at exclusive traditional performances and enjoy memorable meals. By the journey s end, we ll experience a deep connection to this remote corner of the globe. Day 1 Bangkok, Thailand Your journey will begin in the bustling city of Bangkok. Upon your arrival at the airport, you will glide through the fast track at immigration and a private car will take you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you will be guided on a night tour of Bangkok to see how this sprawling metropolis shines after-hours. Discover Bangkok s energetic personality through its backstreets and lively markets. Meals: None Activity: Easy walking and public transport tour of Bangkok at night. Day 2 Early Bangkok was a kaleidoscope of colourful communities that first emerged across the river in Thonburi and the labyrinthine canals of Bang Luang before re-establishing on Rattanakosin Island. Starting with a stroll from the Portuguese settlements across the river, this walk highlights how Siamese, Chinese, Muslim, and European communities merged with early cottage industries to form the modern capital. You ll see the home of the famous reclining Buddha at the newly restored temples, Wat Arun and Wat Pho. Tonight, let Joe Cummings, writer for Lonely Planet and long time resident of Thailand, relay his vast knowledge and experiences at a private dinner in one Bangkok s terrific restaurants. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Activity: Easy but long walk around Bangkok with stops along the way.
HOTEL The Peninsula, Bangkok Peninsula luxury is met with sophisticated Thai charm for the ultimate cultural experience and luxury stay. Each guestroom and suite commands magnificent views of the river and cityscape and is decorated with silk-clad finishes and marble bathrooms. With all the conveniences of stateof-the-art technology and 24-hour service, guests are guaranteed a stay to remember. Chiang Mai, Thailand Day 3 Today you will fly to Chiang Mai, where your guide will host you on a great day visiting local sites in and around town, focusing on temples and food. In the historic centre of Chiang Mai, stroll around the ruined temple of Wat Chedi Luang. Next, explore Wat Phra Singh, home to the temple s namesake and Buddha statue, Phra Buddha Sihing. We'll try some local delicacies like northern Thai sausage, fresh Thai fruit and for lunch, the famous northern Thai style noodles khao soy. This afternoon visit the mountain temple of Doi Suthep. Later tonight, enjoy a traditional meal at an open air restaurant and top it all off with a visit to Chiang Mai s famed Night Bazaar. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Activity: Fly to Chiang Mai for a temple and food tour and visit the Night Bazaar. Day 4 Northern Thailand is half-engulfed by a stunning landscape. This morning, experience rural charm on our bike ride through lush valleys and rice paddies, passing mountain landscapes and local shrines along the way. These are the postcard visuals that make this area famous. Today s ride explores the communities and great outdoors north of the Mae Rim valley along the Ping River. This is a half-day ride; however, if you re up for a longer ride, we won t stop you, we ll lead you. The roads are mostly flat with a few mild hills and the ride ranges between 25-40 km (16-25 mi), or 3-5 hours round-trip. Experience lunch outdoors and get a taste of signature dishes from northern Thailand just as the locals do street side! We ve surveyed the best routes with great food stops, a nice blend of soft adventure and Lanna culture. We ll end our day at the Mae Rim market. Upon returning to your hotel, you may choose to visit the Mae Saa Waterfall or head to Doi Suthep temple for a breathtaking view of Chiang Mai. Dinner is on your own tonight. Take advantage of your hotel s central location and get out and explore. Your guide will be happy to recommend some of our favourites. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Activity: A 25-40 km (16-25 mi) ride through the countryside of Chiang Mai and see how the locals live. Day 5 Our day will begin with elephants! You will have an opportunity to participate in a wonderful elephant training program at Patara Elephant Camp located in Hang Dong Valley, 30 minutes south of Chiang Mai. Through this experience you will discover what makes these amazing creatures so great (beyond just their size). You will be an elephant connoisseur after learning what it takes to care for them. The camp offers extensive hands-on instruction, showing visitors how to feed the elephants, take care of the mother and her calf and check for health problems. Once you have bonded with the elephants, you will have an opportunity to ride and bathe them. After lunch, watch the elephants splash around in the waterfall, and join in if you wish! We ll drive back into town in the late afternoon. Dinner is on your own tonight, but we have some great suggestions. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Activity: Caring for elephants in the mountains of Chiang Mai, getting to know these gentle giants. Day 6 Today has more action than a James Bond film, with activities like caving, trekking and rafting around the Mae Taeng mountain range. From our rafting expedition along the Mae Taeng River, we can explore the Chiang Dao Caves, a series of deep caves channelling through porous limestone cliffs in the Chiang Dao region of Chiang Mai. We ll make our way through beautiful stalagmite-filled caverns and come across several old Burmese-style Buddhist sculptures. An eerily impressive expedition, the cave adventure consists of passing through four cave halls with a traditional Thai lantern. Tonight we will have a riverside dinner overlooking the Ping River, capping off your last day in this magical land by releasing fire lanterns off the pier. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Activity: A quintessential Thailand experience in the mountain of the Mae Taeng HOTEL 137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai The home-style residential concept at 137 Pillars House invites guests to participate in and enjoy the richness of a like-minded international community, while creating plenty of space for intimacy in sumptuous suites and throughout the tropical grounds.
Farewell Day 7 Today we will bring you back to the airport for your journey home. Safe travels! (Please discuss your travel itinerary with your trip designer, who will make domestic arrangements in the event connections aren t through Bangkok.)
The Details Pricing From: 2 travellers - US$6,995 per person (double occupancy) 4 travellers - US$5,995 per person (double occupancy) 6 travellers - US$5,995 per person (double occupancy) Christmas Supplement approximately US$1000 per person Start: Bangkok Finish: Bangkok or Chiang Mai Best time to visit: October May LEVEL OF ACTIVITY This trip is appropriate for people who enjoy a good walk or ride, and feel comfortable while on the move. Daily biking distances usually vary from 20 to 25 km (12 to 16 mi) and walks are 6 to 8 km (4 to 5 mi). WHAT S INCLUDED All hotel accommodation: Peninsula Grand Balcony Room & 137 Pillar House Rajah Brooke Suite Meals as indicated Services of B&R-trained local guide(s) Support vehicles during bike rides Use of a customized bicycle and helmet Water bottle All special events and private tours All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off WHAT S NOT INCLUDED International flights Cancellation insurance Items of a personal nature Gratuity for local guides & drivers