8 Days – 7 Nights
Bangkok – Chiang Mai , Thailand
24th May – 31st May 2014
Prepared for :-
Mr George Booth
Travel Tree (Australasia) Pty. Ltd.
Prepared By :
June Bidin
Tour East (T.E.T.) Ltd.
Tel: +66-2-237 6144 ; Email : june@toureast.net
19th June 2013
DAY 1 – 24 MAY 2014 – SATURDAY
17: 25 Arrival with SQ976. Transfer to your hotel in Bangkok
Free and easy upon arrival
Evening Option : Guide to accompany group dining at one of the local restaurant
DAY 2 – 25 MAY 2014 – SUNDAY
AM Old Bangkok in Tuk Tuk
Experience the city like the locals by riding in a Tuk Tuk (15-30 minutes) around Rattanakosin Island (old part of Bangkok). Pass by the historical building, hundred years old temples, garden & parks, and magnificent monuments along the way. A police escort will ensure your group will have a smooth ride in the midst of Bangkok infamous traffic.
After the Tuk Tuk ride, we visit the Grand Palace, once the official home for the Kings of Siam. Dubbed as the “must see” for all visitors to Bangkok, The Grand Palace complex includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keow) an unquestionably one of the wonders of the world today with its impressive Buddha image, carved from one piece of Jade, which is the holiest and most revered of religious objects in Thailand today. There are also the Royal Funeral Hall and the Royal Coronation Hall opened for visitors.
Next we visit The Siam Museum. This fun new museum is not your the ordinary museum that only display ancients artefacts. In fact it uses the modern technology to explore the origins of the Thai people and their culture. Housed in a European-style 19th-century building that was once the Ministry of Commerce, the exhibits are presented in an engaging, interactive fashion not often found in Thailand. They are also refreshingly balanced and entertaining, with galleries dealing with a range of questions about the origins of the nation and its people. Each room has an informative narrated video started by a sensory detector, keeping waiting to a minimum. An Ayuthaya-era battle game, a room full of traditional Thai toys and a street vending cart where you can be photographed pretending to whip up a pan of the local street food which will definitely help keep the younger as well as the matured visitors interested for at least an hour.
After all the visit we board the converted rice barge to cross the Chao Phraya river for Lunch at the Supatra River House – Thai cuisine.
Optional Afternoon Tour – Long Tail Boat Ride (30-45 minutes)
Ride the fast long tail boat along the Chao Phraya River going inside the smaller canal for a glimpse of the life along the river.
Return to the hotel and free & easy upon arrival.
Dining at Local Thai Restaurant
Overnight in Bangkok
DAY 3 – 26 MAY 2014 – MONDAY
AM Early breakfast
06:30 Leave Bangkok for Floating Market and Sampran Riverside
A glimpse of everyday life in Thailand can be seen at the Damnern Saduak floating market. An exhilarating narrow long-tailed speedboat ride through the marshes and stilt houses prepares you for this unique market.
Thai style canoes laden with colourful fruits, vegetables, sweets and meats gently ply their way through the canal.
We continue our journey to Sampran Riverside – half an hour away from the floating market. Lunch will be at the restaurant by the Riverside.
After lunch you will be treated to a Thai Village show which includes cultural activities, a wedding ceremony, Thai dancing, an elephant show and a whole host of other activities.
Options:
• Special half an Hour session with the elephants afterwards can be arranged to feed the elephant or simply play with the elephants.
• Foot Massage / Head & Shoulder Massage at Sampran Riverside
17:00 Estimated arrival in Bangkok
Free and easy evening
Evening Dinner at Dine In The Dark
DAY 4 – 27 MAY 2014 – TUESDAY
AM/ PM Free and easy
17:00 Asiatique Night Market
We board the Sky Train for the fastest way to get to Asiatique . Upon arrival at the Boat pier, we take the public boat transfer to Asiatique. A 10-minutes ride will take you to Asiatique. Recently opened Asiatique is Bangkok latest event venue for a night of fun entertainment.
Modelled after Bangkok’s four major trade districts, ASIATIQUE, The Riverfront weaves together all the essential elements that define what Bangkok was, as well as redefine what it is and what it will become in the near future.
Find both traditional and modern Thai culture through performing arts, Thai puppets by Joe Louis Theatre and Calypso Show as well as more than 1,000 retail shops selling Thai handicrafts, Thai desserts and snacks, souvenirs home décor and spas. Thai and International fine dining establishment and sports bars can be found along the 300 meter promenade overlooking the mighty Chao Phraya river.
Dinner at one of the restaurant at Asiatique – Thai / French / Japanese / Western / Italian
OPTION
• Joe Louis Puppet Theatre
• Foot Massage / Head & Shoulder Massage
Return to the hotel by coach all the way.
DAY 5 – 28 MAY 2014 – WEDNESDAY
07:30 Leave your hotel for Hua Lumphong Train Station
08:20 Train departs to Chiang Mai
20:30 Estimated arrival in Chiang Mai
Transfer to your hotel in Chiang Mai
DAY 6 – 29 MAY 2014 – THURSDAY
08:00 Half Day With The Elephant – Life as An Elephant Caretaker (Mahout)
A pleasant morning is spent in the company of these magnificent gentle giants. In present day Thailand, elephants are only used as tremendously powerful beasts of burden. But in the earlier times, they were a vital part of the King’s army and played a very important role in Thai History.
We will drive approximately 60 km. north of Chiang Mai to the Elephant Camp. In an unspoiled setting, marvel at these colossal beasts of burden performing amazing feats of strength and skill, at the command of their ‘mahouts’.
You may try your skills and command the elephant yourself! Shower with the elephant if you wish!
Then follows an exhilarating elephant trek through the neighboring jungle, past bamboo trees and hanging creepers, upwards towards a remote Lisu hilltribe village. The Lisu hilltribe people originated in Tibet and their villages are usually located in the mountains around 1000 metres. Local lunch is provided. Then comes the time for your relaxing bamboo raft trip along the River. On return to Chiang Mai, the journey continues by road to an Orchid Farm at Mae Sa displaying a full variety of some of Thailand’s exquisite blooms.
16:00 Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
19:00 In the evening, we take a short trishaw ride (15 mins) to the Whole Earth restaurant.
DAY 7 – 30 MAY 2014 – FRIDAY
08:30 Chiang Mai Exploration Tour
The city of Chiang Mai has a wealth of beautiful and historic Buddhist Wats (temples), and on this tour a visit to the most fascinating Wats is made. Near the summit of Doi Suthep, is the 600 year old temple of WAT PHRATHAT DOI SUTHEP. After a drive up the mountain’s winding road, the final climb to the site is via an enormous mythological Nagas (Dragon-headed serpent) staircase of 306 steps (elevators are available). Inside the cloister is an intriguing copper-plated chedi topped by a five-tier gold parasol, which contains partial relics of Lord Buddha. On a clear day, there are incomparable views over the city of Chiang Mai from the temple grounds. Other temples visited on this tour include WAT SUAN DOK, whose large central stupa contains Buddha relics which supposedly self-multiplied! , and WAT CHEDI LUANG consists of an impressive chedi, originally built in 1411. It reached a height of over 85 meters before it was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. It now reaches a height of only 60 meters. The temple also contains the city pillar.
OPTIONAL AFTERNOON TOUR
• Handicraft Market
19:00 Khantoke Dinner
Enjoy an evening out by having Khantoke Dinner, the customary northern Thai style of eating with food being served in large platters at low tables while you sit on mats on the floor. As you enjoy your meal, let yourself be entertained by a selection of northern cultural performances. To end the evening, there is a special hilltribe show performed by various members of Yao, Lahu, Meo, Lisu, and Karen hilltribe.
DAY 8 – 31 MAY 2014 –SATURDAY
AM/PM Free & Easy
OPTION :
DOI INTANON NATIONAL PARK (07:00-15:00)
A day in the embrace of nature! Located south of Chiang Mai is one of the most fertile troves of natural treasure in Thailand, Doi Intanon National Park. The invigorating mountain air, the fresh, cool climate, makes it a rejuvenating break from the city.
Doi Intanon, 8514 feet above sea level – the highest peak in Thailand, is probably the most preserved in Thailand. It is extremely popular among bird watchers, with more than 383 species have been reported. On this tours stops are made at: Wat Phrathad Chom Thong with its holy relic and ancient treasures, Wachiratharn Waterfall, the twin chedi – built by Thai Airforce to honour King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, and. A A short trek along Michael’s Trail offers a beautiful and unforgettable experience.
Lunch on this tour is served picnic style.
16:00 Transfer to the Airport for your onwards flight