13 Day Affordable Thailand (Chiang Mai Arrival) |
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Escorted Package Includes |
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Special Features |
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Intinerary |
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| DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA for Thailand. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey. Please note that many flights leave just after midnight. Be aware that in such cases, you must check in at the airport the evening prior to your departure date DAY 2, Thursday - Arrive in Chiang Mai Arrive in Chiang Mai and transfer to your hotel Overnight: Chiang Mai DAY 3, Friday - Chiang Mai City & Temples Tour Spend the morning at leisure in Chiang Mai. This afternoon, enjoy a half day city and temples tour. Visit the most interesting temples in Chiang Mai. Visit Wat Phra Singh with its famous Buddha image, and Wat Suan Dok, where the remains of the Chiang Mai Royal family are enshrined. The tour continues to visit Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep, erected in 1384 A.D. Located 3500 feet above sea level, Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep is Northern Thailand's most sacred temple, containing a holy relic of Lord Buddha and a copper-plated chedi topped by a tiered-gold parasol in its interior cloister. Equally impressive is the mythological Naga (Dragon-headed serpent) staircase, consisting of 290 steps leading up to the temple grounds. Later, visit a jade cutting factory and local market Optional: Traditional Thai Massage Optional: Kantoke Dinner & Show Overnight: Chiang Mai Meals: Breakfast DAY 4, Saturday - Full Day in Chiang Mai, Dinner at Private Home Enjoy the morning at leisure to explore Chiang Mai independently. Chiang Mai is a city known for culture, nature and handicrafts. This afternoon, visit the handicraft street of Sankampang for on site demonstrations of how the silk, lacquer, silver, wood and bronze wares are made. In the evening, enjoy the authentic experience of dinner in a local Chiang Mai family home. Enjoy a tour of the home, open conversation of how a typical Thai family lives all while enjoying the savors of home cooked Thai cuisine Optional: Half Day Mae Sa Elephant Camp with lunch (PM) Overnight: Chiang Mai Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 5, Sunday - Sightseeing en route to Chiang Rai After breakfast, depart Chiang Mai for Chiang Rai, the Northern most city of Thailand. Travel through the area known as the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar borders meet and are divided by the famous Mekong and Sob Ruak Rivers. On the way, stop at the infamous Hall of Opium. This tour combines a museum of the history of opium and the impact of illegal drugs, with an information center for research and extension education on opium, opiates and other narcotics Optional: Mekong River Cruise (PM) Overnight: Chiang Rai Meals: Breakfast DAY 6, Monday - Mae Sai Border Town visit Morning at leisure. This afternoon, travel to the town of Mae Sai, the northern-most point of Thailand on the border of Myanmar. Here you will have the opportunity to cross over into Myanmar (Visa fee into Myanmar, at own expense). Later, visit the night bazaar for an evening of shopping the local wares of Chiang Rai Optional: Half Day Mae Salong Hill Tribe (AM) Overnight: Chiang Rai Meals: Breakfast DAY 7, Tuesday - Travel to Sukhothai Depart Chiang Rai for your journey to Sukhothai, Thailand's first Capital. On the way, stop to stretch and relax by the tranquil Payao Lake, the second largest inland fresh water lake in Thailand. Before reaching your hotel, visit Wat Pra That Suton Mongkol Kiri. See the reclining Buddha, visit the Wooden Museum, which houses antiques and documents of Thai history. You will also have an opportunity to see a working crematorium Overnight: Sukhothai Meals: Breakfast DAY 8, Wednesday - Sukhothai Historical Park Sukhothai's golden era was from the 13th to the 14th century, the art and architecture produced in this period are considered to be some of the best. Sukhothai today consists of the old and new towns. The old town of Sukhothai consists mainly of the large Historical Park, where most of the remains of the original city can be seen. This morning you will have the opportunity to tour this historical site and marvel at the ancient Buddha figures, palace buildings and ruined temples Overnight: Sukhothai Meals: Breakfast DAY 9, Thursday - Travel to Ayutthaya Depart for Ayutthaya, the second and most prosperous capital of Thailand, from 1350-1767. On the way, stop at Ta Soong Temple, which translates to “Crystal Palace”. The entire palace is decorated with small pieces of cut glass which make it look like it was etched out of crystal. Upon arrival in Ayutthaya, enjoy sunset at Chai Wattanaram Temple. This temple was built by King Prasat Tong, who was actually a commoner who overthrew the previous king and took his throne. This is a lovely place to take in the nature and peace of Siam Overnight: Ayutthaya Meals: Breakfast DAY 10, Friday - Travel to Bangkok After breakfast, depart Ayutthaya for the Summer Palace of King Rama V. The structures on the grounds of the palace, represent a variety of architectural styles, set in a large park, around ponds and waterways. The only royal residence open to the public is the Chinese-style Wehat Chamroon Palace, constructed entirely of materials imported from China Optional: Chao Phraya River Cruise with lunch Overnight: Bangkok Meals: Breakfast DAY 11, Saturday - Full Day in Bangkok Enjoy the morning at leisure to explore Bangkok independently. Not only the capital and largest city in Thailand, Bangkok itself accounts for nearly half of the country's economic output. This concentration of wealth and culture attracts people from around the world, creating a vibrant and cosmopolitan metropolis. This afternoon, visit a local tailor where you can have clothing made to order Optional: Half Day Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha(AM) Optional: Siam Niramit Show & Dinner(PM) Overnight: Bangkok Meals: Breakfast DAY 12, Sunday - Full Day in Bangkok Full day at leisure to explore Bangkok independently Optional: Full Day River Kwai & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Overnight: Bangkok Meals: Breakfast Day 13, Monday - Depart for the USA Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast |
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