Day 1: (Sun.) Board your transpacific flight.
Day 2: Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand.
(Mon.) Welcome to Thailand’s capital city! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 3: Bangkok.
(Tue.) Today’s sightseeing starts with a BOAT RIDE through the klongs, Bangkok’s canals, to see the family homes, temples, and the way of life that give this city the nickname “Venice of the East.” Stop at Wat Arun, the TEMPLE OF THE DAWN, whose 260-foot-tall spire has become identified with Bangkok. Continue on to the GRAND PALACE, comprised of the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the beautiful EMERALD BUDDHA TEMPLE. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps join an optional tour to The Jim Thompson House and silk shop. This evening, enjoy a special THAI WELCOME DINNER featuring traditional cuisine and dancers performing stories from classical Thai literature. (B,D)
Day 4: Bangkok. Excursion to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
(Wed.) This morning, depart Bangkok for the DAMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET. This colorful market provides an interesting glimpse into local life. Take a longtail BOAT RIDE through the canals filled with small flat boats expertly paddled by mature ladies ready to stop and bargain at a moment’s notice. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure to explore Bangkok. Perhaps join an optional dinner cruise aboard a luxurious teak barge along the Chao Phraya River. (B)
Day 5: Bangkok–Kanchanaburi.
(Thu.) A short drive this morning brings you to Kanchanaburi. Visit the THAILAND-BURMA RAILWAY CENTER, an interactive museum with eight main galleries depicting the story of the railway. A short walk takes you to the CEMETERY OF THE ALLIED PRISONERS from World War II before stopping to see the BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI. After a short stop, take a ride on the THAILAND-BURMA RAILWAY, commonly referred to as the “Death Railway.” Built by the Japanese during World War II using forced labor, approximately 25,000 of the 160,000 workers died during its construction. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua, the TIGER TEMPLE, a sanctuary and conservation center for the many Indochinese Tigers that are cared for by the monks. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Kanchanaburi–Ayutthaya–Phitsanulok.
(Fri.) Travel to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, one of the world’s largest cities before falling to the Burmese in 1756. Visit WAT PHRA SRI SAN PHET, the largest temple on the Royal Palace grounds, and WAT MONGKOL BOPHIT, featuring a giant 55-foot-tall bronze Buddha. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to Phitsanulok on the banks of the Nan River. Upon arrival, visit the much-venerated shrine of WAT PHRA SI RATANA MAHATHAT, typical of ancient Thai religious architecture. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel, then depart by rickshaw for a fascinating visit to the NIGHT MARKET. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Phitsanulok–Sukhothai–Chiang Mai.
(Sat.) A short drive this morning brings you to the SUKHOTHAI HISTORICAL PARK, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the beautiful standing Buddha statues as you explore the ruins of temples and monasteries. Then, continue north to Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North.” Chiang Mai has a rich cultural and agricultural heritage, and is famous for the production of high-quality handicrafts. This evening, perhaps enjoy the optional Thai family-style dinner in a local restaurant. (B,L)
Day 8: Chiang Mai. Hill Tribe Excursion.
(Sun.) Rise early this morning to witness and participate in the ALMSGIVING CEREMONY, a very special Thai custom. Each morning before dawn, Buddhist monks don their distinctive saffron-colored robes and walk along the streets, carrying alms bowls and receiving boiled rice and condiment donations. Personally present alms to the monks and you will receive their blessings! After breakfast in the hotel, drive up a winding mountain road to visit the WHITE HMONG PEOPLE, one of northern Thailand’s HILL TRIBES. Here you will witness life in the village and visit a local school (if in session). Then, visit the temple of WAT PHRA THAT DOI SUTHEP, which offers a spectacular view of Chiang Mai and the surrounding valley. After a long day, enjoy a TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE at your hotel. (B,L)
Note: You will travel on rough dirt roads in a utility pick-up truck to visit the White Hmong people.
Day 9: Chiang Mai–Ban Thaton.
(Mon.) This morning, visit an ORCHID FARM and an ELEPHANT CAMP. Here you will see skilled mahouts show how elephants have worked for centuries and you will RIDE AN ELEPHANT through the jungle. For the more adventurous, perhaps join the optional river rafting trip on handmade bamboo rafts. Then, continue on to Ban Thaton to visit a KAREN VILLAGE, home to the PADUANG LONG-NECKED WOMEN. Early in life, brass rings are placed on the necks and legs of the village girls. As they age and mature, additional rings are added, creating the visual illusion of stretching their necks. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Ban Thaton–Chiang Rai.
(Tue.) Today, enjoy a BOAT RIDE on the Kok River and visit BAAN MAI, a silk- and sa paper-making village. Then, visit the HILL TRIBE VILLAGE of the AKHA, known for gorgeous headdresses decorated with silver coins. After lunch, continue on to Chiang Rai. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B,L)
Day 11: Chiang Rai. Excursion to the Golden Triangle.
(Wed.) Today, climb narrow mountain roads with stunning views and visit several villages en route to DOI MAE SALONG, a settlement founded by Kuomintang soldiers who fled China in 1949. Continue to MAE SAI, a market town on the Myanmar border, then drive to the renowned GOLDEN TRIANGLE, where the Ruak and mighty Mekong Rivers meet. Enjoy views over Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, and consider an optional boat trip on the Mekong River. Next, visit the HALL OF OPIUM, built to educate people on the history of opium in the area and to help combat illegal drugs. En route back to Chiang Rai, stop in CHIANG SAEN, where you can still see evidence of the original 13th-century city. This evening your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Chiang Rai–Bangkok–Siem Reap, Cambodia.
(Thu.) Today, fly via Bangkok to Siem Reap, your base for exploring the temples of Angkor. (B)
Day 13: Siem Reap.
(Fri.) This morning, start your sightseeing of the TEMPLES OF ANGKOR. Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, the temples were built around the Khmer interpretations of Indian religious and political beliefs that ultimately evolved from Hinduism to Buddhism. The complex architectural grandeur of the Angkor temples is arguably unmatched among ancient ruins anywhere in the world. First, visit the best preserved and most famous of all the temples, ANGKOR WAT, honoring the Hindu god Vishnu. Featuring five trademark towers and stunning bas reliefs it has become a symbol of Cambodia. Next stop is ANGKOR THOM to see the BAYON TEMPLE. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, it features some 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas reliefs. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening, witness one of the world’s most amazing experiences: sunset at Angkor Wat! (B,L)
Day 14: Siem Reap.
(Sat.) Today, continue your sightseeing of the Angkor temples. Unlike the other temples, TA PROHM has been left relatively untouched. Surrounded by jungle, tree roots grow over and through the ruin walls, and you will experience the temple with the same wonder as the early explorers who discovered it. Then, visit BANTEAY SREI, a unique temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Unlike other temples, it is built on a small scale from red sandstone, which can be carved like wood. This afternoon, enjoy a CRUISE on Tonle Sap (Great Lake), where you will see a floating village and get a glimpse of life on the water. This evening is at your leisure to explore charming Siem Reap. (B,L)
Day 15: Siem Reap–Bangkok, Thailand.
(Sun.) Today, fly to Bangkok. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 16: (Mon.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
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