Thailand Cultural Heritage 10 Nights / 11 Days

Destinations: Bangkok-Ayuthaya-Nakhon Sawan-Uthai Thani-Khamphaengphet-Phitsnuloke-Sukhothai-Lampang-Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai.
Activities: Sightseeing historic places, palaces, temples, elephant trekking, bamboo rafting, cruise in the rivers to explore scenery and local cultures.

Trip Grade: Easy.
Best Season: The best time to visit Thailand is from October to March. This tour departs throughout the year.

Highlights of Bangkok: Welcome to Bangkok, the capital and the major metropolitan city of Thailand! The Grand Palace, ancient temples, riverboat cruise, floating market, and classical Thai dance are some of the highlights of the tour here. The bustling capital offers sightseers a full range of historic monuments and avant-garde modern architecture. Temples, monasteries, museums, libraries, cultural centers, safari parks, huge shopping complexes and first class hotels make Bangkok one of the greatest cities in the Far East. Our guided tours will take you through most attractive historic monuments and sites of Bangkok.

Ancient Capital City of Ayuthaya: Ayuthaya, historic ruins of second Thai capital from 1350 to 1767, was the seat of 33 kings. During this period Thai culture flourished and so did international relations with the Dutch, French, Portuguese, Japanese and Chinese. Ayuthaya, situated in the middle of the Pasak River, boasts uncountable ancient temples, monuments, ruins and stupas. The Ayuthaya Historical Park is a UNESCO declared World Heritage site. In 1767, the Burnese Army conquered and burnt down Ayuthaya to complete ruins. Although it suffered a great destruction, Ayuthaya is still a very attractive to visit and is only 82 kilometers north of Bangkok. Other attractions in Ayuthaya that we incorporate as part of our tour are The Bang Pa In-Summer Palace and the Bang Sai Art Village under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Queen Sirikit.

Singburi-Uthai Thani-Nakhon Sawan-Khamphaengphet-Phitsanuloke-Sukhothai and Lampang:
The central heartland and upper northern provinces are some of the routes of ancient Thai civilization, where first Thai script was developed and Buddhism was adopted as the national religion. Ancient monuments in Uthai Thani, Khamphaengphet, Phitsanuloke, Sukhothai (where first Thai script evolved), and Lampang are some of the prevailing examples to mention a few. Most local people here depend on farming. Journeys through these provinces will give you an opportunity to see some of the most outstanding ancient monuments and explore the rural Thai way of life.

Eco friendly accommodation:
The Country Lake Nature Resort offers comfortable cottage rooms with air-condition, hot and cold water shower. The resort is located on the lakeside called "Nong Nam Song ". Thanks to its healthy natural conditions, the lake is the house of various kinds of fresh water fish, water plants, wild animals and almost 100 different species of birds, both local residents and from Siberia in winter season. Optional activities around the resort are biking around the lake and bird watching.

Villagers living around the lake earn their living from agriculture; fish farms and bamboo handicrafts are their immediate cash income sources. Guests can enjoy the natural surroundings as well as experience real upcountry way of lifestyles.

Highlights of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai:
Chiang Mai, the northern province of Thailand, founded by King Mengrai in 1296. This northern region was known as the Lan Na Thai kingdom in the 13th to 14th centuries. Chiang Mai is the most active trading post in the north and a vibrant university center. Visitors will be amazed by the well over 300 temples and its scenic landscape. Thailand's highest peak, Doi Inthanon (2595 meters above sea level), crowns the north. Here, travelers can enjoy scenic trekking, elephant riding, hiking through hill tribe villages, bamboo rafting and magnificent vistas at sunset and sunrise. The province is home to many hill tribes with distinct cultures. Extraordinary woodcarvings, silverware and the artworks, beautiful flower festival parades and diverse cultures are some of the attractions here. Chiang Mai offers variety of top five star, middle class and tourist class hotels in the latest styles with spa, both boutique and traditional.

Chiang Rai, the northernmost province in the Golden Triangle area, offer sightseers historic monuments, temples, museums, scenic hills for trekking, river trips, tea estates and hill tribe village excursions and local cultural artifacts among the key attractions of this province. The province is accessible by road and air. Chiang Rai can cater visitors to variety of luxury five star, middle class and tourist class hotels with spa facilities. Join Discover Asia Travel to explore the nature and culture of northern Thailand.

Itinerary: Thailand Cultural Heritage 11 Days:
Day 1 Arrive Bangkok Meet on arrival at Bangkok international Airport, meet and transfer to hotel.
Transfer in is provided if arriving in one group.
Meals: None.

Day 2 Bangkok National Museum, Grand Palace and Temples
Breakfast at the hotel, and 08:00am depart to visit the National Museum Bangkok. The visit to the National Museum is to give you an insight about the history of Thailand, its people and culture. Museum opens 9.00am to 4.00pm, and closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and National holidays.

Next, we visit the Royal Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keow (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which was moved by King Rama I of Chakri Dynasty in 1782 from the westside of Chao Phraya River to the east. Visit various halls of royal function such as Amarindra Throne Hall, Chakri Mahaprasart and Dusit Mahaprasart Throne Hall and the residential area.

Wat Pra Keow (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is one of the most beautiful temples in the royal grand palace compound. The temple itself is being used for principal royal function and royal chapel. This temple is the repository of The Emerald Buddha, the most holy Buddha Image of Thai Buddhism. The Image is carved in semiprecious green stone 66cm high. The temple is regarded as the oldest and the most beautiful decoration in the country.

We walk to visit Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) is the oldest, largest and most visited temple in Bangkok, which is well known as the first open university of Thailand; Thai people learned therapeutic Thai massage techniques from this temple.

Lunch break will be around noon, depending on when we finish the tour inside the Grand Palace.

Canal tour after lunch, get on long-tail boat and cruise along the Chao Phraya River (The River of Kings). There are well over 100 canals in Bangkok. Hence, it is often called the "Venice of the east". Early Thai lifestyle of dwelling along the riverbanks is still experienced in this hustle and bustle of the modern city of Bangkok.

Canal tour gives you an opportunity to observe how local people live here. Bangkok has many canal ways of ancient times, many of which are still active. After the canal tour, we visit Wat Arun (The Temple of dawn), the former palace of King Taksin of Thonburi (period 1767-1782), the most revered temple of Thailand, and transfer back to your hotel.

Dress Code: Formal attire is required to enter the Royal Grand Palace. Thus, please wear comfortable casual clothes while touring the Royal Grand Palace. High cut-shorts, skirts, beach attires, bare shoulders and ankles are not allowed. If you are not in proper attire, you will be asked to rent one at the palace gate! Recommendation on Foot Wear: Wear comfortable walking shoes covering your ankles; Tevas covering ankles are acceptable.
Wear shoes that you can take off and put on easily while visiting the temples.

Dinner with Thai Classical Dance Show:
Relax and refresh until pick up for dinner.
6.30 PM Pick up from the hotel for a welcome night with Thai dinner and classical dance in a typical Thai pavilion restaurant. The Thai classical dance, in the old days, was usually performed only in the Royal Court. This is offered to you to give you an insight about Thai Classical Dance.
End of dinner, transfer back to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel. Meals: BLD.

Day 3 Bangkok-Ayuthaya-Nakhon Sawan
Breakfast at hotel and depart to visit Ayuthaya and the historic ruins of the second capital of Thailand, from 1350-1767, which used to be the residence of 33 kings.

We'll drive to the town of Ayuthaya via Wat Phanancheang and visit the largest sitting Buddha image, Luangpor Tor. Made from gilded brick and plaster, this Buddha's knee span is 45 feet, and its height from shin to scalp is 62 feet. Records indicate that it was built in 1324, about 20 years before Ayuthaya was founded. Other highlights include the ruins of the Royal Grand Palace built by King Trilokanart in the 15th century and Wat Mahathat, said to hold a holy relic of the Buddha. Historians don't know who built this later temple, but it is believed that it was either the second king or the fourth king of Ayuthaya.

Finally, we'll pay a visit to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, built by king U Tong in 1357, which was once famous for meditation temple. The compound contains a very large stupa from which the wat takes its name and a large reclining Buddha; Buddhist monks and nuns reside within the temple ground.
Then, continue to Nakorn Sawan for overnight, where we stay two nights.
Meals: BLD.

Day 4 Hup Pa Tad, Huay Khakheang (Nature World Heritage)
Wake up when the birds call you, and go for a birding walk if you love watching our winged friends. Almost 100 different species of birds can be seen in the "Nong Nam Song" lake and around the resort in the surrounding trees. Black Drongo, woodpecker, kingfisher, heron, and the red duck are few of the local residents around the resort.

After breakfast, depart to Hub Pa Tad, a kind of "Jurassic Park," (local people call it) a huge craterlike valley surrounded by limestone mountains filled with ancient trees where we see old-growth forest including huge palm trees. To get inside, we walk through a limestone cave tunnel, which is summer home for some species of bats. The nature trail has some educational explanations in Thai language. However, it is a pleasant hike. Then, we exit the Hup Pa Tad and drive back to Sakaekrang River in Uthai Thani, where we'll board on a converted rice barge, "Kiri Nava," and cruise along the river, passing by floating houses and natural fish farms. Lunch served on board the rice barge. After lunch, we will visit Ta Sung temple, the biggest and most famous temple in Thai Thani serves as a Buddhist meditation center.
Meals: BLD.

Day 5 Khamphaengphet-Phitsanuloke-Sukhothai
Wake up when the birds call you, and go for a birding walk if you love watching our winged friends. Almost 100 different species of birds can be seen in the "Nong Nam Song" lake and around the resort in the surrounding trees. Black Drongo, woodpecker, kingfisher, heron, and the red duck are few of the local residents around the resort.

Breakfast at resort and drive to Kamphaengphet Province to visit its National Museum, Wat Phra kaew and Kamphaengphet Historical Park. Next, drive to Phitsanulok to visit Wat Maha Dhat, one of the most respected Buddha statues in Phitsanulok, and visit Phra Buddha Jinaraj. Continue journey to Sukhothai, first capital of Thailand where Thai language script was developed. On arrival, we will visit old Sukhothai historical park, Wat Changlom, Wat Jedi Jed Theow, and Wat Nang Phaya to name a few. Wats are major cultural landscapes of Thailand and visiting them is part of the cultural experience here. Lunch served at local restaurant.
Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at hotel. Meals: BLD.

Day 6 Sukhothai-Lampang-Chiang Mai Breakfast at hotel and depart to Chiang Mai.
En-route stop at Lampang town to visit Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang, where one of the Emerald Buddha image is seen.
Lunch served at restaurant.

Chiang Mai Handicraft Center. En-route, we will visit the local handicraft center of Chiang Mai on Sankampaeng Road to see Thai Silk and cotton loom industries, Bo-sang the paper and umbrella-making village; lacquer-ware, teak-wood carving, jewelry, and silverware artworks. Here, we will see how handicrafts are made. If you are interested to pick up some souvenirs to take home, this is one of the best places to buy. Then, continue journey to Chiang Mai city to check into hotel and at leisure. The dazzling night bazaar of Chiang Mai opens from around 6.00pm to midnight. Stroll at leisure to pick up your favorite souvenirs. Dinner is on your own as there are plenty of local and international cuisines in town. Meals: BL.

Day 7 Wat Prathad Doi Suthep
Breakfast at the hotel and depart to Chiang Mai National Museum and the Hill-Tribe Museum. After the museum visits, we drive to visit Wat Prathad Doi Sutep, which proclaim to have a holy relic of Lord Buddha, the most celebrated temple in Chiang Mai located on a scenic hilltop inside the Doi-Pui National Park. To reach the temple, we drive up the base of Doi Suthep, and climb up 300 steps to get to the temple courtyard. Both sides of the steps are flanked by enormous mythological Nagas (snakes). A panoramic view of the city can be seen from here at 3,500 feet above sea level. Those of you do not wish to walk up the stairs can take the tram both ways. We will return to Chiang Mai town for a buffet lunch and remaining time at leisure to explore Chiang Mai on your own until dinner at around seven O'clock.

Evening-we will enjoy Kantoke Dinner, traditional northern Thai welcome dinner, and observe Northern Thai folk song and dance performed by different hill-tribes in their colorful costumes. Each tribe is different in costumes, dialects, and culture. Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai. Meals. BLD.

Day 8 Elephant trekking and bamboo rafting
Early breakfast at the hotel, and travel about 50 kilometers from the city to Chiang Dao elephant camp. We'll watch the elephants taking their bath in the stream and skills demonstration. Then, we will take an hour elephant ride through the semi-jungle vegetation to visit a Lisu hill tribe village, and return trek.

Next, we will take an exciting bamboo rafting (traditional transportation in the river) down the scenic Mae Ping River for about an hour. Along the river, you can see various species of birds and squirrels. At the end of bamboo raft, transfer to a country resort with spa facilities for the evening.
Meals: BLD.

Remarks: Please note that elephant camps cannot be stationary in one mentioned location permanently because Government regulations in relation with deforestation, land management, private property regulation, and environmental factors could force the camp to move elsewhere. If the mentioned venue is not available, an alternative will be offered. This information must be updated close to trip departure.

Day 9 Overland to Thaton and at Leisure Breakfast at resort, and drive to Thaton through the scenic road.
En-route stops are made at scenic places and at Wat Tha Ton to see the valley. Next, take a short long tail boat ride to Huai Khum Village Resort, the only boutique as well as eco resort in the Mae Kok River valley, is truly a paradise. On arrival, check in, have lunch and remaining time at leisure. Swim at its beautiful pool, walk along in the nearby village or simply relax to enjoy the scenery. Evening-we will have dinner with Lahu folk song and dance show. Meals: BLD.

Day 10 Thaton-Golden Triangle of Chiang Rai
Early morning breakfast and travel by long tail boat down the Nam Mae Kok River. Along the way, we will visit hill-tribe villages such as Ban Jakku, Ban Ruamit and others, time permitting. At the end of boat trip, we drive to Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar and Lao PDR borders meet. We'll enjoy the scenic views of the Mekong River and triangular border area from the Thai side. Next, we visit the Chiang Saen National Museum. Lunch served en-route at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Chiang Rai. Meals: BLD.

Note Day 10: During high river in monsoon season July-September, we will drive to the Golden Triangle with a visit to Ban Lorcha, a Akha Village.

Day 11 Depart from Chiang Rai
Breakfast, check out and transfer to Chiang Rai Airport for your next destination flight. Meals: B.

Meals: (Breakfast=B, Lunch=L, Dinner=D):
The meals, such as lunch and dinner are not included in some locations. This is done in purpose in order to let you have choices of choosing your own favorite dish where the variety of local and international cuisine is abundant.

Group A (3 and 4 star, boutique and quality non star hotels)
Group B (3 star, boutique and quality non star hotels)

Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai airfare roundtrip US$189 per person
Bangkok-Krabi Airfare roundtrip US$190 per person
Airfares are current and subject to change.

Tour Cost Includes:
Ten nights accommodation in quality hotels and resorts in Bangkok, Nakhon Sawan, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai on twin sharing and breakfast (accommodations provided are variety of quality 4, 3, 2 star standard hotels in the city areas, and quality eco resorts in remote areas), Transfers by air-conditioned tour van/coach on arrival, departure and during tour, tour activities as mentioned in the itinerary, entrance fees to monuments & parks visited, English speaking local tour guide service throughout the tour, Meals are based on half-board and full-board as outlined in the tour program, drinking water during the tour, and insurance for the period of tour.

Tour Cost Does Not Include:
Visa fees, international and domestic airfares, airport departure tax, meals such as lunch and dinner not mentioned in the itinerary (particularly in the cities), personal insurance and expenses, alcoholic beverages, telephone, laundry, tips, charges for delays caused by situations beyond our control such as bad weather, natural disasters, civil unrest, and emergencies. Note: The above itinerary is guideline only to plan your trip. Itineraries will be modified as per the local conditions and logistical needs. A final program outline will be given before departure.

Package Price Changes and Alternation of Itineraries:
All package prices are net per person in US Dollars. Package prices are subject to change should there be major changes in government tax policies, Thai currency exchange rates and/or major changes in US Dollar exchange rates. We reserve the right to alternate an itinerary in the event of natural disasters, bad weather, civil unrest or other unforeseen factors that pose threat to our clients and crew. Alteration of an itinerary is made for the safety of our clients and the crew. Please treat the above program as guideline for your trip planning. We will provide you with fine tuned itinerary with specific details before departure.

Optional Extension:
Serene Lanta Island 4 nights / 5 Days

Destinations: Lanta Island, Krabi
Activities: Snorkeling, sea kayaking, scenic tours and relaxing on the beautiful beaches of island.
Season: October through May only.

Highlights of Lanta Island:
The Lanta Island group consists of 52 islands located in Krabi province, South Thailand. The archipelago's largest island, Lanta Yai, is long and slender with low, forested hills down the middle and beaches on its West Coast. Relatively undeveloped from tourism, Lanta Yai is truly a paradise destination with fewer visitors. The islands' long sandy beaches complemented by the surrounding scenery are amazingly beautiful. Nearby islands in the Andaman Sea with excellent dive and snorkel sites make a perfect day excursion. Lanta Island offers top four to five star, middle class and tourist class resorts with spa facilities.

Minimum 2 Persons A quality four star beach resort package TOUR COST PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS:
Group Size:	Tour Cost:
2-3 Persons	US$530 per person
4-9 Persons	US$460 per person
Single Supplement:	US$200 per Person.