Central Thailand Tours

13 days Central & North Thailand incl. beach
Tour code: 1051

This itinerary is an example of a complete Thailand trip, kept within the frame of two weeks.
Includes major sights as Ayuthaya, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai and Pattaya, while staying original
through the inclusion of the Elephant Hospital in Lampang and the northwestern town Mae
Hong Son. Bangkok is pushed towards the middle of the program, so this vibrant and busy
city can be visited without the handicap of a jet lag. Ayuthaya is located just one hours' drive
North of Bangkok International Airport.

Day 1 meals: D
Meet upon arrival by guide, drive up to Ayuthaya for overnight.Welcome dinner will be set at
the restaurant along Chao Phraya River. Overnight Krungsri River Hotel, Ayuthaya

Day 2 meals: BL
Morning tour of Bang Pa In Summer Palace and Ayuthaya temple tour. Afternoon drive to
Nakorn Sawan. We will stop at a monkey temple, just outside town, where you have the
opportunity to visit a non-touristic crocodile farm (optional). Overnight Pimarn hotel, Nakorn
Sawan

Day 3 meals: BL
Morning continue drive up to the north. Visit the Wat Matat Phra Chinnaraj and the Folk
Museum in Pitsanuloke. Lunch buffet in the Topland Hotel. Continue to Sukhothai and visit
The Historical Park until sunset. Overnight Sukhothai Resort.

Day 4 meals: BLD
Early morning departure to Chiang Mai. Visit Pra That Lamphang Luang, and Elephant
Training center/Elephant hospital in Lamphang. Arrival Lamphun to visit Phra That
Hariphunchai. Afternoon arrival of Chiangmai. Rest of day free at leisure. Your hotel is
located within 5 minutes walking distance from the famous night bazaar. Overnight
Chiangmai Plaza.

Day 5 Meals: BL
Morning visit to the Doi Suthep and the Hill Tribe Museum, followed by lunch at Ban Suan
Restaurant. In the afternoon we visit a few of the many handicraft industries, notably umbrella
making, silk weaving and a celadon pottery. Night free to explore the night bazaar. Overnight
Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel

Day 6 Meals: BLD
Morning transfer to airport Flight to Mae Hong Son. Transfer to your resort. Afternoon
Explore Mae Hon Son and its markets, temples and stunning setting. Visit the sacred Fish
Cave and Doi Kong Mu. Sunset walk (or drive) up the western hill with its Burmese-built
temple, overlooking the town and Thai-Burmese border. Dinner at excellent Bai Fern
Restaurant. Overnight Fern Resort.

Day 7 Meals: BL
Tour throughout local countryside by longtail boat along the Pai River. En route visit an
elephant camp for (optional) ride through the forest. Visit the long-neck Karen village of Ban
Nai Soi, as well as a Shan hilltribe village in surrounding area. Afternoon flight back to
Chiang Mai. Evening depart Chiangmai with the nighttrain back to Bangkok (air-conditioned
sleeping berth).

Day 8 Meals: BL
Morning arrival, transfer to hotel with rest of day to relax and enjoy the amenities of the hotel.
Evening a dinner with Thai Classical Dances is on the program. Overnight Amari Atrium
Hotel, Bangkok

Day 9 Meals: B
Morning excursion of the Grand Palace and Wat Pra Keo, Wat Po and enjoy a longtail boattrip
over the klongs and river. Lunch at a riverside restaurant. Rest of the day is free for you to
explore town. Apart from places of cultural interest, Bangkok is paradise for shoppers.
Overnight Amari Atrium Hotel, Bangkok

Day 10 Meals: B
Morning transfer to Thailand's most famous beach resort: Pattaya. Just a two hour drive
South of Bangkok, you will have most of the day for the beach and the town. Overnight Amari
Orchid Hotel

Day 11 Meals: B
Day free at leisure, or join an excursion to Coral Island. Overnight Amari Orchid Hotel

Day 12 Meals: B
Day free at leisure. Overnight Amari Orchid Hotel

Day 13 Meals: B
Transfer back to Bangkok Airport in time for your flight home.

End of services.

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Bangkok day trips

Bangkok is a vibrant city with an abundance of attractions. For many travelers the first days of
their program in Thailand, or Asia, are spend in Bangkok. The heat, traffic and first impressions are often overwhelming and therefore it is wise not to stuff too many attractions in a day. Apart from the examples for day trips, which follow here, keep in mind such places as China Town, the Prasart Museum or the Chatuchak Weekend Market as options for extended visits to the capital of Thailand.

River, klongs and temples (incl. lunch)
Tour Code: 1100

Morning picks up from hotel and transfer to the Chao Praya River (note advantage for clients staying in riverside properties such as Menam, Shangri-la, Royal Orchid Sheraton, The Oriental and The Peninsula).

Board the public Express Boat North to Nonthaburi, where a visit to the local market gives an
insight in fruits of Thailand. Continue by chartered long tail and rocket boats to explore the
narrowest of the klongs (natural and man-dug canals).

Stop at local temples and orchards, bird watching opportunities. Return to the old center of
Bangkok with a short stop at the Royal Barges. Lunch at riverside restaurant.

Afternoon visits to the Wat Pra Keaw (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and Grand Palace and
the Wat Po (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). Transfer back to hotel. End of tour.

Old residences of Bangkok
Tour Code: 1201
Bangkok half day trip (incl. lunch)

Pick up from hotel; start with a visit to Suan Pakkard. The former residence of Prince Nagor
Svarga, now a privately owned museum. Located in the garden is the Lacquer Pavilion, with
beautiful gold-and-black lacquer walls and ceilings. Adjacent is a new museum devoted to
Ban Chiang ceramic.

Continue this morning to Jim Thompson's House, about 30 minutes drive. Jim Thompson
was one of Thailand's most famous expatriates, almost single handedly responsible for the
worldwide fame of Thai Silk and a great lover and collector of Asian art. He disappeared in
the jungles of Malaysia in the late sixties. His former residence, a perfect example of a Central
Thai teakwood architecture is now transformed in a museum. Visitors will get a guided tour of
the house and grounds.

Lunch will be in Ban Khun Mae restaurant, where excellent Thai food can be had in a great
atmosphere. The restaurant is located in Siam Square, famous for its shops and boutiques.
Clients may opt to stay here in the afternoon to shop, rather than return to their hotel.

End of tour.

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Khao Yai National Park & Ayuthaya
Tour code: 1500
2 days/ 1 nights

Thailand's oldest National Park, Khao Yai, is located just a few hours drive northeast of Bangkok. The park consists of almost 3000 km2 lush rainforest and is home to an abundance of wildlife. The triple-tiered forest gives excellent cover to animals, such as wild elephants, deer, tiger, bear and gibbons and therefore it's hard to guarantee visitors will actually encounter wildlife.

The serious naturalist would be best advised to stay at least two days, so to have the opportunity to enter the park at daybreak, the best time to spot animals. However, the waterfalls, diversity in vegetation and sounds and smells of the tropical rainforest makes a visit at any time worthwhile.

Day 1 Bangkok - Khao Yai National Park Meals: LD
Early departure for Khao Yai National Park. Visit the local market at Nakhon Nayok before entering one of the most famous national parks of Southeast Asia. Visit the thundering waterfall Haew Narok. Lunch next to the visitor center. In the afternoon walk over one of the jungle trails. There are several hikes possible, ranging from three to eight kilometers in length.

Late afternoon drive to Wanree Resort, located just outside the park. Before sunset see thousands of bats leaving a cave in the vicinity of the resort. Dinner and overnight at Wanree Resort (more luxury resort are available)

Day 2 Khao Yai - Ayuthaya - Bangkok
After breakfast drive to Ayuthaya, one of the former capitals of Thailand. Visit some of the most famous ruins and temples like Wat Pananchoeng, Wat Chai Mongkol and Wat Mahatat in Ayuthaya. Lunch. Drives back to Bangkok (or take a boat).

End of program.

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Rice Barge Cruise & Ayuthaya
Tour code: 1700
2 days / 1 night

Ayuthaya was the capital of Thailand (then named Siam) until the Burmese destroyed it in
1767. The ruins of the temples and palaces, some of which are restored is definitely worth a
visit for those with an interest in history.

Among temples of special interest are Wat Mahatat, where a Buddha image is overgrown by
a large tree and Wat Chai Yai Mongkol, a large chedi (or stupa) flanked by rows of (mostly
renovated) Buddha images. We recommend top combine a visit to Ayuthaya in combination
with a river trip.

This can be done as a day tour or as an overnight cruise on board of a converted traditional
teak rice barge, such as the Mekhala or the deluxe Manohra Song.

Day 01 Meals: LD
Early morning pick up from your Bangkok hotel and transfer by air-conditioned coach to
Ayuthaya. Guided visit around the ruined ancient city of Ayuthaya, followed by
lunch. Proceed to the Summer Palace at Bang Pa-in, built by King Rama 5, with its mix of
different architectures. The board the Mekhala, cruising down river at sunset. Dock at a
temple. Candle-lit dinner on deck. The Mekhala has six air-conditioned double berth cabins,
lavishly decorated and complete with private shower room and toilet.

Day 02 Meals: B
Early morning visit to the temple to make a traditional offering to the monks (optional).
Sunrise breakfast is served on board while cruising down the Chao Praya river, past the Grand
Palace in Bangkok. Disembark at 10.30 AM.

End of tour.

Note: Alternatively the tour can be done in opposite direction. Embarkation at the Mekhala's
pier in Bangkok will then be at 15.00 hours, and drop off at your hotel in Bangkok the
following day at 17.00 hour.

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River Kwai Jungle Rafts
Tour Code: 1200
3 days/2 nights

This join-in trip is organized by the River Kwai Floated, also known as the Jungle Rafts, is one
of the most popular side trips out of Bangkok. With a daily departure and pick-up from most of Bangkok's centrally located hotels it's easy to book. The relaxed atmosphere and beautiful
natural surroundings of the Jungle Rafts, as well as the diversity of the program make it a
highlight for most visitors.

Day 1 Bangkok - River Kwai Jungle Rafts Meals: LD
Early pick-up from Bangkok hotels to Kanchanaburi, about 120 km west. Visit the JEATH Museum, The Bridge over the River Kwai and the war cemetery before boarding the train for a ride over the Burma Railway to Nam Tok. Upon arrival lunch. We then board a longtail boat for an hour-long trip on the Kwai Noi River to River Kwai Jungle Rafts. As there's no electricity, oil lamps will make the place a wonderful place at night. Comfortable, no-frills rooms, each with hammock and private bathroom. Dinner and overnight at River Kwai Jungle Rafts.

Day 2 River Kwai Jungle Rafts Meals: BLD
Morning visit of Kaeng Lawa Cave. After lunch time to relax or take a boattrip to the Sai Yok
Yai Waterfalls, where swimming is a possibility. Visit the nearby village of the Mon, a
minority that mainly lives in Burma. Optional elephant ride through the bamboo forest. In the
evening traditional music and dance performance by the Mon. Overnight on River Kwai
Jungle Rafts.

Day 3 River Kwai Jungle Rafts - Bangkok Meals: BL
Morning free at leisure. After lunch return by boat to Pakseng & drive back to Bangkok. On
the way visit the famous Chedi of Nakhon Pathom. Drop off at centrally located hotels in
Bangkok or Hua Lampong Railway Station for the night train to Chiang Mai, Nong Khai or
Ubon Rachathani.

End of program.

Included: accommodation, transportation, meals as indicated, guidance, entrance fees.

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River Kwai Jungle Rafts
Tour Code: 1200
3 days/2 nights

This join-in trip is organized by the River Kwai Floated, also known as the Jungle Rafts, is one
of the most popular side trips out of Bangkok. With a daily departure and pick-up from most of Bangkok's centrally located hotels it's easy to book. The relaxed atmosphere and beautiful
natural surroundings of the Jungle Rafts, as well as the diversity of the program make it a
highlight for most visitors.

Day 1 Bangkok - River Kwai Jungle Rafts Meals: LD
Early pick-up from Bangkok hotels to Kanchanaburi, about 120 km west. Visit the JEATH
Museum, The Bridge over the River Kwai and the war cemetery before boarding the
train for a ride over the Burma Railway to Nam Tok. Upon arrival lunch. We then board a
longtail boat for an hour-long trip on the Kwai Noi River to River Kwai Jungle Rafts. As
there's no electricity, oil lamps will make the place a wonderful place at night. Comfortable,
no-frills rooms, each with hammock and private bathroom. Dinner and overnight at River
Kwai Jungle Rafts.

Day 2 River Kwai Jungle Rafts Meals: BLD
Morning visit of Kaeng Lawa Cave. After lunch time to relax or take a boattrip to the Sai Yok
Yai Waterfalls, where swimming is a possibility. Visit the nearby village of the Mon, a
minority that mainly lives in Burma. Optional elephant ride through the bamboo forest. In the
evening traditional music and dance performance by the Mon. Overnight on River Kwai
Jungle Rafts.

Day 3 River Kwai Jungle Rafts - Bangkok Meals: BL
Morning free at leisure. After lunch return by boat to Pakseng & drive back to Bangkok. On
the way visit the famous Chedi of Nakhon Pathom. Drop off at centrally located hotels in
Bangkok or Hua Lampong Railway Station for the night train to Chiang Mai, Nong Khai or
Ubon Rachathani.

End of program.

Included: accommodation, transportation, meals as indicated, guidance, entrance fees.

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