Incredible Thailand

Bangkok, Ayuttaya, Sukhothai, Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai plus Phuket Island & Angkor Wat optional extensions

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, airline taxes and fees, hotels, transfers, many meals, touring & more. *

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance Incredible Thailand
Day	Destination
1	Depart USA
2	En route
3	Bangkok
4	Bangkok
5	Bangkok
6	Bangkok & Ayutthaya
7	Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Phitsanulok & Sukhothai
8	Sukhothai
9	Sukhothai, Phayao & Chiang Rai
10	Chiang Rai
11	Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle & Chiang Mai
12	Chiang Mai
13	Chiang Mai
14	Bangkok/USA
Phuket Island Extension
14	Bangkok & Phuket
15	Phuket
16	Phuket
17	Phuket, Bangkok, USA
Angkor Wat Extension
14	Bangkok & Siem Reap
15	Angkor
16	Angkor
17	Siem Reap, Bangkok, USA

Departures	September 2012 – April 2013
Departs	Los Angeles (LAX)
Highlights	Bangkok, Sukhothai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai. Royal Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha, Bang Pa In Summer Palace, Wat Rong Khun, & Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, Boat ride and Hilltribe village in Chiang Rai, Elephant ride in Chiang Mai. Optional extensions to Phuket Island & Angkor Wat.
Included Features	Round trip flights via China Airlines including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees Intra-Thailand transportation Accommodations at Superior First Class & Deluxe hotels Full buffet American breakfast daily and 2 dinners Sightseeing tours as per itinerary and all transfers Professional, English-speaking tour guides Optional extensions to Angkor Wat and Phuket Island Extend your stay and do more exploring on your own. Give us a call and ask for details!
Travel Style	This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations and may have limited rest stops.

Give us 14 days and we'll give you Thailand, one of the top travel destinations in the world. We've created this tour for travelers who don't want to miss a thing, traveling by coach from from Bangkok in the south all the way to Chiang Mai in the north in order to see it all.

And you'll enjoy this comprehensive journey for less than the cost of a Las Vegas weekend, including airfare, great hotels, lots of guided touring and every bit of the mystique, adventure and beauty imaginable in one country. You'll encounter an ancient, fascinating culture, friendly, welcoming people, gorgeous, peaceful countryside and bustling, modern cities, and the most amazing shopping—unbelievable bargains included! Once you experience this magnificent destination for yourself, you'll understand why we call our tour "Incredible Thailand."

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Dates, Prices & Options

Tour prices have been increased by $20 per person, due to a fuel surcharge increase imposed by the airline on Apr 10, 2012.

Coming from somewhere else? Unfortunately, we don't offer departures from cities that are not listed, but you can book your own connecting flights separately.

Want to stay longer? We may be able to arrange for you to extend your stay later than the scheduled dates, subject to availability. Contact us about dates, prices and restrictions.

Detailed Itinerary

Departures March - May, 2012 will follow a slightly different itinerary.

Day 1: Depart USA. Check in for your mid-afternoon flight to Thailand via Taipei.

Day 2: En route. Cross the International Dateline and lose a day. (You will recover this day on the return leg of your trip.)

Day 3: Bangkok. Arrive in Bangkok very early in the morning (shortly after midnight). After customs formalities, transfer to your centrally located hotel for guaranteed early check-in. Take time to rest from the long journey.

Optional Excursion: In the afternoon, there will be an optional tour of Bangkok’s Temples. Temples, along with the monarchy, are the fabric that binds together the national identity that is Thailand, and some of the most interesting of Thai temples are found in Bangkok. Begin at Wat Trimitr where you will view the 700-year-old Golden Buddha, the largest in the world weighing approximately 5 tons. You'll also visit Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the "Marble Temple" and one of Bangkok's most important tourist attractions. Built of white Italian marble, it is a wonderful example of Thai temple architecture. And last, but not least, visit Wat Arun, the magnificent temple of Dawn with its 79-meter pagoda or ‘prang’. Built in the Khmer style. This excursion will be available locally.

Tonight, enjoy a Thai Set dinner at Supatra River House Restaurant. Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, this beautiful two-story traditional Thai house is the former home of Khunying Supatra Singholaga, a leading advocate of women's rights in Thailand. Its contemporary decor blends perfectly with the traditional architecture, and the views of the River, Grand Palace, and Wat Arun are spectacular. Dusit Thani (B,D)

Day 4: Bangkok. This morning, visit Bangkok's number one ‘must see’ attraction, as well as Thailand's most important landmark - the Royal Grand Palace. Your guide will take you on an in-depth journey through Thailand's history and royal heritage, where you'll be amazed at the grandeur and majesty of the building and its throne halls. This is also where you'll be treated to a special visit to see the mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. At Wat Po, founded in the 17th century and the oldest temple in Bangkok, you'll view the amazing Reclining Buddha, whose face depicts the attainment of Nirvana and whose feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

The afternoon is at leisure to explore Bangkok on your own, or join other locally available optional excursions. (B)

Day 5: Bangkok. This morning's tour will take you to the Thonburi Klongs (canals), and the Royal Barge Museum. Experience an exhilarating boat ride along the bustling Chao Phraya River and the quiet Klongs (canals) in a long-tailed boat. This is where you'll see the traditional way of life, far removed from Bangkok's modern skyscrapers. Visit the Royal Barge Museum to see the beautiful barges used by the King of Thailand on state occasions. Drop off at the River City Market for shopping on your own or return to your hotel. (B)

Day 6: Bangkok & Ayutthaya. Depart to Bang Pa In Summer Palace that was built by King Rama IV at a time of growing European influence in Thailand. Explore the majestic royal mansions and visit Wat Nivet Thammapavat, a gothic inspired temple beside the river.

Continue to the beautiful ancient city of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. King U-Thong founded the city in 1350 as the capital of his kingdom of Siam. By 1700, Ayutthaya had as many as a million inhabitants, making it one of the largest cities in the world at the time. But in 1767, the city was invaded and destroyed by the Burmese army. Magnificent ruins of the old city still remain, and archaeological excavations continue. Visit the most important of the ruined temples, Wat Yai and Wat Chai Watanaram. Kantary Hotel Ayyutthaya. (Oct 3, 2012 departure will be accommodated at Krungsri River Hotel.) (B)

Day 7: Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Phitsanulok & Sukhothai. Drive through the beautiful countryside past fields of rice paddies to Lopburi and Phra Prang Sam Yot, regarded as Lopburi's chief landmark. Like many sites in Lopburi, Phra Prang Sam Yot is overrun by monkeys, so hold on tight to your baseball caps, sunglasses and scarves. Depart to Phitsanulok, this town served as the Siamese capital for 25 years and was also the birthplace of King Naresuan. Today it is a busy, dynamic city and one of the larger of Thailand's provincial towns. Visit the Bronze Case Factory where a huge range of bronze Buddha images are cast using the 'lost wax method' which visitors can observe.

Continue to Sukhothai, which in 1238 became the first truly independent Thai kingdom, where the Thai culture, language and alphabet originated. Sukhothai Heritage Resort or similar (B)

Day 8: Sukhothai. Depart to Sri Satchanalai, the northern outpost town of the kingdom of Sukhothai, built by King Ramkamhaeng. En route, visit a small village in the Sukhothai area. See how village elders make hand-made cloth and carve wooden toys. Also make a special stop at a local school to spend time interacting with the children and teaching them a few words in English. (This is the opportunity for you to personally deliver the educational supplies you have brought with you to Thailand.)

Continue to Sri Satchanalai and visit Ko Noi Thuring, consisting of some 500 kilns which were the center of Sukhothai's famous 14th and 15th century Sangkhalok pottery manufacturing. Visit the main sites of the Sukhothai Historical Park, covering the period known as the golden age of Thai history. The park contains almost 200 ruined chedis in remarkable condition. Return to your hotel in Sukhothai. (B)

Day 9: Sukhothai, Phayao & Chiang Rai. Depart for Phayao, a rural lakeside province surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys dotted with fascinating religious sites. En route visit Wat Rong Khun, also known as the "White Temple". A lifetime project of artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the temple has a fine blend of traditional Buddhist art with contemporary themes and is decorated with small pieces of mirrored glass which add substantially to its dramatic beauty. Continue to Chiang Rai. The River House Resort and Spa (B)

Day 10: Chiang Rai. After breakfast, depart for the boat landing, for a one hour trip by long-tailed speed-boat to Karen Hilltribe Village. Along the way, observe the Mae Kok River and local life. Later, visit the Black House of Thawan Duchanee, a famous artist, and see a collection of his strange and fantastical paintings and intriguing surreal structures, which have been exhibited in many countries. Return to Chiang Rai. The afternoon will be at leisure to explore the town of Chiang Rai on your own. This evening is the perfect opportunity to stroll around the local night market. Enjoy bargaining for local handicrafts, souvenirs and other products. (B)

Day 11: Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle & Chiang Mai. After breakfast, continue to Chiang Saen, a small town on the bank of the Mekong River, on the border with Laos. A boat trip on the mighty Mekong takes you to the Golden Triangle, the place where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet. Then, depart Chiang Rai and drive to Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand, separated from the Burmese border town of Thakhilek by a small river also called Mae Sai. Take a stroll through the local market where you'll find jade and other Burmese jewelry and handicrafts.

Continue through mountains, valleys and the lush landscape of northern Thailand to Chiang Mai, Thailand's second largest city, often called "Rose of the North" because of the abundance of flowers that thrive in its cooler mountain climate. In the evening join your fellow tour members at a local restaurant. After dinner, each couple will receive a Khum Loy (fire balloon) to launch for good luck. De Naga Hotel (B,D)

Day 12: Chiang Mai. This ancient city boasts many of Bangkok's amenities, including excellent food and accommodations but without the frenetic pace of modern city life. From its origins as a small northern town, it has become a city representative of modern Thai culture with a beautiful personality of its own represented, in part, by the many temples found here.

This morning you'll visit some of the most interesting temples found in town and then travel high into the mountains, to Wat Doi Suthep, one of the most revered temples in all Thailand.

Continue to a handicraft village where silk, cotton, pottery and stoneware are among the many traditional folk arts practiced. The afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own or take advantage of interesting optional excursions, available locally. (B)

Day 13: Chiang Mai. This morning you will visit an elephant camp for a first-hand look at the important role elephants have played in every aspect of Thai life, from ceremonial purposes to warfare, transportation and farming. See a fascinating demonstration of elephants at work and play, followed by a 30 minutes elephant ride through the countryside, up and down hills and in the river – a true highlight of your tour! Later, visit a beautiful orchid farm to see how these lovely and prized plants are expertly and artistically cultivated.

The remainder of the day is at leisure to continue your explorations on your own. Or, treat yourself to an optional, Lanna-style spa treatment. (B)

Day 14: Bangkok/USA. Bid farewell to Thailand as you transfer to the airport to board your flight to Bangkok, and then your return flight to the USA via Taipei. Or, take advantage of your already-included international airfare and join our optional extensions to Angkor Wat and Phuket Island! (B)

Phuket Island Optional Extension

Take advantage of your already-included international airfare and enjoy a luxurious and relaxing stay on Phuket Island, Thailand's most famous resort.

Day 14: Bangkok & Phuket. Today you'll fly to Phuket. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Your hotel is ideally located at Patong Beach, overlooking Kalim Bay. Novotel Resort (B)

Day 15 & 16: Phuket. Two full days at leisure to relax, shop or tour this scenic island, Thailand's largest. Phuket and the 39 smaller islands to the southeast are studded with tropical forests, mountains, gravity-defying limestone formations, and pristine beaches, surrounded by coral reefs and the aquamarine water of the balmy Andaman Sea.

With warm, humid weather year-round, you'll enjoy plenty of sun-drenched days lounging on the beach and all manner of water sports, including jet-skiing, parasailing, surfing, scuba and snorkeling. Most of the dive locations are suitable for all skill levels, and the waters abound with colorful coral forests, tropical fish and other marine life, including leopard sharks, moray eels, octopus and turtles.

Phuket is also the sailing and yachting center of Thailand and adjacent countries, with several races and regattas happening throughout the year. And in the unlikely event that you can pull yourself away from the beach, you'll find opportunities to ride horses or elephants, hike, mountain bike, and even golf. Afterwards, unwind at one of the many spas or one of the excellent acrobatic, theatrical or cultural shows.

Join an optional tour to the breathtaking Phi Phi islands, filming location of The Beach. Take a trip by boat and bus to Phang Nha Bay and to the limestone spire known as "James Bond Island" famous for its role in The Man with the Golden Gun.

Phuket is a melting pot of Buddhists, Thai-Chinese, Muslims and even sea gypsies, whom you'll find warm and welcoming. The west coast of Phuket was hit severely by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, but the resilient people have quickly rebuilt, and almost no evidence of the damage now remains. (B)

Day 17: Phuket, Bangkok, USA. Enjoy a final day at leisure. Later today, transfer to the airport for the short flight to Bangkok. Continue to the USA via Taipei, arriving in Los Angeles later today. (B)

Angkor Wat Optional Extension

Take advantage of your already-included international airfare by joining our extension to Cambodia for a special opportunity to visit Angkor Wat, a massive complex of temples that ranks among the most fascinating religious sites in the world.

Day 14: Bangkok & Siem Reap, Cambodia. Transfer to the airport to take a short flight to Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park contains the ruins of more than 1000 stone temples dating from the 9th to the 13th centuries. Borei Angkor Hotel (B)

Day 15: Angkor Explorations. Built by the Khmer civilization between 802 and 1220 AD, the temples at Angkor and the great city that surrounded them represent one of mankind's most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements. The structures you see today are the surviving remains of a grand religious, social and administrative metropolis whose other buildings—palaces, public buildings, and houses—were built of wood and are long since decayed and gone.

Satellite photographs reveal Angkor to have been the largest preindustrial city in the world, with an urban sprawl of 3000 square kilometers (the closest rival is Tikal in Guatemala, at most 150 square kilometers) and supporting a population of up to one million people. Mysteriously abandoned in the 15th century, the Angkor site remained largely cloaked by the forest until the late 19th century, when archaeologists began to clear away the forest and embark on a long restoration process that continues today.

After breakfast, begin your explorations at the mysterious royal walled city of Angkor Thom. Its 54-tower temple is an awesome sight that most visitors never forget, with each of its surreal towers topped with four giant, barely smiling faces, staring out in the direction of the four points of the compass. The faces, which depict a Khmer royal ruler as a Buddhist deity, are identical, but the staggered height of the towers and the different viewpoint of each keeps the design from appearing repetitious. You are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic gaze of those faces, through half-closed eyes, staring out from a remote time in history.

After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the temples of the Small Circuit. The most famous is Ta Prohm temple, built in the mid 12th to early 13th centuries. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found, overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground, giving it the most mysterious atmosphere of the temples in the Angkor area.

Continue to the magnificent Angkor Wat Temple, built by Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the history of the region. (B,L)

Day 16: Angkor Explorations. This morning's excursion takes you to three early-era temples of the Roluos Group: Preah Ko, Bakong, and Lolei, built by King Indravarman I and his successor in the 9th century.

After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the "Citadel of Women" of Banteay Srei and Bantay Samré, considered to be the birthplace of Khmer classical architecture. (B,L)

Day 17: Siem Reap, Bangkok, USA. Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Bangkok. Continue to the USA via Taipei, arriving in Los Angeles later today. Or, continue on our optional Phuket Island Extension. (B)

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