Treasures of Thailand & Songkran Festival
Bustling Bangkok, historic Kanchanaburi & ancient Ayutthaya, then explore the wild north in Chiang Rai & the Songkran Festival of Chiang Mai; optional extensions to Angkor Wat & Phuket
| Style | Small Group Tour Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout | ||
| Departures | Group Size | 24 travelers max | |
| Themes | History & Culture, Festivals, Grand Tours | ||
| Activity Level | |||
| What to Expect | This moderately-paced, escorted Thailand tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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Discover the wonders of Thailand! 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! Start your journey in the bustling capital city of Bangkok, and then travel by motor coach to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the historic River Kwai and the ancient city of Ayutthaya. Next, you'll fly to Chiang Rai, Thailand's northernmost city, and visit the Hill Tribes of surrounding region. Continue by road to Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North” and experience the water festival of Songkran, Thai New Year! Play a fun role in the Songkran Festival as street parties, family reunions and friendly water fights are all combined to create a lighthearted and festive atmosphere no matter where you go! Stop by ancient temples and observe the Songkran rituals of alms giving, water pouring over Buddha images and sand castle building. But don't wait too long to reserve your spot, our groups are small, our prices are exceptional, and space is definitely limited.
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from Los Angeles including fuel surcharges, taxes and fees
- All intra-Thailand flights and ground transportation
- 9 nights at superior first-class & deluxe hotels
- 16 Meals: 9 buffet breakfasts, 4 lunches & 3 dinners, including a farewell dinner
- Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees
- Professional English-speaking tour directors and local guides
Optional add-ons
- Optional Angkor Wat post-tour Extension
- Optional Phuket post-tour Extension
Why you'll love it
- Prepare to be splashed as you celebrate Thai New Year's, and Thailand's most famous festival, Songkran, throughout Chiang Mai. The water thrown among the streets represents purification and the washing away of one's sins and bad luck.
- Embark on a sumptuous dinner cruise past the glittering sights of Bangkok.
- Visit Bangkok’s must-see attractions, including the Royal Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha & Wat Po.
- Discover the mouth-watering flavors and fragrant aromas of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
- Immerse yourself in Thailand's rich history with visits to the famous bridge on the River Kwai, Hellfire Pass Museum and Memorial Walking Trail.
- Explore the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, once the capital city of King U-Thong’s kingdom of Siam.
- Learn how Chiang Rai’s hill tribes use various agricultural techniques to farm their heavily forested lands.
- Ascend the Golden Naga staircase to admire the golden pagodas of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart USA
- 2 En route
- 3 Bangkok
- 4 Bangkok
- Optional Excursion: Chinatown Walk (purchased locally) , $35
- Optional Excursion: Calypso Cabaret Show (purchased locally) , $48
- 5 Bangkok
- Optional Excursion: Visit to Wat Trimitr & Wat Benchamabophit (purchased locally) , $48
- Optional Excursion: Muay Thai Show (purchased locally) , $76
- 6 Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak & Kanchanaburi
- 7 Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Bangkok, & Chiang Rai
- 8 Chiang Rai
- 9 Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai
- 10 Chiang Mai
- 11 Chiang Mai
- 12 Chiang Mai & Depart Bangkok/Arrive USA
Phuket Extension
- 12 Chiang Mai & Phuket
- 13 Phuket
- Optional Excursion: Day Cruise by June Bahtra (purchased locally)
- 14 Phuket
- Optional Excursion: Day Tour of Phi Phi Island by Speedboat (purchased locally)
- 15 Depart Phuket/Arrive USA
Videos
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Depart USA
- Check-in for your overnight flight to Bangkok, Thailand via Taipei
Day 2 En route
- Cross the International Dateline and lose a day (which you will recover on the return leg of your trip)
Day 3 Bangkok
- Upon arrival in Bangkok, transfer to your hotel for check-in
- Tonight, experience a lovely dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok or similarDinner
Day 4 Bangkok
- This morning, visit Bangkok's Royal Grand Palace
- See the mysterious Emerald Buddha and the Reclining Buddha at Wat Po
- Evening at leisure or optional excursions
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok or similarBreakfast
Day 5 Bangkok
- Board a long-tail boat and cruise the peaceful Klong Bang Luang
- The boat stops at Baan Silapin, a local art gallery
- Visit the Royal Barge Museum, to see the ceremonial barges of the Royal family
- Marvel at the Temple of Dawn, also known as Wat Arun
- Afternoon and evening at leisure or enjoy an optional excursion
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok or similarBreakfast
Day 6 Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak & Kanchanaburi
- Discover the colorful Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
- Continue to Kanchanaburi and visit the famous bridge of River Kwai and the World War II cemetery
- Visit the Hellfire Pass Museum and walk along the Memorial Walking Trail
U Inchantree Kanchanaburi or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 7 Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Bangkok, & Chiang Rai
- Depart Kanchanaburi and travel to the ancient city of Ayutthaya
- Discover the sculpture of a Buddha head woven in tree roots
- Visit Wat Yai Chaimongkol and see the statue of the Reclining Buddha
- Conclude the tour at Wat Chaiwattanaram monastery
- After lunch, return to Bangkok for your flight to Chiang Rai
Imperial River House Resort & Spa or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 8 Chiang Rai
- Embark on a full day tour to visit the Doi Tung region
- En route visit various hill tribe villages
- Visit the Mae Fah Luang gardens
- In the afternoon, drive to the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge
- Embark on a long-tail boat and see the area from the majestic Mekong River's perspective
Imperial River House Resort & Spa or similarBreakfast
Day 9 Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai
- Depart from Chiang Rai and continue to Chiang Mai
- En route visit Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple
- Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant en route to Chiang Mai
- Arrive in Chiang Mai late this afternoon
- Visit the Borsand Handicraft Village to learn about the work of local artisans
- Evening at leisure
Na Nirand Romantic Boutique Resort or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 10 Chiang Mai
- View celebrations of the Songkran Festival around the city
- Travel to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most revered temples in Thailand
- Observe a Songkran water pouring ceremony
- Enjoy a delicious bowl of Khao Soy, a famous Northern Thai dish
Na Nirand Romantic Boutique Resort or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 11 Chiang Mai
- Explore the Palaung, Akha and Lisu hill tribe villages
- On the way back to Chiang Mai, visit an orchid and butterfly farm
Na Nirand Romantic Boutique Resort or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 12 Chiang Mai & Depart Bangkok/Arrive 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 or both!
Breakfast
Angkor Wat 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. For JFK passengers, the Angkor Wat Extension must be arranged on a custom basis to be coordinated with China Airlines' JFK schedule; please contact us for details.
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 12 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
Sokha Angkor Resort or similarBreakfast
Day 13 Angkor Explorations
- Tour the royal walled city of Angkor Thom
- Visit the Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Explore the temples of the Small Circuit
- Discover the famous Angkor Wat archaeological site
- Dinner at a local restaurant
Sokha Angkor Resort or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 14 Angkor Explorations
- Visit the "Citadel of Women"
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Afternoon tour of the Roluos Group: Preah Ko, Bakong, and Lolei temples
Sokha Angkor Resort or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 15 Depart Siem Reap/Arrive USA
- Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Bangkok, then continue to the USA via Taipei
Breakfast
Phuket Extension
Take advantage of your already-included international airfare and enjoy a luxurious and relaxing stay on Phuket Island, Thailand's most famous resort.
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 12 Chiang Mai & Phuket
- Fly to Phuket and transfer to your hotel upon arrival
- Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure
Amari Phuket or similarBreakfast
Day 13 Phuket
- Full day at leisure on the island or enjoy an optional excursion
Amari Phuket or similarBreakfast
Day 14 Phuket
- Full day at leisure on the island or enjoy an optional excursion
Amari Phuket or similarBreakfast
Day 15 Depart Phuket/Arrive USA
- Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Bangkok, then continue to the USA via Taipei
- Passengers returning to JFK must leave Phuket early in the morning before breakfast is served at the hotel
Breakfast
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about Cambodia?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Thailand?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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