Treasures of Thailand - 10 days/9 nights
 
Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Phuket
See the highlights of Thailand with 3 nights each in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. From thick jungles to pristine beaches, bustling cities, to quiet villages, this itinerary allows you to experience some of the most impressive yet diverse aspects of Thailand on privately guided tours.
Privately-Guided! Whether you are a single person, a couple, or a group, you'll have your own guide and driver for all airport pickups, drop offs, and daily excursions.
Choose Your Own Dates! This is not a fixed-departure-date tour. Just let us know the dates that work best for you and we will arrange everything.
Customizable! Need more time? Less time? Want to see or do something that isn't included? Just let us know, and we will arrange it for you and let you know the change in costs.
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Trip Highlights
- Bangkok city tour
- The ruins of Ayutthaya
- Hill tribe villages of Chiang Rai
- Be an elephant "owner" for a day at Patara Elephant Farm
- Hong by Starlight tour in Phuket
Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok
Arrive at the Bangkok airport in the late evening where you'll be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 2: Bangkok
Meet your guide at your hotel in the morning and set out on a private tour of the highlights of Bangkok. Visit the Grand Palace with the Emerald Buddha and Wat Po (Reclining Buddha). After a local lunch, take a boat ride through the Klongs (canals) with a visit to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). Overnight in Bangkok. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 3: Bangkok
After breakfast, meet your guide and drive to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand, 1.5 hours from Bangkok. Tour the Bang Pa In (Summer Palace) and the ruins of this ancient city. Return the boat and have lunch on board as you cruise back to Bangkok, a wonderful way to see the rural life along the river. Overnight in Bangkok. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 4: Bangkok to Chiang Rai
After breakfast, transfer to the Bangkok airport for a short flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Drive to Mae Sai, a border town with a thriving market based on cross-border trade. Take a walk around the town and marketplace to find various Burmese woven fabrics, handicraft, jewelries and many more. There is an option to cross into Tachileik (US$6 as border fee) for a look at a Burmese border town. Cross back to Mae Sai and travel to the Golden Triangle to stand on the spot where the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet on the Mekong River. Views of the low hills of Laos across the river are tantalizing. See the huge golden Buddha by the river bank. Tour the Opium Museum to know a little more about the opium trade which once made the Golden Triangle infamous. Proceed to see the ruins at ancient Chiang Saen which was an early Lanna kingdom to visit a couple of old temples like Wat Chedi Luang and Chom Kitti. Evening is free at leisure, you may want to stroll in the Night Market where there are lots of souvenirs and hill tribe handicraft on sale and local music-and-dance in open-air stages for entertainment as you sip your coffee, drink beer or tea. Overnight in Chiang Rai. (Breakfast)
Day 5: Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
Today make the days drive from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. Stop for lunch and at the hot springs along the way. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai visit Wat Doi Suthep mountain temple, which affords great views of Chiang Mai. Check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Chiang Mai (Breakfast and Lunch)
Day 6: Chiang Mai
Be picked up from your hotel after breakfast and transfer to the Patara Elephant Farm for the opportunity to be an elephant owner for a day at this special hands-on farm. Learn about elephant care and how to ride and bathe your elephant. Be taught basic riding skills and spoken commands before taking an easy ride within the farm and a short visit to a local temple. Learn about the elephant in the Buddhist tradition before setting off for your up-hill trip to visit a waterfall for a picnic lunch and a chance to refresh yourself in the water with your elephant. Ride your elephant back to the farm for its feeding time. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Chiang Mai (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 7: Chiang Mai to Phuket
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Phuket. Upon arrival you'll be welcomed and taken to your hotel. Overnight in Phuket. (Breakfast)
Day 8: Phuket
Morning free to relax on the beach. Be picked up from your hotel between 12:30 and 1:00 pm and depart for Phan Nga Bay to explore the waters and caves of the bay by sea kayak. Arrive at Ao Po and board the escort boat. Enjoy a Thai style light lunch and a trip briefing. Spend the afternoon exploring several cave/hong systems with time for swimming and free-paddle. Enjoy a Thai seafood buffet dinner during the beautiful Phan Nga Bay sunset and learn to make your own Kratong, a small “raft” made from banana leaves with a candle inside. Once daylight totally disappears, return to a previously visited Hong to launch your Kratong. No torches and no talking - three natural light sources and one special feeling create a lifetime memorable moment. Cruise back to the pier and transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Phuket. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Phuket
Today is free for your own activities. Choose to relax on a beach, shop in Phuket, or dine out at one of Phuket’s many excellent restaurants. Overnight in Phuket. (Breakfast)
Day 10: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the Phuket airport for your flight to Bangkok where you'll connect to your return flight home. (Breakfast)
(Note: If your connecting flight from the Bangkok Airport departs early morning, you'll need to return to Bangkok on the evening of Day 9.)
Rates
Per Person Rates (based on double occupancy):
Prices Good to March 31, 2011
Please note that peak season supplements for stays over Christmas and New Years may apply.
4-star Hotels: $2560
5-star Luxury Hotels: $3415
Solo Traveler Rates
4-star Hotels: $3515
5-Star Luxury Hotels: $5245
Rates Include
- All airport transfers to and from hotel
- All private tours and excursions as outlined in the itinerary
- Lunches during full day tours
- All surface transportation as per the itinerary by private, air-conditioned car
- Hotel accommodation on bed & breakfast basis inclusive of all taxes and service charges
- Services of a private, local English-speaking guide and driver for all excursions
- Flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai to Phuket, and Phuket to Bangkok
Rates Do Not Include
- International airfare
- Visa fees
- Airport departure taxes
- Tips
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Supplements for stays during peak season from Dec 21st to Jan 10th and mandatory gala dinners at hotels on Dec 24th and 31st
Hotels
Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking. If the hotel listed below is not available, an alternative hotel of similar quality will be substituted.
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| 4-Star | 5-Star | Bangkok | Grand Centre Point | Mandarin Oriental | Chiang Mai | Aruntara | The Chedi | Phuket | Amari Coral Resort | JW Marriott |
To Book This Tour
- Download, print, and fill out the Reservation Form for each person.
- Fax the form to 206-529-4803, or mail it with your non-refundable $500 per person deposit to:
Red Lantern Journeys
1000 N. Northlake Way
Suite H Seattle, WA 98103
- Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made less than 75 days prior to departure, full payment will be due upon confirmation of hotels and flights.
Payments must be made by personal check, bank wire transfer, or credit card. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will initiate the reservations and send you a statement showing your payment. Approximately 4 weeks prior to your departure, we will send you a final confirmation package containing your itinerary and detailed information on the logistics of your trip.
Forms to Download (pdf file)
Reservation Form with Complete Terms and Conditions
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