Asia Tour - China Tour

THAILAND HERITAGE AND CULTURE
Price starts at:	$1799
Tour Length:	15 Days
Destinations:	Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan, Sukothai, Nan, Phayao, Khum Lanna,Lisu Lodge, Chiang Meie
Cultural Highlights:	Bangkok: Don Wai, Rose Garden, Thai cooking, cultural show at the Rose Garden Village, Phra Pathom Chedi, Damnoen Saduak Market, Burma-Thailand Railway Station Museum , Bridge over the River Kwai. Ayutthaya: Ayutthaya Ruins Yangon: Shwedagon Pagoda, Sule Pagoda, Kandwgyi (Royal) Lake Bagan: Shwezigon Paya, Gubyaukhyi Temple at Wetkyi-Inn; Anada Pahto, Gubyaukgyi Temple at Myinkaba, Manuha Temple, Shwesandaw Para Mandalay Mahamuni Paya, Shwe In Bin Kyaung, Mandalay Palace. Mingu: City of Immortality – Amarapura. Pindaya: Pindaya Caves Inle Lake. local market and an Intha

TRIP ITINERARY
Day 1 Thursday Los Angeles / Bangkok Fly transpacific aboard Northwest Airlines wide-cabin 747 jetliner. Day 2 Friday Arrive Bangkok Upon arrival in Bangkok, you are escorted to your hotel. Day 3 Saturday Bangkok– Thai House B, D After breakfast at the hotel, our representative will pick you up and take you to the Aquara Spa, a charming cottage built by a Prince and registered as a National Architectural Heritage site. You will be taken great care of during a specially tailored mix of jet-lag treatments (foot reflexology, choice of Fusion or Thai-style massage and head reflexology). Afterwards be transported to Pinklao pier to take a longtail boat to The Thai House in the rural outskirts of the city. Check in and explore the traditional house and its garden. Time at leisure. Dinner and overnight at The Thai House. Day 4 Sunday Thai House-Mekhala B, L, D Board a neighbor’s boat from the pier of The Thai House to discover the lesser-known canals (khlongs) of Bangkok’s Nonthaburi side. Stop to discover a typical fruit farm hidden in the maze of canals and taste some delicious local fruits with the farm’s owner. Continue by boat to reach the majestic Chao Praya and on to the Supatra River House where lunch is served by the river overlooking the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. Board the Mekhala barge after lunch. Dinner and overnight on board . Day 5 Monday Mekhala – Ayuthaya – Nakhon Sawan B, L After breakfast on the barge, cruise to Bang Pa-In summer palace for a visit then on to Wat Phanancherng. Sail on to a local riverside restaurant in Ayuthaya for lunch. Then visit the Historical Research Center and Wat Chai Wattanaram and Wat Pra Srisanphet. Drive on the scenic road to Ang Thong to see the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand at Wat Khun Inthapramun. Continue to Utthai Thani to watch the sunset from Sakaenkrang Hill overlooking the city and countryside. Try your luck by throwing a coin into the bellybutton of the Chinese Buddha statue. Overnight at Country Lake Nature Lodge (Superior room) in a bungalow surrounded by lovely trees. Day 6 Tuesday Nakhon Sawan - Uthai Thani – Nakhon Sawan B, L Wake up to the sound of birds and enjoy your breakfast next to the lotus field on the lake. Drive to Uthai Thani to explore the lively and colorful fresh market before you embark on a typical river barge for a boat trip that takes you by floating houses, farms and picturesque temples before returning to the Country Lake and the unique Wat Chantharam, a large meditation center with its “Crystal Hall”, famous throughout Thailand. Lunch at the Resort. Free afternoon for relaxation or bird watching. Optional hire of a bicycle or kayak to explore the rural surroundings. In the evening visit the local village temple and attend the daily Buddhist prayers with the monks. Listen to the sound of sanskrit canons and experience this very special atmosphere. Overnight at the resort Day 7 Wednesday Nakhon Sawan - Sukothai B, L Breakfast at the hotel. Drive on the rural back roads to Kamphaeng Phet and visit the Historical Park and the National Museum with statues from the archeological site. Continue to Sukothai to visit the famous Sukhothai Historical Park. Lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed on the scenic road to Sri Satchanalai. Visit the historical park with its impressive temple ruins in the forest. Overnight at the Sukhothai Resort (Deluxe room). Day 8 Thursday Sukhothai – Phrae – Nan B, L Breakfast at the hotel. Then drive to Phrae and visit Wat Chom Sawan and the Vongburi House Museum. Continue to Tung Hong Village and visit a Mohom shirt workshop before driving to Nan. Visit a Sa paper production factory shortly before arriving Nan. Lunch at a local restaurant in Nan. Afterwards visit the Nan National Museum, Wat Phumin and Wat Chang Kham. Continue to Ban Nong Bua, visit Wat Nong Bua and to take a stroll in the Thai Lua village to the silk weaving shop. Return to Nan with stop at the Riverside Gallery of artist Khun Winai Prabripoo. Overnight at the Dhevaraj Hotel (Deluxe room). Day 9 Friday Nan – Phayao – Khum Lanna B, L, D After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Phayao. Visit Kwan Phayao (Phayao Lake), the largest freshwater swamp in Thailand, and Wat Sri Khom Kham. Lunch at a local restaurant by the lake. Afterwards continue to the Farm Lanna. Dinner and overnight at Khum Lanna. Day 10 Saturday Khum Lanna - Lisu Lodge B, L, D Breakfast at the Khum. Then, enjoy rural experiences: biking to visit Wat Tham Dork Kum and agricultural areas. Afterwards, return to Khum Lanna for lunch. Then, enjoy Lanna activities: learn and try fruit and vegetable carving or take a short Thai cooking lesson. Afterwards drive to the Lisu Lodge. Dinner and overnight at Lisu Lodge. Day 11 Sunday Lisu Lodge B, L, D After breakfast at the hotel, a full day of Lisu Adventures is waiting for you: Cycling downhill to visit the Mae Taeng Elephant Camp. Then ride through the beautiful mountains and jungle to the river on an elephant’s back. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the river at the elephant camp. Afterwards embark on an inflatable raft for an exciting 45 minutes of whitewater rafting along the Mae Taeng River. After this adventure take a short drive to visit a typical Akha Village. You may choose to cycle back to Lisu Lodge or use the transfer of a local vehicle. Upon arrival enjoy refreshments at the lodge and then free time to enjoy Lisu activities such as embroidering and organic gardening. Dinner and overnight at Lisu Lodge. Day 12 Monday Lisu Lodge – Chiang Mai B, D Breakfast at the lodge. Afterwards depart for Wiang Kum Kam, the archeological remains of an ancient city before being transferred to Tamarind Village. Then, proceed to visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, a famous temple in the mountains. Visit White Hmong village by a local truck and enjoy a coffee break at the Coffee Research Project. Dinner at Le Grand Lanna, a unique traditional northern Lanna restaurant. Overnight at Tamarind Village (run of house room). Day 13 Tuesday Chiang Mai / Bangkok Departure from Chiang Mai B At leisure until the transfer to Chiang Mai airport for the flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, be transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Day 14 Wednesday Bangkok B Today you are on your own to explore Bangkok. Day 15 Thursday Bangkok / Los Angles B You are escorted to the airport for your return flight home. RATES AND DATES back to top^

WHAT'S INCLUDED
• Transfers and tours as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle (car / minivan), open-air longtailed boat and open-air vehicle. • Local English-speaking guide except on board Mekhala (barge) where English-speaking assistance is provided. • Accommodations in air-conditioned rooms, except at Thai House, Khum Lanna and Lisu Lodge, where electric fans are provided. • Meals as specified. • Entrance fee and admission fee on the mentioned visits. • Baggage handling. PRICE EXCLUDES: • Other meals than mentioned in the program. • Optional tours. • Personal expenditures such as drink, etc. REMARKS: • Photography is forbidden in all museums as well as the Ayuthaya Historical Research Center and Chiang Mai City Art and Cultural Center. • Early check-in and late check-out at hotels is not guaranteed. back to top^

ACCOMMODATIONS
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Book now or call 800 -717 -7752 for more details. * We strongly recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance so that your travel investments are protected in the event of a sudden emergency and you will travel with “Peace of Mind.”