Mystical Overland Thailand

Day 1: BANGKOK (D)

Arrival at the airport in Bangkok. Transfer to hotel for check in and free. Dinner at hotel restaurant.

Overnight in Bangkok.

 

Day 2: BANGKOK FULL DAY TOUR (B,L, D)

Breakfast at hotel. Thailand has over 26,000 ‘Wats’ or Temples. This tour brings you to the 3 most famous temples in Bangkok. Wat Traimit (‘Temple of the Golden Buddha’) boasts a statue of Buddha which is made from solid gold. It weighs 5.5 tons and is a fine example of Sukhothai art. Passing through Chinatown your next stop is Wat Po (‘Temple of the Reclining Buddha’) which is the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok, a great place also for a traditional Thai massage.  It is also the seat of Traditional herbal medicine School, being referred to as “Thailand First Medical university” www.watpho.com. Then continue visit to the The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) Together, these two sites form what many consider the greatest spectacle for visitors to Bangkok. Dating back to 1782 (when Bangkok was founded), the entire compound consists of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden spires and glittering mosaics. Because of its popularity, this destination is often extremely crowded, but still an essential part of any trip to Bangkok.Presently, the Grand Palace is used for the occasional ceremony and is no longer the royal home (the present King Bhumibol lives in Chitralada Palace, located in Bangkok’s nearby Dusit district). The interiors of most of the buildings in the GrandPalace are closed to the public.Wat Phra Kaew adjoins the GrandPalace in a common compound and is the home of the country’s most famous Buddha statue (also known as the Emerald Buddha). This important figure has a long and interesting history that is tied to the royal family and once resided in nearby Wat Arun. It is relatively small (about 66 centimeters) and is situated in a high position in the Wat to signify its important status in the Thai kingdom. Rest of day, free to walk at your pace, “City of Angels” and discover the charms of one of the oldest cities of Southeast Asia. Take the opportunity to stroll around Sanam Luang, the royal park and venue of many religious events or watch the gorgeous sunset behind the Temple of Dawn, near the Chao Phraya river.Return to your hotel and free at leisure for your own activities. Overnight in Bangkok. 

Lunch and dinner included.

 

Day 3: BANGKOK – PHITSANLUK (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel. The outing begins in Bangkok with an early departure, our first stop is at Bang Pa In, and the former summer residence of the kings of Ayutthaya built in the 18th century. There we’ll visit the RoyalPalace, the Thai pavilion, the Chinese-stylePalace Vihat Chamrun with their

trimmed bushes in elephant shapes.  Continue to Ayutthaya, which used to be the capital of Siam from 1350 to 1767 and visit the most interesting temples like Wat Chaiwathanaram, Wat Phra Srisampetch. Then, proceeding to Lopburi, to visit the ruins of  War Phra Sri Ratana & Phra Prang Sam Yod, a temple with three towers and impressive ornaments then continue on to Phitsanuloke for over night. Overnight in Phisanulok. Lunch and dinner included.

 

 

Day 4: PHITSANLUK – LAMPANG (B, L,D)

Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast, visit to the Chapel Phitsanulok & Wat Phra Sri Ratana Mahathat – is a major city landmark and houses Thailand‘s most beautiful and significant Buddha image, Phra Buddha Chinnarat. Proceed to Sukhothai, the first capital (13th century) of the ThaiKingdom. Old Sukhothai is one of Asia’s most important historical sites and therefore under the supervision of UNESCO. After a visit of the temples Wat Sri Chum, we continue to Sri Satchanalai, the former sister town of Sukhothai for lunch and a visit to some of its most interesting temples and ruins.  We drive further North to Lampang. Overnight in Lam Pang.

Lunch and dinner included.

 

Day 5 : LAMPANG – PHAYAO – GOLDEN TRIANGLE (B, L, D)
Pick up at hotel in Lampang + Drive to Ko Kah to see Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang housing the only Emerald Buddha besides the one at Wat Phra Keo in Bangkok. Depart from Phayao, a unique rural town and once the princely state whose former glory will be seen at Wat Sri Kom Kam. Proceed to Chiang Rai and lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Chiang Saen, the former capital of the first ThaiKingdom, situated directly on the MekongRiver at the border between Thailand and Laos. Vist Wat Phra Dhat Jom Kitti by climbing up 383 steps to the top of the hill. Alos visit Wat Chedi Luang and the small museum nearby. Continue by long tailed speedboat upriver on the Mekong towards the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos convene.

Overnight at Chiang Sean. Lunch and dinner included.

 

 

Day 6 : CHIANG SAEN – DOI MAE SALONG – MAE SAI – CHIANG SAEN (B,L,D)
Depart from Chiang Saen to visit the Lisu Village at Baan Mae Kaotom and continue to Doi Mae Salong passing through beautiful mountain scenery. The view from the top takes in a large part of Thailand, Myanmar and the MekhongValley which makes this trip very worthwhile. Lunch at Mae Salong Villa in Doi Mae Salong. Drive to Ban Lorcha, a Phami Akha hill tribe community center. This community-based tourism development project promotes sustainable, self-reliant development to improve the quality of life of villagers of this Akha Community, and is a model for tourism in Hill tribe villages. Continue to Mae Sai, the northernmost Thai town on the Myanmar border. Walk around the local market with opportunity for shopping. Return to Chiang Saen.

Overnight at Chiang Sean. Lunch and dinner included.

 

Day 7 : CHIANG SAEN – CHANG MAI (B,L,D)

Depart from Mae Chan and short stop at a ‘Hot Spring’. Proceed to Chiang Mai and lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon visit to Handicraft Villages to see the manufacturing of lacquer ware, spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and how paper umbrellas are made. Also visit Thai wood carving factory with possibility to buy Burmese antiques. Lunch and dinner included.

 

Day 8 : CHIANG MAI (B,L,D)
Visit to the elephant camp at Mae Taman to watch the elephants taking timber in the forest. Their strength and clever teamwork will amaze you. Take a one hour elephant riding into the jungle. Continue to visit the Orchid Farm and lunch. Afternoon visit Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at an elevation 1,056 meters.

 Lunch and dinner included.

 

Day 9 : CHIANG MAI – BANGKOK (B)

Transfer to ChiangMaiAirport for flight to Bangkok.

 

 

End of services

Inclusions:

All accommodation on double/twin sharing basis with daily ABF

All airport – hotel – airport transfers on private basis with English speaking guide

All tours & transfers on private basis with English speaking guide, all entrance fees

Meals as indicated (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)

*FOC on twin/double sharing basis

 

Exclusions:

Air fares of any kind

Services not mentioned above

Extra charges, personal expenses

Surcharge for peak season if any (upon booking)

Optional tours /meals if any (rate given separately)

Gala Dinners if any (for 24^th Dec 2010 X’mas Eve and 31^st Dec 2010 New Year’s Eve)

Travel insurance, visa fees etc

 

 

Remark:

Above quotation is for pax traveling (rate per pax) and valid from now till Oct 2014 (pls check validity dates as mentioned, except Peak season 19^th Dec 2013 – 15^th Jan 2014)

No reservations have been made at this time

Itinerary mentioned above is only tentative and is subject to guests’ flight timings.