Itinerary
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Friday, 20 Mar 2020: Arrive Bangkok; Welcome Dinner (D)
Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand's capital city! Schedule your flight into Bangkok at your convenience but arrive no later than 4:00pm. Group transfers from the airport to the hotel are provided, based on arrival times. The tour begins at 6:00pm in the lobby of the hotel. Our Welcome Meeting will be followed by dinner at the hotel to get better acquainted. Overnight Bangkok - 4 nights
Saturday, 21 Mar 2020: Bangkok City Tour; Flower Market; Evening Cultural Show (B,D)
We begin our tour at Wat Pho to see the massive gold-plated Reclining Buddha and observe a monk during his chanting. Then it's off to the dazzling Grand Palace, the city's most famous landmark and a "must see" for every visitor to Bangkok. Within the compound are several impressive buildings including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), which houses the small, very famous and greatly revered Emerald Buddha. We'll also visit the largest flower market in the city and stop in at Wat Trimirt, home to the 5-1/2-ton Golden Buddha. This evening we are in for a treat as we take in a Siam Niramit performance, often described as the "must see" show of Thailand. This colorful spectacle is performed on a gigantic stage and takes you on a journey thorough the myths, festivals and history of Siam and Thailand.
Sunday, 22 Mar 2020: Floating Market; Canal Boat Ride; Thai Massage (B,L)
We travel outside of Bangkok today to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market with its many colors, flavors, and exotic fragrances. We board a narrow long-tail speedboat for a scenic ride, before transferring to a man-powered sampan boat where we pass riverside villages and fruit plantations before entering the vibrant floating market. After lunch at a local restaurant, we head to a massage school to enjoy a 60-minute authentic Thai massage. After our relaxing massage, we'll transfer back to the hotel and the remainder of the late afternoon and evening is on your own.
Monday, 23 Mar 2020: Ayutthaya Tour; River Cruise (B,L)
Today's excursion is to to Ayutthaya, the ancient Siamese capital, which is home to some of Thailand's most important historical landmarks and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The magnitude and number of the ancient temple ruins speaks of the former greatness of the city. We will visit some of the most interesting temples, including Bang-Pa-In, the summer palace of King Rama V. We return by boat to Bangkok via the Chao Phraya River, enjoying lunch onboard. We arrive back at our hotel late afternoon.
Tuesday, 24 Mar 2020: Fly to Chiang Mai; Sunset Views from Wat Doi Suthep (B)
We fly to Chiang Mai today. Upon arrival, we meet our guide and transfer to the hotel. Later this afternoon, we depart for the sunset views at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the "Temple on the Mountain," and the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand. According to legend, the temple was built to hold a bone fragment from the Buddha’s shoulder. One of those bones was mounted on a sacred white elephant (an important symbol in Thailand) who then climbed Doi Suthep mountain and stopped near the peak. After trumpeting three times, the elephant laid down and gently passed away in the jungle. Overnight Chiang Mai - 2 nights
Wednesday, 25 Mar 2020: Elephant Nature Sanctuary; Hill Tribe Villages (B,L)
This morning we drive through the picturesque countryside to visit the Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary for elephants, buffalo, and many other rescued animals. Here we will learn the stories of rescued and orphaned elephants and have the opportunity to feed these gentle giants from a viewing platform. Later this afternoon, we take an unforgettable excursion to the hill tribe villages of Chiang Mail to meet the people of the Palong, Padong, and Karen tribes who live peacefully as small farmers, observing traditional ways of life. They'll share their crafts and traditions, and we'll even get to try on the traditional neck rings worm by members of the Karen tribe!
Thursday, 26 Mar 2020: Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia (B)
We depart Thailand today and fly to Cambodia. Siem Reap is widely renowned as the gateway to Angkor Wat, the millennium-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. Set along the Siem Reap River, this small provincial capital boasts well-preserved colonial buildings, unique museums, traditional markets, cultural performances, and parks. Overnight Siem Reap - 3 nights
Friday, 27 Mar 2020: Angkor Wat; Angkor Thom; Cambodian Village (B)
The crown jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. As we ascend through a series of galleries and courtyards to the central sanctuary, we will view intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface of the temple. Along the outer gallery walls runs the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology. Today we will also visit the fortified city of Angkor Thom, enclosed by a wall and wide moats, to see the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings. At some point today, we will have a chance to visit a typical Cambodian village, mingle with the villagers, visit a local school and peek into a Buddhist temple.
Saturday, 28 Mar 2020: Banteay Samre; Ta Prohm Temple; Aspara Dance Performance (B,D)
We begin today with a visit to Banteay Samre, a mid-12th century temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, one of the principal gods in the Hindu religion. We then explore Ta Prohm Temple, one of the most popular attractions in Angkor as much of the jungle has yet to be cleared and so it still looks very much like most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Tonight, we will be transferred by tuk tuk to enjoy a buffet dinner of classic Khmer cuisine and take in an Apsara dance performance showcasing the traditional culture of Cambodia.
Sunday, 29 Mar 2020: Fly to Phuket (B)
We fly back to Thailand today with our final destination begin Phuket, one of the most popular beach destinations in the world. Overnight Phuket - 3 nights
Monday, 30 Mar 2020: Free Day in Phuket (B)
Today is yours to enjoy as you see fit in this tropical island destination. Our hotel is just steps away from the world-famous Patong Beach. You may opt to walk the beach and play in the surf, try out a water sport, go shopping, or explore some of the nearby waterfalls and other sights. Or maybe you simply want to lounge poolside and enjoy another massage. Tonight perhaps you might want to visit the famous Night Market and try your hand at haggling for merchandise. Your Tour Leader will have plenty of suggestions for how you might want to spend this day.
Tuesday, 31 Mar 2020: Free Day; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
Our final day in a tropical paradise. Today you might opt for an excursion to one of the outer islands such as the Phi Phis or James Bond Island. Or maybe you wish to take advantage of the spa services readily available throughout Phuket. There is no shortage of options. Tonight, we'll gather to share memories at our Farewell Dinner.
Wednesday, 1 Apr 2020: Return Home from Phuket (B)
Sadly, our adventure has come to a close. Schedule your departure at your convenience, but keep in mind that the airport is about an hour's drive from the hotel. Transfers are not included. Based on the departure time you provide WTT, your Tour Leader will organize travelers into small groups so you can ride-share to the airport if you wish.