Classic Thailand Bangkok Chiang Mai Samui

Classic Thailand(Bangkok –Chiang Mai –Samui)

(10days / 9nights)

This  package  offers  3  of  the  most  visited  destinations  of  Thailand.  Start your  journey in Bangkok,  the  capitalcity  and  the  focal  point of Thailand,  to  visit  iconic  temples  and  the Grand Palaceas well as the renowned floating market at Damnoen Saduak. There is room for endless entertainment opportunities in the city with excellent choice of eating options.Then fly to Chiang Mai, the latest capital of Lanna Kingdom before it’s merged into Siam.Our package  hascompiled  a  hand-picked  list  of  highlights  that  you  can  see  all  the  most important landmarks includingWat Phrathat Doi Suthep. We also visit hill tribe village and joinelephant  care program;  where  you  can  be  closer  to  the  big  gentle  friends.Finish  off  at Samuiand  get  your  skin  tanned  under  the  deep  blue  sky, feel  the  sand  between  your  toes while listening to the gentle lapping of waves peacefully washing ashore. Koh Samui is lush with  tropical  jungle,  its  shore  lined  with  nodding  coconut  palm  trees  and  surrounded  by aquamarine  sea.  Most  beaches  offer  peace  andrelaxation  yet  some  come  up  with  lively nightlife, and choices of restaurants and bars.

 Arrival –Bangkok

Day 1:  Arrive in Bangkok. Be welcomed and greeted by our local guide. Transfer to your hotel and the rest of the day is at your own leisure.

Approximate  total  distances:Suvarnabhumi  Airport  (BKK)  to  Bangkok  city  centre:  36  km  (50 minutes) Meals included: None

Accommodation: Option 1Shangri-La Bangkok –Shangri-La Wing Deluxe Room

Option 2 Mandarin Oriental Bangkok –Deluxe Room**Triple sharing not allowed

 Day 2 Bangkok

Breakfast at the hotel.Take  a  tour  that  included  three  of  Bangkok’s  most famous temples, plus the iconic Grand Palace. The first on the tour; Wat Trimita 700-year-old, three-meter tall golden  statue,  cast  from  five-and-a-half  tons  of  solid gold which makes it the world's largest solid gold statue. Wat  Phofeatures  one  of  the  largest  reclining  Buddha images in Thailand. It is also known as the birthplace of traditional  Thai  massage.  The  Temple  of  the  Emerald Buddha,   situated   in   the   Grand   Palace   complex, otherwise known as Wat Phra  Kaewis regarded as the most sacred temple in the kingdom. It is home to the Emerald Buddha, a dark green statue which has been  carved  from  a  single  jade  stone.  The  former  residence  of  the  King,  the  Grand  Palace,  adjoins the temple. Note:Dress  code  for  the  Grand  Palace  &  Wat  Phra  Kaew:  Men  must  wear  long pants  and  shirts  with  sleeves  (no  tank  tops.  If  you  are  wearing  sandals  or  flip-flops you  must  wear  socks  (no  bare  feet.)  Women  must  be  similarly  modestly  dressed. Skirts need to fully cover the legs, no see-through clothes, no bare shoulders, etc.Return to the hotel.Rest of the day is at your own leisure

.Approximate pick-up & drop off times:08:00 –12:30 hrs.

Approximate total distances:Bangkok city centre to Grand Palace 12 km. / 35 minutes

Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation: Option 1 Shangri-La Bangkok –Shangri-La Wing Deluxe Room

Option 2 Mandarin Oriental Bangkok –Deluxe Room**Triple sharing not allowed

 Day 3 Bangkok

Start  an  early  morning  with  a  visit  to  the Railway Market,  witness  the  train  running  through  the  heart  of the  market  while  vendors  begin  to  move  their  goods away from tracks. On the way stop for a short visit to a local  coconut  farm,  see  how  they  produce  different products,  try  for  example  freshly  cooked  coconut  palm sugar.  There  are  countless  floating  markets  throughout Thailand,  but  the Damnoen  Saduak  Floating  Marketis  the  most  famous.  Situated  110  km  from  Bangkok  in Ratchaburi  province,  you  will  take  a long  tail  boat  ride through  the  canals  and  witness  the  local  communities along the riverbank, before visit the floating market at Damnoen Saduak. At the market, you can walk around  and  see  colorful  clad  merchants  paddle  along  congested  canals  in  sturdy  canoes  laden  with fresh fruit, vegetables, local foods and tourist souvenirs to sell to shoppers on the canal banks. Buy some  local  snacks,  enjoy  the  view  of  the  many  boats  find  their  way  along  the  canals  and  locals interact with tourists. There is lots of activity and bargaining is part of the fun of the sale

 Approximate pick-up & drop off times:  06:30 –14:00 hrs.

Approximate total distances: Bangkok to Damnoen Saduak: 110 km (1.5 hours)

Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation: Option 1 Shangri-La Bangkok –Shangri-La Wing Deluxe Room

Option 2 Mandarin Oriental Bangkok –Deluxe Room**Triple sharing not allowed

 Day 4: Bangkok –Chiang Mai

Breakfast  at  the  hotel.  At  the  indicated  time,  private  transfer  with  guide  to  the Bangkok airport  to take the flight to Chiang Mai –flight not included, please see rate in our flight ticket tariffArrive Chiang Mai airport by morning flight, meet your local guide and transfer to your selected hotel in Chiang Mai city.In  the  afternoon,time  to  explorethe  city! The  city  of Chiang  Mai  has  a  wealth  of  beautiful  and  historic Buddhist ‘Wats’(temples) and on this tour a visit to the most fascinatingWats is made. Near the summit of Doi Suthep,  is  the  600-year-old  temple  of Wat  PhraThat Doi  Suthep. After a drive up the mountain’s winding road,  the  final  climb  to  the  site  is  via  an  enormous mythological  Nagas  (Dragon-headed  serpent)  staircase of 306 steps (elevators are available). Inside the cloister is an intriguing copper-plated chedi topped by a five-tier gold   parasol,  which   contains   partial   relics   of  Lord Buddha.  On  a  clear  day,  there  are  incomparable  views over  the city  of  Chiang  Mai  from  the  temple  grounds.Other  temples  visited  on  this  tour  include Wat  Suan Dok,  whose  large  central  stupa  contains  Buddha  relic which   supposedly   self-multiplied!   and Wat   Chedi Luangconsist of an impressive chedi, originally built in 1411.  It  reached  a  height  of  over  85  meters  before  it was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. It now reaches  a  height  of  only  60  meters.  The  temple  also contains the city pillar.

Note:We recommend flight that arrival in Chiang Mai no later than 13.00 hrs

Approximate pick up & drop off times:To be advised (depending on your flight)

Approximate total distances: -Bangkok city centre to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK): 36 km (50 minutes)-Chiang Maicenter to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep 20 km (40 minutes)

Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Option 1Anantara Chiang Mai Resort -Deluxe Garden View Room**Triple sharing not allowed

Option 2 Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai –Garden Pavilion

 Day 5

After  breakfast, get  pick  up  from  your  hotel  in  Chiang Mai cityand drive approximately 1.30hour for a half-day elephant care activity.Enjoy a visit to a natural home and sanctuaryfor the elephants. At the park, you will have the  opportunity  to  spend  time  with  the  various  herds, learn  about  how  to  care  elephants  as  well  as  their individual  stories. One  of  the  highlights  is  to prepare foodsand  fruitsto  feed  them. You  can  expect  to  have some  wonderful photo  opportunitiesduring  this  time. Take a walk around the park with your expert guide and elephants, with no ridingand you may have a chance to see the elephants socializing in their herds, concluding at one of the elephant’s favourite  places,  the mud  bath.After  the  guided  walk  through the  park,  take  a breakwith  a  drink  and  snacks  provided  by  the  park. Around noon,  it  is  time  for goodbyes to the elephants.After lunch, drive tothenearby colorful and exotic local market,  where  the  local  people  and  the  hilltribes  meet and trade their goods mostly fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers.Here you can do some shopping! Proceed  to the unspoiled hilltribe  villages  in  Chiang Daowhere variety of different hill tribes live in. You will learn about their everyday life, traditions and unique and fascinating customs. You may have a chance to talk with some villagers  and  practice  some  local  language  before heading back to your hotel in Chiang Mai

Approximate pick up & drop off times:.07.00 –18.30 hrs.

Approximate total distances: Chiang Mai center to elephant camp 60 km (1.5 hours)

Meals included:Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation:Option 1Anantara Chiang Mai Resort -Deluxe Garden View Room**Triple sharing not allowed

Option 2 Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai –Garden Pavilion

Day 6: Chiang Mai –Koh Samui

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, private transfer with guide to Chiang Mai Airportto take the flight to Koh Samui –flight not included, please see rate in our flight ticket tariffArrive in Samui Airport. Be welcome and greeted by our local guidewho will escort you to hotel. Rest of the day is your own leisure.

Approximate pick up & drop off times:To be advised(depending on your flight)

Approximate total distances:-Chiang Mai center to Chiang Mai Airport 5-20km (15-45minutes)-Samui Airport (USM) to the hotel 10-20km (30 minutes)

Meas included:Breakfast

Accommodation: Option 1 Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa –Premier Garden View**Triple sharing not allowedOption 2 Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui –One Bedroom Pool Villa

Day 7-9: Samui

Breakfast at the hotel. Free daysfor optional excursions or relaxing on the beach.

Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation: Option 1 Anantara BophutResort & Spa –Premier Garden View**Triple sharing not allowed

Option 2 Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui –One Bedroom Pool Villa

 Day  10  Samui 

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the indicated time, private transfer with escortedguide to Samui Airport to take the flight to your next destination.

Approximate total distances:Hotel to SamuiAirport (USM): 10-20 km (30minutes)Meals included:Breakfast