15 Day Kaleidoscope of Thailand with River Kwai
Starting at $1,519
Destinations & Sightseeing
Itinerary and Meals
Accomodations
800.528.9300
Destination & Sightseeing
- Round trip flights Los Angeles-Bangkok, Bangkok-Los Angeles
Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices - Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
- Intra-flight Chiang Mai-Bangkok
- 13 nights accommodations
- 4 nights Bangkok
- 2 nights Kanchanaburi
- 1 night Ayutthaya
- 1 night Sukhothai
- 2 nights Chiang Rai
- 3 nights Chiang Mai
- Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
- Hotel porterage
- All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
- 21 meals: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
- Entrance fees per itinerary
- Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring
Special Features
- In Bangkok, visit serene Wat Po, home of the astonishing giant Reclining Buddha, over 150 feet long
- Visit the buzzing and vividly colorful Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
- Walk the bridge over the River Kwai & explore the War Museum
- Visit to impressive Ayutthaya Historical Park, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Explore historical Sukhothai, capital of the first Kingdom of Siam
- Visit the House of Opium & Golden Triangle
- Discover Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple, the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand
- Authentic Thai dinner at a Chiang Mai private home
♦ Flights from the USA may arrive early on DAY 3. Sightseeing commences in the morning of Day 3.
†Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
ITINERARY
DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Thailand
Depart for Thailand
DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in Bangkok
Welcome to Thailand! Arrive in exotic Bangkok and transfer to your hotel; remainder of the day is at leisure. Time to rest, relax and acclimate to your new time zone
Overnight: Bangkok
DAY 3, Monday - Bangkok City Tour
This morning take a tour that introduces you to Bangkok, the "City of Angels". Drive through Chinatown packed with hundreds of market stalls, street-side restaurants, and gold shops. On to colorful "Little India" with its bright hanging walls of glistening fabrics and the fragrant wholesale Flower Market. Visit serene Wat Po, (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) the oldest and largest temple in the city, with its astonishing giant Reclining Buddha, over 150 feet long and almost 40 feet high. Drive via Royal Avenue where most of the Government offices are located and the King's Palace. The rest of the day is at leisure before tonight's Welcome Drink and orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, followed by a Welcome Dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Bangkok
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4, Tuesday - Full Day in Bangkok
Today is yours to explore Bangkok independently. Or, take the optional tour to the elaborate 18th century Grand Palace, symbol and ceremonial heart of the kingdom, and to Wat Phra Kaew, (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), with its brightly colored buildings, golden spires and gorgeous mosaics. You'll see the distinct contrast in style between the Thai-inspired Wat Phra Kaew and the European design of the Grand Palace. In the evening, attend the optional buffet dinner and stunning performance of the "Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam". Boasting over 150 performers, this lavish production delves into Siam's history and culture
Optional: Half Day Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha (AM)
Optional: Siam Niramit Show & Dinner (PM)
Overnight: Bangkok
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Wednesday - Travel to Kanchanaburi, Visit Bridge over River Kwai & War Museum
Travel southwest this morning to the vibrant Damnoen Saduak Floating Market; observe how the ancient trading of wares is conducted between hundreds of local farmers and villagers aboard small Sampan boats. The boats are fully loaded with all kinds of products including fruits, vegetables, dry goods, and freshly cooked food. From the Floating market, continue to the quiet provincial capital of Kanchanaburi, with its stunning natural beauty and beautiful rivers. Walk over the stone bridge at the River Kwai, one of the most famous rivers in the world, which gained international fame in the book and film, "Bridge on the River Kwai". The bridge, several museums, and cemeteries have respectfully preserved the history and memorialized the dead. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a hotel restaurant
Overnight: Kanchanaburi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Thursday - Full Day in Kanchanaburi
Today is at leisure to explore Kanchanaburi independently. Or, take the optional full day Hellfire Pass and Death Railway tour. Hellfire Pass derives its name from Allied POWs forced to work day and night in the jungle to complete the bridge and rail line using only simple tools; more than 12,000 soldiers and 80,000 Thais perished during the construction. Lunch en route before returning to the hotel
Optional: Full Day Hellfire Pass & Death Railway with lunch
Overnight: Kanchanaburi
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Friday - Travel to Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya City Tour
Depart Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya, the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai for over 400 years, once glorified as the largest city in Southeast Asia. In the center of the city lies Ayutthaya Historical Park, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can see the ruins of the former capital and its remaining palaces, monasteries, and towers - one can envision the grandeur and splendor that was once the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. After lunch, visit Bang Pa-In Palace, a collection of beautiful buildings in various architectural styles, surrounded by a lake. Originally built by King Prasat Thong in 1632, this served as the Royal Summer Palace for the Thai kings. Continue to the Chai Wattanaram Temple, built by King Prasat Thong, a commoner who overthrew the previous king and took his throne. Here, you can enjoy the peaceful and tranquil surroundings of Siam before dinner
Overnight: Ayutthaya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8, Saturday - Travel to Sukhothai, Sukhothai Historical Park
Travel north this morning to Sukhothai, the birthplace of the Thai nation, founded in the 13th century by King Ramkhamhaeng. The country's first capital was established here in 1238 and lasted over two centuries. Sukhothai is world-famous for its over 100 historical sites and treasures, including some of the most beautiful Thai art and architecture in the country, created during the city's "golden era", between the 13th and 14th centuries. Visit the Old Town of Sukhothai, immaculately restored and set among leafy hills and peaceful lotus ponds, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At this astonishing site, most of the remains of the original city can be seen. Marvel at the ancient Buddha figures, palaces, temples, and historical monuments and feel yourself drift back in time to a bygone era
Overnight: Sukhothai
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Sunday - Travel to Chiang Rai
After breakfast, depart Sukhothai and drive to scenic Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand, center of the Lanna Thai Kingdom during the 13th century. The region, rich in natural resources and textiles was occupied by the Burmese until 1786. Time to relax before dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Chiang Rai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11, Tuesday - Travel to Chiang Mai
Morning at leisure when you have an opportunity to join the optional excursion to Mae Salong, still inhabited by hill people, namely the Akha, Long Neck and Salong tribes. Visit one of the tribes to see their unique way of life and learn more about their culture before driving to Chiang Mai, ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom and cultural heart of northern Thailand, nestled in the rolling foothills of the Himalayas. Explore this city that remained completely isolated from the world until the 1920s. Visit the world's largest gem factory to watch as gem stones are cut and set
Optional: Half Day Mae Salong Hill Tribe (AM)
Overnight: Chiang Mai
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12, Wednesday - Full Day in Chiang Mai; Dinner at Private Home
Morning is at leisure to explore Chiang Mai independently or, join the optional tour of Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, established in 1993, as the first botanical garden in Thailand. Stroll through the lush grounds covered with exotic types of trees, plants and flowers. After your visit, stop for lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit Sankampang Street, center of handicrafts, for on-site demonstrations on how the silk, lacquer, silver, wood and bronze wares are made. Tonight, a unique experience. You're invited to join a local Chiang Mai family in their home for an authentic home-cooked Thai dinner. Tour the home, get secret recipes and discuss family life in Chiang Mai
Optional: Half Day Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden with lunch (AM)
Overnight: Chiang Mai
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 13, Thursday - Chiang Mai City & Temples Tour
This morning, visit to some of the most interesting temples in Chiang Mai. Begin at Wat Suan Dok, where the remains of the Chiang Mai Royal family are enshrined and continue to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. Situated 3500 feet above sea level, this temple is the most sacred in Northern Thailand, containing a holy relic of Lord Buddha and a copper-plated chedi topped by a tiered gold parasol in its interior cloister. Equally impressive is the mythological Naga (Dragon-headed serpent) staircase, consisting of 290 steps leading up to the temple grounds. As you descend the stairs, opportunity to visit a local jade factory. Later, try an optional traditional Thai massage, you'll be delighted that you did!
Optional: Traditional Thai Massage (PM)
Overnight: Chiang Mai
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14, Friday - Flight to Bangkok
Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Bangkok. Time on your own in Bangkok to revisit some of the city's fabulous sites, or, indulge in a last-minute shopping spree. Enjoy a night out on the town as you bid farewell to Thailand
Overnight: Bangkok
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 15, Saturday - Depart Thailand
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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