HIGHLIGHTS OF THAILAND
8 days | US on application | Imperial Journey in Thailand
Journey through Thailand and experience the highlights with a particular focus on delicious Thai cuisine, visit Bangkok and Chang Mai, cruise the Chao Praya River aboard a custom designed river barge. Explore the colourful markets and absorb the history of the Thailand-Burma Railway. Fly between major centres, and stay at the best available accommodation including the world renowned Sukhothai in Bangkok.
Days 1-3 Bangkok
City of Angels, City of Sin; revel in the contradiction that give Bangkok both its exciting buzz and serene ambience.
Be awed by the spiritual opulence of the worlds largest reclining Buddha in Wat Po, the priceless Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew, and the excess of gold leaf smothered everything at the Grand Palace. Then be humbled by the saffron robed monks who tend these treasures and live off alms begged from merit seeking citizens.
By air-conditioned vehicle, a city tour will take you to the major temples and palaces of the Royal Quarter. Transfer to tuk tuks for a ride to China town, the bustling Thieves and Pahurat Markets, then board a klong boat along the back canals to Jim Thompson's stunning traditional teak house with its envious collection of Asian art, and the Thai Silk Company that single handedly revived a then dying silk industry.
Royal elegance is yours as you cruise the Chao Praya "River of Kings" along a parade of temple and palace spires up to Thonburi where life on the river is much more down-to-earth with some roll-up-your-sleeves bargaining expected at the wonderful floating markets.
Premium seats at Siam Niramit; Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam - a spectacle of ancient court scenes, clothes, beliefs and customs of old Siam are included to help layer meaning and history to your own journey through this exciting and enigmatic city.
Day 4 - River Kwai & Kanchanaburi
Travel by private vehicle up the Kwai River Valley through mountains and gorges dotted with temples and pagodas so quaintly picturesque they belie the World War II atrocities for which this area is famous. It was here that the Japanese forced the construction of what became known as the 'Death Railway' costing 260,000 allied Prisoners of War, Thai and other Asian national's lives to build.
Visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre Museum and find meaning in the horrors through your own pilgrimage as you ride the historic Death Railway. Tour the torturously cut (now trackless) Hell Fire Pass and its Memorial Museum before heading back to the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai nearby your riverfront hotel.
Enjoy great Thai food as you watch bamboo rafts float by and enjoy the serenity of this beautiful river under moonlight from your hotels fantastic river vantage.
The following morning visit the war cemetery, final resting grounds of more than 6000 allied Prisoners of War before heading on to the Ayuthaya.
Day 5 - Ayuthaya & Mekhala River Barge Cruise
Explore the ruins of Thailand's most glorious capital, Ayutthaya. Fields of stupas and stone Buddha-heads, old palace walls and collapsed temple ceilings, carved to the artistic whim of 37 successive god like kings - then toppled by war and eroded by the centuries - bring surrealism to a wander through this gloriously royal landscape.
Expanses of emerald green paddy gave Ayutthaya its power as rice bowl of Siam all the way across to its tributary territories in Cambodia, Laos Burma and Malaysia, before the royal courts eventually moved South to present day Bangkok when Ayutthaya itself became a tributary state.
Board one of the famous royal rice barges and follow the traditional route of tributary offerings as you sail over night in (air-conditioned) splendour from the old capital to the new along the Chao Praya.
Floating islands of water chestnuts, fields of rice and fish, tranquil rural villages growing tamarind and palm sugar, and an appetite building shore excursion to Wat Kai Tia will have your mouth watering in anticipation of the fabulous candle lit Thai feast served on deck as the sun sets over the River of Kings.
Wake up to see the sun over Bangkok's Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) and the sparkling cityscape all the way down to the Mekhala Pier where you will disembark after a relaxed breakfast, for your onward flight.
Days 6 - 8 Chiang Mai & Cooking Class
Fly to Chiang Mai and discover the charms of the former Lanna Kingdom on a bicycle rickshaw tour inside its ancient city walls and boat ride along the Ping River. Shop for silver, sarongs, bamboo art, and handicrafts of the many different hill tribe people who live in the lush forested hills around Changmai, at the cities numerous markets and dine on Khao Soy, the signature dish of Changmai at the buzzing central night markets stylish Just Khao Soy restaurant who's talented chefs have turned this famous night market dish into an art form.
The cuisine of the north is exquisite. Khao Soy, duck curries, sticky rice and jungle curry is to name but a few of the sumptuous offerings. Extend your culinary skills at an entertaining half-day cooking class, which starts with a visit to the local market to identify the exotic ingredients you will use, and finishes with a fabulous lunch that you with a wok and your new skills have prepared.
Services end in Chiang Mai on day 8 after breakfast. You will be transfered to the airport for your onward journey home.
Tour Inclusions
Tripcode: IETH8D08
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