|
Thailand in a Nutshell
June 13-28
$3788 +taxes (currently at $330)
Single supplement $600
Own air credit $1425
Initial deposit of $500 duce December 15, 2007
$1500 payment due February 1
Balance due April 1, 2008
Your Trip Includes
- Roundtrip air out of Chicago or Minneapolis
- 9 nights total in Bangkok
- 4 and 5 star hotels
- Domestic flight
- Most meals, see itinerary for details
- Air conditioned coach
- Handling of 1 piece of luggage per person
- English speaking guide and escorted by Rick and Peggy
- Complimentary tour DVD
Thailand Itinerary
Friday, June 13 We board our international flight for
Bangkok, Thailand. Choose to leave from Minneapolis or Chicago O'Hare.
Saturday, June 14, Bangkok We arrive around midnight and
after going through immigration, we transfer to our hotel.
Sunday, June 15, Bangkok Today we recover from our long
flight. This evening we have a group welcome dinner. (B/D)
Monday, June 16, Bangkok An early excursion this morning
takes us to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, a local produce market. Women in
traditional dress maneuver flat-bottomed boats filled with flowers, produce and
fish as they hawk their wares. This afternoon we visit the Rose Garden, which
features a cultural show where we see dancing, boxing, sword fighting, a wedding
and ordination of a monk. Elephants show us how they move huge teak logs and men
wrestle crocodiles. (B/L/D)
Tuesday, June 17, Bangkok - This morning we drive to Nakhon
Pathom, oldest city in Thailand and a city whose golden age lasted from the 6th
to the 11th centuries A.D. A guided tour introduces us to the town's highlight,
the tallest (410 feet) Buddha in the world. In the afternoon we visit Muang
Boran, the world's largest outdoor museum. This 200 acre park has a model Thai
village complete with artisans working on handicrafts. You can see over 60
structures covering 1500 years of history. (B/L/D)
Wednesday, June 18, River Kwai - Today we visit sites
associated with the film, "Bridge over the River Kwai." Though fictional, it is
based on the construction of the Burma-Siam Railroad using slave labor and
prisoners. Of the 60,000 allied prisoners, over 12,000 lost their lives. We'll
visit the World War II Museum and take a train ride on this historic railway.
Our day includes a visit to the Tiger Temple where we learn how tigers are cared
for. We can walk a tiger and have our picture taken. (B/L/D)
Thursday, June 19, Uthai Thani This morning we leave for a
visit to the former capitol, Ayutthaya, a city built by 33 monarchs over 400
years. Our sightseeing includes the huge bronze Buddha of Wat Mongkol Borphit;
the ancient royal temple of Wat Phra Sri Sanphet; and a huge seated Buddha in
Wat Phanan Choeng. Our morning ends at the Autthaya Historical Park which covers
the ruins of the old city of Ayutthaya, founded in 1350 and destroyed by
the Burmese army in 1767. After lunch we visit the Rice Research Center to learn
about the latest developments in rice production. Then we drive to Ang Thong,
where the villagers make ceramic dolls as well as other crafts. We learn how the
traditional wooden drums are made. Our day ends in Uthai Thani, an area rich in
forests and wildlife. (B/L/D)
Friday, June 20, Si Satchanaiai Before breakfast we have an
opportunity to offer alms to local Buddhist monks. After breakfast we take
a boat trip along the Sakae Krang River, a waterway which has been vital to this
area for ages. We see varied lifestyles, including that of the houseboat
dwellers. Following our river excursion we depart for Sukhothai, which means
"the dawn of happiness." The capital and center of culture of Thailand's first
kingdom when the country came to be know as Siam. It now is an extensive park
and museum. Sukhothai houses some 20 temples and monuments. We wander through
the ancient site, Si Satchanalia, which has an aura few other ancient have. This
area is also known for its ceramics sent to China aboard junks. (B/L/D)
Saturday, June 21, Chiang Mai We visit a local village
primary school this morning befor driving to Chiang Mai, "Rose of the North",
Thailand's second most important city and the center of the country's craft
industry including lacquerware, silverwork, wood carvings and ceramics. We have
lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon we learn about silk and cotton
cottage industries, watching as these fabrics are woven. we also have an
opportunity to paint an umbrella or assemble paper lanterns. This evening we
enjoy a typical Thai (Kantoke) dinner followed by traditional music and dances
which represent the culture of northern Thailand and hill tribes in this area.
(B/L/D)
Sunday, June 22, Chiang Mai We first visit the Mae Rim
Elephant Camp to watch the elephants at work in the timber industry followed by
an elephant show, which demonstrates the strength and intelligence of these
animals. we also take an elephant ride through the jungle to a hilltop village,
then return by oxcart. We'll enjoy the spectacular scenery as we visit the
remote mountainous monastery Wat Doi Suthep, wher partial remains of Lord Buddha
are located. (B/L/D)
Monday, June 23, Bangkok This morning we transfer to the
Chiang Rai airport and return to Bangkok. Our afternoon is filled with
sightseeing which includes two of the most important Buddhist temples in Bangkok
as well as the Grand Palace. Wat Ttaimit houses the revered Golden Buddha made
of 5.5 tons of solid gold. Wat Pho, built in the 16th century, is Bangkok's
largest temple complex. View the Reclining Buddha, 150 feet long and 50 feet
high and the spired pagoda shrines of the Kings. The Grand Palace, the former
residence of the kings of Thailand is a magnificent example of an ancient
Siamese court. (B)
Tuesday, June 24, Bangkok A very large segment of the
Bangkok's population is Chinese and our excursion today takes us to Chinatown,
one of the city's most hectic and colorful districts. The bustling streets are
overflowing with vendors selling spices, gold, silk, fresh and preserved foods,
flowers and religious paraphernalia. And the smells wafting from the food stands
are deliciously tempting. Dim Sum, anyone? (B)
Wednesday, June 25, Bangkok Today we visit the sedate Dusit
district, an area of stately old buildings broad boulevards, and manicured
gardens. The designers of this area were attempting to put a European face on
Bangkok. The royal residence and government center are located here. Dusit's
main attraction is the magnificent park, which includes a museum of traditional
crafts, an ancient cloth and silk museum and the Royal Carriage Museum. Nearby
is the Dusit Zoo, one of Asia's finest. (B)
Thursday, June 26, Bangkok Today we visit the Jim Thompson's
House which is actually seven Thai houses reassembled and joined together.
Thompson was an architect, but became a spy when he cam to Thailand at the end
of of WWII. He stayed in Thailand and entered the silk trade and became a social
celebrity. He disappeared on a hiking trip in Malaysia; his disappearance
remains a mystery. We next visit Thonburi where a long-tail boat ride through
its intricate network of canal will be a highlight of today's visit. Next visit
the Royal Barge Museum which houses a boat requiring a crew of 34 oarsmen, two
steersmen, two officers, a flagman, rhythm keeper and singer. (B)
Friday, June 27, Bangkok A day on your own in Bangkok to
visit other sites, shop or just prepare for our returning flight home. (B)
Saturday, June 28, Return Home We have an early flight out of
Bangkok this morning.
|
