Tour Highlights & Inclusions

• Return flight to Bangkok from Adelaide (flights available from other capital cities)
• 4 & 5 star hotels
• English speadking guide, tipping & first class hotels
• Visits to the Grand Palace and the Reclining Buddha
• Free day to shop
• Ruined temples at Ayutthaya
• The Summer Palace at Bang Pa
• Cruise on the Chao Phraya River aboard the Grand Pearl
• Visit Kanchanburi and the famous bridge on the River Kwai
• Flight to Chiang Rai
• Visit to Mae Chan and the Yao & Akha hill-tribe villages
• Visit the Golden Triangle & an Opium Museum
• Explore Chiang Rai
• Elephant ride and bamboo raft ride
• Orchid Nursery & Butterfly farm visit
• Flight to Bangkok

Day 1. Sunday: Depart Adelaide

We depart Adelaide at midday on Virgin Blue to connect with the direct flight from Melbourne aboard Thai Airways flight TG982 at 4.30pm to Bangkok in economy class, arriving into Bangkok at 10.40pm.  You will be met by your guide and transferred to Holiday Inn Bangkok for 5 nights. (D inflight)

Day 2. Monday: Bangkok - Grand Palace & Wat Po

Breakfast at the hotel and morning is at leisure.  Join us for an afternoon tour starting with the Grand Palace, to visit the main sites, including magnificent throne halls and the emerald Buddha. We continue to Bangkok's oldest temple, Wat Po, home to the magnificent reclining Buddha, it is also regarded as Thailand's first University.  Return to the hotel to relax and dinner is at the hotel restaurant. (BLD)

Day 3. Tuesday: Bangkok & Night Bazaar

Today is a free day for you to explore modern, vibrant and fashionable Bangkok at your leisure. Your accommodation is in walking distance to some of Asia's best shopping! This evening you have the opportunity to have an al fresco dinner in the heart of the Suan Lum Night Bazaar.  Enjoy great Thai food as well as the vibrant atmosphere of Bangkok's best and busiest night market.  Includes hotel pick up and return transfers with a guide. (BD)

Day 4. Wednesday: Bangkok - Ayuthaya & Bang Pa In - Cruise

After breakfast today we drive north to the ancient capital Ayutthaya. Visit three of the most important ruined temples in Ayutthaya historical park. We then continue to Bang Pa In to see the summer palace built by King Rama IV at a time of growing European influence in Thailand. We return to Bangkok down the Chao Phraya River on the luxurious cruiser, the Grand Pearl. Enjoy a superb buffet lunch while witnessing rural Thai life along both sides of the River of Kings.  Arrive in Bangkok late afternoon.  Dinner at your discretion. (BL)

Day 5. Thursday: Bridge Over The River Kwai

This morning enjoy a 3 hour drive to Kanchanburi for a journey to the famous bridge on the River Kwai built by Allied prisoners of war during World War II. The tour includes a visit to the war cemetery, the Railway Museum, Jeath War Museum and local train ride through Kwai Noi Gorge. Lunch is includede at a local restaurant before returning to Bangkok early evening. (BL)

Day 6. Friday: Bangkok - Chiang Rai

Leisure morning before being transferred to the airport for your flight to Chiang Rai. After arriving in Chiang Rai at 2.45pm you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in at Le Meridien for a 6 night stay. (BD)

Day 7. Saturday: Chiang Rai - Golden Triangle

Breakfast then a full-day excursion to Mae Chan visiting the Yao and Akha hill-tribe villages. We continue to Mae Sai, the farthermost border between Thailand and Burma, with its bustling market place. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant before we drive to where the mighty Mae Khong River joins the Ruak River, forming the "Golden Triangle" of Burma, Thailand and Laos. A visit to an Opium museum before continuing on to the old city of Chiang Saen, where you will see magnificent ancient ruins and temples. (BLD)

Day 8. Sunday: Chiang Rai - Chiang Rai

This morning your local guide will meet you at your hotel to join you for your coach journey to Chiang Mai. Enjoy the mountainous scenery and capture glimpses of the lifestyle of the local farmers and villagers.  Lunch is en-route at your own expense.  Dinner is in a local traditional restaurant. (BD)

Day 9. Monday: Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep - Sunkampaeng

We start the day exploring the ancient city of Chiang Mai, including its old city walls, gates and city moat, markets, residential areas, foreign consulates, government buildings and Tapae, Chiang Mai's main street. Continue on to the most sacred Temple in Northern Thailand. Next we visit Wat Jed Yot with its seven spire stupa, and Wat Suan Dok, where the ashes of Chiang Mai's royal family are interned. This afternoon we visit Sunkampaeng, with its Thai silk and cotton looms; Bo Sarng, the paper and umbrella making village; Celadon Kilns, with exquisite traditional fired stoneware, lacquerware, teak wood carving, jewellery, and silverware factories. (BL)

Day 10. Tuesday: Chiang Mai - Chiang Do

A highlight today as you depart for Chiang Dao Young Elephants training Camp. Enjoy a 1-hour elephant ride into the thick forest surrounding the camp before watching the elephants take their morning bath in the running stream. Next we head to the Mae Ping River to meet your bamboo raft driver to enjoy a ride down the river. This afternoon we visit the beautiful Orchid Nursery where more than 50 types of orchids bloom year round. You will also visit a Butterfly farm full of colourful and rare butterflies. (BD)

Day 11. Wednesday: Chiang Mai - Thai Cooking Class

Welcome to the world of Thai culinary delights! Thai food stands out as one of the worlds most flavourful cuisines ­ you are invited to join the expertly presented cooking lessons at the Thai cookery school run by Thailand's international TV chef, Mr Sompon Nabnian. Today's lunch will be composed of our own creations! Bon Appetit to all! (BL)

Day 12. Thursday: Chiang Mai - Bangkok - Melbourne

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast.  Check out of your room at midday.  Sydney & Melbourne passengers depart at 2.00pm.  Adelaide passengers head to a local Thai restaurant for an afternoon at leisure.  We head off to the airport at 5.30pm to depart Chiang Mai at 7.15pm on Thai Airways flight TG117 in economy class.  Arriving Bangkok at 10.25pm.  We connect to our overnight flight to Melbourne departing at 00.15am Friday morning (BLD inflight)

Day 13. Friday: Melbourne - Adelaide

Arrive into Melbourne at 12.25pm after Customs & Immigration formalities we transfer to our Virgin flight home to Adelaide. (BLinflight)

N.B. Prices are based on the exchange at time of printing and are subject to alteration accordingly

B = Hot Breakfast
L = Lunch
D = Dinner

 2009

• 3 May

Twin Share$3585 + taxesSole Use$4565 + taxes

• Bookings close 29 March 2009.  Book early
• Limited to 26 Passengers Only
• Deposit required to secure booking $400pp
• Prices include air ex Brisbane/Sydney but airfares subject to change without notice
• Taxes are at an additional $556 and are subject to change
• Price includes all tipping, English speaking guides and 1st class hotels