nature travel, wildlife tours, adventure travel and general travel to Thailand, Indonesia and Southeast Asia

CUSTOM THAILAND TRAVEL ITINERARY FOR

Margee Wolff and Martin Egna
November 2004

THAILAND

Exploring the Golden Kingdom of Siam

Day 1 – Washington / New York / Hong Kong / Bangkok
Depart Washington DCA at 3pm to New York LGA, for your 10.15pm Cathay Pacific flight to Bangkok via Hong Kong.

*D

Day 2 – Lost in Space
Lose today due to the International Date Line, but get it back on the return journey.

Day 3 – Bangkok
Arrive Bangkok this morning at 10.30am. Sawasdee - welcome to Thailand. After passing through immigration and customs formalities, you are met by your private guide and driver and transferred to your unique accommodations in the heart of the city and overlooking the Chao Phraya River (River of Kings). The Chakrabongse House was the former residence of Prince Chakrabongse, son of King Rama V. There are only three guestrooms, all superbly decorated in Thai style and offering the modern conveniences associated with the city's best hotels. Completing the effect is a tropical garden with a swimming pool, a beautiful pond and an elevated wooden walkway where guests can sit and watch the sunrise and sunset on the River of Kings. After checking in, the rest of the day is free to relax after the long flight in these delightful surroundings.

Overnight - Chakrabongse House *M,*B

Day 4 – Bangkok
This morning you are picked up by your guide for a full day of sightseeing in Bangkok by its waterways, discovering why Bangkok is known as the Venice of the East. First visit the Royal Grand Palace, spending the morning exploring before most of the crowds arrive. This private tour includes the magnificent royal chapel of Wat Phra Kaeo which houses the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand. Next to the Grand Palace is Wat Po, one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest temples. The temple houses the gigantic gold-plated Reclining Buddha and is the headquarters for the Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Bangkok. A traditional Thai-style massage will be available if you wish. Next visit Wat Arun and then enjoy lunch at a canal-side Thai restaurant. After lunch continue exploring Bangkok's fascinating maze of waterways by longtail and rocket boats. This journey goes through the heart of the city, passing towering skyscrapers and the elegant Temple of Dawn, and into bucolic canals, where life is slower and simpler. Returning to your lodgings late this afternoon, the evening is free to relax or explore on your own.

Overnight at the Chakrabongse House B,L

Day 5 – Bangkok
This morning continue your exploration of one of Asia's most dynamic cities. The private Prasart Museum has an exceptional collection of art and handicrafts housed in traditional Thai buildings set in lovely grounds with lotus-clogged ponds and several reconstructed pagodas. The owner, Khun Prasart, who works in the museum gardens in his farmer's tunic, often stops weeding to chat with visitors. After lunch at one of our favorite local restaurants, wander the streets of Chinatown with your guide visiting Wat Traimit, the Gold Buddah Temple, and Pak Klong Dalat Produce Market with its mountains of flowers and vegetables. Finally visit Jim Thompson's House and Museum. This classic Thai Style Teak Villa is surrounded by immaculate gardens and houses Thailand's largest private art collection.

Overnight at the Chakrabongse House B,L

Day 6 - Bangkok / Ayutthaya / Khao Yai National Park
This morning you are driven to Ayutthaya, stopping en route at Bang Pa-In, the King’s former summer residence. You will then have the morning to explore the ruins of Ayutthaya, with your guide. Sacked by the Burmese in the 18th century, Ayutthaya was once the thriving capital of the Kingdom of Siam. After its invasion and burning by the Burmese, the capital was moved to Bangkok. The ruins at Ayutthaya are among the registry of world heritage sites by UNESCO. After exploring the ruins depart Ayutthaya and begin a drive into the dense tropical jungle of Khao Yai, or "Big Mountain." Khao Yai, Thailand's oldest park, is considered by many to be one of the finest in the world. Covering more than 800 square miles, it includes one of Asia's largest intact monsoon forests, a habitat for several hundred Asian Elephants, Tiger, Leopard, Asiatic Black Bear, Sambar Deer, gibbon, macaque, and several species of hornbill. The rare wrinkle-lipped bat and Himalayan ribbed bat dwell in caves here. This afternoon you arrive at the park's South entrance and start your exploration of the park with a visit to the largest waterfall in the park, Haew Narok. Your accommodation tonight lies within the park.

Overnight at the Juldis Khao Yai Resort B,L

Day 7 – Khao Yai National Park
An early start this morning will likely reward you with sightings of the acrobatic Forest Gibbon whose mournful call can be heard for miles through the jungle. Return to the lodge for breakfast then spend the rest of the day exploring the park and excellent trails with your guide, always on the lookout for the rare wildlife that call this area home. After dinner join a night animal-spotting safari. The animals one may see include wild elephant, gibbon, hornbill, deer and maybe the elusive tiger; although spotting larger is rare, being out in the forest at night is the only chance to see some of the most interesting species.

Overnight at the Juldis Resort B,L

Day 8 – Khao Yai National Park / Bangkok / Phitsanulok / Sukhothai
This morning drive back to Bangkok and the airport in time for your flight to Phitsanulok, north-central Thailand. This one hour flight arrives at 1.40pm. On arrival you are met and taken to Wat Yai and the Chinarat Buddha, one of the most revered Buddha images in all of Thailand. Time is also spent at the excellent Folk Museum and the local sundry market along the Nan River, for a true taste of local Thai life. You then are driven the ancient city of Sukhothai - the 13th century capital of Siam – about one hour away. On arrival you visit the Ramkhamhaeng Museum to gain an insight into the art and culture of Sukhothai before checking into your hotel for the evening. Your travels today, as they are by road through local countryside, will give you an additional insight into the daily life of the Thai people.

Overnight at Pailyn Hotel B,*L

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