Thailand Experience with Phuket

16 Day Tour from Bangkok to Phuket

Vacation Overview
Highlighting Thailand’s rich history, fascinating culture, and religious monuments, this Thailand tour includes overnights in Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Phitsanulok, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

This tour through Thailand includes visits to some of the cities that have served as the country’s capital: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, and Sukhothai. In Bangkok—Thailand’s current capital—visit the Temple of the Golden Buddha; the Temple of the Reclining Buddha built in 1832; Phra Pathom Chedi, the world’s tallest Buddhist pagoda; and the Grand Palace, the royal residence begun in 1782 where you’ll see the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist sculpture. In Ayutthaya, Thailand’s ancient capital, your sightseeing includes a visit to Bang Pa-In Palace, which was built as a summer residence for the Kings of Ayutthaya. In Sukhothai, Thailand’s 13th-century capital, visit Sukhothai Historic Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with ruins of palaces, temples, and homes.

On this Thailand tour, you’ll also have an opportunity to learn about the Thai culture. In Bangkok, enjoy a Thai dinner accompanied by Thai classical music and dancers. Visit the legendary Damnoen Saduak floating market and see traders sell exotic fruits, vegetables, and more from their boats. In Chiang Mai, enjoy a traditional Kantoke dinner and dance show, as well as a visit to San Kampaeng to see local craftsmen make Thailand’s traditional lacquerware and antique wood furniture.

But that’s not all…visit the “Golden Triangle,” where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet, and take a train ride over the famous River Kwai Bridge, part of the infamous Death Railway built by prisoners during World War II. Visit Hellfire Pass Memorial, which houses a museum detailing the life of the Allied prisoners and Asian laborers who helped build the railway.

This Thailand vacation designed for value-minded travelers also includes three nights in Phuket, so you can relax and enjoy this popular beach destination. It’s a perfect vacation!

Itinerary

Day 1 BANGKOK, THAILAND
Welcome to Thailand’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2 BANGKOK
Bangkok is an exhilarating blend of historic and religious monuments, chic modernity, exciting shopping and friendly culture. An exciting day of sightseeing is ahead, taking in the city’s principal landmarks such as the splendid TEMPLE OF THE GOLDEN BUDDHA and the spectacular TEMPLE OF THE RECLINING BUDDHA, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. You will also visit the gleaming GRAND PALACE, Thailand’s most sacred monument; and the spectacular TEMPLE OF THE EMERALD BUDDHA. This evening, enjoy a special THAI DINNER, accompanied by Thai classical music and dancers.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner
Day 3 BANGKOK
Visit the legendary DAMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET, where traders sell all manner of items from their boats, including exotic fruits, vegetables, silks, and toys. Later, visit the world’s tallest Buddhist pagoda, PHRA PATHOM CHEDI, before returning to Bangkok.

Breakfast Breakfast
Day 4 BANGKOK
Explore Bangkok at leisure, perhaps enjoying the great-value shopping, lively market, and delicious Thai cuisine.

Breakfast Breakfast
Day 5 BANGKOK–KANCHANABURI
Travel to Kanchanaburi on the banks of the Kwai River, famed for the River Kwai Bridge, built during WWII. Visit the ALLIED FORCES CEMETERY and spend time in the fascinating THAILAND-BURMA RAILWAY CENTRE. Today’s highlight is a TRAIN RIDE across the famous bridge to Wang Po Station. This afternoon, visit HELLFIRE PASS MEMORIAL, part of the Death Railway that cuts through the mountains. Today, it houses a museum detailing life of the Allied prisoners and Asian laborers who helped build the railway, and subsequently suffered or died at Hellfire Pass.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
Day 6 KANCHANABURI–SAI YOK NATIONAL PARK–AYUTTHAYA
Start the day with a stop in SAI YOK NATIONAL PARK to see SAI YOK YAI WATERFALL. Then, head to Ayutthaya, ancient capital of Siam. Here, you will visit BANG PA-IN PALACE, which was built in the 18th century as a summer residence for the Kings of Ayutthaya.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
Day 7 AYUTTHAYA–UTHAI THANI–PHITSANULOK
Depart Ayutthaya to Uthai Thani, a small town on the Sakaekrang River, and visit WAT THA SUNG, an impressive temple with its Crystal Hall and Golden Grand shrine. Take a 1-hour CRUISE along Sakaekrang River, enjoying the local life. Later, drive to Phitsanulok, one of Thailand’s oldest cities, founded over 600 years ago. This evening, consider an optional rickshaw ride to experience Phitsanulok’s colorful night market.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
Day 8 PHITSANULOK–SUKHOTHAI–CHIANG RAI
Journey to Sukhothai, Thailand’s 13th-century former capital, and admire the atmospheric, moated Old Town. Here, you will visit SUKHOTHAI HISTORIC PARK, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore ruined temples and monasteries, including WAT SI CHUM with its stunning seated Buddha. Later, travel through rural countryside to Chiang Rai.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
Day 9 CHIANG RAI. GOLDEN TRIANGLE EXCURSION
Enjoy breathtaking vistas as you journey to Doi Mae Salong and visit a TEA PLANTATION. Continue to Mae Sai, Thailand’s northernmost town, and on to the renowned GOLDEN TRIANGLE, where the borders of Thailand, Burma, and Laos meet. You may consider an optional boat tour on the Mekong River.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
Day 10 CHIANG RAI–CHIANG MAI
Today’s journey takes you to Chiang Mai. Visit WAT RONG KHUN and the hot springs at MAE KA CHAN, which locals believe relieve a host of ailments. After lunch, continue through lush jungle to Chiang Mai, a fragrant mountain retreat known as the “Rose of the North” for its refreshing climate. Upon arrival, visit SAN KAMPAENG to see local craftsmen make Thailand’s traditional lacquerware and teakwood furniture. Tonight, enjoy a traditional KHANTOKE DINNER and DANCE SHOW.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner
Day 11 CHIANG MAI
Spend the morning at an ELEPHANT SANCTUARY, where over 30 elephants roam freely in a safe and sustainable environment and are not subjected to mistreatment (including rides). Here, you have the chance to touch, feed, photograph, and interact with the elephants at your leisure while you learn about their lifestyle and behaviors. You will also have a chance to interact with the Karen tribe, home to the PADAUNG LONG-NECKED WOMEN.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
Day 12 CHIANG MAI
Today is free for you to enjoy this dynamic city. You may opt to join our optional Thai cooking class and learn the secrets of traditional dishes.

Breakfast Breakfast
Day 13 CHIANG MAI–PHUKET
Today, we transfer to Chiang Mai airport for your flight to Phuket. On arrival, you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel.

Breakfast Breakfast
Days 14-15 PHUKET
Enjoy your days doing as little or as much as you wish. Visit fabulous beaches, treat yourself to a Thai massage, or simply relax by the pool.

BreakfastBreakfast daily
Day 16 PHUKET
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast Breakfast
Vacation Highlights
In Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Phitsanuloke, Sukhothai, Chiang Rai, and Chiang Mai.

Hellfire Pass, Sai Yok Yai Waterfall, Sakaekrang River, the Golden Triangle

Guides:
Services of a professional Tour Director

Hotels
BANGKOK Narai Hotel (MF)
KANCHANABURI Felix River Kwai Resort (F)
AYUTTHAYA Kantary Hotel, Ayutthaya (F)
PHITSANULOK Amarin Lagoon Hotel (MF)
CHIANG RAI Wiang Inn Hotel (F)
CHIANG MAI Empress Hotel (MF)
PHUKET Andaman Seaview Hotel (MF)

Meals
15 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 2 dinners

Dates and Prices

23-Mar-2018 24-Mar-2018 – 08-Apr-2018 80324 $2,455

04-Apr-2018 05-Apr-2018 – 20-Apr-2018 80405 $2,455

30-May-2018 31-May-2018 – 15-Jun-2018 80531 $2,445

12-Sep-2018 13-Sep-2018 – 28-Sep-2018 80913 $2,445
26-Sep-2018 27-Sep-2018 – 12-Oct-2018 80927 $2,445
03-Oct-2018 04-Oct-2018 – 19-Oct-2018 81004 $2,445
20-Oct-2018 21-Oct-2018 – 05-Nov-2018 81021 $2,445
27-Oct-2018 28-Oct-2018 – 12-Nov-2018 81028 $2,575

14-Nov-2018 15-Nov-2018 – 30-Nov-2018 81115 $2,595

28-Nov-2018 29-Nov-2018 – 14-Dec-2018 81129 $2,595

15-Dec-2018 16-Dec-2018 – 31-Dec-2018 81216 $2,595

PRICES ARE PER PERSON