Tour Itinerary

7 Days around Thailand Special – Package

Guaranteed weekly departures with English/German/French-speaking guide on Sundays, all meals included

SUNDAY
DAY 1 BANGKOK—AYUTHAYA—LOPBURI—PITSANULOKE   [-/L/D]
06:00 Pick up passengers from major Bangkok hotels.
07:00 Depart from Bangkok to Ayuthaya, former capital of Thailand. Principal sights are the gigantic bronze statues of Wat Mongkol Borpith, the three ancient pagodas at Wat Phra Srisanpetch and Wat Pranangcherng. Continue via Saraburi to Phra Buddha Badh with its shrine of the holy footprint of Lord Buddha. Proceed to Lopburi for lunch. Visit museum at Narai Raja Nives Palace, the Prang Sam Yod (Sacred Three-Spired Pagoda), ruins of Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhat, as well as the Monkey Temple. Proceed by bus to Pitsanuloke and check in at AMARIN LAGOON HOTEL or similar hotel.
Dinner and accommodation.

MONDAY
DAY 2 PITSANULOKE—SUKHOTHAI—SRI SATCHANALAI—LAMPANG [B/L/D]
Breakfast
08:00 Visit Wat Maha Dhat with its revered Buddha statue, Phra Buddha Jinaraj. Depart for Sukhothai, visit famous ruins of Thailand’s first capital (1257-1379). See Wat Maha Dhat, the Ramkamhaeng Museum, Wat Sra Sri and Wat Sri Chum. Lunch at local restaurant. Continue to Sri Satchanalai, northern outpost town of the Kingdom of Sukhothai, built by King Ramkamhaeng. Visit Wat Chang Lom, Wat Chedi Jet Thaew, Wat Nang Phya and Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhat on the site of the Khmer fort “Chalieng.” Proceed to Lampang and check in at LAMPANG RIVER LODGE or similar hotel.
Dinner and accommodation.

TUESDAY
DAY 3 LAMPANG—LAMPOON—CHIANG MAI     [B/L/D]
Breakfast
08:00 Depart for Ko Kah to see Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang, housing the only Emerald Buddha other than the one at Wat Phra Keo in Bangkok. Continue to visit Wat Phra Keo Don Tao, a very interesting Burmese-style temple, plus Wat Chedi Sao, with its many small pagodas. Proceed to Lampoon. Visit famous Wat Haripoonchai in Lampoon, built in 1157—one of the most sacred monuments in the north. Continue to Chiang Mai. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon visit to Handicraft Villages, to observe manufacturing of lacquerware, spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and paper umbrella making. Also visit famous Thai wood-carving factory, with possibility of purchasing Burmese antiques. Check in at AMARI RINCOME HOTEL or similar hotel.

19:30-21.00 Khao Soy Dinner, a signature dish of northern Thai cuisine at “Just Khao Soy Restaurant”.
Optional: Opportunity for bargain-hunters to visit city’s night market.
Accommodation.

WEDNESDAY
DAY 4 CHIANG MAI        [B/L/D]
Breakfast
08:00-12:00 City Tour. Visit the most interesting temples in Chiang Mai, like Wat Phra Singh with its famous Buddha image, Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai (built by King Mangrai), and Wat Suan Dok, housing remains of many generations of the old Chiang Mai royal families. Also visit Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at 1,056 meters above sea level. Lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon free.
19:15-22:15 Kantoke Dinner. Enjoy a typical Thai dinner with presentation of ancient dances from northern Thailand, followed by a performance of dances and songs of various hilltribes.
Accommodations at AMARI RINCOME HOTEL or similar hotel.
Optional: Opportunity for bargain-hunters to visit city’s night market.

THURSDAY
DAY 5  CHIANG MAI—THATORN      [B/L/D]
Breakfast
07:00 Depart Chiang Mai to visit an orchid farm. Continue visit Mae Ping elephant camp and watch elephants handling the huge logs. The elephants’ strength and strategic teamwork will amaze you.
Recommended Option:
Take one-hour elephant safari into the surrounding countryside.
Extra: Baht 600.- per person (two person per elephant).
12:30 Lunch at Local Restaurant.
13:30 Proceed to Thatorn via Chiang Dao and Fang. En route, visit Chiang Dao Cave at Wat Tham Chiang Dao. The caverns are full of sacred Buddha images and natural formations. The main caven is illuminated by electric lights, while deepest recesses can be explored with oil lanterns.
17:00 Arrive Thatorn, a small village just a few kilometers from the Burmese border. Check in at MAE KOK RIVER VILLAGE RESORT or similar hotel.
Dinner and accommodation.

FRIDAY
DAY 6 THATORN—CHIANG RAI      [B/L/D]
Breakfast
08:00 Depart Thatorn to visit Ban Lorcha, a Phami Akha hilltribe community center.  This community-based tourism development project promotes sustainable, self-reliant development to improve the quality of life of villagers of this Akha Community, and is a model for tourism in Hilltribe villages.  Drive to Ban Pha Tai and board on motor-powered traditional boats for three-hour journey down Kok River, passing tiny hilltribe villages, bamboo huts and jungle.

12:30 Arrive Chiang Rai and disembark at THE LEGEND CHIANG RAI BOUTIQUE RIVER RESORT AND SPA.  Check in on arrival and followed by lunch at the hotel.
13:30 Continue visit Chiang Rai City, such as Wat Phra Keo where the much venerated Emerald Buddha image was once enshrined and Wat Phrasing where one of the most beautiful Buddha images in Chiang Saen style is enshrined. Visit the statue of King Mengrai who built Chiang Rai City and the Hilltribe Museum and a local market before returning to the hotel.
Dinner and accommodation.

SATURDAY
DAY 7 CHIANG RAI—BANGKOK      [B/L/-]
Breakfast
07:30 Depart Chiang Rai by minibus to visit Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Take short boat ride on Mekong River. Picnic lunch box provided. Transfer to Chiang Rai Airport.
15:30 Depart Chiang Rai by TG-135 (air ticket is not included)
16:45  Arrive Bangkok with transfers to your Bangkok hotel

Hotels (As a Guide Only) subject to availability

• Amarin Lagoon Hotel, 52/299 Pra-Ongkhao Road, A. Muang, Pitsanuloke 65000.  Tel.: (055) 220999, Fax: (055) 220944
• Lampang River Lodge, 330 Moo 11 Chompoo, A. Muang, Lampang 52000. Tel.: (054) 226922, Fax: (054) 336640
• OR: Lampang Wiengthong Hotel, 138/109 Phahonyothin Road, Suandok, Lampang 52000. Tel.: (054) 225801, Fax: (054) 225803
• Amari Rincome Hotel, 1 Nimmanhaemind Road, Suthep, Chiang Mai 50200. Tel.: (053) 221044, Fax: (053) 221915
• Maekok River Village Resort, 84 Moo 3, Tambol Thaton, Amphur Mae Ai, Chiang Mai 50280. Tel: (053) 459328, Fax: (053) 459329
• The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa, 124/25 Moo 11, Kohloy Road,
T. Robwiang, A. Muang, Chiang Rai 57000.  Tel. (053) 910400-29, Fax. (053) 719650

TOUR COST – All Tours are subject to an Acceptance Payment/Deposit of £200 per person(included in cost).

Cost per person on twin share basis as per itinerary

Validity: 01 November, 2009 – 31 October, 2010

Prices are net per person in twin sharing basis

TOUR CONDITIONS:
• Joint tour with  minimum 2 persons.
• Guaranteed weekly departures with English/German/French-speaking guide on Sundays, all meals included.
THERE ARE THE FOLLOWING SURCHARGES:

AMARIN LAGOON HOTEL
• Supplement charge on 02 November, 2009 & 31 December, 2009 – 01 January, 2010 = Baht 240.- nett per room per night.
• Compulsory dinner on 31 December, 2009 = Baht 1,200.- nett per person.

AMARI RINCOME HOTEL
• Compulsory dinner on 24 December, 2009 = Baht 3,070.-  nett per person.
• Compulsory dinner on 31 December, 2009 = Baht 3,350.- nett per person.

THE LEGEND CHIANG RAI BOUTIQUE RIVER & SPA
• High season surcharge on 24 December, 2009 to 5 January, 2010 = Baht 2,400.-  nett per room per night.
• Compulsory dinner on 24 December, 2009 = Baht 1,800.- nett per person.
• Compulsory dinner on 31 December, 2009 = Baht 2,400.- nett per person.

REMARKS:
Minor program changes are sometimes necessary, depending on road conditions and room availability.
•       Should VAT (currently 7%), or domestic airport tax, or domestic airtickets be raised, or any other government taxes be
introduced within the contract period, we reserve the right to adjust our rates accordingly to reflect the change.
•       Asian Trails reserves the right to adjust the rates if the fuel cost increase by over 10% (currently Baht 25.-per litre, Diesel)
within the contract period.

If passenger requires a domestic air ticket from Chiang Rai to Bangkok, the surcharge is Baht 4,345.-  net per person (subject to change) and must be specified at time of booking.

Air fare  in economy class for the sector shown in the above itinerary  is subject to change by the airline before booking.

Payment.
1.On acceptance – £200 per person, Acceptance Payment/Deposit (non refundable) by cheque payable to
“S W & M Miller” OR by International Bank Transfer to UK Bank Account

Your Contract for all tour arrangements is directly with Asian Trails to whom payment for the tour is made.

2. You pay eight weeks prior to arrival in Cambodia, Laos or Thailand, or on Acceptance if earlier – 50% of the total by Credit Card (3% charge) or International Bank Transfer, direct to Asian Trails

3. On arrival in Cambodia, Laos or Thailand – 50% payable by Credit Card (3% charge) or Cash.

Cancellation Charges
35 days prior to arrival a cancellation fee of US$200 per person will be applicable.
30 days notice of cancellation a fee of 25% of the total amount will be applicable.
25 days notice of cancellation a fee of 75% of the total amount will be applicable
Less than 25 days notice incurs the full amount.
Acceptance Payment non refundable

Included in the Cost
• Accommodation on a twin sharing basis in the hotels mentioned above or equivalent – subject to availability
• Any single room subject to supplement shown.
• Room and breakfast basis – or meals as indicated in the itinerary (B), (L) and (D)
• Accommodation in air conditioned room with bath (room with shower at Maekok River Village Resort) and meals as mentioned in the programme
• Transfers, entrance fees, and tours by air conditioned car/minibus/coach with English/German/French-speaking guide
• Boat trips
• Service charges, room tax, VAT and baggage handling
• All transfers, sightseeing and excursions by air-conditioned vehicle where appropriate.
• Services of an English speaking local guide (or a naturalist in National Parks)
• Entrance fees at monuments and parks where applicable
• Basic porterage at airports, rail stations and hotels (not tips).
• All currently applicable taxes.
• Where US$ are quoted the UK pounds price shown is for comparison only and is subject to change.
Excluded from the Cost
• Expenses of a personal nature:  table drinks, laundry, telephone calls, Internet charges, mineral water, tips, shopping etc.
• Any other meals or services not mentioned in the itinerary or ‘includes’ list.
• Any international airfares to India and Asia
• Domestic economy airfares, indicated in the itinerary, are subject to change
• Optional tours
• Domestic air ticket Chiang Rai-Bangkok
• Any airport taxes where applicable in each country
• Any subsequent increase in airfares, fuel costs, monuments/sightseeing fees.
• Any other taxes subsequently introduced by Government, State or Tourist Ministry.
• Travel Insurance
• Visa Fees, if applicable, in any country – Cambodia Visa Fees on arrival $20 US per person – Phnom Penh Airport departure Tax $25 US per person
• Any Christmas, New Year and Gala Dinners

General note:
All elements included in this quotation are subject to availability until the booking is made.  The hotels/ services as quoted may change when giving you the final confirmation, based on current availability.