Exotic Thailand

A tour of Bangkok takes you to the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple featuring some of the most spectacular architecture in Asia. Go back in time in the magnificent Royal Chapel with its golden domes and fluted spires. The palace compound also houses the Emerald Buddha the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand. Dress code for Grand Palace: no shorts, no sleeveless tops/vests, no sandals/open shoes. Shoes must be removed before entering the temples. Bring your camera to a memorable evening as traditional dances complete a truly Thai cuisine in an authentic Thai restaurant.

In the province of Kanchanaburi visit the Allied Soldiers’ Cemetery and the Bridge over the River Kwai. An exciting boat ride downstream takes you to Resotel Pier to visit The Hell Fire Pass Memorial and the 7 Tiered Erawan Waterfall, widely regarded as one of Thailand’s loveliest cascades, and Tiger Valley where the tigers are taken for their afternoon exercise. An exhilarating ride on a narrow long-tail speedboat through the marshes, passing by riverside villages and fruit plantations takes you to the floating market of Damnern Saduak with its many colors, flavors and exotic fragrances. Here locals in their small flat-bottomed boats market their produce – from coconuts to Coca-Cola!

In Nakorn Pathom, the oldest city in Thailand, visit the Pra Pathom Chedi, the largest pagoda in south east Asia with its golden tiled dome (pagoda) towering almost 394 feet into the sky. The Rose Garden has extensive landscaped gardens, a lake, several traditional Thai-style houses and a village. Here is an opportunity to an introduction to Thai life with a Buddhist monk ordination ceremony, a wedding, folk dances, and martial arts/Thai boxing and souvenir shopping.

A 2 day soft adventure takes you to the hill-tribe Museum in CHIANG MAI to delight in the wealth of its historical sites, as well as its abundance of handicrafts in silk, silver and wood, which make for precious and timeless souvenirs. Chiang Mai also serves as the main connecting point for excursions to the host of wonderful attractions in Thailand’s North. (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). In Mae Rim visit an Orchid Farm and the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden – the largest botanical garden in south east Asia. Experience an ox-cart ride through mountain farmlands, orchards, forests and arrive at the Thai village of Pang Mai Daeng. Guided by Lisu people, walk from Ton Lung temple to the herbal garden. Visit Lisu families and stop for a cup of tea at the shaman’s (spirit doctor) house where you will be introduced to traditional medicine. Return to the Lisu Lodge to enjoy Lisu hill tribe activities such as embroidering and organic gardening.

A one hour mountain bike trek through pretty hill country brings you to the Mae Taeng River for an hour’s elephant ride through the beautiful mountains and jungle. Ejoy white water rafting along the Mae Taeng River and thereafter drive to Akha Village. In Lampang wake up early and walk through the teak forest to ride your elephant back to the Elephant Conservation Center. Watch their first bath of the day. After breakfast, learn to ride and control the elephant in the show grounds. Take an elephant ride through the forest, this time as a passenger for about a half hour. Be part of the elephant show and receive your Mahout Student Certificate! After the show you will have time to wash and reflect on your experiences and then it’s time to say goodbye to your new friends, the people and the elephants.

In Phuket board your cruise to Phi Phi Island, one of the world’s most beautiful tourist destinations consisting of two rocky, tree-covered islets. One is Phi Phi Don where several long white powdery beaches attract visitors to sunbathe and swim and the other is rocky Phi Phi Le where thousands of swifts nest inside the Viking Cave. With its emerald crystal sea, secluded beaches, wooded cliff mountains, colorful coral reefs and undersea life, Phi Phi is a paradise in the Andaman.