Thailands golden Triangle

Sawadee (hello) and welcome to Thailand during the best time of year to visit! The coolest and driest period and the loveliest weather as we explore the “Land of Smiles”! Start our visit with a beach break to decompress after long flights! Umbrella drinks, swimming pools, and sandy beaches and shady coconut trees start the vacation portion of our tour. Rested and ready? We continue with the amazing sights of this country making our way to Bangkok, then north to the Golden Triangle! This area is infamous for smuggling as the Mekong River confluence lies at the meeting point of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma), Our special visits include the many hilltribes including the “Longneck” Karen tribe. See back page for full itinerary. Space is limited, reserve today!

Included in your escorted travels: 

· Round-trip flights to from Seattle, SFO, LAX*

  *Other gateways by request

· 3 nights 5-star beach resort 

· 8 nights 4/5 star hotels

· Domestic airfare in Thailand

· Speedboat beach break tour with lunch

· All sightseeing included, no optional tours.

· All transfers and tours by bus or luxury vans

· Bangkok Dinner cruise

· Elephant camp, longneck village, orchid farm

· Sanctuary of truth, Grand Palace, Doi Suthep

· Lots of delicious meals! 

· Domestic economy air tickets within Thailand

· All airport transfers in Thailand

· Professional licensed guide of Thailand

Day 1— Sunday Jan 17/Monday Jan 18 — Depart for Bangkok! In the evening (Jan 17), make your way to your gateway airport. Just after midnight we have a great night-flight to Asia. Check-in, sit back, relax and look forward to umbrella drinks, sandy beaches, and lots of pampering! (In flight meals).

Day 2 — Tuesday Jan 19 — Welcome to Thailand! Arrive at Bangkok International Airport. Meet your local guide and tour manager and you are whisked off to your beachfront resort to put your toes in the sand and an umbrella drink in your hand—the best way to “shake” jet lag! (in-flight meals, welcome dinner).

Day 3 — Wednesday Jan 20 — Speedboat beach break! Enjoy breakfast at our hotel. Today we speed off to a small island with white sand and crystal blue water for an island beach break with lunch. Enjoy a swim or catch up with your Kindle under the shady coconut trees on your beach recliner. Free afternoon. (Breakfast, beach seafood lunch)

Day 4 –Thursday Jan 21 —Sanctuary of Truth Well rested and ready? Let’s start touring and enjoy a visit to the largest teakwood structure in the world. Not a Buddhist temple, but a place of appreciation of all faiths. An amazing experience. Enjoy a local lunch together before an afternoon free for massage or relaxation. In the evening those interested may take a walk together down the infamous “Walking Street” of Thailand red light district. (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 5 — Friday Jan 22 — Take a bite of Bangkok! Depart the beach this morning and arrive in Bangkok for an amazing visit to the American Red Cross and Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute that specializes in the husbandry of venomous snakes, and the extraction and research of snake venom and vaccines. The institute began after a young Thai princess died of rabies.  After a lovely buffet lunch, check-in to our hotel and relax until our evening dinner cruise on the glittering Chao Phraya! (breakfast, lunch, dinner cruise)

Day 6 — Saturday Jan 23 — Grand Palace and Asiatique This morning enjoy a city tour of Bangkok including Chinatown, the Flower Market, and the Grand Palace of Thailand including the Emerald Jade Buddha Temple. After lunch, take a dip in the pool of our beautiful riverside hotel before considering a trip next door to “Asiatique”. Aisatique is a new visitor experience with shopping, outside dining, and fabulous river views — just 5 minutes walk from our hotel! (breakfast, lunch)

Day 7 — Sunday Jan 24 — North to Chiang Rail! A one hour flight north and we are in the “cool green north”! Chiang Rai is our jumping off point to visit with the many hill tribe villages, The shimmering “White Temple” and lively night market near our hotel are highlights as well! (breakfast, lunch)

Day 8 — Monday Jan 25 — Chiang Rai Explorations  A full day of explorations and meeting the tribes in the Golden Triangle. These mountain inhabitants originated in China and make their homes in the cool green mountains of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma). Slowly Thailand has encouraged tribes to abandon poppy cultivation (used for opium production) as they begin to assimilate more into Thai culture.(breakfast, lunch)

Day 9 — Tuesday Jan 26 — Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai Today we depart Chiang Rai for a beautiful drive through the mountains to Chiang Mai. Stop for a visit and lunch at a local coffee farm or tea plantation. This evening we visit a local kantoke dinner show—cameras ready for all the beautiful traditional dances, costumes, and local northern dishes! (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 10 — Wednesday Jan 27 — Elephant Camp & Longneck Village Enjoy our morning tour to the elephant camp and demonstration show. Next we visit an authentic hilltribe village with Longneck “Karen” peoples and other local tribes. Beautiful lunch at a local orchid farm. Free afternoon and evening –how about a visit to the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar? Steps from our hotel—it’s one of the most famous in Thailand! (breakfast, buffet lunch)

Day 11 — Thursday Jan 28 — Doi Suthep Mountain Temple & Home Industries Today a scenic drive up Doi Suthep Mountain, followed by a funicular to the mountain top with one of the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai. Enjoy a simple picnic lunch and tour of a local jade factory before visiting the crafts district to enjoy local handicraft industries including northern arts and crafts being made like silk, silver, umbrellas, and lacquerware. In the evening an informal dinner as we enjoy the Loy Krathong festivities and parade. Enjoy a free evening from our great hotel location. (breakfast, lunch)

Day 12 — Friday Jan 29 — Cooking School, Farewell Home Visit dinner Enjoy a fun and delicious morning at our local cooking school! Learn the favorite dishes and then make and enjoy them! Afternoon at leisure. Gather in the evening for a home visit and dinner together in a local home with (breakfast, cooking class lunch, home dinner)

Day 13 — Saturday Jan 30 — Farewell Thailand! After another great breakfast it’s time to pack up and head home. Return flights to home cities as scheduled. (breakfast, in-flight meals)