| No country of South East Asia offers the visitor a warmer welcome than Thailand, the ‘Land of Smiles’. Its eventful history, rich culture and folklore, colourful traditions and, above all, its gentle friendly people make this a country where you can really experience the Orient par excellence. Travel through stunning scenery that encompasses emerald green paddy fields, soaring mountains, deep jungles and exotic tropical beaches - and let Thailand weave an irresistible spell that will guarantee your early return! |
Day 1 London/Bangkok
Depart London Heathrow or Gatwick by overnight Qatar Airways scheduled flight via Doha.
Day 2 Bangkok
Arrive Bangkok and transfer to the Holiday Inn Silom for a 3-night stay (Superior Room & Breakfast)
Day 3 Bangkok
A day devoted to the principal sights of Thailand’s vibrant capital. Morning visit to the Grand Palace, former residence of the Rama Kings and the most beautiful temple of the ancient Siamese court. Here you will see the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and the Beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple with Thailand’s most sacred Buddha statue. In the afternoon explore the Thonburi klongs (canals) on a cruise by long-tailed or express boat along the bustling Chao Phya River and the quieter klongs with their traditional way of life, far removed from Bangkok's modern skyscrapers. A stop is made at the impressive Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and there’s a chance to admire the splendidly carved and ornamented Royal Barges.
Day 4 Bangkok
A day at leisure in the Thai capital for independent sightseeing, shopping or relaxing by your hotel pool.
Day 5 Bangkok/Chiang Mai
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your Thai Airways flight north to Chiang Mai. On arrival transfer to The Tamarind Village Hotel for a 2-night stay (Lanna room with breakfast). Remainder of day at leisure in this, Thailand’s second city, a thriving commercial hub rich in Thai history and culture and set amid an emerald-green landscape backed by jungles and mountains.
Day 6 Chiang Mai
Breakfast is followed by a visit to an elephant camp to the north of Chiang Mai. On the return there’s a stop at the Orchid Farm, home to almost every species of orchid growing in Thailand (including one of world's most beautiful and rarest varieties, the Vanda Coerulea ‘Pure White’ orchid), as well as a butterfly farm and rare breeds of Siamese cats and dogs. In the afternoon there’s sightseeing of the temple of Wat Doi Suthep - 1,073 metres above sea level and a truly awesome Chiang Mai landmark. Built in 1383, this mountain-top shrine has a chedi (pagoda) housing holy Buddha relics and is the perfect place to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city. It can be reached by a railcar – or via a steep Naga staircase comprised of 290 steps!
Day 7 Chiang Mai/Khum Lanna
After a morning at leisure, transfer by road to the beautiful Khum Lanna Resort to spend 3 nights (Full Board) at this unique village-style resort that celebrates the distinctive heritage, lifestyle and food of Thailand’s Lanna region – each strongly influenced by their nearby Burmese counterparts. After a welcome drink of refreshing herbal tea or fruit juice from the Resort ‘s exotic gardens, there’s a fascinating opportunity to enjoy a ‘hands on’ introduction to Thai cooking with a complimentary Khum Lanna recipe book and a first lesson for preparing an authentic Thai meal (4 dishes). All the major ingredients in Thai cooking are introduced along with the concept of balancing the 5-flavour groups. Later in the evening you’ll enjoy the Thai dinner you have helped to prepare! Full-Day Chiang Mai/Khum Lanna ‘Soft Adventure’ Option – see below.
Day 8 Khum Lanna
Coffee/tea in your room before dawn for an early-morning country bike ride via San Kwang village to Phrao to visit a rural market (local coffee available). Here you can buy local cakes and a flower garland for a temple offering on the return. Visit a farmer’s rice and traditional tools shop and learn about the different types of rice and their cultivation. Cycle to Wat Pa Temple and its Buddha image under the sacred tree. Continue beside a local canal and through rice fields, learning more about rice-cultivation and the important place that rice occupies in Thai life. Return to Khum Lanna for breakfast. Later join in the preparation of a Lanna country-style BBQ lunch, with a garden tour around the resort compound to collect seasonal herbs, vegetables, and fruit for the meal. In the afternoon there’s a one-hour activity, with the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 9 Khum Lanna
Optional early-morning walk to the local temple to join your host in traditional alms offering, giving food to the monks for merit. As a symbolic gesture guests themselves make this small purchase. After a leisurely breakfast by the river comes a morning of easy cycling to the village – to see the amazing clusters of beehives on the sacred tree at Ban Nam Phrae and to learn about local conservation of the bees. Cycle on to Wiang Phrao Wung Hin (an ancient city 30 years older than Chiang Mai) to visit a temple and Phra Chao Lan Tong, the main Buddha image in the Phrao district. Continue to Wat Tham Dork Kum and visit different Buddha stucco figures and the huge reclining Buddha. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the top of the mountain, with amazing views of the Phrao valley and Khum Lanna .Cycle back to Khum Lanna.
Day 10 Khum Lanna /Lanjia Lodge
Enjoy a riverside breakfast, followed by a one-hour resort activity. After lunch transfer to Lanjia Lodge (approximately 4 hours) for a 2-night stay (Full Board). Beautiful Lanjia Lodge is an eco-friendly community-run lodge whose design derives from Hmong hilltribe architecture, and nestles high above the Mekong River and Laos. It offers guests every opportunity to inter-act with their village hosts, learning about the traditional Hmong and Lahu lifestyles and joining in community activities and projects. After dinner enjoy an evening Hmong tribespeople cultural show.
Day 11 Lanjia Lodge
Morning presentation about the Hmong and Lahu tribes, Northern Thailand’s ‘Golden Triangle’ area –and the giant catfish (the world’s biggest freshwater fish) found in the Mekong River. Learn about the Mekong River and the activities of the local people whose lives depend on the river. Then tour the Hmong and Lahu hill tribe village, including a visit at the house of the local Hmong ‘shaman’ (religious leader). Take tea with the shaman and hear about some of the tribespeople’s culture and customs. Lunch on a lovely terrace overlooking the Mekong River and Laos. In the afternoon see how the Hmong women make their traditional batik handkerchieves – or, alternatively, you can learn how to make and set Homng animal traps! Then you can also help villagers to plant trees at the Herbal Plant Nursery Project – whose main objective is to improve the quality of life of local people by educating them on how to grow vegetables and the importance of their village eco-system.
Day 12 Lanjia Lodge/Chiang Rai/Bangkok/Phuket
After breakfast transfer to Chiang Rai for sightseeing of the city. Then depart by Thai Airways flight to Bangkok and connecting Bangkok/Phuket service. On arrival transfer to the Impiana Phuket Cabana Resort & Spa (Superior Garden View Room & Breakfast) for a 4-night stay.
Days 13/15 Phuket
Three days of pampered leisure beside your hotel’s palm-fringed Andaman Sea beach.
Day 16 Phuket/Bangkok/London
Breakfast at hotel. Later in the day transfer to the airport for your Thai Airways flight to Bangkok and connecting Qatar Airways overnight flight to London via Doha.
Day 16 London
Arrive London Heathrow or Gatwick
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INCLUSIVE PRICES from £1996 per person (sharing twin room)
Full-Day Chiang Mai/Khum Lanna ‘Soft Adventure’ Option (Day 7) - Price from £103 per person
Drive to Lisu Lodge for a welcome drink. Enjoy mountain biking and a 1-hour elephant ride through the mountainous jungle down to the river. After a riverside picnic lunch enjoy an exciting white-water rafting ride (about 45 minutes), followed by a short trek to visit an Akha village for tea.
Continue to Khum Lanna.
Note: Those taking this Soft Adventure tour will not arrive at the Khum Lanna Resort in time to join the Cooking Class.
Prices valid for stays until 31 March 2012. They are correct at the time this website was prepared but are subject to change. Please check with us. Single room supplements available on request.
Flights by Other Airlines: Please ask for details and prices for flights by other airlines and from alternative UK departure points.
Price Includes: Economy Class round-trip flights from London to Bangkok with Qatar Airways via Doha • Thai Airways flights Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai to Phuket and Phuket to Bangkok. 14 nights shared double/twin room hotel accommodation as described • Full breakfast daily from day after arrival in Thailand to day of departure from Thailand, with 2 lunches + picnic lunch/3 dinners at Khum Lanna Resort and 1 lunch/2 dinners at Lanjia Lodge • Airport/hotel transfers where necessary by air-conditioned car/minivan at each point visited • Entrance fees at all monuments and parks visited and any local taxes applicable to items included in the tour arrangements • Full-day sightseeing and canal cruise in Bangkok • Full-day sightseeing in Chiang Mai • Full programme of local activities (on foot and/or bicycle) at Khum Lanna Resort and Lanjia Resort • Services of English-speaking driver/guides on featured tour programme • Assistance and porterage at hotels and airports featured in tour • Current Airport Departure Tax, Airline Insurance and Fuel Surcharges (all subject to change - please check with us for details) • Assistance of our local representatives.
Price Excludes: Personal insurance and any special insurance for activity sports • Government taxes • Tips and expenses of a personal nature. A valid passport (minimum validity 6 months from return date) is required. Clients must be fully insured from the time of booking.
For Bookings & Enquiries please call us on: 020 8893 1781 or email: tours@goldendays.co.uk
All our tours can be tailor made to meet your exact requirements. |
