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| OVERVIEW |
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ITINERARY |
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PRICING |
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WHAT'S INCLUDED |
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12 days / 11 nights
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| Day Number of Tour |
| Day No. |
Location |
Program |
B |
L |
D |
| 1 |
Arrive Bangkok |
Arrive Bangkok
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On arrival in Bangkok, transfer to the Grande Centre Point Hotel. The hotel is located in a busy shopping district, within walking distance of the Skytrain and many restaurants.
This afternoon, enjoy a 2-hour traditional Thai Massage.
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| 2 |
Bangkok |
Option 1 Golf at Lam Look Ka / Option 2: Visit the Markets
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B |
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Option 1: Golf at Lam Look Ka
At Lam Look Ka Roger Packard has created a pleasant modern course, typical of the former paddy field courses around Bangkok, with lots of water, wide fairways and big greens. There has been a great deal of planting, so the course is already blessed with more shade than many of the newer courses. The game strategy is accuracy rather than power play. A few holes have water on both sides of the fairway and at the back of the green. The big clubhouse provides every amenity for the golfer.
Option 2: Visit the Markets
Set-off by boat this morning to explore Bangkok's klongs - or canals - to view an ancient and simple way of life. Visit the local markets to begin getting a feel for the ingredients available here - both the familiar and unfamiliar. In your cooking courses in the days ahead, you will learn how to use these wonderful fresh ingredients to create mouth-watering Thai dishes. Today's visits will include local fruit and vegetable markets, fruit orchards and stunningly colourful flower markets. Experience authentic Thai cuisine, with lunch at a local riverside restaurant.
This afternoon, see some of Bangkok's traditional architecture, beginning with Vimanmek Mansion, built in 1901 by King Chulalongkorn. With 81 rooms, it is said to be the largest teak building in the world. Next, visit Wang Suan Pakkard - The Palace of the Lettuce Garden, a group of beautiful teak buildings brought to Bangkok from around Thailand. This was the home of Princess Chumbhot, and is a lovely and peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. Return to the hotel, and evening at leisure.
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| 3 |
Bangkok |
Grand Palace, Wat Po, National Museum
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B |
L |
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This morning, tour the spectacular sights of Bangkok, including the Grand Palace, home of Thai Kings and the temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Bangkok is one Asia's most cosmopolitan cities. Created as the Thai capital in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty, Bangkok is a national treasure house and Thailand's spiritual, cultural, political, commercial and diplomatic center. Major tourism attractions include glittering Buddhist temples, palaces, canal and river scenes, classical dance extravaganzas, an almost legendary nightlife, and numerous air-conditioned shopping centers selling Thai silks, cottons, gemstones, bronze and pewterware, and many, many more internationally admired handicrafts.
The Grand Palace is one of the most beautiful samples of an ancient Siamese court. It used to be the residence of the Kings of Bangkok. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. Continue to Wat Po - the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The temple features a 140 foot long reclining Buddha, in addition to 91 chedis (stupas).
This afternoon, visit the extensive National Museum, for an excellent introduction to Thai history and culture.
Return to the hotel, and the evening is at your leisure.
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| 4 |
Bangkok |
Option 1: Golf at Thai Country Club / Option 2: Blue Elephant Cooking School
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B |
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Option 1: Golf at Thai Country Club
The Thai Country Club is an exclusive private members club managed by Peninsula Clubs and Consultancy Services Limited. The original Thai Country Club golf course has been completely redeveloped into a world class championship course keeping in place mature natural features such as fully grown conifers and eucalyptus trees. The new golf course has been built to "US-PGA" standards by Dennis Griffiths. The course features Paspalum grass, which is salt resistant and grows horizontally for a smoother golfing surface and can be considered as the latest turf advancement in Thailand; a hidden drainage system which ensures flood-free course; a 1 meter high embankment around the entire course ensures total privacy; 7,052 yards of a distinctly different "climate zones", the course is playable on foot or by cart.
Option 2: Blue Elephant Cooking School Morning Class
Located in the heart of Bangkok opposite the Surasak Sky train station, the Blue Elephant Cooking School welcomes you to a dazzling century old mansion where you will discover and experience the culinary wonders of Royal Thai Cuisine.
The Blue Elephant Cooking School has fully equipped facilities offering you the chance to put your hand to practicing Thai Cuisine. A typical day will commence with a visit to the morning market. Accompanied by our instructor, you will learn to select and buy Thai ingredients for your personal cooking lesson. The class will be followed by a meal in Blue Elephant's delightful restaurant sampling your own cooking as well as additional Thai dishes.
Enjoy some free time after returning to the hotel. You may wish to book a massage, or perhaps pop out for a little shopping.
This evening, enjoy an early dinner aboard a unique and beautiful antique teakwood rice barge, cruising along the historic Chao Phraya River.
After the cruise, your guide will take you for a stroll through the famous nightlife area of Patpong - full of hostess bars, market stalls, and always thronged with tourists. A must-do Bangkok experience!
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| 5 |
Bangkok / River Kwai |
Bridge on the River Kwai, Jeath War Museum
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B |
L |
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Depart Bangkok this morning for Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai. Enroute, stop at a local village to observe rural Thai life, and meet some local residents.
Arrive this afternoon at the historical River Kwai. Visit the world famous "Bridge on the River Kwai", Jeath War Museum and the Allied War Cemetery. Check in at the Felix River Kwai for 2 nights.
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| 6 |
River Kwai |
Option 1: Golf at Nichigo Golf Course, Option 2: Cooking Course & Relaxation Programme
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B |
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D |
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Option 1: Golf at Nichigo Golf Course.
There is a welcome peace and spaciousness about the course, its varieties of trees, plants and flowers, its scenic beauty of mountains, lakes and river views, and the mountain air gives it an undoubted distinction. The fairways are turfed with Norshiba grass from Korea, which needs no pesticides and hardly any fertilizer, thus making it very environment-friendly. The greens covered with Tifdwarf, are of a comfortable speed, but the undulations make putting a challenge. Mr. Kobayashi, who has designed more than 90 courses around the world, has created one of the finest golf courses in Thailand.
Option 2: Relaxation Programme.
Today you will enjoy a full programme of relaxation and rejuvenation, including a Foot Massage, Herbal Steam Bath, Herbal Pad, plus a visit to an Herb Garden. Your day also includes a cooking class, and of course, lunch.
You will have some time to relax this afternoon and enjoy the hotel, or perhaps go out and explore.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
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| 7 |
River Kwai / Chiang Mai |
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Kantoke Dinner & Show
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B |
L |
D |
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Return to Bangkok airport this morning, and check-in for the flight to Chiang Mai. On arrival, proceed directly for lunch at a local restaurant.
This afternoon, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at 3,520 feet (1,056 meters), where you will have sweeping views of the city and surrounding countryside. The temple is reached by a staircase with 290 steps, flanked by a NAGA balustrade on either side. The Monastery was built by King Gue-Na in 1383. The centre is a big Chedi (spired pagoda), which contains partial relics of Lord Buddha.
Check into the Yaang Come Hotel. Your guide will take you on an orientation walking tour near the hotel, to familiarize you with the local shops and restaurants, and the location of the night market, just a few minutes walk away.
This evening, savour some Northern Thai cuisine, with a Kantoke Dinner and Show.
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| 8 |
Chiang Mai |
Option 1: Golf at Green Valley / Option 2: Kao Hom Cooking School
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B |
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Option 1: Golf at Green Valley
This Dennis Griffiths & Associates designed championship course offers an unusually tough challenge. The tournament calibre course has Chiang Mai's most superbly conditioned and maintained fairways and greens, 7,200 yards of wide-open fairways, tough water hazards on every hole and plenty of bunkers. The course sits on a slightly flat terrain sloping towards the Ping River. It is a long testing course, with water coming into play on almost every hole. Most holes are heavily bunkered, making play even more exacting. There is not much shade on the course. The huge club house provides first-class amenities.
Option 2: Chiang Mai Cookery School
The Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School was established in 1993 and is a family business, run by Sompon and Elizabeth Nabnian. Daily courses are taught by Sompon and his staff - experienced Thai chefs who speak excellent English. You will learn the secrets of Thai cooking at home in a relaxed atmosphere.
Your course includes an introduction to Thai ingredients, paste making, a tour of the market or fruit carving, plus a comprehensive, easy-to-follow full colour cook book. Of course the best part is eating all of the food that you cooked for lunch!
Balance of the afternoon and evening are at leisure. Be sure to visit the Night Market, a huge area of downtown Chiang Mai that comes alive after dark with stalls and vendors of every imaginable product. Don't forget to test your bargaining skills - an absolute must!
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| 9 |
Chiang Mai |
Hilltribe villages, Elephant Back Jungle Trek, Bamboo Rafting
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B |
L |
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A full days adventure awaits, as you travel out of Chiang Mai to visit local hilltribe villages and a waterfall (light trekking). Enjoy a barbeque lunch in the jungle, then set off on elephant back for a jungle trek. Next, cool off with a bamboo raft trip, before returning to Chiang Mai.
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| 10 |
Chiang Mai |
Option 1: Golf at Chiang Mai Highlands / Option 2: Kao Hom Cooking School
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B |
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D |
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Option 1: Golf at Chiang Mai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort
Chiang Mai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort opened in December 2005. The golf course was designed by Schmidt-Curley Design and features what some describe as 'the best greens' in Thailand. The bunkers are typical of other Schmidt-Curley designs, deep and severely penalizing to errant shots. The greens at Chiang Mai Highlands generally run between 9.5 to 10.5 on the Stimp Meter. Although fast and elevated they hold a well struck iron shot. Many of the greens slope away from the fairway putting an emphasis on strategy and local knowledge.
Option 2: Chiang Mai Cookery School
Return to the Chiang Mai Cookery School for a different course today, giving you the opportunity to hone some of your new-found skills, and of course, enjoy the fruits of your labour.
The balance of the day is at leisure to relax, explore some of Chiang Mai's many temples, or perhaps make one last visit to the night market. Gather this evening for dinner.
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| 11 |
Chiang Mai / Bangkok |
Fly to Bangkok: Leisure time
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B |
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Transfer to airport today for the flight to Bangkok. On arrival, transfer to the Grande Centre Point Hotel for overnight. Balance of the day at leisure.
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| 12 |
Depart Bangkok |
Depart
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B |
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Transfer to the airport for departure. Or, extend your stay to Phuket or elsewhere in Thailand or Asia.
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