| Itinerary for Chiang Mai Floral Festival Tour | |
| Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner | |
| 26.01.11 | Depart Sydney at
10:00am on TG 476, arriving into Bangkok at 3:20pm. Depart Brisbane at 2:20pm on TG 474, arriving in Bangkok at 8:30pm. Depart Melbourne at 4:00pm on TG 466, arriving in Bangkok at 9:10pm. All flights will be met at the airport and transferred to the Narai Hotel or equivalent in central Bangkok for a 2 night stay. |
| 27.01.11 B,L |
This morning there will be a tour of Bangkok's beautiful flower market, followed by a boat tourof Bangkok's klongs (canals) and the busy Chao Phrya river. You will see the Royal Barges and the spectacular Temple of Dawn. Next we visit the factory and showroom of a Jewelery manufacturer. |
| 28.01.11 B,L |
Morning departure for Cha'am. En route we inspect an interesting temple set in a huge Natural cave in Petchaburi. We then have lunch at a beach front restaurant. We then travel on to our near new beach front resort for a 2 night stay. |
| 29.01.11 B,D |
Morning free to enjoy the facilities of our lovely hotel. We leave the hotel at 2.30pm and travel to inspect the interesting teakwood palace of King Rama VI. We then travel to Hua Hin for a short stop at their central shopping area. Then we travel Hua Hin's historic railway station with its interesting Royal Box. Next we travel to the night market, where we spend some time before traveling to a harbour side restaurant for a lovely seafood and chicken dinner. |
| 30.01.11 B,D |
Morning departure to the River Kwai. First of all we visit the beautifully kept allied war cemetery at Kanchanburi. Then onto the infamous bridge itself. We then travel out to near the Burmese border and visit the famous 'Tiger Temple' where you can get a photograph of yourself patting these magnificent animals. We then travel by long-tailed boat along the River Kwai for overnight accommodation at the Jungle Rafts hotel floating on the River Kwai. This accommodation is quite unique and beautiful and most people consider it to be one of the highlights of the tour. However it is rather basic without electricity. Tonight there is an included dinner and display of traditional mon dancing. |
| 31.01.11 B,L |
This morning we travel to the infamous Hellfire Pass, where many Australians died in the construction of the railway. We then travel to Supanburi where we inspect an historically important huge sitting Buddha statue. Here we have lunch and then travel on to Ayuttaya, Thailand's second capital, where we inspect its world heritage historical park. Overnight in Ayuttaya. |
| 01.02.11 B,L |
Today we head north to Lopuri. Here we visit a Hindu temple where hundreds of monkeys run wild over the temple and surrounding city. This is followed by a visit to an interesting museum situated in a former palace. We then have lunch at a lovely garden restaurant, before heading further north to Phitsanalook where we visit a large local market. Overnight in Phitsanalook |
| 02.02.11 B,L |
First to Sukothai, the ancient capital with its world heritage historic park of ancient ruins dating back to the 14th century. Next we visit some ancient pottery kilns, which have been left in the same condition as they were when they were discovered and excavated by archaeologists. Then we have lunch at rustic restaurant beside the river Si Sachinal. We then visit a modern temple known as "The Soldiers Temple" which is so breathtakingly beautiful that many regard if as the most beautiful in the world. We then drive wonderful Chiang Mai for a three night stay, staying in the centre of Chiang Mai's famous night market, at the Centara Duangawan Hotel. |
| 03.02.11 B,L,D |
In the morning we travel into the rural areas to see a display of elephants at work. Then we inspect a beautiful orchid nursey, followed by lunch. In the evening we will have traditional Thai Kantoke dinner with a wonderful display of traditional Thai dacing, followed by a short display of hill-tribe folk dancing. |
| 04.02.11 B,L |
In the morning we visit Chiang Mai's famous handicraft factories, seeing such things as the manufacturing of jewelery, Thai silk, paper umbrellas, etc. The included lunch is at a beautiful teakwood restaurant. We then inspect the floral display associated with the floral festival. |
| 05.02.11 B |
In the morning we witness the spectacular procession of floral floats, interspersed with great marching bands. We then travel to the spectacular Krista Doi Garden Resort, which has about 100 acres of gardens and would be one of the best gardens in the world. After inspecting these we move onto the beautiful Bella-Vista Garden Resort for an overnight stay. |
| 06.02.11 B,L |
This morning we head north to Thanton, near the Burmese border. Here we have lunch. We then take long-tailed boats for a three hour boat trip down the Kok river to Chiang Rai. On the way we stop at some hot springs and also visit a hill-tribe village. We have a two night stay at the Rimkok Resort hotel with lovely grounds. |
| 07.02.11 B,L |
Today we visit the Queen Mother's beautiful mountain-top gardens. Then we travel to the Golden Triangle area where we have lunch included and inspect the Opium Museum before returning to Chiang Rai. |
| 08.02.11 B,D |
Morning free at our resort hotel. We
then inspect Wat Rong Khun, this white temple is unlike any
of the temples of Thailand. It is a modern masterpiece built by
Chalermchai Kositpipat, a popular artist who dedicated 10 years of his
life to this grand project, in the name of Buddha. It is a modern
project built almost entirely out of white materials and
decorated with small pieces of mirrored glass. Time for some last
minute shopping in Chiang Rai followed by an early farewell dinner.
Transfer to Chiang Rai airport, departing at 8.20pm on TG141, arriving
in Bangkok at 9.40pm. Sydney passengers depart Bangkok at 11.59pm on TG 477, arriving into Sydney at 1.20pm. (09.02.11). Brisbane passengers depart Bangkok at 11:59pm on TG 473, arriving in Brisbane at 12:05pm (09.02.11). |
| 09.02.11 |
Melbourne passengers depart Bangkok at 12:15am on TG 465, arriving in Melbourne at 1:25pm |
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