Back to Macleay Valley Travel Homepage

18 Day Luxury Thailand
& South Vietnam 
       
Owner's Indulgence Tour

For only $3,985
per person twin share

Tour departs Australia April 29 and returns May 17, 2009
This is a superb tour, mainly visiting the three favourite places in the world of Alan Davies, the owner of Macleay Valley Travel.

These places are Hua Hin and Chiang Mai in Thailand, and beautiful Dalat in Vietnam. The tour will also be staying at the superb Sofitel Palace in Hua Hin and the character-filled Sofitel Palace in Dalat.

The tour also visits other fascinating places, such as scenically beautiful Mae Hong Son in the border area of North Thailand and Burma, the River Kwai and Hell-Fire Pass, Nha Trang, Vietnam's number one beach resort, and the exciting and superb shopping cities of Bangkok and Saigon.

The price is incredible value when you consider all of the following are included:
As this is a special tour, numbers will be limited to a maximum of about 25 passengers.

For anyone requiring a single room, there will be an extra charge of $1,685. If you want to travel twin share but don't have a travel partner, we will do our best to match you up with someone else.

Tour Itinerary

Terms and Conditions

Booking Form

Top of Page


    Itinerary for Owners Indulgence Tour - April 2009
Note: Meals are included in the itinerary as B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner


28.04.09
 Depart Brisbane at 11.55pm on TG 992, arriving in Bangkok at 6.00am the next morning.
Depart Melbourne at 11.30pm on TG 980, arriving in Bangkok at 6.00am the next morning.
29.04.09 Depart Sydney at 10.00am on TG 994, arriving in Bangkok at 4.25pm.

All clients will be met at the airport and transferred to the Sofitel Silom Hotel in Central Bangkok. Here we will be staying in deluxe club rooms where guests will be entitled to the following privileges:
Welcome drink - fruit platter in guest room upon arrival, personalised check-in and check-out in the club room on the 27th floor, complimentary tea and coffee all day at the club lounge, daily complimentary canapés, cocktails and drinks during happy hours 5pm-7pm in the club lounge.
30.04.09
(B/L)		 Bangkok
Depart Hotel at 10.00am for a visit to Jim Thompson's House. Jim Thompson was the 'Silk King' of Thailand, and his traditional Thai style home is full of interesting and valuable antiques. This is followed by lunch in a superb Thai restaurant in Siam Square. Afternoon Free. 
01.05.09
(B/L)




 Bangkok - River Kwai
Travel to the River Kwai where we inspect the Allied War Memorial Cemetery. Then we have lunch at a good restaurant beside the Bridge over the River Kwai. Next we travel out to see the Hell -Fire Pass Museum with an opportunity to inspect some of the infamous railway track in this area. We will next visit the famous temple where the monks are caring for several tigers. We overnight at the Felix Hotel which stands on the banks of the River Kwai not far from the infamous Bridge.
02.05.09
(B/D)






 River Kwai - Hua Hin
This morning we head south to Hua Hin, the beach resort where the Thai Royal family have their holiday palace. (The king now spends most of his time in Hua Hin). In Hua Hin we will be staying at the fabulous and historic Sofitel Hua Hin Hotel. The hotel is situated where the main street of Hua Hin runs into the sea, and it has interesting colonial architecture and extensive and beautiful manicured grounds. It also has the reputation of having the best buffet breakfast in all of Thailand, some claim! Tonight there will be a mainly seafood dinner in a lovely restaurant beside the ocean.
03.05.09
(B)





 Hua Hin
Today there will be an optional tour to Petch Dam and Lake. Morning scenic drive to Petch Dam. First stop is at a fascinating meditation centre with a huge lady Buddha statue. Then we board a long tail boat for a 2 hour boat tour on the lake created by the dam, viewing from the boat scattered hill tribe settlements. We stop on a small island and inspect its interesting temple. We then do a short walking circumvention of the island to see its interesting statues. We next have lunch (included) at a lovely restaurant over-looking the lake, before returning to Hua Hin. Cost $48.00
04.05.09
(B/D)




 Hua Hin - Mae Hong Son
In the morning drive back to Bangkok Airport, departing at 2.15pm on TG 114 arriving in Chiang Mai at 3.25pm. Then depart Chiang Mai at 4.20pm on TG 196, arriving in Mae Hong Son at 4.45pm. En route to our lovely resort hotel, we inspect a fascinating Burmese style temple. Mae Hong Song is situated close to the Burmese border and the area has some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Thailand. 
05.05.09
(B/L)







 Mae Hong Song - Chiang Mai
We take mini vans out to a Karen Village. Here we change to elephants for a one hour ride through the jungle. Next we change on  to  long-tailed boats for a cruise on the river. We then take the mini vans out to the Burma border where we visit a hill-tribe village of  Long-necked Karen's. The women in the village all wear numerous brass rings around their elongated necks. After lunch we visit Mae Hong Song's interesting market before transferring to Mae Hong Song airport, departing on TG 197 at 5.05pm arriving in Chiang Mai at 5.40pm. Transfer to the Central Duangatwan Hotel situated in the middle of Chiang Mai's famous night market area.
06.05.09
(B/L)

 Chiang Mai
This morning we visit Chiang Mai's famous handicrafts factories, seeing such things as the manufacture of jewellery, Thai silk, paper umbrellas etc. We then visit and have lunch at an orchid farm. This is followed by a visit to Chiang Mai's most beautiful temple.
07.05.09
(B/L)






 Chiang Mai -  Phitsanalook
Today we commence our coach trip back  to Bangkok . Our first stop is at the Government Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang where we see a display of elephants at work. We then visit a modern temple known as 'The Soldiers Temple'  which is so breath takingly beautiful that many regard it as being the most beautiful temple in the world. Then we have lunch at a rustic restaurant beside the river Si Sachinali. Then to Sukothai, the ancient capital with it's UNESCO sponsored historical park of ancient ruins dating back to the 14th century. Overnight in Phitsanalook.
08.05.09
(B/L)





 Phitsanalook - Bangkok
First we visit Phitsanalook's large local market, then we travel to Lopuri and visit the monkey temple where hundreds of monkeys run wild over the temple and the surrounding city. This is followed by a visit to an interesting museum situated in a former palace. We then have lunch in Lopuri at a lovely garden restaurant. Next we travel to Ayuttaya, Thailand's former capital that was sacked by the Burmese in the 18th century. Here we visit Ayuttaya's world heritage historical park with its extensive ruins. Finally we travel to Bangkok, over nighting at the Amari Don Muang Hotel.
09.05.09
(B/L/D)




 Bangkok - Saigon
Transfer to Bangkok Airport, departing at 9.00am on TG 680, arriving in Saigon at 10.30am. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel for check-in. Pho (traditional Vietnamese noodle soup) & spring rolls for lunch. A short  walking tour passing the City Hall, the Opera house, the Notre Dame Cathedral & the central Post Office before returning to the hotel. Free time for wandering and shopping around the plaza before dinner at a nice local restaurant and one hour cruise on the Saigon river. Accommodation tonight is at the Windsor Hotel.
10.05.09
(B/L/D)		 Saigon - Dalat
Depart Saigon for Dalat, a cool mountain resort built by the French in the 1920's as a hill station. Its lakes, waterfalls, evergreen  forests and gardens make Dalat one of the most enjoyable places in Vietnam. A beautiful drive through rubber, coffee, and tea plantations. A stopover at La Nga floating village, lunch in Bao Loc. On the way to Dalat stop at the Prenn waterfall for a short visit. Arrive in Dalat and check-in at the Sofitel Hotel for a two night stay. Dinner at a local restaurant.
11.05.09
(B/L/D)





 Dalat
A short drive to the cable car station for a 15 minute trip with a beautiful view overlooking the fine forest, vegetable gardens, and the city of Dalat.
A tour visit to the crazy house and Bao Dai, the last emperor, summer villa then to a nice embroidery workshop. Lunch at a local restaurant. Leave the hotel late afternoon for Lat village (12kms from town) to visit the local ethnic minorities. Dinner at a local restaurant .
12.05.09
(B/L/D)



 Dalat - Nha Trang
A short train ride to Trai Mat then visit Linh Phuoc Pagoda to see a beer bottle dragon which is considered the longest one in the world!!  On the way to Nha Trang, stop at Poklongiarai Cham Tower before a picnic lunch. Arrive in Nha Trang mid afternoon, check-in at the Sunrise Resort for a 2 night stay. Dinner at 'Nha Trang Sailing Club'.
13.05.09
(B/L)

 Nha Trang
In the morning, enjoy a boat trip to Mieu Island & Tri Nguyen Aquarium, then Mun Island for swimming and snorkelling. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure.
14.05.09
(B/L)

 Nha Trang - Saigon
Depart Nha Trang for Saigon, a long interesting driving journey along the coastline. Arrive Saigon late afternoon. Lunch on the way in Mui Ne. Accommodation tonight is at the Majestic Hotel.
15.05.09
(B/L/D)




 Saigon
In the morning we will depart for a coach trip to My Tho which is a two hour drive from Ho Chi Minh city. My Tho is a prosperous town of 170,000 inhabitants in the Mekong Delta. It is famous for it's extensive orchards and immense rice fields. Enjoy a 5 hour boat ride on the Mekong River and a visit to an orchard on an island, coconut candy workshop, bee farm with lunch en route, then drive back to Saigon. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
16.05.09
(B)





 Saigon - Bangkok 
Free time in Saigon.
Sydney and Brisbane passengers transfer to Saigon Airport, departing at 11.35am on TG 681 arriving in Bangkok at 1.00pm.
Brisbane passengers will be transferred to a Bangkok hotel for an overnight stay.
Sydney passengers depart Bangkok at 7.15pm on TG 993, arriving in Sydney at 7.15am the next morning (17.05.09)
Melbourne passengers depart Saigon at 8.50pm on TG 687, arriving in Bangkok at 10.15pm.
17.05.09






 Melbourne passengers depart Bangkok at 12.15am, arriving in Melbourne at 12.05pm.
Brisbane passengers are transferred to Bangkok Airport, departing at 8.00am on TG 991 and arriving in Brisbane at 10.45pm. (This flight goes via Sydney)

Note: To cover the cost of transfers, accommodation and breakfast for the Brisbane passengers there will be an extra charge of $95 per person twin share of $140 single room.

Note: Both Sydney and Melbourne passengers can overnight in Bangkok with the Brisbane passengers for a similar cost with flights also departing at 8.00am on 17.05.09.
Also Note:
 Airport taxes and levies at present total an additional amount of approximately $480. We have no control over this price and it is subject to change.
Top of Page

Conditions for Macleay Valley Travels Owners Indulgence Tour

Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. This deposit is not refundable should you later cancel. The balance is payable 8 weeks prior to departure. 

Refunds and Cancellations - Cancellations after final payment will result in a refund limited to whatever we can recoup from the airline.

Insurance - Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired.

Passports - All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia.
Visas are required for Australian passport holders to Vietnam and . Visa fee for Vietnam is $72.00 and we charge $20.00 for processing.  Austalian passport holders do not need a visa for Thailand

Not  Included in the Cost - All items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, excess baggage, tips, meals, (except those specified in the itinerary), etc.
Also travel insurance and departure taxes. Australian airport tax must now be paid with your ticket, and comes to $480 at present.
****Please note that these taxes are subject to change.****

Booking through other Agents - As we keep the cost of out tours as low as possible, there is insufficient margin for us to be able to pay commission to other travel agents, so some bookings can only be accepted if the client pays the other agent's commission. 
Macleay Valley Travel is a fully licensed travel agent and as such any monies paid to us are fully insured by the Travel Compensation Fund. We are happy for any prospective traveller with us to check us out with your local Consumer Affiars (fair trading) department.
Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies.

Limitation of Liability - As Macleay Valley Travel acts only as agent for the Airlines, Hotels, Coach Companies etc., providing accommodation, transportation and other services, Macleay Valley Travel shall not be liable or responsible for death or injury to any person or loss or damage to any property including baggage arising out of or connection with any transportation, accommodation or other services, or resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, de jure or defacto wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays or cancellations caused by changes in schedules or itinerary, or over bookings or defaults or for any causes beyond Macleay Valley Travel's control or any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient passports, visas or other documents and neither Macleay Valley Travel, and its servants or employees shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of the foregoing causes.
Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the accommodation if circumstances make this necessary, provided that the amended itinerary is of equal value or greater value than that of the original program.
Top of Page