Thailand Indulgence

13 nights from $3150 — Save $550 per person

Highlights

Destinations
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui

Your Itinerary Includes

Private round trip airport transfers
Internal coach class air in Asia
3 nights Bangkok at The Peninsula
Private Canals and Grand Palace tour
Private Floating Market tour
3 nights Chiang Mai at the Four Seasons Resort
Elephant Safari and Bamboo Rafting
5 nights + 2 FREE nights Koh Samui at Six Senses Hideaway
Daily breakfast

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Day-By-Day Itinerary

This itinerary can be fully customized; to tailor this package to your specific requirements please call one of our travel specialists at 1-800-22-SWAIN.

Day 1 Arrive into Bangkok
Upon arrival you will clear Customs and Immigration before meeting your driver. Transfer by private vehicle to your accommodation.

Bangkok can soothe or ruffle, and it often does both. While contemplating the sunrise at a temple or monks collecting alms, you'll marvel at what peace can be found in the midst of such a chaotic metropolis.

A cultural hub in Southeast Asia, the city is a collage of urban squalor, gleaming affluence, mass consumerism and pollution. Most certainly, Bangkok will assault your senses. It's fascinating and indulgent, but it requires time and patience.

Day 2 Klongs (Canals) and Grand Palace (Morning)
This morning be transferred from your hotel and take a boat ride along the Chao Phraya and its canals via Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and ending at the Grand Palace. Wat Arun is a 260 ft. high, Khmer-inspired tower, the centerpiece of which rises majestically from the banks of the Chao Phraya, across from Wat Po. This religious complex served as the royal chapel during King Taksin's reign (1809-24), when nearby Thonburi was the capital of Thailand.

The Grand Palace complex, which includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keow), is unquestionably one of the wonders of the world today. Within its enormous grounds is the most exotic Buddhist temple and at the heart of the temple itself is a fabulous Buddha image, carved from one piece of Jade, which is the holiest and most revered of religious objects in Thailand today.

Your guide will return you to your hotel.

Day 3 Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (Morning)
This morning your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby, and you will depart for the tour. A glimpse of everyday life in Thailand can be seen at the Damnoen Saduak Floating market, which is located some 50 miles from Bangkok near Ratchaburi. Your journey commences with a leisurely drive passing through salt fields and rice paddies before arriving at a jetty. Here we will board long tail boats to take you to the market.

The market is made up of Thai style canoes laden with colorful, succulent fruits, vegetables, sweets and meats. They gently ply their way through the canal selling as they go.

Day 4 Fly Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Transfer by private vehicle to the airport for your onward flight. On arrival you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to your accommodation.

Chiang Mai is an ancient city, once the capital of an independent kingdom and the moat around the original town is still intact. There are several old and interesting wats (temples), among them Wat Suan Dawk, Wat Chiang Man and Wat Phra Singh. The city's sights can be seen in a day, but most people use the town as a jumping-off point for exploring the region. Several hill tribes live in the area, and trekkers can visit their villages. If time does not permit to visit the villages, walk to the night market to watch the local hill-tribe members buying and selling.

Day 5 Elephant Safari and Bamboo Rafting
One of Thailand's greatest treasures, the domesticated Asian elephant has worked alongside men since the early history of Thailand, and these gentle giants are an important symbol of the kingdom. Elephant training culture is strongest in parts of Isan (the northeast) and the far north.

Today your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby at a predetermined time. Transfer north of Chiang Mai in the Mae Rim Valley to the Chiang Dao Elephant Camp. In an unspoiled setting, marvel at these colossal pachyderms as they perform feats of strength and skill, at the command of their 'mahouts'. Then follows an elephant ride through the neighboring jungle. Local lunch is provided.

You will capture the true adventure of the jungle by combining the Elephant trek with a relaxing bamboo rafting trip adventure down the Ping River. The rafting is only conducted when weather and river conditions permit. Today’s excursion is for the truly adventurous! Tour begins at around 8.30am and is 7-8 hours duration.

Day 6 At leisure, Chiang Mai
The Rose of the North is among Thailand's largest cities and has most of Bangkok's amenities (including excellent food and accommodations) but not the traffic. It's also increasingly making a name for itself in the arts, especially accessories of modern design. Refreshingly cooler than Bangkok, it has a slower pace and cleaner air.

Day 7 Fly Chiang Mai to Koh Samui
Transfer by private vehicle to the airport for your onward flight. On arrival you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to your accommodation.

Known as the “alternative Thai island” to its more famous sibling Phuket, Koh Samui is an idyllic island paradise. Surrounded by palm-fringed beaches and blanketed with coconut plantations, this one-time backpackers’ nirvana is increasingly popular with a broader range of visitors seeking tranquility. Snorkel off Ko Tao island and experience languid island life, or marvel at monkeys shaking off ripe coconuts and collecting them for their trainers.

Days 8-13 At Leisure, Koh Samui
At your leisure to discover the wonders of this island. There are several natural attractions located on or near the main ring road or alternately, it’s easy to let the sun and sea lull you into the feeling that you never want to budge from the beach. Koh Samui is an island of great natural beauty and variety. Even if you do not get excited about sightseeing will find that the assortment of attractions will provide their own delights.

Day 14 Fly Koh Samui to Bangkok
Transfer to the airport by private vehicle for your onward flight.

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Hotels

For more information about the hotels visited in this itinerary please click the hotel name below.

City	Standard	Superior	Deluxe	Luxury

Bangkok	-	-	-	The Peninsula

Chiang Mai	-	-	-	Four Seasons

Koh Samui	-	-	-	Six Senses Hideaway

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Pricing

To determine pricing for your tour select the appropriate travel season and desired accommodation level from the table below.

	Standard	Superior	Deluxe	Luxury
Reference #	-	-	-	SWNP13466

Twin Share
4/1/10-7/15/10	-	-	-	$3265

7/16/10-8/31/10	-	-	-	$3895

9/1/10-9/30/10	-	-	-	$3150

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Terms & Conditions

*Prices listed are per person/twin share in USD and exclude international airfare. Prices listed are based on travel between 4/1/10-9/30/10. Call for pricing outside these travel dates. All prices listed reflect discounts/savings. Blackout dates and/or surcharges may apply to holiday and local special event periods. Call for best airfare to complete this itinerary. All flights, hotels and tours remain subject to availability. All prices remain subject to change without notice. Conditions apply. CST2012413-20 See our Complete Terms and Conditions.

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