An eleven day journey through Thailand is an amazing adventure. The first day you will arrive in Bangkok and spend the night. The second day you will see Wat Pho’s giant Buddah covered with shimmering gold leaf. You will also visit The Grand Palace. This is a glorious example of the Siamese court. Enjoy a delicious Thai lunch, travel the Chao Phraya River and relax in the serenity of the temples by the waterways. Journey to the majestic shrine of the Wat Arun and watch the sun reflecting off this grand pagoda.
You will see Old Bangkok’s streets in a private tuk tuk and visit historic landmarks and authentic food shops. You will learn about this sensational city, enjoy the temples and communities and immerse yourself in flavorful dishes cooked on charcoal stoves. You will never forget the night you spent in this vibrant city.
During your third day you will visit Ayutthaya. The former capital is a unique mixture of cultures beginning in the middle of the 16th century with the Ayutthaya ships. Remnants of the ancient villages from 1767 are a tribute to the past glory of the city. Your trip begins at King Rama V’s Summer Palace and the ruins are impressive. Cruise back to Bangkok on an air conditioned ship while enjoying a sumptuous buffet.
Journey to Chiang Mai during your fourth day and tour the Evening Street Food Market. The aromas of the Northern Thai and Thai food are incredibly enticing. The Thai dessert is sensational.
Your fifth day is an elephant jungle sanctuary. You will meet these remarkable animals in their natural home and learn about their behaviors and their lives. You can even feed the elephants sugar cane and bananas. This environment in sustainable, safe and surrounded by magnificient scenery. Spend the night and experience the clear mountain air in the morning while you relish in the beautiful countryside. The experience of walking with the elephants and bathing with them in refreshing and crisp water is beyond words. Then comes the adventure of playing with the elephants in a mud spa. Take some pictures because it is so hard to say goodbye to these majestic creatures.
Day six brings you to the Wat Doi Suthep mountain temple. The view over the providence is amazing on a clear day. Next is the enormous pagoda of Wat Chedi Luang. Here you will see the northern style murals and exquisite wood carvings of the Lai Kham Chapel. Visit the Muang Mai market on a trishaw ride and enjoy the farm fresh food. You will be welcomed to an authentic Thai neighborhood on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. You time spent with a Thai family will bring you knowledge about the graceful teakwood homes. Your host family will walk with you through the herb garden and orchard while showing you how to use banana leaves to make cigars and bamboo baskets. Finish your evening by sharing a home cooked meal with the family.
Day seven brings you to Phuket for the night. Day eight is a speedboat to the Phi Phi islands and snorkeling in a majestic world beneath the sea. See the Viking Cave, the Bamboo Island and Hin Klang Island.
The final days are spent on the beach while you dream of the next time you will come back.
