2025 AMAZING THAILAND ADVENTURE

Bangkok & Chiang Mai

January 16 – January 29, 2025 (14 Days & 12 Nights)

Bangkok  (5 nights), Chatuchak Market, Kanchanaburi City, Mae Klong River, Thai Burma Railway Research Center, WWII Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Bridge over River Kwai, Train-ride , Chao Phraya River, Tuk Tuks ride , Grand Palace, Wat Pra Kaew, Wat Po, Reclining Buddha, Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai  (6 nights), City Pae Gate, Elephants at Mae Sa, Long-Neck hill-tribe, Tiger Kingdom, Khantoke Dinner & Culture Show, Mae Kacham, Golden Triangle, Wat Rong Khun, Golden Triangle, Doi Inthanon National Park, Hang Tueng Farn, Chinatown, Wat Trimit, Pahurat, Bangkok  (1 night)

$100 EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
(deposit of $100 per person received by 9/30/2024)

Thursday, January 16 (Day 01)
HONOLULU to NARITA
Our tour commences this morning when we assemble at the Japan Airlines lobby at the airport for baggage check-in procedures.  We will depart Honolulu to Narita International Airport.  A meal and a snack will be served on board for the flight.

Friday, January 17 (Day 02)
NARITA to BANGKOK
We arrive Narita Airport for a short layover then depart for our flight to Bangkok.  Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, we will clear entry and customs formalities then transfer to our hotel for check-in procedures.

Accommodations at Pathumwan Princess Hotel or similar

Saturday, January 18 (Day 03)
BANGKOK’S CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET (B)
We will start our weekend in the afternoon as we enjoy a shopping excursion at the vibrant Chatuchak Weekend Market.  With its 15,000 stalls, it is among the largest outdoor market in the world, drawing nearly 200,000 tourists every weekend.  Splurge from handcrafted treasures to tantalizing street delicacies, creating a symphony of experiences unique to Bangkok’s cultural tapestry.

Accommodations at Pathumwan Princess Hotel or similar

Sunday, January 19 (Day 04)
KANCHANABURI “BRIDGE OVER RIVER KWAI” (B) (L)
This morning, we will drive west of Bangkok and visit Kanchanaburi City, a popular resort town located at the point where the Khawae Noi and Khwae Yai Rivers meet and form the Mae Klong River.  We will embark on a journey through time as we visit and explore the historic significance of the Thai Burma Railway Research Center. We will walk and stroll through the WW2 Kanchanaburi War Cemetery then continue our drive through the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai, known for many people from the 1957 movie.  Then, we will board a picturesque train ride from Bork to Tham Krase station.  A buffet lunch at the riverside restaurant will be provided and leisure time at the famous wooden truss bridge.

Accommodations at Pathumwan Princess Hotel or similar

Monday, January 20 (Day 05)
BANGKOK’S CANAL BOAT TOUR – GRAND PALACE (B) (L)
We will enjoy a scenic life along the waterways and learn why Bangkok was once called “Venice of the East”.  Our tour starts from the hotel pier by riding an express boat and cruise along the Chao Phraya River to a pier near Pak Klong Talad, the wholesale market of fresh vegetables, flowers and herbs. A short walk through the interesting market then board tuk tuks (Bangkok's 3-wheel open-air taxi) for a short ride through the old part of the city to the Grand Palace, which was the residence of the kings of Chakri Dynasty.  We will continue to visit Wat Pra Kaew, which houses the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred image for Buddhists in Thailand.  We will continue to visit Wat Po, the temple of the Reclining Buddha and its extensive compound with a school of traditional medicine also known for teaching and facilitating of traditional massage.  Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant and experience some authentic Thai food.

Accommodations at Pathumwan Princess Hotel or similar

Tuesday, January 21 (Day 06)
SUMMER PALACE – BOAT RIDE TO AYUTTHAYA (B) (L)
This morning, we will travel by van to enter the realm of royalty at the exquisite Bang Pa In Summer Palace, in the Ayutthaya province.  We will tour the magnificent palace and then we will continue to enjoy a longtail boat excursion.  After lunch at a local restaurant, we will continue on to visit the ancient ruins of the former Thai capital.

Accommodations at Pathumwan Princess Hotel or similar

Wednesday, January 22 (Day 07)
BANGKOK to CHIANG MAI (B) (D)
We will enjoy our free time in the morning and bid adieu to Bangkok and board our flight to the cultural city of Chiang Mai.  Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

Accommodations at Duangtawan Hotel or similar

Thursday, January 23 (Day 08)
CHIANG MAI CITY (B) (L)
Today, we will explore the capital of Chiang Mai province, the largest city in northern Thailand.  We will visit the most popular landmark, City Pae Gate, constructed during the Lanna Period (1297 AD – 1411 AD).  Then we will continue up a winding drive to 3,000 feet above sea level to visit Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the symbol of Chiang Mai, where the relic of the Lord Buddha is enshrined. At the top, we will immerse ourselves the panoramic view of the town and the surrounding country-side.  After lunch at a local restaurant, we will then proceed to a local market to enjoy shopping for exotic fruits, local delicacies reasonably-priced clothing in this energetic marketplace.

Accommodations at Duangtawan Hotel or similar

Friday, January 24 (Day 9)
ELEPHANNT CAMP – ORCHID FARM – TIGER KINGDOM (B) (D)
A pleasant drive north out into the country - side to visit the elephant training camp at Mae-Sa.  In a lush, tropical jungle area, we will see the elephants bathe in a cool stream.   A demonstration is held to show you how trained elephants are used in the timber industry. Using their tusks, powerful trunks and feet, they work to push, pull and roll logs.  A short drive to visit the Long – Neck* hill-tribe (Padong) village.  You will be amazed at the layers of brass rings around the women-folk’s necks, worn for decoration and tribal beliefs.

We will have lunch served at the Orchid farm then we will visit the Tiger Kingdom for an incredible opportunity to view and enjoy wild animals before we return to our hotel.

A traditional Khan Toke dinner and culture show will complete our today’s activities.  Relax in an informal setting while dining on a delicious northern Thai cuisine.  Cultural dances, such as the finger-nail dance, candle dance, sword dance and group dance while a musical ensemble play will be our entertainment this evening.  You may have an opportunity to participate in several dances.

*Long-Neck (Extra Information)

The Padong are a sub-group of the Karen, another hill-tribe.  Living mainly in Kayah State in Eastern Burma, they speak their own dialect.   For girls between the ages of 5-10 years, a special ceremony is held when she puts on the first 5 rings. Other rings are added on later.  These brass rings do not stretch their necks.  Rather, they press down the vertebrae and collarbones.  Each adult woman usually has about 20-25 rings around her neck.

Accommodations at Duangtawan Hotel or similar

Saturday, January 25 (Day 10)
MAE KACHAM – GOLDEN TRIANGLE (B) (L)
Our tour continues on a scenic drive through hills and valleys, tropical forrests and picturesque villages.  We will take a break at a hot spring at Mae Kacham where we can mingle with the locals.  As we continue on, we will make a stop at Akha hill-tribe village and a Yao hill-tribe village. Each tribe has its own unique colorful dress, games dances, language and dialect though they both share beliefs and honor forest and guardian spirits.  We will drive further on to the world-renowned Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma meet.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we will continue our drive to visit the famous White Temple at Wat Rong Khun which is closer to Chiang Rai town.  A must visit temple while visiting Chiang Mai.  The temple was used to be an old ordinary Buddhist temple south of Chiang Rai but renovated transforming the teaching of Lord Buddha into guided route of displays of symbols representing hell, hearth and heaven.

Accommodations at Duangtawan Hotel or similar

Sunday, January 26 (Day 11)
FULL DAY at DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK (B) (L)
We will drive up two hours south of Chiang Mai to visit Doi Inthanon National Park, highlighting Thailand’s tallest mountain rising at 2,565 meters above sea level (warm wear recommended).  Designated as a National Park, the splendid natural environment is a habitat to a large variety of birds, animals, flowers and fauna.  Driving the road up the mountain, you will be surprised to see the summit as flat but imagery misty, cold and windy.  A small chedi (Buddhist monument) above the visitor’s camp contains the remains of Chao Inthawichayanon, who died in 1897, the last ruler of Chiang Mai.  We will also get to see one of Thailand’s most impressive waterfalls while traversing the mountain.

Accommodations at Duangtawan Hotel or similar

Monday, January 27 (Day 12)
THAI COOKING CLASS & FARM TOUR (B)
Today we will embark on a culinary odyssey with a Thai cooking class at Hang Tueng farm.  After the cooking experience, we will also get to try many activities such as rice diving, making Khai Pam (grilled eggs in banana leaf cup), painting umbrellas, making Khao Taen (deep fried rice cake) or other hands-on activities.

Accommodations at Duangtawan Hotel or similar

Tuesday, January 28 (Day 13)
CHIANG MAI – BANGKOK – CHINATOWN & INDIAN FABRIC STREET (B)
This morning is at your leisure until we transfer and check in to our noon return flight to Bangkok.  After landing, we will visit Bangkok’s Chinatown, a popular tourist attraction and a food haven to explore the vibrant street-side cuisine. Many shoppers descend upon this 1-km strip and adjacent to Charoenkrung Road to enjoy their daily activities, shopping, trading and worship. At the Chinatown area, enjoy a walk along the trail of the Dragon Road of Bangkok.  The trail starts at the Wat Trimit with the revered 5.5 ton Buddha image, along the old market.  We will continue our walk along shops to Chinese medicine store for traditional health check-up, pay homage to colorful Chinese temples. Finally, will visit Pahurat, the Indian street where all kinds of fabric are sold.

Accommodations at Pathumwan Princess Hotel or similar

Wednesday, January 29 (Day 14)
BANGKOK to HANEDA to HONOLULU
We will transfer to Suvarnabhumi Int’l Airport for our flight back to Honolulu with a short layover in Haneda International Airport, arriving on the same day due to the crossing of the International Date Line. A meal will be served on board the flight.

The tour price is based on double occupancy and a minimum group size of 20 passengers.  A fare adjustment may apply for groups of 20 or less.  The rate is based on tariffs and exchange rates effective 5/31/2024. Tour fare is subject to change according to any airfare increase, increase in government taxes, additional fuel surcharges and fluctuation of the rate of exchange between U.S. and foreign currency.  In the event of revaluation, the land portion of the tour price may be adjusted prior to your final statement.

Land portion based on 36 Baht  = $1.00 U.S.

2025 General Conditions
Tour Registration Form