14 Days Jungle Safari and Thai Alpes Trekking with Beach Honeymoon

ITINERARY

Day 1: Bangkok | Arrive in Bangkok

International Flight: Excluded
Meals: Dinner
Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival in Bangkok, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel next to the stunning Chao Phraya river for check-in. Then you are leisure to explore the riverfront, go shopping, or visit a Muay Thai boxing gym on your own.

The evening will commence with a Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise on Apsara by Banyan Tree. As dusk is setting, enjoy the views of the lights of Bangkok while tasting sumptuous courses served to you en route. Return to the hotel after dinner.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 2: Bangkok | Bangkok by Boat | At Leisure

Meals: Breakfast
In the early morning, take a traditional longtail boat to Wat Arun – the Temple of the Dawn to enjoy a stunning view and explore the gem of Bangkok.

Continue to one of the must-see sights, the spectacular Grand Palace, undoubtedly the city’s most famous landmark. Built-in 1782- and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government – the Grand Palace of Bangkok is a grand old dame indeed, that continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail, all of which is a proud salute to the creativity and craftsmanship of Thai people.

Within its walls were also the Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom. Within the palace complex are several impressive buildings including Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which contains the small, very famous and greatly revered Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century. The robes on the Buddha are changed with the seasons by HM The King of Thailand and forms an important ritual in the Buddhist calendar. Thai Kings stopped living in the palace around the turn of the twentieth century, but the palace complex is still used to mark all kinds of other ceremonial and auspicious happenings. Then return to the hotel for some leisure time in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 3: Bangkok | Ayutthaya Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Ayutthaya used to be the flourishing and prosperous capital of Siam. During it’s 417-year reign, there arose a great deal of construction. Among them were numerous palaces and temples. As more than 30 monarchies ruled over Ayutthaya, innumerable events occurred, some of which were recorded in history, while others became exciting legends. Time-worn and tattered in war, the ruined temples and palaces are no doubt ancient relics reflecting a golden and glorious past.

The full-day tour will commence in the morning. After being greeted at your hotel’s lobby you’ll be escorted to Ayutthaya – the Ancient City, Wat Maha That – the heart and soul of the Ayutthaya people, Wat Na Phra Mane – still in perfect condition, as it was used as the Burmese headquarters, and Wat Lokayasutharam – a mysterious past, whereby its origins are unknown. You will then commence the Grand Pearl Cruise.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

At embarkment, you’ll enjoy a full menu of Thai and European cuisines, desserts, seasonal fruits, coffee and tea for a buffet lunch on the Chao Phraya River. While taking your lunch on-board the cruise, you may enjoy the exotic flora and sites along the banks. Both air-conditioned and open aired seating is available, depending on your preference. Either view, you will get an amazing view of the daily life of the inhabitants that dwell along the river. Arriving at the city, you will pass the Grand Pearl, followed by Wat Arun – (the Temple of Dawn) the temple was the former palace when the Thai capital of Ayutthaya was replaced by Thonburi.

As the sun is setting, you’ll arrive at the River City Complex, Si Phraya. Then return to your hotel for the evening.
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 4: Bangkok – Khao Yai | Khao Yai National Park Day 1

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, drive to Khao Yai National Park. Start with a visit to their View Point and Visitor Center. Go hiking through dry evergreen forests & grasslands. It is common to see gibbons, monkeys, and hornbills on the way. Have lunch at a local restaurant and then transfer to Haew Narok Waterfall. Take a 2 hour trail trek. Then elephant spotting around dusk.

The waterfall at Khao Yai National Park

Accommodation: Muthi Maya

Day 5: Bangkok – Chiang Mai | Khao Yai National Park Day 2 | Flight to Chiang Mai

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
At the resort in the morning, enjoy pleasant views of the surrounding natural beauty while sipping some hot tea or coffee from your balcony/terrace. The trogons and cuckoos make their calls from the trees while the sun slowly makes it’s way over the horizon. Take some time to unwind and reflect in this natural setting.

In the afternoon, board a flight to Chiang Mai. Our guide and driver will transfer you to Bangkok Airport. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

The old city walls still stand verdantly against the course of time, inviting pilgrims to come rest, and explore the lost treasures of the Lanna Kingdom. Established as the capital in 1296AD of the vast “Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields”, Chiang Mai carries a heritage lurking around every quiet cobble-stone alley and corridor. These days, cafes, boutiques, pubs, and spas are auspiciously peppered throughout, while colorful Meo and Akha hill tribes make their daily ritual visit to the valley to offer their handmade tapestries and handicrafts to curious adventurers. The Ping River weaves through the valley to the East of the Old City while a peaceful moat surrounds the time-worn walls.

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 6: Chiang Mai | Befriending the Gentle Giants of Asia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, you will visit an elephant sanctuary in the jungles near Chiang Mai. First, you’ll learn about the project and hear the amazing stories of each rescued and orphaned elephant. You will each be paired with your own elephant. Learn how they became free from abuse and misuse. You’ll be shown how to approach your elephant, what spoken commands they respond to, how to read their body language, and how to check their health. Then have an opportunity to feed them. The mahout will also show you how to ride on their neck(no heavy howdah seats are used) or you can walk alongside your elephant if you prefer. Continue to the nearby river. Here you will have the opportunity to observe or participate in bathing the elephants with the sanctuary staff. The sanctuary has a photographer who will capture these moments in high quality for you throughout the day and provide you with a CD of the experience. Next, enjoy a picnic spread.

After you have said your farewells, return back to the hotel for some leisure time.

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 7: Chiang Mai | Alms Giving | Tea Plantations & Hmong Hill Tribe

Meals: Breakfast
Rise early morning to join locals in visiting a Buddhist monastery. You can watch or participate in offering alms to Buddhist monks at Wat Srisodain. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Then take a trip up in the hills and visit a tea plantation. Take a seat above the terraces flowing with arched rows of green tea shrubs while you sip on a fresh cup of hot Oolong. Explore the tea plantation to learn a little about the process of cultivating and harvesting tea. Then continue to a Meo hill tribe village. Have the opportunity to see their unique apparel and simple way of living. Meo families take a great deal of pride in their herbal gardens. After seeing their home and making a new friend, return back to Chiang Mai.

Northern Thai Hill Tribes

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 8: Chiang Mai – Pai | Pai Exploration

Meals: Breakfast
Start the morning with a road trip up in the mountains to the small mountain town of Pai . Winding roads with farmhouses and Buddhist temples take you up into the Thai Alpes. On the way, stop for some coffee or tea at the “Witch’s House” cafe – a local attraction of sorts with good coffee and views. Continue to Pai. On arrival, check in at the resort. In the afternoon, stretch out your legs with our guide. You’ll go to visit Namhoo Temple – built in memory of a 16th Siamese princess who, according to legend, brought the kingdoms of Burma and Siam together through her marriage, but which also later resulted in a gruesome death while she was 8 months pregnant with the Burmese King’s child. Continue to Mo Pang Waterfall for some swimming, if you like. Then end the day with a stunning sunset view from Yun Lai Viewpoint. On the way back to the hotel, stop at “Walking Street” where vendors set up shop to sell art, silks, handicrafts and street food.

Accommodation: Reverie Siam Resort

Day 9: Chiang Mai | Hill Tribe Villages and Thai Alpes Discovery

Meals: Breakfast
Early morning, visit Wat Si Donchai – a 12th-century temple – to see how locals make merit and engage in Buddhist rituals. The detailed carvings at this temple are surreal. Continue out of town to visit some minority villages, a Lisu tribe and an Akha tribe. Return to Pai in the later afternoon to visit the hot springs for a time to relax and unwind.

Akha Hill Tribe – 14 Days Jungle Safari Thai Alpes Trekking Beach Honeymoon

Accommodation: Andakiri Pool Villas

Day 10: Chiang Mai – Krabi | Temples of the Lanna Kingdom | Flight to Krabi

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, visit the most prominent temples in Chiang Mai. Start with Wat Phra Singh which houses the famous Phra Singh Buddha image. It features Lanna art throughout and illustrates many famous Buddhist stories. Continue on to Wat Chedi Luang, which once contained the Emerald Buddha. The temple is partially in ruins due to an earthquake in the 1500s. Then stop at Wat Chiang Man which is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and also houses one of Thailand’s greatest treasures: the Crystal Buddha.

Then continue to Wat Suan Dok, which houses many of the remains of generations of the old Chiang Mai Royal Family. Finally, visit Wat Jet Yot – this peaceful temple is surrounded by green and was built in the Mahabodhi style from India to house the Eighth World Buddhist Council in 1453.

In the afternoon, board a flight to Krabi. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your resort next to the beach for check-in.

Long-tail boats and salty seas; limestone cliffs and vibrant jungle canopies; clear blue waters with a spectrum of fish varieties just below – Krabi is a step back to nature and scenery. Sandy beaches and moving sunsets draw the weary traveler for a place of respite and refocusing.

Accommodation: Andakiri Pool Villas

Day 11: Chiang Mai – Phuket| Relax on the Beach

Meals: Breakfast
Today is at your leisure to relax. Feel free to explore the beaches of Phuket or indulge your self with the resort’s spa and other facilities.

Accommodation: Andakiri Pool Villas

Day 12: Phuket | Sea Caves by Starlight

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
World famous kayaking inside marine limestone karst islands with macaques, water monitors, kingfishers and Sea Eagles. Meet at the hotel around 11 AM to transfer to the pier. Then continue by boat with a light lunch served onboard. Self-paddle with your own sea cave guide through tunnels and lagoons. When darkness falls, stars shine overhead in the circle of black night, fireflies flash in the cliffside jungle and, most of all, the sea glows with phosphorescence. Enjoy a spiritual ceremony with your own made “Krathong”. Have a magnificent dinner onboard. Then return to land. A truly magical and out of this world experience (Listed among National Geographic’s “World’s Top 50 Adventures”).

Sea Cave Kayaking – 14 Days Jungle Safari Thai Alpes Trekking Beach Honeymoon

Accommodation: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Day 13: Phuket | Relax on the Beach | Private Seaside Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is also at your leisure to relax.

As dusk approaches, you’ll enjoy a private seaside dinner with candles, personal butler, and the sound of the sea. Dinner will feature a 4-course traditional Thai menu.

Accommodation: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Day 14: Phuket | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast
Today our representative will transfer you to the airport before your homeward flight and will bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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