14 Days Glimpse of Thailand Plus Golfing Experience

ITINERARY

Day 1: Bangkok | Arrive in Bangkok

International Flight: Excluded

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

Accommodation: Mandarin Hotel by Centre Point

Day 2: Bangkok | Bangkok Highlights | Afternoon: Leisure | Thai Streetfood Tour by Tuk Tuk

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning, transfer with our guide to explore the hidden gems of Bangkok. The first destination is Wat Phra Kaew, the chapel of the Emerald Buddha, which houses the world’s most famous image of Buddha. The 75cm statue of jade sits atop an 11m golden pedestal surrounded by lavish murals and richly decorated pavilions. Next, you’ll visit The Grand Palace which encompasses several major buildings. The most prominent include The Throne Hall, The Reception Hall, and The Coronation Hall.

Then, you’ll visit Wat Traimit, the temple of the golden Buddha. It weighs 5.5 tons of solid gold and was sculptured in the Sukhothai style. At the end of the tour, you’ll return to the hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Go beyond tourist zones for the most enjoyable midnight eating adventure. After the moon comes up, cruise along Bangkok streets via this city’s iconic 3-wheel, Tuk Tuk, to visit Bangkokian’s favorite places to eat. Taste a variety of savory menus, including the local favorite Northeastern Thai Food (Esan Food), the town’s Best Pad Thai, and the popular home-style Thai snack. Between the bites, visit old-town landmarks and temples for a different perspective compared to the busy day time scene. Discover the side of Bangkok wholly unknown to visitors. We will finish the tour by Cinderella’s time. This tour is not suitable for vegetarians.

Accommodation: Mandarin Hotel by Centre Point

Day 3: Bangkok | Ancient Ayutthaya and Summer Palace | Evening: Leisure

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Ayuttaya Temple Ruin – 14 Days Glimpse Thailand Golfing Experience

Start early and transfer to visit Royal Palace at Bang Pa In, which is the Summer Palace of the Thai Royal Family. Then continue to the North to the Ancient Kingdom of Ayutthaya. Start by visiting Wat Phu Khao Thong – a temple outside of Ayutthaya started by the invading Burmese who built the base when they overtook Ayutthaya and was finished by Siam who later took back their city. Continue to see Royal Palace and Royal Temple – dating back to the 14th century. Nearby, visit Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit where the largest bronze Buddha in Thailand is housed.

Enjoy a Thai lunch and some free time. Next, have a short visit to Wat Lokaya Sutha – the image of the reclining Buddha. Then return back to the hotel in Bangkok for evening leisure.

Accommodation: Mandarin Hotel by Centre Point

Day 4: Bangkok – Chiang Mai | Flight to Chiang Mai | Chiang Mai Temples | Evening: Leisure

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

You’ll transfer by morning flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, 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. You’ll return to the hotel for some leisure in the evening.
Accommodation: Khum Phaya Resort & Spa by Centara Boutique Collection

Day 5: Chiang Mai | Morning: Tiger Kingdom | Afternoon: Golfing at Highland Golf Club (2 pax)

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, visit the Tiger Kingdom. The tigers are quite tame and have been familiar with people since they were cubs. Start with a briefing with the tiger keeper on appropriate behavior when around the tigers. Then you’ll meet one of the big tigers for a photoshoot. Feel free to pet the tiger. The minimum height required is 5ft 3in and must be 18 years or older.

Golfing at Highland Golf Club:

In the afternoon, head to the golf course (2 pax) for a round of 18 holes at Highland Golf Club. The course is next to Huai Mae On Lake.

Chiangmai Highlands, set in the foothills east of Chiang Mai and was designed by Schmidt-Curley. The design and scenery give golfers the distraction of magnificent views on every hole. After only four years of operation, Chiangmai Highlands has put itself on the international golf map as one of the best golf experiences in Asia. Chiangmai Highlands has won many prestigious awards since it was established.

The course was opened in December 2005. It features paspalum fairways and Tiff eagle greens which translate to greener fairways and faster more consistent greens for the golfer. The bunker styles are typical of a Schmidt-Curley design, deep and severely penalizing to the errant shots but beautiful to the golfer’s eye especially early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

The greens at Chiangmai Highlands typically run between 9.5 and 10.5 on the Stimp-meter. The greens are firm and fast but hold a well-struck iron shot. Many greens slope away from the fairway putting more emphasis on strategy and local knowledge.

The approach areas around green complexes often feature closely mown areas giving the golfer many options of playing either a chip-and-run, pitch shot or even putting the ball up onto the green.

Accommodation: Khum Phaya Resort & Spa by Centara Boutique Collection

Day 6: Chiang Mai | Morning: Leisure | Afternoon: Elephant Sanctuary

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, you will join a tour to an elephant sanctuary in the jungles near Chiang Mai by 4WD truck (2-hour transfer). First, you’ll learn about the project and hear the amazing stories of each rescued and orphaned elephant. Learn how they became a proud herd free from abuse and misuse. Then have an opportunity to feed them. Next, enjoy a picnic spread. Then take a stroll with the herd to the nearby river. Here you will have the opportunity to observe or participate in bathing the elephants with the sanctuary staff.

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

Friending with Gentle Giant of Asia – 14 Days Glimpse Thailand Golfing Experience

Note: This tour is with other travelers. Please note not to wear any perfume or strong fragrances as elephants are sensitive to smell. Also, bring a change of clothes for swimming, odorless sunscreen, and a towel.

Accommodation: Khum Phaya Resort & Spa by Centara Boutique Collection

Day 7: Chiang Mai | Flight of the Gibbon Zip Line

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Early morning, join a trip to the Flight of the Gibbon zip-line deep within the Mae Kampong Rainforest. State of the art safety equipment is used and the Sky Rangers are ACCT certified.

Enjoy flying through the rainforest all morning from several platforms with the highest at 200 feet and the longest line spanning half a mile. Then, have lunch hosted by a village family. After lunch, take a hike through the rainforest to Mae Kompong Waterfall for seeing the fauna and flora of Thailand along the way. You’ll visit the village and learn about their fermented teas. Return back to the hotel in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Khum Phaya Resort & Spa by Centara Boutique Collection

Day 8: Chiang Mai | Four Wheeling in Chiang Mai Jungles | Afternoon and Evening: Leisure

Meals: Breakfast

This morning, take to quad bikes for an exhilarating ride through 25 miles of jungle terrain and Thai countryside. You’ll be picked up in the morning and transfer to the starting point. Undergo a safety briefing and a short training course as you familiarize yourself with your ride. Then follow the quad bike guide through scenic hills, jungle terrain, and back trails. After the 3-hour ride, you’ll stop for lunch. Then return back to the hotel for leisure for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Khum Phaya Resort & Spa by Centara Boutique Collection

Day 9: Chiang Mai – Phuket | Morning: Hot Air Balloon | Afternoon: Flight to Phuket | Evening: Leisure

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

Up in the sky, it is a silent world filled with beauty, excitement, and true adventure. Enjoy your breathtaking hot air balloon ride, an experience that cannot compare to anything else. Float high above the treetops and the beautiful Thai countryside below. Enjoy the stunning panoramic views as the early morning sunrises and reveals picturesque vistas as far as the eye can see.

If you really want to make a lasting impression on someone special, a hot air balloon ride is the ultimate “unforgettable” gift, for a once in a lifetime adventure. Ballooning is strictly a fair-weather activity. Flights are conducted during the early morning hours when winds are light and the air is stable. The balloon flight itself will take you about one hour in the air, depending on the weather conditions. After landing it is time to relax a little and enjoy a champagne breakfast. Before returning to your hotel you will be given your “certificate of flight” as a small reminder of your magical experience.

Check out at noon and transfer by flight to Phuket. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Katathani Phuket Beach Resort

Day 10: Phuket | Surin Island and Moken Sea Gypsies

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Join a speedboat to visit Surin island in the Andaman sea. Various coral can be found around the island and it is one of the best snorkeling sites in Thailand. Visit a Moken Village where sea gypsies reside in the North Andaman Sea. The area is an unspoiled tropical paradise with healthy forested islands and clear blue water. Enjoy snorkeling, swimming or just relaxing on the beach.

Accommodation: Katathani Phuket Beach Resort

Day 11: Phuket | Golfing at Red Mountain Golf Club

Meals: Breakfast

Morning is at your leisure.

In the afternoon, transfer to Red Mountain Golf Club for a round of 18 holes. Winding its way through a truly dramatic former tin mine site in the heart of Phuket, Red Mountain is surely one of Asia’s most exciting new courses. The course has been cleverly routed to take advantage of a huge variety of landforms and dizzying elevation changes. Scars left from the tin mine era have been imaginatively incorporated into the overall scheme, creating a unique character at the same time as establishing an indelible link with an important era in the Island’s past.

Designer Jon Morrow and co-designer Al Tikkanen, have created a highly strategic and challenging 6,900-yard lay out to complement the shorter and gentler old Loch Palm Course. While the course is undoubtedly challenging, numerous risk and reward options create a fun playing environment, an exhilarating test of golf, and a breathtaking scenic tour around a course destined to become a golfing landmark in the region.

Accommodation: Katathani Phuket Beach Resort

Day 12: Phuket | Sea Caves by Starlight

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sea Cave Kayaking – 14 Days Glimpse Thailand Golfing Experience

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 (1 hour). Then continue by boat with a light lunch served on board. Self-paddle with your own sea cave guide through tunnels and lagoons.

When darkness falls, stars shine overhead in the circle of the 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”).

Accommodation: Katathani Phuket Beach Resort

Day 13: Phuket | Relax on the Beach

Meals: Breakfast

Today is at your leisure to explore the beautiful beaches of Phuket.

Accommodation: Katathani Phuket Beach Resort

Day 14: Phuket | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast

Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home and to bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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