This tour is designed for first time Asia goers. Through experience we’ve determined how people imagine Asia and the kind of trip they enjoy on their first visit. Fly into Bangkok and spend some time getting to know this amazing city before heading for the hills. Chiang Mai is the epitome of Thailand, a bustling city surrounded by beautiful countryside and interesting hill tribes.
Day 1 Bangkok – Arrival
Catch your flight.
Arrive in Bangkok where you will be met by your Guide and transferred to your hotel.
Meals Included: None
Overnight at Silom Serene Hotel – Deluxe Room
Day 2 Bangkok – City Tour
Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning and take you to visit the Grand Palace, the pride of Thailand. You will see the Emerald Buddha and the Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho. Here you will enjoy a 30-minute traditional massage. Have lunch at a local restaurant before taking a boat ride through the klongs and canals of Bangkok seeing local life as well as visiting Wat Arun. In the late afternoon take a walk through the beautiful flower market and watch the sunset from the famous Golden Mountain.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Silom Serene Hotel – Deluxe Room
Day 3 Bangkok – Floating Market & Rose Garden
Our guide will meet you early and take you to the famous floating market outside of town. See local Thais selling their wares from their boats. On your way back to town stop at the Rose Garden to learn about traditional Thai celebrations and see re-creations of traditional Thai Life.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Silom Serene Hotel – Deluxe Room
Day 4 Bangkok – Day at Leisure
Have a free day to explore on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Silom Serene Hotel – Deluxe Room
Day 5 Bangkok – Chiang Mai
You will be transferred to Bangkok Airport for your flight – .
You will be met at Chiang Mai Airport and transferred to your hotel.
In the morning visit Doi Suthep, the most important Wat in Chiang Mai. Perched high above the city, it offers wonderful views of the city and countryside below.
Have lunch with your guide at a local restaurant. After lunch visit the Chiang Mai home industries. See the process of creating lacquer-ware, silk and traditional Thai umbrellas; look through the stores filled with the beautiful finished products.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at De Naga Chiang Mai Hotel – Deluxe Room
Day 6 Chiang Mai – Cooking Class
Take a full day Thai cooking class. You will be taken to the market to learn about many of the fruits and spices. After getting your ingredients you will be taught to make several Thai dishes before enjoying a huge feast together to celebrate your newly acquired skills!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at De Naga Chiang Mai Hotel – Deluxe Room
Day 7 Chiang Mai – Patara Mahout Traning at Patara Elephant Farm
You will be met in the lobby of your hotel at 730am and transferred to the Patara Elephant Farm outside of Chiang Mai. At the farm you will be given your Mahout outfit and a brief talk on working with elephants before heading into the bush to find them. You can learn about the elephant farm management and the breeding program taking place here. Meet the elephants and learn to approach them and work with them from the ground. You will take them to the river for their morning bath and then take a short ride to a local temple where you can learn about elephants in Buddhism and the Thai’s ancient relationship with these traditional beasts of burden.
Mid day you will set off for a ride through the jungle to some waterfalls where you will enjoy a picnic lunch and a swim with your elephant in the falls. Return to the camp in the afternoon and say goodbye to your new friends before being transferred back to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at De Naga Chiang Mai Hotel – Deluxe Room
Day 8 Siem Reap – Arrival
Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your onward flight.
Catch your connecting flight.
You will be met by a Journeys Within representative and taken to Unique Boutique Hotel.
Head into town to enjoy a traditional buffet dinner and dance show in the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Unique Boutique Hotel
Day 9 Siem Reap – Angkor Wat
This morning head to Angkor Wat in an air conditioned car, or if you choose by bike, with your guide. Explore this majestic temple throughout the morning while it is still cool and has fewer tourists.
Return to Siem Reap for lunch and a nap or refresh with a swim. In the afternoon head to Angkor Thom, the famous walled city and see the many temples within its borders, including the fascinating Bayon temple with its many magnificent faces smiling out. There are several beautiful spots from which to watch the sunset. Discuss with your guide where you would like to be and then relax and enjoy a memorable end to your day at the temples.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Unique Boutique Hotel
Day 10 Siem Reap – Banteay Srei and Tonle Sap
This morning set off with your guide to Banteay Srei, the intricately carved temple just 30 km beyond Angkor Wat, followed by a stop at the Land Mine Museum, a rather humble look at the land mine problem, past and present, in Cambodia.
After a rest or swim drive through rural Cambodia to the Tonle Sap Lake where you will take a boat ride to visit the floating village and a Cambodian fish farm. As the day ends choose to climb Phnom Krom and see the ancient ruins high on the hill and watch the sun set over the lake and rice fields below or relax and watch the sun disappear below the horizon from your boat on the lake.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Unique Boutique Hotel
Day 11 Siem Reap to Phuket
Transfer to the airport in time to catch your flight.
You will be met at Phuket Airport and transferred to your hotel. Once you have checked in relax and enjoy your resort. There are restauraunts in the hotel and in the surrounding area, pools to enjoy and of course the beach!
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at The Old Phuket Hotel – Deluxe Room
Day 12 Phuket – Day at Leisure
Your day is your own to laze on the beach or by the pool or enjoy the local area.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at The Old Phuket Hotel – Deluxe Room
Day 13 Phuket – Phang Nga Bay
You’ll be met at your hotel and taken to the dock where you’ll catch a boat for Phang Nga Bay. Visit James Bond Island and then canoe through hongs; if you’d like you can even take a dip in the lovely, warm ocean.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at The Old Phuket Hotel – Deluxe Room
Day 14 Phuket – Departure
Enjoy your morning at leisure.
Transfer to the airport in time to catch your flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
All price rates include:
- Air tickets Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Bangkok – Siem Reap – Phuket – Bangkok
- Boat tickets as specified above
- Accommodation as specified above
- Air-conditioned car/van with driver
- Licensed English speaking guides
- Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
- Meals as specified in itinerary, including water
Prices do not include:
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees
- Airport tax
- Drinks (except water) and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips
