Flavors of Thailand

br />Save $200 per couple on 5/1/12-4/30/13 departures. Offer valid on new bookings only made between 9/2/11-12/31/11. Restrictions apply, based on availability. Ask your agent for details today! Click here for terms and conditions. Experience another way of life as you savor the many flavors of Thailand. Wake before dawn to visit a local market and participate in the offering of alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks. Board a long-tail boat to explore Bangkok’s network of canals and stop at the iconic Temple of the Dawn. Travel through the jungle to Maesa Elephant Camp. Visit the amazing Mae Klong Market and the Hall of Opium, an interactive museum. Enjoy a Khantoke dinner and show that highlights hill tribe culture. Visit The Golden Buddha, one of the world’s largest solid gold statues and Wat Po, temple of The Reclining Buddha.

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Depart for Thailand on your overnight flight.

Day 2: Bangkok, Thailand - Tour Begins
Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital. This bustling city blends the cosmopolitan with timeless tradition.

Day 3: Bangkok
Begin your journey by visiting the Golden Buddha, one of the world’s largest solid gold statues. Learn why it was originally covered in plaster. Proceed to Wat Po, temple of the Reclining Buddha. Marvel at the scale of this gold-leaf covered monument and its mother-of-pearl inlaid feet. Explore the spectacular grounds of the Grand Palace. Stop at Wat Phra Kaew, home of the Emerald Buddha and Thailand’s most sacred temple. Enjoy lunch overlooking the Chao Phraya River. This afternoon, perhaps go shopping at Chatuchak Weekend Market or have a garment made at one of the town’s best tailors. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a traditional Thai house.

Day 4: Bangkok
Board a long-tail boat and explore Bangkok’s network of canals called klongs. Drift along and discover daily life on the waterways. Stop at the iconic Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn. Visit the Jim Thompson House, home of the American entrepreneur who revitalized the Thai silk industry before mysteriously disappearing. Later, you have the option of embarking on a street food tour of Bangkok. Tonight you may opt to join a candlelight dinner river cruise aboard a luxury rice barge.

Day 5: Bangkok
Travel south to the amazing Mae Klong Market along the railroad tracks. Visit the Damnoen Saduak floating market where countless vendors sell fruits and vegetables from their boats. Examine World War II in Thailand at Kanchanburi’s JEATH War Museum. Ride the notorious Death Railway and visit the Hellfire Pass Museum before walking through the nearby canyon. Reflect during a stroll along the historic Bridge over the River Kwai.

Day 6: Bangkok
Today is at leisure. Perhaps you’ll explore independently or choose to participate in an optional cooking class and learn the secrets of Thai ingredients while preparing lunch. Or, simply relax and perhaps enjoy a traditional Thai massage.

Day 7: Bangkok - Chiang Rai
Take a short flight to Chiang Rai. At the Doi Tung Development Project, learn about the Princess Mother’s efforts to eradicate opium and teach villagers sustainable practices. Stroll through the beautiful Mae Fah Luang Garden. Visit the Cottage Industries Center and discover local arts like mulberry paper making.

Day 8: Chiang Rai
Drive to the famous Golden Triangle. Enjoy magnificent views of the place where Thailand, Laos and Burma meet. Embark on a long-tail boat cruise on the Mekong and picnic by the river banks. Visit the Hall of Opium, an interactive museum that traces opium’s worldwide impact.

Day 9: Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai
Visit the contemporary Wat Rong Khun temple. Its striking white facade is the masterwork of one of Thailand’s most renowned artists. En route to Chiang Mai, stop for lunch at a popular restaurant that promotes community development. Visit the Sankampaeng Handicraft Village and learn about umbrella making, teak carving and lacquer ware. Tonight, enjoy a Khantoke dinner and show that highlights dances from the region’s hill tribes.

Day 10: Chiang Mai
Visit the remote villages of the Akha and Lisu hill tribes. Learn about another way of life as you interact with local children and share a simple lunch. This evening, stroll, bargain and shop at Chiang Mai’s famous night market.

Day 11: Chiang Mai
Travel through the lush jungle to Maesa Elephant Camp, home to one of the largest collections of elephants in northern Thailand. Watch these majestic creatures take their morning bath in the river. Enjoy a lively show and observe how they work in the jungle, paint pictures and play games. You may even choose to ride an elephant or feed them their favorite treats. Later, stop at an orchid farm that displays some of Thailand's most exquisite blooms. Enjoy lunch and northern Thailand’s signature dish at a specialty restaurant.

Day 12: Chiang Mai
Wake before dawn to visit the local market and participate in the offering of alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks. Proceed to Wat Chedi Luang and chat with monks about practicing Buddhism in Thailand. Visit the sacred Wat Prathat Doi Suthep temple and delve into the legend of the white elephant. Soak in panoramic views of the city from the mountain top. Finally, savor a farewell dinner at an art gallery and restaurant overlooking the river.

Day 13: Chiang Mai - Bangkok
Fly back to Bangkok for a day at leisure. Relax, explore more of the city or shop for souvenirs.

Day 14: Bangkok - Tour Ends
Cross the International Dateline on your flight home.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/25/2012 - 6/7/2012	$1,349
9/14/2012 - 9/27/2012	$1,349
10/14/2012 - 10/27/2012	$1,349
11/2/2012 - 11/15/2012	$1,349
11/30/2012 - 12/13/2012	$1,349
1/11/2013 - 1/24/2013	$1,349
2/15/2013 - 2/28/2013	$1,349
3/8/2013 - 3/21/2013	$1,349
4/19/2013 - 5/2/2013	$1,349
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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