(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
DAY 01: ARRIVE AT BANGKOK (D)
Plan to arrive no later than 3:30pm. Transfer to the hotel. Check in time: 2pm and after. Early check in is not included.
This evening, the group will enjoy an all white meet and greet Welcome Dinner at a local Thai Restaurant.
Overnight in Bangkok at the Novotel Ploenchit Sukhumvit Hotel
After breakfast, take a half-day City and Temples Tour. You will visit the famous Grand Palace. The palace was the former residence of the Thai kings. There are several things here to admire, including the Reception Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Funeral Hall, and the beautiful Temple of the Emerald Buddha, also known as "Wat Phra Kaew". Later, you will proceed to Wat Po, home of the enormous Reclining Buddha and one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok. Please note that modest dress is expected on this tour. Return to the hotel after the tour and the afternoon is at leisure.
This evening you will experience Bangkok's Tuk Tuk Urban Odyssey Tour. Zip along in a private tuk tuk through the historic streets of Old Bangkok, "Rattanakosin" as we visit authentic food stops and historic landmarks in the hustle and bustle of the city. Catch the flares of charcoal stoves and delicious dishes interwoven with visits to historic communities and temples in the cool evening air. You will stop at China Town for a walk along the narrow streets filled with vendors and food- stalls. Taste various dishes and hear interesting stories about the food, history, culture and religion of Chinatown before returning to your hotel. You will be left with a belly full of delicious food and a head full of intimate knowledge of the city. Return to the hotel after the tour. Overnight in Bangkok at the Novotel Ploenchit Sukhumvit Hotel.
After breakfast, depart the hotel for Ayutthaya, the ancient Siamese capital. Today, Ayutthaya hosts some of Thailand’s most important historical landmarks and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The magnitude and number of ancient temple ruins speak of the former greatness of the city. You will visit some of the most interesting temples with Wat Mahathat Temple and nearby Bang-Pa In. The Bang-Pa-In Summer Palace of King Rama V consists of buildings in Gothic, Renaissance, Chinese and Thai architecture.
Cruise back to Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River, aboard a river cruiser. En-route you can observe the scenic river life as you enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Bangkok at the Novotel Ploenchit Sukhumvit Hotel.
After breakfast, depart the hotel to visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and discover the way Bangkok used to be. You will travel approximately 100 km outside of Bangkok to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market with its many colors, flavors and exotic fragrances. On arrival at the Market, start with a scenic ride on a narrow longtail - speedboat, passing riverside villages and fruit plantations, before entering the vibrant market. There will be many photo opportunities along the way and on the colorful market on the water. Return to Bangkok in the afternoon and the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Bangkok at the Novotel Ploenchit Sukhumvit Hotel
DAY 05: BANGKOK - PHUKET (BY FLIGHT) (B)
After breakfast, the morning is at leisure until it is time to check out from the hotel.
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Phuket. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and the remainder of the day is at leisure, or take an optional visit to Patong Beach. Overnight in Phuket at the Novotel Phuket Patong Resort
After breakfast, the day is at leisure to enjoy the resort, or take the following optional tour. Enjoy an afternoon of sea cave exploring inside Phang Nga Bay’s marine geology, – including the caves and hidden lagoons John Gray found in 1989. Great nature and wildlife surround you. Don’t eat lunch – we serve you on board of our comfortable support boat. After lunch, briefing and a raptor show, a professional guide paddles you through Phang Nga Bay’s “Tidal Nape Sea Caves” in our custom designed kayaks hand-made in Oregon by SOTAR, the World’s premier white water raft manufacturer. The unique experience is dramatic, but Caveman’s SOTAR custom kayaks are specially designed for your trip. After a detailed briefing, your professional guide paddles you and your partner through “Tidal Nape” Sea Caves literally inside Phang Nga Bay’s marine limestone karstic islands into “Hongs“(Thai for “Room”). The hidden cliff-lined lagoons are populated with macaques, water monitors, kingfishers, mudskippers, egrets, Sea Eagles and Brahminy Kites.
We finish after dark by floating your own self-made flower “Kratong” in a spiritual and spectacular Natural light show. Eating our delicious seafood-vegan buffet on the trip back, you return to the pier two hours after sunset.
What to bring: towel, bathing clothes, dry & warm clothes for the way back, sunglasses, sun cream, good weather and a camera or smart phone (we do provide dry-bags) Return to the hotel after the tour. Overnight in Phuket at the Novotel Phuket Patong Resort
THE FEE FOR THIS OPTIONAL TOUR IS $275 PER PERSON. PAYMENT DEADLINE IS MARCH 1, 2024 (INCLUDES LUNCH AND DINNER)
DAY 07: PHUKET (B/L/D) Today, take a Full Day Tour to the Phi Phi Islands
Early this morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Pier, where you will enjoy a delicious breakfast with sandwiches, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Then board the speedboat to the Phi Phi Islands. Phi Phi island, located just 48 km East of Phuket, is renowned worldwide for its natural scenic beauty with silver sand beaches fringed with palm trees, towering limestone cliffs and marine life. As you head towards Phi Phi Leh, look at the beautiful scenery and the astonishing beauty of steep stone cliffs and the curved bay created by nature. Arrive at Maya Bay - the mysterious crescent moon-shaped clear white sand beach hidden in the huge limestone mountains, full of baby sharks. Enjoy swimming at Pileh Lagoon with its emerald green water surrounded by limestone mountains. Visit Viking Cave with the swallows nests and enjoy snorkeling in the coral reef. Visit Monkey Rock where you can see real wild monkeys in the jungle. Enjoy a Thai Seafood buffet Lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, explore "Bamboo Island" - a flat beautiful island with white sand and very clear water. Relax on the beach or spend your time swimming and snorkeling. There is also a nice coral reef near the beach. Later this afternoon, return to the Pier in Phuket and transfer back to your hotel. This evening, the group will enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Phuket at the Novotel Phuket Patong Resort
DAY 08: PHUKET – BANGKOK (BY FLIGHT); DEPART BANGKOK (B)
After breakfast, transfer to Phuket airport for the flight to Bangkok. Check out time: 11am. Late check out is not included. On arrival in Bangkok, connect to your international flight departing Thailand. You can book your international flight to leave from Phuket or Bangkok. If you leave from Bangkok, we prefer that you book an evening flight as we will book a mid-morning flight from Phuket back to Bangkok.