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Classic Thailand
Day 1 USA / Bangkok
Depart USA for Bangkok, Thailand.
Day 2 Arrive Bangkok
Upon arrival, our representative will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.
Day 3 Bangkok—Ayuthaya—Lopburi—Pitsanuloke (B/L/D )
Depart early morning from Bangkok to Ayuthaya, former capital of Thailand. The principal sights are the gigantic bronze statues of Wat Mongkol Borpitr, the three ancient pagodas at Wat Phra Sri Sanpetch and Wat Pranangcherng. Continue via Saraburi to Phra Buddha Badh with its shrine of the holy footprint of Lord Buddha. Proceed to Lopburi for lunch. Visit the Prang Sam Yod (Sacred Three-Spired Pagoda), the ruins of Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhat and the Monkey Temple. Proceed by to Pitsanuloke and check in at TOPLAND or similar hotel.
Day 4 Pitsanuloke—Sukhothai—Sri Satchanalai—Lampang (B/L/D)
After breakfast at the hotel, visit Wat Maha Dhat with its revered Buddha statue, Phra Buddha Jinaraj. Depart for Sukhothai, Visit the famous ruins of this first capital of Thailand (1257-1379). See Wat Maha Dhat, Wat Sra Sri and Wat Sri Chum. Lunch at local restaurant. Continue to Sri Satchanalai, the northern outpost town of the Kingdom of Sukhothai, built by King Ramkamhaeng. Visit Wat Chang Lom, Wat Jedi Jet Thaew, Wat Nang Phya and Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhat standing on site of the Khmer fort "Chalieng." Proceed to Lampang and check in at WIANG LAKOR or similar hotel.
Day 5 Lampang—Phayao—Chiang Rai (B/L/D)
Drive to Ko Kah to see Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang housing the only Emerald Buddha, besides the one at Wat Phra Keo in Bangkok. Depart for Phayao, a unique rural town and former princely state the former glory of which may be seen at Wat Sri Kom Kam. Proceed to Chiang Rai and lunch at local restaurant. Continue to Chiang Saen, former capital of the first Thai kingdom, situated directly on the Mekong River at the border between Thailand and Laos. Visit Wat Phra Dhat Jom Kitti by climbing 383 steps to top of hill, Wat Chedi Luang and the small museum nearby. Take a boat trip upriver on the Mekong to the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Continue to Mae Sai, the northernmost Thai town and on the border with Myanmar. Stroll through and shop at local market. Return to Chiang Rai and check in at WIANG INN or similar hotel.
Day 6 Chiang Rai—Chiang Mai (B/L/D)
After breakfast, Depart for Ban Lorcha, a Phami Akha hilltribe community center. This community-based tourism development project promotes sustainable, self-reliant development to improve the quality of life of villagers of this Akha Community, and is a model for tourism in Hilltribe villages. Proceed to Chiang Mai and lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon visit to Handicraft Villages to observe manufacture of lacquerware, the spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and to watch how paper umbrellas are made. Check in at GREEN LAKE RESORT or similar hotel.
This evening you wil enjoy a typical Thai dinner with ancient dances from Northern Thailand, followed by a performane of dances and songs by vatious hitlltribes.
After dinner, bargain hunters may opt to visit the city's night market.
Day 7 Chiang Mai—Bangkok by Train (B/L/D)
After breakfast at the hotel,  visit Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at an elevation of 1,056 meters. The temple is reached using a NAGA railing rising along both sides. The monastery was built by King Gue-Na in 1383. The center is a big chedi (spiral pagoda), containing partial relics of Lord Buddha. Continue to visit the elephant camp to watch the elephants taking timber in the forest. Their strength and strategic teamwork will amaze you. Also visit the orchid farm and lunch at local restaurant. Return to Chiang Mai. Afternoon visit to a famous Thai wood carving factory with possibility of buying Burmese antiques. Transfer to Chiang Mai Railway Station.
Depart by second class airconditioned train with sleeping berth. Box dinner and overnight stay on train.
Day 8 Bangkok
Arrival in Bangkok in the early morning. Transfer from Ba ngkok Railway Station (Hua Lam Pong Station) to your hotel in Bangkok. Later on, you will discover Bangkok by visiting The Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful samples of an ancient Siamese court. It used to be the residence of the Kings of Thailand. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions:the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. Balance of the day is free.
Day 9 Monday Bangkok - Los Angels B
You are escorted to the airport for your return flight home.
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Asia Classic Tours
