Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok
Welcome to Bangkok!
Upon your arrival at the airport, meet our representative depending on destination – they will be holding a sign with your surname. Enjoy a convenient, hassle-free transfer to your accommodation.
Day 2: Bangkok Highlight Full Day Tour Private (B/L)
Take on Bangkok’s finest attractions and journey around the city’s fascinating canal network. Start at the magnificent Grand Palace to take in the beauty of this sprawling temple complex boasting some of the finest Thai-Buddhist architecture in the entire country. Explore the vast grounds and numerous dazzling buildings, including the highly revered Wat Phra Kaew, home to the prized Emerald Buddha statue dating back to the 14th Century. Afterwards, head across the road to Wat Pho, one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok home to more than 1,000 Buddha images. The temple is considered as the first public university in the Kingdom and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage housing one of the oldest massage schools in the country. After grabbing lunch at a local restaurant, in the afternoon a visit to Museum Siam reveals several exhibits displaying the national identity and history of Thai people and their relationships with neighbouring cultures. The concept of the museum is ‘Play + Learn = Joyously’, achieved through a series of interactive exhibits. Next, hop on a traditional longtail boat to meander through the quaint canals taking in the quieter side of Bangkok life, which would not be complete without an exploration of the spectacular and iconic Wat Arun. Take time to explore the iconic temple towering 79 metres over the Chao Phraya River offering panorama across Bangkok from the Thonburi side.
*Interactive Museum not operated on Monday
Day 3: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market – Kanchanaburi (B/L)
Check out from your hotel at early morning and driven about 100km southwest of Bangkok to Ratchaburi Province. Enroute visit the Mae Klong railway market. This famous live action market is also called; Talad Rom Hoop, roughly translates to closing an umbrella or awning. As the name suggests, part of the market is situated on the railway. After train coming and see how wonder of this market are, we continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This world-famous floating market located about 30 minutes by drive. Harking back to a time when water transport was the primary mode of transportation, the floating market features fresh fruits, flowers, colorful clothing, souvenirs and more along the waterways and on vendor boats. Walk around and check out the many stalls or rent a paddle boat (at your own expenses) to experience the market from water. Continue to Lao Tuk Luck Market (Old Damnoen Saduak Market) was located just walked over and crossed the local bridge to access old part of the floating market. It is a very attractive place for tourists to see the old style and traditional way of selling and buying fruits, vegetables, etc. The market is over 100 years old as history above and have not changed at all, while the traditional Thai style houses will bring you back to wonder history.
Lunch at local restaurant and continue heading to one of the most famous historic landmarks in Thailand, Kanchanaburi, visit the iconic structure, first built by Allied Prisoners of War in WWII as part of the “Death Railway” between Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). Visit Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, which contains the remains of the nearly 7000 prisoners of war who lost their lives constructing the death railway.
Day 4: Hellfire Pass – Death Railway – Erawan Waterfall (B/L)
Today, visit the interactive Thai-Burma Railway Museum, Hellfire Pass, a dramatic part of the railway that literally cut through mountain. Walk down into the valley to see the cut in the rock from below, before exploring the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, which tells the stories of human suffering at the hands of this engineering. Board the train in Kanchanaburi and experience the incredible scenery for yourself, before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, take a breath of nature at Erawan Waterfall National Park, where mixed of deciduous forest, limestone hills, plains and number of streams. The major’s attraction is 7-tiered of waterfall with emerald ponds. Enjoy your time for exploring each tier of falls (depending National Park announcement each day: They might close some tier refer to safety condition) Swimming and relaxing
Day 5: Kanchanaburi – Ayutthaya Tour – Overnight Train to Chiang Mai (B/L)
Discover to the ancient capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya City. Departing from your hotel in the morning, you first reach to Wat Yai Chai Mongkol on the eastern banks of the Pa Sak River, a temple said to have been built by King U-Thong as the place for monks returning from Sri Lanka to rest their heads. Next up is Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, a temple that forbids monks to enter (due to its ‘royal’ status), and then on to Wat Mahathat, a highly-sacred temple famous for its Lord Buddha relics and traditional style once used as a model for other temples in the ancient kingdom. What seems to be the most prominent landmark of the temple is the head of a sandstone Buddha image entwined in the roots of a Bodhi tree.
Overnight train to Chiang Mai
Day 6: Arrival in Chiang Mai – City Tours by Rickshaw – Doi Suthep Temple Private (B/L)
Welcome to Chiang Mai!
Upon your arrival at the airport, meet our representative depending on destination – they will be holding a sign with your surname. Enjoy a convenient, hassle-free transfer to your accommodation.
*Exclude early check-in
Meet the tour guide at Three Kings Monument to receive a safety briefing about the rickshaw tour before setting off on three wheels to Waroros Market. The biggest local market in Chiang Mai is where the city residents can find everything under one roof. During Thai festivals like Songkran and Loy Kratong, people from surrounding districts and nearby provinces come to Waroros Market to buy home decoration and new clothes as well as to make merit. The market is brimming with local food, desserts, fruits, which can be savoured. Back in the rickshaw continue to Wat Puak Tam, which is the centre of brass ornament making in Puak Tam community who are famed for brass making. Most temples and hotels in Chiang Mai order from this community as well as further afield like hotels in Yunnan, China. Learn about the history of the community and how to make a brass ornament that can be taken home as a souvenir. Back on three wheels, ride to Wat Srisuphan also known as the Silver Temple because of its impressive handcrafted silver decoration. The temple was built around 1500 to serve as the main temple for a silversmith village. Since 2008 it has become completely covered in silver including the walls and roof and displays some detailed silver carvings of Buddhism legends. Even the statues of Buddha are covered in silver. Inside the temple has even more interesting silver decoration, mirrors and bright colours are mixed together. Due to old Buddhist customs women are not allowed to enter the inside of the temple and must remain outside. The area around Wat Sri Suphan has lots of small silver studios where it is possible to observe local artisans at work. Lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, head half-way up Doi Suthep – the mountain that towers over the city of Chiang Mai – to find the highly-revered Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. A visit here is an absolute must for first-time visitors, and part of the allure is in the journey getting here. Make the exciting drive up along the long and winding road to enjoy a surprisingly cooling of the surrounding air as you ascend. Arrive at the temple and leave the car behind to start the walk up to the top. Opt to conquer the 300 steps, or swap two feet for a cable car instead. At the top, explore the central chedi adorned in golden flakes, renowned for its glittering façade under the mid-day sun. The architecture, statues, murals and shrines seen here are nothing short of breathtaking, and promise commanding views over the surrounding wilderness.
Day 7: ChangChill Elephant Observation Tour (B/L)
Happy Elephant Valley, located in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, started its journey in 2017. Moving away from commonly seen activities that allow tourists to ride, bathe and feed the elephants, the team took a step towards becoming a truly elephant-friendly venue. With the support of World Animal Protection, and some of the world’s leading travel companies, ChangChill (meaning “relaxed elephants” in Thai) is now ready to reopen its doors – offering a better life for elephants and a unique experience for visitors. The transition allows the six resident female elephants the freedom to roam the valley, graze, and bathe in the river, mud and dust, while socializing with each other. Visitors are no longer encouraged to interact with the elephants, but are now given the chance to see how the elephants choose to spend their days in the forest. Observe elephants navigate the lush forest, learn about Karen hill tribe culture with local community members, or enjoy the breathtaking view from the elephant observation deck – it’s not only the elephants that get to “chill” here.
Day 8: Free Day (B)
Today is a free day, where you can further explore or relax. No services are booked, however below you will find a carefully selected list of optional excursions and experiences which we think will complement your trip and make the most of your time.
Day 9: Chiang Mai – Fly to Phuket (B)
Meet our representative at the lobby of your accommodation, pick-up time will be confirmed beforehand but is typically 2 hours before departure for domestic flights.
*Exclude Flight ticket
Welcome to Phuket!
Upon your arrival at the airport, meet our representative depending on destination – they will be holding a sign with your surname. Enjoy a convenient, hassle-free transfer to your accommodation.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 10 – 11: Free Day (B)
Today is a free day, where you can further explore or relax. No services are booked, however below you will find a carefully selected list of optional excursions and experiences which we think will complement your trip and make the most of your time.
Day 12: Departure from Phuket (B)
Meet our representative at the lobby of your accommodation, pick-up time will be confirmed beforehand but is typically 2 hours before departure for domestic flights, and 3 hours for international.
Exclude Flight ticket
Tour Inclusions:
- Admission fees, transportation and licensed tour guides as specified in the itinerary
- Accommodation & meals as listed
- Tour insurance, service charges and any government taxes
Tour Exclusions:
- Any airfares (domestic and international)
- Meals other than mentioned in the programme
- Drinks with meals unless specified in the itinerary
- Visa fees (if required)
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels,
- Any optional tours and services
- Tips and gratuities
- Expenditure of personal nature such as drinks, tips, souvenirs, laundry, etc.
- Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness)
Trip Notes:
– Travelers are highly recommended to purchase Travel Insurance upon commitment of the booking in case of force majeure. Travel Insurance covers such costs as emergency and medical evacuation, hospital fees, property loss, etc. which could possibly happen during the trip.
– Rooms at hotels are available only from 1400 on arrival day till 1200 on departure date. A supplement will be added if early check-in or late check-out is desired.
– The itinerary may subject to change depending on weather conditions and the local situation.
– Reservations during peak times such as Christmas, New Year, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, National Holidays may be subject to supplementary charges.
– If any proposed service is not available at the time of booking, we will try to find alternative and similar option and minimize changes to the program.
– Domestic flights may subject to change or reschedule before departure date
– Vietnam Travel and Cruise is not responsible for any injury, loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time. Additional expenses incurred due to delays, accidents, natural disaster, political actions and unrest, must be covered by the clients. Vietnam Travel and Cruise will make every effort to recoup any losses from the service providers.
Booking condition:
Payment:
– A Deposit of AUD$300 per person is required upon confirmation of your booking. This deposit is non-refundable.
– The balance is due 30 days prior to departure. If you fail to pay by the due date we reserve the right to cancel your booking and retain your deposit.
– If you make a booking less than 30 days prior to departure, full payment is due within 48 hours.
Cancellation: Any cancellations must be made in witting.
– Cancellation fees apply to all cancelled reservations. The fee is determined by the date written cancellation received by Vietnam Travel and Cruise.
– Cancellation more than 30 days – Loss of deposit
– Cancellation at 30 or less days – 100% of total booking cost
Special conditions: Depending on airlines, hotels, cruises’ cancellation policies, the above conditions may be modified.
Claims and refunds for unused services
No refunds or exchanges can be made in respect of accommodation, meals, sightseeing tours, transport or any other services, which are included in the tour prices but not utilized by the client.
