Scenic Tours
1300 SCENIC (723 642)
Northern Thailand Discovery
(12 days, Bangkok - Bangkok, 2012)
This 12 day journey explores the best of Northern Thailand, including visits to the River Kwai, Chiang Mai, the Golden Triangle and a three night stay in Bangkok.
Your 12 day journey through Northern Thailand begins in the Thai capital, Bangkok where you will visit Wat Pho to watch the monks in their daily chant before visiting the enormous reclining Buddha. On your way to Kanchanaburi you will visit one of the many floating markets before enjoying a paddleboat journey through the klongs and sampling Thai coconut sugar syrup with a local family.
Arriving in Kanchanaburi you will visit Hellfire Pass Museum before embarking on the Memorial Walking Trail, which includes a ride along the infamous ‘Death Railway’. Next you will explore World heritage-listed Ayutthaya, visiting the majestic royal mansions and summer palace at Bang Pa on the way. You will then travel to another World Heritage-listed site, Sukhothai, the former Siamese capital, famous for its original Loy Kratong Festival. Continuing your journey through Chiang Mai, you will visit the white Hmong village of Chang Khien where the inhabitants still wear their traditional hill tribe clothes and practice a culture that dates back 500 years.
You will also witness Doi Suthep, the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand. Next you will drive through the Northern mountains to the Golden Triangle where you will lunch at a village with a local family and visit the Opium Museum, which showcases the history and various artefacts of opium production and trade. Finally you will return to Bangkok to conclude your Thai adventure.
- 11 night tour
- 3 nights Bangkok
- 2 nights River Kwai
- 2 nights Chiang Mai
- 2 nights Golden Triangle
- All-Inclusive Touring
- ‘Must-see’ attractions
- Most meals including highlight meals showcasing the flavours of Thailand
- Escorted by experienced Tour Director
- Local English speaking guides in each region
- Domestic flight in Thailand
- Airport transfers
- Scenic Enrich – allowing you to live the destination, not just travel through it
- Scenic Special Stays – our inclusion of exceptional hotels
- ALL TIPPING, GRATUITIES and PORTERAGE INCLUDED
Included Scenic Enrich
- Enjoy a morning visit to Wat Pho to watch the monks in their daily chant
- Join a specialist guide on your visit to the Burma Railway Museum and Cemetery
- Launch your personally made Kratong for luck and good fortune
- Receive a private blessing at the sacred temple Doi Suthep
- Take an elephant trek to view sunset on the Thai, Laos, Myanmar border while enjoying Thai wine or beer
Included Scenic Free Choice
- In Bangkok, a private long tail boat through the klongs and experience a unique puppet show; or walking tour to discover Thai street foods; or learn about the influence of the American Jim Thompson on the Thai silk industry
- View the scenery as you canoe down the River Kwai; or relax at the Sai Yok Yai waterfalls; or enjoy a stress releasing and therapeutic traditional Thai massage
- Chiang Mai city and temple walking tour; or partake in a Thai cooking class; or explore the back lanes and markets on a guided bicycle tour
- Learn how to be an elephant mahout for a day at Anantara Elephant Camp; or travel by foot, boat, ox-cart and vehicle as you explore the hidden secrets of the Golden Triangle; or uncover tea and wine production in Northern Thailand
Included Scenic Dining
- 24 superb meals including 11 Full Buffet Breakfasts (FB), 5 Lunches (L), 4 Highlight Dinners (HD) and 4 Dinners (D)
Included Scenic Special Stays
- In Bangkok, the award winning Sukhothai hotel combines contemporary style with old-world charm and is set amid six acres of greenery and water ponds
- Located along the banks of the Mae Ping River, the Ratilanna Riverside Resort captures the essence of Lanna ancestry and unique character of the local hill tribes
- Perched atop a ridge with striking views across Laos, Myanmar and the Mekong River, the Anantara Golden Triangle offers luxury accommodation
Included Scenic Highlights
- In Bangkok a tour of the Grand Palace and the enormous reclining Buddha
- Local train ride bound for an amazing country market along the railway tracks
- Walk the Memorial Walking Trail, visit Hellfire Pass and ride the “death railway” and gain a comprehensive insight into WWII history
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed park at Ayutthaya by “ketmit” a local form of transport
- In Sukhothai wander through almost 200 ruined pagodas in remarkable condition
- Take a horse and cart ride through the street of Lampang to see old Thai, Chinese, British and Burmese merchant houses
- Learn about elephant conservation and rehabilitation at the Elephant Institute
- Discover the history and processes associated with the Opium trade of the Golden Triangle
Day 1: Arrive Bangkok
(HD)
Sawadee and welcome to Thailand! On arrival at Bangkok airport you will be met and transferred* to your hotel. This evening meet with your Tour Director and fellow passengers before enjoying an Included welcome Thai dinner at the award winning Celadon restaurant in the hotel.
Two Night Special Stay: Bangkok
Two Night Special Stay: Bangkok
Day 2: Bangkok
(FB,HD)
This morning enjoy your Included SCENIC ENRICH visit to Wat Pho to watch the monks in their daily chant. This uplifting ritual is a fantastic chance to experience the Buddhist culture and lifestyle of the monks. Visit the enormous reclining Buddha and continue on to the Grand Palace for an Included tour of its many grandiose buildings and hallways. Head to a local fortune teller and see what the future holds as you receive your very own personal reading by a local spiritual consultant. Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) a private long tail boat tour through Bangkok’s klongs and experience a unique puppet show; or (2) a tour to discover Bangkok’s delicious street foods; or (3) follow in the footsteps of the American Jim Thompson and discover his influence on Thai silk industry. Included this evening a cruise on the Chao Phraya River aboard the luxury vintage rice barge Apsara, for a contemporary Thai dinner from Banyan Tree’s signature restaurant.
Day 3: Bangkok - River Kwai (Kanchanaburi)
(FB,L,D)
Drive south to the river delta area for your Included local train ride bound for an amazing country market that has sprouted along the railway tracks. Visit one of the many floating markets before taking an Included paddleboat journey through the klongs and stop to enjoy a glass of coconut sugar syrup with a local family. Continue to Kanchanaburi and onward to the Hellfire Pass Museum before embarking on the Memorial Walking Trail. Your Included train ride along the infamous ‘death railway’ and audio guide, narrated by POW’s while working on this railway will help recreate the scene and link their real life experiences.
Two Night Stay: River Kwai
Two Night Stay: River Kwai
Day 4: River Kwai
(FB,L)
Depart for the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre and meet your Included SCENIC ENRICH specialist guide for an introduction to the Railway story. Visit the Museum and War Cemetery for comprehensive information regarding the railway and continue to the Bridge on the River Kwai and the Hospital Camp where many Australian PoWs were based after completion of the railway. This afternoon Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) canoeing on the River Kwai and enjoy the beautiful scenery and landscapes; or (2) visit the nearby Sai Yok Yai waterfalls; or (3) a stress releasing and therapeutic traditional Thai massage.
Day 5: River Kwai - Ayutthaya
(FB,L,D)
Drive to Ayutthaya and along the way Included is your exploration of the majestic royal mansions and summer palace at Bang Pa In and visit one of the most distinctive Buddhist temples with remarkable Gothic style architecture and stained glass windows. After your Included lunch transfer to your Included local “Ketmit” Tuk Tuk for a tour to some of the important temples inside the UNESCO historical park.
Overnight Stay: Ayutthaya
Overnight Stay: Ayutthaya
Day 6: Ayutthaya - Sukhothai
(FB,L,D)
This morning transfer to the former Siamese capital at Sukhothai. After your Included local Thai style lunch wander through Sukhothai’s almost 200 ruined chedis (pagodas) in remarkable condition. Sukhothai is famous for its original Loy Kratong Festival and join your Included SCENIC ENRICH workshop to make your own Kratong (candle, incense stick and colourful flowers) before launching at night for luck and good fortune.
Overnight Stay: Sukhothai
Overnight Stay: Sukhothai
Day 7: Sukhothai - Chiang Mai
(FB,D)
Drive to Lampang and Included is a stop at a local village to watch hand-made cloth making with their special fermented mud processes. Then take your Included horse cart ride to see old Thai, Chinese, British and Burmese merchant houses. Continue to the National Elephant Institute to learn about the objectives to develop elephant conservation in a sustainable way.
Two Night Special Stay: Chiang Mai
Two Night Special Stay: Chiang Mai
Day 8: Chiang Mai
(FB)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) Chiang Mai city and temple walking tour; or (2) a hands-on Thai cooking class; or (3) guided bicycle tour exploring the back lanes and fresh food markets to observe the daily life. Included this afternoon, travel by “songtaew” local transport, to the Chang Khien Coffee Research Project where you can enjoy a cup of the local ‘arabica’ surrounded by fabulous gardens of flowers. Continue to the white Hmong village of Chang Khien where the inhabitants still wear their traditional hill tribe clothes and practice a culture that dates back 500 years. End your day at Doi Suthep, the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand. Learn the story of the temple and wander around it’s impressive chedi (pagoda) and view its beautiful murals on your Included tour. Included SCENIC ENRICH private blessing ceremony and witness the magical evening chanting of the monks.
Day 9: Chiang Mai - Golden Triangle
(FB,L,HD)
Depart for your drive through the mountains of Northern Thailand to the Golden Triangle and enjoy your Included lunch at a village with a local family. Included visit to the Opium Museum, which showcases the history and various artefacts of the opium production and trade. Included SCENIC ENRICH sunset elephant ride (2 people per elephant) to a stunning viewpoint to enjoy the views while relishing a Thai wine or a cold beer. Your Included Khantoke dinner, a feast of Northern Thai cuisine is accompanied by the soft melody of a khim (local instrument). Launch your special “khom loy” in local belief that misfortune will float away.
Two Night Special Stay: Golden Triangle
Two Night Special Stay: Golden Triangle
Day 10: Golden Triangle
(FB)
This morning Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) learn how to be an elephant mahout at Anantara Elephant Camp; or (2) travel by foot, boat, ox-cart and vehicle as you explore the hidden secrets of the Golden Triangle; or (3) uncover tea and wine production in Chiang Rai.
Day 11: Golden Triangle - Bangkok
(FB,HD)
Transfer to the airport for your Included flight to Bangkok. On arrival the rest of the day is free for you to explore this vibrant city before an Included special farewell dinner and relive many memorable holiday moments.
Overnight Special Stay: Bangkok
Overnight Special Stay: Bangkok
Day 12: Bangkok
(FB)
After breakfast transfer* to the airport for your onward or homebound flight (flight not included).
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
