Tripology

Check in for your flight to Thailand via Taipei. Los Angeles flights depart from LAX mid-afternoon on day 1.

Cross the International Dateline and lose a day en route.

Arrive in Bangkok very early in the morning (shortly after midnight). After customs formalities, transfer to your centrally located hotel for guaranteed check-in. Take time to rest from the long journey.

Tonight, enjoy a Thai Set dinner at Supatra River House Restaurant. Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, this beautiful two-storey traditional Thai house is the former home of Khunying Supatra Singholaga, a leading advocate of women's rights in Thailand. Its contemporary décor blends perfectly with the traditional architecture, and the views of the River, Grand Palace, and Wat Arun are spectacular.

Hotel: Dusit Thani Hotel

Temples, along with the monarchy, are the fabric that binds together the national identity that is Thailand, and some of the most interesting of Thai temples are found in Bangkok. Today's sightseeing tour takes you to three of Bangkok's most visually stunning temples. The first stop is Wat Trimitr, where you'll view the 700-year-old Golden Buddha, the largest in the world weighing approximately 5 tons.

Continue to Wat Po, founded in the 17th century and the oldest temple in Bangkok. This temple is also home to the amazing Reclining Buddha, whose face depicts the attainment of Nirvana and whose feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Conclude your temple tour at Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the "Marble Temple' because of its abundance of white Italian marble.

This afternoon, a canal boat ride gives you a close up of traditional Thai life as you explore some of Bangkok's waterways. The network of canals (klongs) branching out from the main Chao Phraya river still follows an old lifestyle that leaves the modern face of Bangkok behind.

Visit the flower market and Wat Arun, the magnificent temple of Dawn with its 79 meter pagoda or 'prang', built in the Khmer style. Arrive back at the pier and speed by sky train back to your hotel.

Your last full day in Thailand is at leisure for sightseeing or shopping. Explore on your own, or join our optional tours. On this morning's optional tour, visit the Grand Palace, which for about 150 years functioned as the home of the King and his court as well as the entire administrative seat of government. You will be awed by the grandeur and majesty of the building and its throne halls. Within its grounds, you'll also visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) built to house a large Buddha image carved from a solid piece of green jadite (jasper).

Tonight's optional excursion offers you a visual extravaganza at the Ratchada Grand Theatre, one of the biggest stages in the world. Travel back in time through the Kingdom of Siam and experience Thai history and culture during this spectacular Siam Niramit show.

Hotel: Dusit Thani Hotel

This morning, transfer to the airport for your short flight to Chiang Rai, where you will meet you guide who will escort you to your centrally-located hotel. Continue to Chiang Saen. a small town on the bank of the Mekong River, on the border with Laos. A boat trip on the mighty Mekong takes you to the Golden Triangle, the place where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet. Return to charming Chiang Rai.

Hotel: The River House

This morning, enjoy a half-day tour of the highlights of Chiang Rai. Transfer from your hotel to the King Meng Rai Monument. From there, board a samlow (rickshaw) for a ride to the main market area. Continue by rickshaw to Wat Phra Kaew, with its beautiful brass and copper Buddha image, and the Hill Tribe Museum. Leave your rickshaw and proceed by motor coach to Wat Rong Khun with its unique 'kanok' architecture. The rest of the afternoon is your at leisure to explore on your own.

Hotel: The River House

After breakfast, depart Chiang Rai and to Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand, separated from the Burmese border town of Thakhilek by a small river also called Mae Sai. Take a stroll through the local market where you'll find jade and other Burmese jewelry and handicrafts.

Continue through mountains, valleys and the lush landscape of northern Thailand to Chiang Mai, often called the "Rose of the North" for the abundance of flowers that thrive in its cooler mountain climate. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner in a local restaurant. After dinner, launch a khum loy (fire balloon) or a kratong (floating candle) for good luck.

Hotel: De Naga Hotel

This ancient city boasts many of Bangkok's amenities, including excellent cuisine and accommodations but without the frenetic pace of modern city life. From its origins as a small northern town, it has become a city representative of modern Thai culture with a beautiful personality of its own, shaped in part by the many lovely temples found here.

This morning, explore ancient and modern Chiang Mai including the city's most important temples: Wat Suan Dok, where the ashes of Chiang Mai's royal family are interred; Wat Phra Singh, home to an old and sacred Buddha image; and Wat Chedi Luang, where the famous Emerald Buddha was once enshrined. Drive around the old city walls and gates and see markets, residential areas, and Tapae, Chiang Mai's main street. Stops briefly for photos at Chiang Mai University grounds, the Monument of Three Kings, and Buak Haad Park.

Spend the afternoon exploring on your own or join an exciting optional tour to Phu-Phing Palace, the winter home of the royal family, sitting 4300 feet above sea-level. Continue to the temple of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the most famous landmark of Chiang Mai. Climb the Naga staircase to visit the exquisite golden pagoda. The panoramic city view from the top makes for an irresistible photo opportunity. Note: The Phu-Phing Palace tour operates daily except when the Royal Family stays in Chiang Mai.

Hotel: De Naga Hotel

This morning you will visit an elephant camp for a first-hand look at the important role elephants have played in Thai life, from ceremonial purposes to warfare, transportation and farming. See a fascinating demonstration of elephants at work and play. Next, visit a beautiful orchid farm to see how these lovely and prized plants are expertly and artistically cultivated.

Tonight, join an optional dining excursion for an opportunity to experience one of Northern Thailand's signature dishes—'Khao Soy' curry noodles. The meal is served in specially designed Khao Soy sets, consisting of 8 small ceramic condiment dishes, laid around a large 'Khao Soy' bowl and set on an artist's palette. After dinner, visit the nearby night bazaar for a stroll among the colorful stalls.

Hotel: De Naga Hotel

Bid farewell to Thailand as you transfer to the airport to board your return flight to the USA via Bangkok. Or, take advantage of your already-included international airfare and join our optional extensions to Angkor Wat and Phuket Island!