DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Fly transpacific aboard Northwest Airlines.

Upon arrival, you are met and escorted to the hotel.
Menam Riverside Hotel

DAY 3 • Friday • Bangkok

Regal dignity and Buddhist serenity unfold as you visit the Grand Palace complex, former residence of the Thai royal family, and sacred Wat Phra Kaeo to see its revered Emerald Buddha. Return to the hotel after lunch in a local restaurant.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's klong tour takes you through the canals of Thonburi where you see daily life along the river. Visit the Temple of Dawn. Lunch at a riverside restaurant. This afternoon visit Wat Traimit and the world's largest golden Buddha, a 5-ton statue of pure gold hidden for decades under a layer of plaster.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5 • Sunday • Bangkok/Kanchanaburi

Depart Bangkok this morning heading west. Drive through the countryside to Damnoen Saduak and its Floating Market, where vendors hawk their exotic goods from produce-laden skiffs. Continue to Kanchanaburi, with lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch visit the world famous “Bridge on the River Kwai” and the memorial dedicated to the 9,000 Allied soldiers who died building the bridge and railway. Transfer by boat to your hotel set on the River Kwai.
River Kwai Resotel
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 • Monday • Kanchanaburi

This morning visit a nearby Mon Village. Drive to the Thai Wisdom Center arriving in time for lunch. This project unites the local villages in marketing their herbal products. Continue to the Tiger Conservation project at the Monastery in the Forest. In the afternoon, the tigers in residence take their daily walks with the monks. This endangered species has found a sanctuary here within the Buddhist Temple. Then visit Erawan Waterfalls, with a short walk through the forest to this beautiful waterfall that cascades down many levels. Return to your hotel. This evening, transfer by longtail boat to the Jungle Rafts for dinner followed by a Mon dance performance.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 • Tuesday • Kanchanburi/Uthaithani/Pitsanuloke

Early this morning, drive through the country­side to Uthaithani. Visit a market village and see the live fish and fresh vegetables offered for sale by the local farmers. Board a traditional wooden rice barge to cruise the Sakaekrang River. Lunch is served on the cruise before you disembark, then motorcoach on to Pitsanuloke to overnight.
Hotel Amarin Lagoon
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8 • Wednesday • Pitsanuloke/Sukhothai/Lampang

Drive on to the magnificent ruins of palaces and temples in Thailand's first capital, ancient Sukhothai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sukhothai was founded by Ramkamhaeng, a legendary ruler who left an amazing legacy of art. Visit the ruins, touring by tram through the historical park. Visit Wat Mahathat with its revered statue of the Buddha, and take an oxcart ride to visit Wat Sri Chum. Afternoon visit to historic Sri Satchanalai, then continue on to Lampang for dinner and overnight.
Lampang River Lodge
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9 • Thursday • Lampang/Chiang Mai

Early this morning, visit the Thai National Elephant Institute, a favorite project of Thailand's King. The Center is a sanctuary which is dedicated to the preservation of the endangered Asian elephant. Tour the elephant hospital and see baby elephants in the nursery, then watch the elephants bathe in the river. A memorable experience unfolds as you take an optional hour-long trek through the jungle atop these gentle giants. Continue to Chiang Mai for lunch at the Holiday Inn, where the buffet offers many western choices in addition to Asian dishes. The balance of the day is free to explore.
Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10 • Friday • Chiang Mai

You have the opportunity before breakfast to participate in the ‘alms giving' to the local monastery monks. After breakfast, tour one of Thailand's most sacred temples. Feel the presence of seven centuries of history as you visit the hilltop shrine of Doi Suthep. This afternoon, visit the Home Industries Village, boasting a plethora of intricate fabrics, jewelry, lacquer ware and other types of Thai handicrafts. Dinner is at the Gallery Café on the Ping River, then join a walking tour of the famed Night Bazaar.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11 • Saturday • Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai

Today, on to Thaton near the Burmese border for a hearty lunch. A boat ride along the Kok River is the day's high point. We glide past villages hewn from the jungle, go on shore to see native life, and navigate a stretch of rapids. At a Lahu hill tribe village, you view holy relics enshrined in a cave.
Wiang Inn Hotel
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12 • Sunday • Chiang Rai

This morning visit the legendary Golden Triangle – the junction of the borders of Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Laos. Enjoy a boat trip with picnic lunch on the Mekong River. The afternoon is free.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 13 • Monday • Chiang Rai/Golden Triangle/Bangkok

Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Bangkok. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is free.
Menam Riverside Hotel
MEALS: American Breakfast, Dinner Show

DAY 14 • Tuesday • Depart Bangkok for Los Angeles

Board a Northwest Airlines flight, bound for home, or extend your stay in Southeast Asia with one of our extensions.