New Siam Explorer

13 Days / 12 Nights Program of Bangkok, Angkor Wat & Northern Thailand, which includes the principle sites of Bangkok & Northern Thailand, as well as the principle sites in & arround Angkor Complex.

  • DAY 1   Arrival

    On arrival at BANGKOK Airport you will be met and transferred to Your Bangkok Hotel, where your reservation is for the next 4 Nights and includes Breakfast. En route to the Hotel, your Guide will give you an introduction to Thailand and your Program. (Specific aspects of your Sightseeing, etc. can also be discussed with your Guide).

  • DAY 2   Grand Palace & Temple of Emerald Buddha

    This morning we visit Bangkok's most revered site - The Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha. We can also visit Wat Pho, one of Bangkok's oldest and largest Temple complexes, among the many sites of interest here is the Viharn which is home to a 46-meter Reclining Buddha. After lunch at a local restaurant we travel by Private Boat through the Klongs (Canals) of Thonburi where we get an insight to why Bangkok was once known as “the Venice of the East”, we also call in to see the Royal Barge Museum (if open) and Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn), before returning to the Hotel.

  • DAY 3   Floating Market & Jim Thompson House

    Leaving the Hotel early we drive South of Bangkok through the countryside passing Palm Plantations and Salt Fields to Damnoen Saduak, to visit Thailand's largest floating market. Here we travel by small boat around the quiet waterways and the bustle of the main floating market. After looking around the market we drive back to Bangkok, taking lunch at a local restaurant en route. In the afternoon we can visit Jim Thompson's House, the classic Thai-style former home of a Pioneer of the Thai Silk Industry (to your interest, as time and energy permits!) before returning to the Hotel.

  • DAY 4   Ayutthaya & Bang Pa-In Summer Palace

    Today we have a trip to the Ancient Capital of Ayutthaya. We travel by road, North of Bangkok to Ayutthaya, here we visit the various Ruins and Temples of this Ancient Capital City (now designated a World Heritage Site), including the Wat Phra Si Sampet Ruins, Wat Rachabophit, and the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. After lunch at a local Restaurant, we then continue to Bang Pa-In, where we take a look around the Royal Summer Palace Gardens (The Palace is still used by the Thai Royal Family), after which return to Bangkok by road, and return to the Hotel.

  • DAY 5   Angkor Wat

    After Breakfast and check out we transfer to Bangkok Airport for your (Morning/Lunch time) flight to Siem Reap.

    On arrival at SIEM REAP Airport you will be met by our Siem Reap Guide and transfer to Your Siem Reap Hotel, where your reservation is for the next 2 Nights and includes Breakfast. Our afternoon is dedicated to a visit of the most famous temple - magnificent Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We will enjoy exploring the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Intricately carved bas reliefs extend the length of the outer walls and corridors, depicting mythological scenes and day to day life at the time of Angkor's construction.

  • DAY 6   Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm & Angkor Thom

    This morning we visit to Banteay Srei temple, regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art. We then visit to we visit Ta Prohm - a favorite amongst visitors because it has become part of the jungle. This afternoon, we will visit the "Great City" of Angkor Thom, which was probably more opulent than most European cities in the late 12th Century. Visits include the famous Bayon Temple, Phimeanakas Temple within the Royal Palace enclosure, Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.

  • DAY 7   Golden Triangle

    After Breakfast at the Hotel, we transfer to Siem Reap Airport for the morning flight to Bangkok connecting to your flight to Chiangrai.

    On arrival at CHIANGRAI AIRPORT we will take a look around Chiangrai City, have some lunch then drive North to Chiangsan to visit the Ruins & Temples of this ancient City. From here we take a short boat trip on the Mae Khong River, around the Golden Triangle, before transferring to Your Chaingrai Hotel, where your reservation is for the next 2 Nights and includes Breakfast.

  • DAY 8   Mae Sai, Doi Tung & Hall of Opium

    Today we travel to the Northern most town in Thailand - Mae Sai on the Burma (Myanmar) Border, where we have the opportunity to cross over and take a short "Samlor" ride around the small Burmese town of Tachilek. After lunch, we continue to Doi Tung, famous for it's mountain Temple with spectacular views, and take a look around the King’s Mothers Home and the beautiful gardens of this Royal Palace. We can also call in to see the unique Hall of Opium before returning to the Hotel.

  • DAY 9   Wat Rong Kun & to Chiangmai

    After Breakfast & Checkout, we drive South through the mountain to Chiangmai, stopping a various different Ethnic Hill Tribe Villages & other points of interest en route, including visit to Wat Rong Khun (the white temple) which is designed and built by a Thai Famous Artist (Specific routing and interests can be discussed with your guide, once you are here.) We should arrive in Chiangmai in the late afternoon and here we transfer to Your Chiangmai Hotel, where your reservation is for the next 4 Nights and includes Breakfast.

  • DAY 10   Special Merit Making Ceremony, Doi Suthep Temple & City Sights

    This morning we leave the Resort early (around 06.00am) to arrive early at the foot of Doi Suthep, where we can take part in a local make merit ceremony by giving Alms (some food & drink, etc.) to the local Monks from Wat Sri Soda. This is an amazing and moving site with usually hundreds of Saffron Robed Monks walking out of the Temple. After this we continue with a drive up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most venerated Temple in Chiangmai, situated on the hill-side some 3000 ft. above the City in the Doi Pui National Park. On the way up the mountain we stop for a short coffee break before visiting The Temple itself (before all the crowds arrive !!). Here we can climb the 306 stairs, to reach the Temple which encloses a large traditional, “Lanna” style Chedi covered with gold plates (A small mountain Tram is also available if the stairs are too much effort !!) From the Temple Grounds there are also panoramic views over Chiangmai and the surrounding area.

    On our descent we can spend the rest of the day in and around Chiangmai City, visiting some of the Principle Temples inside Chiangmai old moated City, such as - Wat Phra Singh, Chiangmai City's most important Temple. Constructed in the 14th Century, of particular interests here are some well-preserved murals. Wat Chedi Luang, once home to the Emerald Buddha (Now in the Grand Place in Bangkok) built over 600 years ago, is dominated by it's massive Chedi, which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in the mid 1500's. and Wat Chiang Man, the City's oldest Temple. Wat Suan Dok, best known for its large number of pagodas in which the ashes of the Chiang Mai Royal Family are enshrined.

  • DAY 11   Private Elephant Conservation Safari

    This morning we drive by Private Air-conditioned vehicle, to our Elephant Conservation Site, in the Mae Khanin Valley on the outskirts of Chiangmai.

    On arrival at the Site, you will be greeted by your Host, and have a short briefing on how to be a health-based advocate for elephants, you will learn how to approach and become friends with your elephant as well as provide a health inspection.

    After getting changed into a more comfortable Local “Elephant” Outfit, we then start our Private “Elephant Safari” in an Africa Safari-style Off road Vehicle through the hidden MaeKhanin Valley, and while driving along the trail of River Crossings, you will have up close and personal interactions with free-roaming elephants.

    You will have the opportunity to feed the Elephants with natural fruits and herb balls as well as a hands-on specialized elephant bathing for skincare and other healthcare-based activities. After a Safari-styled local Lunch, we can walk with the Elephant through the Fields & Forest.

    On completion, we say farewell to your elephants, then meet up with our Vehicle & return to your Resort.

    For your Safety & Security, our own Qualified, English-speaking Guide, will be with you throughout the Private Program, which will be just your own Private party (with your own Vehicle ) throughout the activities.

  • DAY 12   Local Handicraft Village

    Today we visit some of the various Traditional Local Handicrafts & Craft villages that Chiangmai is renowned for. Specific interests and details can be discussed with your Guides, but could include Silk Weaving; Teak-wood carving; Silver working; Laquerware production; Ceramics and a village community producing Sa-paper (to your interest, as time and energy permits!) before returning to the Hotel.

  • DAY 13   Departure

    Today is at your leisure until we transfer you to CHIANGMAI AIRPORT, for your onward flight.

 

This would include:

  • Private Transfers, Touring, Transportation, Entrance Fees, etc. with Qualified, English-speaking Guides & Road Transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles in Bangkok, Siem Reap & Northern Thailand on DAY 1-13
  • Lunch taken at Local Restaurants (or as indicated) on DAY 2-12
  • 4 Nights including Breakfast at Your Bangkok Hotel on DAY 1-5
  • 2 Nights including Breakfast at Your Siem Reap Hotel on DAY 5-7
  • 2 Nights including Breakfast at Your Chiangrai Hotel on DAY 7-9
  • 4 Nights including Breakfast at Your Chiangmai Hotel on DAY 9-13
  • Bottled Water, Soft Drinks & Cool Towels in Vehicles
  • P.A. Insurance (Local Cover) while on Tour
  • Domestic Air Ticket (Economy Class) for:
    • Bangkok>Siem Reap     DAY 5
    • Siem Reap>Bangkok     DAY 7 connecting to
    • Bangkok>Chaingrai       DAY 7
    • Chiangmai>Bangkok     DAY 13

Principal Exclusions

  • Air Tickets (other than above)
  • Cambodian Visa (Available on arrival)
  • Hotel "Extra" Accounts, Late Check-out Arrangements, etc.
  • Gratuities (Guides, Drivers, Porters, etc.)
  • Other Meals Items & Services not indicated in the program

This is the EXAMPLE of the type of Private Program that we can offer – While this can be booked directly as it is, it could also be used as Guideline to help you prepare an individual Program that we can arrange and finalize for you.

Please remember, the very nature of these private trips makes them quite flexible and wherever possible we do try to cater directly to your interests.

Specific costs will vary dependent on Dates of Travel, International Arrival & Departure Flight Times, Number of Clients in the Party, Availability of Hotel Accommodation & Room Category, etc.