Shimmering Thailand
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SHIMMERING THAILAND Phone: +1-800-315-0755 | E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cultureholidays.com CULTURE HOLIDAYS USA: 654 Shoppers Lane, Covina, CA 91723 www.cultureholidays.com | [email protected] Toll free USA: 800 315 0755 | UK: 800 051 5792 | INDIA: + 91 11 23 53 36 36 | Whatsapp / Call: +91 98735 40000 Tour Description Get to explore the most sought after destinations in the world, Thailand, with our Thailand vacation packages. This tour will allow you to stretch your eyes and add as many of the experience like a visit to the gorgeous temples, majestic places, beautiful statues of Buddha, and yes, unlocking the culture of Thailand, is the major highlight of our Thailand travel packages. Explore the other aspects of this beautiful enigma, because Thailand will lure you into its celestial world. Select our Thailand tour packages for an insightful exploration to the best of Thailand temples, local markets and much more. Tour Highlights Wat Traimit, houses the world's largest massive gold seated Buddha weighing five and a half tons. Temple of the Reclining Buddha, covered in gold leaf in largest temple complexes and a great place to get a traditional Thai massage. Grand Palace, located on the banks of the Chao Phyraya river is a dazilling city landmark and venue of royal and state functions. Ayutthaya, an archaeological site that contains palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries and statues. `Phra Buddha Shinnarach’, the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand. Sukhothai Historical Park, known as `Dawn of Happiness’ was the first capital city of Thailand and now a world heritage site. Kwan Payao, the largest permanent picturesque freshwater lake. Rong Khun Temple or The White Temple, a national landmark and the most beautiful and recognizable temples in the country. Experience the traditional offering of food to the barefoot Buddhist monks. Trip to the Elephant Camp, where see how elephants are trained for working with humans, and also enjoy the elephant shows. CULTURE HOLIDAYS USA: 654 Shoppers Lane, Covina, CA 91723 www.cultureholidays.com | [email protected] Toll free USA: 800 315 0755 | UK: 800 051 5792 | INDIA: + 91 11 23 53 36 36 | Whatsapp / Call: +91 98735 40000 Tour Itinerary DAY 1 : Arrive Bangkok Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our tour representative, and transferred to the hotel. After check in, you are free at leisure to relax on your own. Overnight: Bangkok DAY 2 : City and Temple Tour - The Royal Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha After breakfast at the hotel you begin your sightseeing tour. Your tour begins at Wat Traimit, the temple of the Golden Buddha; the 900 - year - old, five - and - a - half - ton solid gold image. After this, you continue on to visit Wat Arun, better known as the Temple of the Dawn, which is one of the best known landmarks and most published landmarks of Bangkok. Next, you will visit Wat Po, the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok, and also the temple holding the largest single Buddha image; the Reclining Buddha (Phra Buddhasaiyas). This temple is also known as the birthplace of Thai traditional massage. We then go for lunch at a local restaurant, after which, we continue on to visit CULTURE HOLIDAYS USA: 654 Shoppers Lane, Covina, CA 91723 www.cultureholidays.com | [email protected] Toll free USA: 800 315 0755 | UK: 800 051 5792 | INDIA: + 91 11 23 53 36 36 | Whatsapp / Call: +91 98735 40000 some of the most famous tourist spots in Bangkok; the Royal Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace adjoins Wat Phra Kaew in a common compound, and is where you will end up after exiting Wat Phra Kaew. Despite the proximity of the two, there is a distinct contrast in style between the very Thai Wat Phra Kaew and the more European inspired designs of the Grand Palace. After this we return to the hotel and you are free at leisure. Overnight: Bangkok Meals: Breakfast DAY 3 : Bangkok - Ayutthaya After breakfast, we check out of the hotel in Bangkok, after which we head to Ayutthaya to visit the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace; beautifully decorated in both the traditional Chinese and European styles. From here, a long-tail boat journey takes you up the Chao Phraya River to inner Ayutthaya to explore the temple ruins within and surrounding the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Among the “must- see” attractions in Thailand are the palaces, temple ruins and historical sites of Ayutthaya. This former capital of Thailand is situated 90 km north of Bangkok. The principal sights include the gigantic bronze statues of Wat Mongkol Borpith, Wat Phra Srisanpetch and Wat Yai Chai Mongkol. A traditional Thai long-tail boat will transport guests between sites, and this tour also includes a boat trip to Bang Pa-In, a former Royal Summer Residence, which represents a fine example of Thai architecture. Lunch will also be served during this tour. Afterwards, we transfer to the hotel and you are free at leisure. Overnight: Ayutthaya Meals: Breakfast CULTURE HOLIDAYS USA: 654 Shoppers Lane, Covina, CA 91723 www.cultureholidays.com | [email protected] Toll free USA: 800 315 0755 | UK: 800 051 5792 | INDIA: + 91 11 23 53 36 36 | Whatsapp / Call: +91 98735 40000 DAY 4 : Ayutthaya - Lopburi - Sukhothai (By land) After breakfast, check out of the hotel in Ayutthaya and drive to Lopburi. This city was used as a second capital during the reign of King Narai the Great. Today we will bring you to Monkey House (the shrine of the city), and then proceed to Prang Sam Yot (the three Khmer Prang) that are the symbols of Lopburi city. Lunch will be at a local restaurant before we continue our drive to visit Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, the most sacred temple in Pitsanulok which houses the shrine of King Naresuan the Great, most well-known in Thailand for his victories over the invasions of the Burmese . In the temple area you will see the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand called “Phra Buddha Shinnarach”, in the beautiful and graceful design of Sukhothai art. Walking around the temple area you will see more Buddha images and have the time to enjoy taking photos, after which we continue to your hotel in Sukhothai. After check-in, you are free to relax on your own. In the evening you can drive to the town for your dinner if you wish. Overnight: Sukhothai Meals: Breakfast DAY 5 : Sukhothai - Sri Satchanalai - Lampang After breakfast, we will visit the Sukhothai Historical Park or the first capital of Thailand. Founded in the 13th century, Sukhothai (which literally means Dawn of Happiness) was the first truly independent Thai kingdom, which enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng, who was also credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have CULTURE HOLIDAYS USA: 654 Shoppers Lane, Covina, CA 91723 www.cultureholidays.com | [email protected] Toll free USA: 800 315 0755 | UK: 800 051 5792 | INDIA: + 91 11 23 53 36 36 | Whatsapp / Call: +91 98735 40000 been lovingly restored in the Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must- see for all travelers. Lunch at a local restaurant before continuing on to Sri Satchanalai Historical Park, located on the banks of the Yom River at Tambon Muang Kao, Si Satchanalai county, only 55 km from the town of Sukhothai. The ancient town, formerly called “Muang Chaliang”, was named “Sri Satchanalai” during the Phra Ruang Dynasty when a new administrative center was established to replace Chaliang. This ancient town occupied more than 320 hectares (800 acres) of land. Of this, the 91-hectare (288 acres) area within the old laterite ramparts and the city moat is the sightseeing focus in the historical park. After this, we proceed to Lampang for your overnight stay. Overnight: Lampang Meals: Breakfast DAY 6 : Lampang - Payao - Chiang Rai (Approx 4 Hrs) After breakfast, check out of the hotel and then drive to visit Phrathat Lampang Luang Temple; the finest northern temple and best presentation of the Lanna style architecture. After this, we will explore the town using the town’s unique and colorful horse carriages. We will also visit Baan Sao Nuk a 150-year-old teak house in the northern Thai style, and Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao, where the famous Emerald Buddha was enshrined for 32 years (from A.D. 1436 to 1468). Later on, we proceed to Chiang Rai. En-route we will stop at Kwan Payao, the largest permanent freshwater lake (1,980 ha), fringed to the south and west by approximately 3,000 ha of rice paddies to the south and west, and with a marshy area and some old oxbows (c.300 ha) at the northern end where the Nam Mae Ing empties into the lake. There is also some inflow from the Mae Tam which empties into the lake from the CULTURE HOLIDAYS USA: 654 Shoppers Lane, Covina, CA 91723 www.cultureholidays.com | [email protected] Toll free USA: 800 315 0755 | UK: 800 051 5792 | INDIA: + 91 11 23 53 36 36 | Whatsapp / Call: +91 98735 40000 south. The eastern shore of the lake is largely built up, and the town of Phayao lies near the southeast corner. The lake empties to the east, via the Nam Mae lag, into the Mekong. The water level is controlled by a sluice gate and a spillway; the mean depth is 1.7m, and the pH varies from 6.0-9.1. Kwan Phayao is one of the largest semi-natural wetlands in northern Thailand. Lunch at a local restaurant before proceeding to Chiang Rai.