Thailands Ancient Capitals

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Thailands Ancient Capitals
A 13-Day tour starting from $1,549

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1-800-942-3301
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Tour Length:	13 Days
Tour Type:	First Class Tour
Tour Category:	Escorted Tour
Tour Operator:	Collette Tours
Tour Code:	3482

About This Tour

Beautiful countryside and colorful cityscapes…you're sure to find the ancient beauty of Thailand eye-opening. It is a land of enchantment, with a temple at every corner, colorful spirit houses, and long-tail boats traveling the canals and rivers. This tour includes the captivating city of Bangkok where a city tour introduces you to Thai religious beliefs and Thai royalty. Travel through the countryside to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya, where you'll see ancient ruins dating from the 14th century. Overnight in Phitsanulok and Lampang and take an exciting excursion across the Mekong River to Laos. In Chiang Mai, inhale the scent of orchids - Thailand's national flower - watch local artisans at their crafts and learn about the culture and traditions of the Hill Tribes. This tour also features a visit to the Maesa Elephant Camp. 4387Beautiful countryside and colorful cityscapes…you're sure to find the ancient beauty of Thailand eye-opening. It is a land of enchantment, with a temple at every corner, colorful spirit houses, and long-tail boats traveling the canals and rivers. This tour includes the captivating city of Bangkok where a city tour introduces you to Thai religious beliefs and Thai royalty. Travel through the countryside to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya, where you'll see ancient ruins dating from the 14th century. Overnight in Phitsanulok and Lampang and take an exciting excursion across the Mekong River to Laos. In Chiang Mai, inhale the scent of orchids - Thailand's national flower - watch local artisans at their crafts and learn about the culture and traditions of the Hill Tribes. This tour also features a visit to the Maesa Elephant Camp.

What's Included?

br />Book by August 31, 2010 and save $300 per couple on air-inclusive bookings on 1/19/11 departures.

Restrictions apply, based on availability.
Ask your agent for details today!Click here for terms and conditions.From admiring the resplendent Reclining Buddha in vibrant Bangkok, to cruising into Laos on the Mekong River, this 14-day journey through Thailand offers you endless moments of wonder and discovery. Visit the famous Bridge on the River Kwai. See elephants enjoying their morning bath and playing at the Maesa Elephant Camp. Test your bargaining skills at Chiang Mai’s famous Night Market. Explore the exotic and ornate Grand Palace, the royal residence built in 1782, and where school teacher Anna Leonowens lived, whose story inspired "The King and I."

Sightseeing / Highlights

Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chiang Rai, Laos, Hall of Opium, Chiang Mai, Elephant Camp, Night Marke
Experience a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.
Spend one night relaxing in a river lodge located on the banks of Wang River, a hideaway for nature lovers.
Visit the famous Bridge on the River Kwai.
Traveling by long tail boat, visit a small village in Laos.

Your Itinerary

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Your tour begins with an overnight flight to Thailand.

Day 2: Arrive Bangkok, Thailand - Tour Begins
You arrive in Bangkok, located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

Day 3: Bangkok
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. Vibrant Bangkok is a central economic hub for Southeast Asia. Blending with its modern-day might is a captivating history that more than 10 million inhabitants call their own. A city tour provides you with insight into the fascinating religious composition of this area during visits to two of Bangkok's famous temples: The Golden Buddha, clad in plaster centuries ago to hide its value from marauders, and The Reclining Buddha which is about 150' long and is clad in pure gold. Visit the Grand Palace, an ornate royal residence built in 1782. Tonight you will be treated to a dinner cruise on a rice barge along the Chao Phraya River.

Day 4: Bangkok
Travel to the colorful and bustling floating market of Damnoen Saduak and take an exciting long tail boat cruise through the legendary canals, known as Klongs. Later, travel to Kanchanaburi to visit the famous Bridge on the River Kwai. The original bridge inspired the movie about its construction by Allied prisoners of war during WWII who were coerced into building it by Japanese troops.

Day 5: Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Phitsanulok
A trip through the countryside brings you to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand. Founded in 1350 by King U-Thong, Ayutthaya's Golden Age of over 400 years of prosperity came to an abrupt end when the Burmese invaded and ravaged it before abandoning the city for the jungle. The ancient city is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage site and holds spectacular ruins dating from the 14th century.

Day 6: Phitsanulok - Sukhothai - Lampang
Journey north to Sukhothai which presided as Thailand’s capital from 1238-1376. Explore this walled city that created a legacy of a unified nation of Thai people and has a phenomenal artistic heritage. The impressive assembly of elegant ruins is one of the most visited ancient sites in Thailand. Later, arrive in Lampang, located in a picturesque valley surrounded by mountains. Relax this evening at your hotel located on the banks of the Wang River.

Day 7: Lampang - Chiang Rai
Travel north to Chiang Rai in the heart of the Golden Triangle. Founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai, Chiang Rai was the first capital of Lanna Thai, the “Kingdom of One Million Rice Fields.” Upon arrival, enjoy leisure time at your lodge situated on the Mae Kok River.

Day 8: Chiang Rai - Doi Tung - Chiang Rai
Travel to the highest peak on the Thai-Myanmar border. En route you have the opportunity to view many different Lahu and Akha Hill Tribe villages and picturesque terraced farming areas. Her Royal Highness, the Princess Mother of Thailand, realized that education was critical in the reduction of opium cultivation. Learn about her efforts at the Doi Tung “Flag Mountain” Development Project, created to help improve the lives of the local villagers by offering alternatives to opium agriculture and use. Next, take a leisurely stroll through the spectacular Mae Fah Luang Foundation, “Mother to Us All Garden,” inspired by the much-loved Princess Mother's living in Switzerland. Learn about many traditional local crafts at the Cottage Industries Center.

Day 9: Chiang Rai - Laos - Chiang Rai
A visit to the Hall of Opium takes you on a journey into this mysterious world. Using state-of-the-art multimedia, the exhibition depicts more than 5,000 years of use and abuse of opiates, its spread throughout the world and international efforts to control it. Enjoy the picturesque landscape along the Mekong River area in the most relaxing way - by long tail boat. Cross the river on this unique vessel to Laos where you will have time to wander through a small village town.

Day 10: Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai
Begin the day traveling south to Chiang Mai, known as the “Rose of the North.” This city is famous for diverse cuisine, dialects and architecture, as well as the celebration of many festivals. Tour the cottage industries area and see the local artisans at work.

Day 11: Chiang Mai
A scenic drive to the hills of Chiang Mai brings you to the heart of the Teak Forest where you will witness elephants at work & play at Maesa Elephant Camp. Your next stop is a beautiful orchid farm to see many varieties of the national flower of Thailand. Tonight, enjoy a Hill Tribe cultural show and witness the traditions and dance of the Hill Tribe people.

Day 12: Chiang Mai
Visit one of the most interesting temples in Chiang Mai, Wat Phrathat Dio Suthep, which is situated 3,520 feet above sea level. This temple is said to have been founded in 1383 and is a sacred site to many Thai people. Visit a jade factory and learn the history of this luminescent stone. A short film explains the basics of the process of turning jade into jewelry and other products before you watch the craftsmen at work. Tonight, enjoy strolling, shopping and bargaining at the Night Market.

Day 13: Chiang Mai - Bangkok
A short flight* brings you back to Bangkok. This evening, join your fellow passengers for a farewell dinner.

Day 14: Bangkok - Tour Ends
Your tour concludes in the city of Bangkok.

Dates & Prices

To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301. Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date

Starting Date	Ending Date	Land Only	Land + Air
11/3/2010	11/16/2010	$1,549	Call (800) 942-3301
12/1/2010	12/14/2010	$1,549	Call (800) 942-3301
1/19/2011	2/1/2011	$1,549	Call (800) 942-3301
2/16/2011	3/1/2011	$1,549	Call (800) 942-3301
3/2/2011	3/15/2011	$1,549	Call (800) 942-3301
3/9/2011	3/22/2011	$1,549	Call (800) 942-3301
4/6/2011	4/19/2011	$1,549	Call (800) 942-3301
4/27/2011	5/10/2011	$1,549	Call (800) 942-3301

Specials

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Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours.

On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations

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Important Note:
All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.