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Itinerary

Discover Thailand – January 18 – February 2, 2009

Day 1 – Sunday, January 18 Bangkok (D)

Upon arrival in Bangkok, transfer to your hotel, Bossotel, in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping and commercial district. After check in, relax or sightsee a bit until dinner with your fellow ambassadors. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 2 – Monday, January 19 Bangkok/Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (B, D)

After breakfast, you will head to Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary where you will spend the next two days. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is the largest protected area in mainland southeast Asia. This sanctuary is very important in the preservation of several large mammal species and many bird species. This sanctuary is not open to the public, but open to researchers and education groups.

Day 3 – Tuesday, January 20 Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (B, L, D)

Full day at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary . Meals and accommodation provided.

Day 4 – Wednesday, January 21 Huai Kha Khaeng/Erawan National Park (B, L, D)

After breakfast, say goodbye to our hosts at Huai Kha Khaeng and board the bus for a three-hour trip to Erawan National Park known for its multi-tiered waterfalls and caves. The park is situated on the shore of the Srigararindra Reservoir, one of the largest in Thailand.

Day 5 – Thursday, January 22 Erawan National Park/Bangkok (B, L, D)

After a morning swim and lunch, we will head back to Bangkok, stopping for snacks along the way. We will check back into the Bossotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 6 – Friday, January 23 Bangkok (B, L, D)

After breakfast you will tour the spectacular Grand Palace. Built in 1782 – and for 150 years the home of the Thai King – it continues to awe visitors with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail, all of which is a proud tribute to the creativity and craftsmanship of the Thai people. The tour will include a visit to the Emerald Buddha Temple. Built as a private royal temple, this temple is the holiest site in the country and houses the most important image, the Emerald Buddha (which is actually green jasper). Dinner will be at the Bossotel with friends from the FFI Bangkok Club.

Day 7 – Saturday, January 24 Bangkok/Chiang Mai (B)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. The rest of the day will be free at your leisure. Explore the many temples, do some bargain shopping, get a Thai massage! Another option is to take the Sky Train all the way from the Bossotel to the Weekend Market. You will meet at the Bossotel in the late afternoon for an early dinner and transfer to the train station. Here we will board a first class sleeper train for an overnight trip to Chiang Mai.

Day 8 – Sunday, January 25 Chiang Mai (B, D)

You will arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning. After the transfer to the Hotel Suriwongse, you’ll check in, freshen up, and have a late breakfast at the hotel. Then we’ll take local transportation to the peak of Doi Suthep for a spectacular view of the city. This mountain peak is famous for the architecture of its temple, Wat Prathat Doi Suthep. You will have dinner at one of Chiang Mai’s popular restaurants before returning to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Day 9 – Monday, January 26 Chiang Mai (B, L, D)

After breakfast you will go to the Elephant Conservation Center. This is a premier center that truly cares for its elephants. Here you will visit injured and sick elephants at their hospital, watch the elephants bathe and then perform in their daily show. Lunch will be at the center. After this full day with elephants, you will head back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner. Dinner is a special treat, in honor of Chinese New Year. You will dine with a special guest at a Chinese restaurant. Joe Cummings is the author of several travel books on Southeast Asia, including the well-known Lonely Planet guides. Let him tell you about his many adventures! After dinner you will return to your hotel for the evening, Hotel Suriwongse.

Day 10 – Tuesday, January 27 Chiang Mai (B, L, D)

After breakfast you will get on a bus to Khom Loy hill tribe village. Accommodation and meals provided. More details to follow.

Day 11 – Wednesday, January 28 Khom Loy (B, L, D)

Community work – help build lavatories in the village. Accommodation and meals provided. More details to follow.

Day 12 – Thursday, January 29 Khom Loy/Chiang Mai (B)

After eating our last breakfast in the village, we will take the bus back to Chiang Mai and check back into Hotel Suriwongse. The rest of the day will be free at your leisure. Don’t miss the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar for everything you might need or want in Arts & Crafts, clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs.

Day 13 – Friday, January 30 Chiang Mai/Khao Lak (B)

We will have breakfast at the hotel, and then transfer to the airport to board your flight to Phuket via Thai Airways at 12:50PM. You have a shuttle pickup from Phuket Airport to Koh Khao Island Beach Resort. Free afternoon to relax at the resort. Dinner will be provided at the resort.

Day 14 – Saturday, January 31 Khao Lak (B, L, D)

Accommodation and meals provided at Koh Khao Island Beach Resort. This is the area that was hit hardest by the tsunami in December 2004. We’ll hear about the devastation, and the international effort to recover. More details to follow.

Day 15 – Sunday, February 1 Khao Lak (B, L, D)

Accommodation and meals provided at Koh Khao Island Beach Resort. Snorkeling among the coral reefs of Similan Islands National Park. More details to follow.

Day 16 – Monday, February 2 Khao Lak (B)

After breakfast you will take the shuttle to the airport for your return flight to Bangkok. Ambassadors are free to fly home from there or you can choose to do your own extension.

B = Breakfast
L = Lunch
D = Dinner
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