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02 MAR LOS ANGELES LV: 01:15 AM KUALA LUMPUR AR: 11:45 AM Your exciting journey begins as you board
your Malaysian Airlines 747 wide-bodied jet for the flight
across the Pacific to the Orient. Delicious meals are served
in-flight.
03 MAR KUALA LUMPUR LV:03:15 PM BANGKOK AR:04:20 PM Arrive at Terminal 1, Bangkok
International Airport by Malaysian Airlines MH 782. After
clearing Passport Control, each participant obtains a
luggage cart and collects their luggage personally from the
carousel. After baggage reclaim and customs clearance, exit
into the Arrival Hall and turn right. Walk towards the Group
Arrival & AirCrew Exit. A GTB Representative will meet
and escort you to your deluxe air-conditioned
coach. Your guide will provide you with a
commentary including an overview of your visit to Thailand.
En route to the Shangri-La Hotel Arrive at the Hotel and check-in in a
private room while a welcome drink is served. Balance of the
afternoon is at leisure. Overnight Accommodation is at the
SHANGRI-LA BANGKOK
04 MAR BANGKOK This morning takes you on a City tour
with the Grand Palace and Wat Po. Board a speedboat at the
Shangri-La Hotel Pier and cruise to the Tha Pra Arthi
Pier. . Disembark at the Tha Chang Pier and take
a short walk to the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace is one of
Bangkok's most visited attractions. It is a "must see" and a
wonder of the modern world. The Grand Palace was officially
proclaimed a palace for religious purposes in 1782. It
occupies an area of 260 hectares and is situated on the
banks of the Chao Phraya, Bangkok's River of Kings. Within
the precinct are the Chedis (spires) and temples with
polished orange and green roof tiles, mosaic-encrusted
pillars and rich marble steps and flooring. One of the many
highlights is the visit to Wat Phra Kaew (The Temple of the
Emerald Buddha) which houses Thailand's most revered Buddha
image carved from a single piece of jade. Outside the
temple, prominent statues of garudas (mystical birds) line
its ramparts and singhas (mystical lions) guard the
stairs. Depart the Grand Palace by coach and
visit Wat Po for the giant statue of Reclining
Buddha. Return to your hotel later this
afternoon. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening enjoy a traditional Thai
Dinner at this popular riverside restaurant. Located on the
banks of the Chao Phraya, Sala Rim Naam Restaurant serves up
a delicious meal of Thai favorites. During the evening you
can watch the elegant dancers in traditional costume and
exotic jewelry perform a series of Thai dances from various
eras of Thai history.
05 MAR BANGKOK Depart your hotel by coach this morning
and discover the way Bangkok used to be, travel 110 kms
outside of Bangkok to the floating market of Damnern Saduak
with its many colors, flavors and exotic fragrances. An
exhilarating ride on a narrow long-tail speedboat through
the marshes, passing by riverside villages and fruit
plantations prepares you for this unique market. There will
be plenty of opportunity to photograph the rural life along
the canal banks before arriving at the market on the water.
Here locals in their small flat-bottomed boats market their
produce. The boats carry a variety of goods from coconuts to
Coca-Cola! Continue to Nakron Pathom, regarded as
the oldest city in Thailand. Here sits the Phra Pathom
Chedi, which is the largest pagoda in South East Asia. The
golden tiled dome (pagoda) of the Chedi towers almost 120 m
into the sky and can be seen from miles away. Lunch at the
Rose Garden Country Resort before returning to Bangkok. The
Rose Garden has extensive landscaped gardens, lakes and
several traditional Thai-styled houses and
villages.
06 MAR BANGKOK LV: 09:40 AM CHIANG MAI AR: 11:20 AM Transfer by private air-conditioned coach
for the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai, also known as
the Rose of the North. This afternoon drive through
different parts of the northern capital, passing residential
areas notable for foreign establishments, handsome
government buildings and a local market. Travel up the hill
to Wat Phra Thad Doi Suthep. The temple is regarded as the
most sacred temple in Northern Thailand. It contains a holy
relic of Lord Buddha, built by King Gue-Na of the Mengrai
Dynasty in 1383 AD. The temple and gold covered chedi is
located at the most outstanding landmark of Chiang Mai,
3,500 feet above the sea level. Challenge a flight of 300
steps by a Naga balustrade on either side. The Nagas
symbolizes a staircase to heaven, to be rewarded by the
sight of the temple's golden spire and a bird's eye view of
the city below. Visit the silk and cotton weaving
artisans and the Umbrella Village where you will see how
bamboo, paper, silk and paint is transformed into beautiful
umbrellas. You can also learn about the skills involved in
woodcarving, celadon firing and the making of lacquer and
silverware. This evening take a ride in the Tuk-Tuk
through Chiang Mai's Night Market followed by Dinner at Ruen
Boran, a traditional Thai Restaurant in town. Overnight Accommodation at the EMPRESS
CHIANG MAI
07 MAR CHIANG MAI Travel to en elephant camp north of
Chiang Mai to watch a demonstration of trained elephant
demonstrates their skills by moving lumber. Enjoy an
elephant ride! Afterwards visit a newly discovered Meo Tribe
Village and be welcomed by hilltribe in their traditional
costumes and culture. Return to your hotel and the balance
of the day is at leisure. Evening Dinner at the Gallery
Restaurant.
08 MAR CHIANG MAI LV: 03:25 PM KUALA LUMPUR AR: 07:10 PM Transfer to the airport for your
departure flight to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of
Malaysia. Meet upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur
International Airport and transfer to your hotel for
overnight accommodation. Balance of the evening at
leisure. Overnight Accommodation at the
SHANGRI-LA KUALA LUMPUR
09 MAR KUALA LUMPUR Breakfast at the hotel. This morning depart from the Shangri-La
hotel for Kuala Lumpur Half Day City Tour including the
Royal Selangor Pewter Factory. Afternoon at leisure. This evening take a walk through China
Town Night Market followed by Dinner at Bangsar Seafood
Village.
10 MAR KUALA LUMPURE DEPARTURE Transfer to the airport for your
departure flight back to Los Angeles END OF GTB's SERVICES