Singapore Itinerary 04 OCT LOS ANGELES LV: 11:35 PM 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. 05 OCT INTERNATIONAL DATELINE CROSSING 06 OCT KUALA LUMPUR LV: 03:15 PM BANGKOK AR: 04:20 PM Arrive at Terminal 1, Bangkok International Airport by Malaysian Airlines MH782. 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 07 OCT 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. Site Inspection of the Shangri Hotel 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. 08 OCT 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. 09 OCT BANGKOK LV:09:40AM CHIANG MAI AR:11:20AM 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 Nagabalustrade 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 10 OCT CHIANG MAI Travel to en elephant camp north of Chiang Mai to watch a demonstration trained elephant demonstrates their skills by moving lumber. Enjoy an elephant ride visit a newly discovered Meo Tribe Village and be welcomed by hilltribe in their traditional costumes and culture. Return to camp just in time for your bamboo rafting down the Mae Ping River for 40 minutes. Lunch at the Royal Ping Restaurant. 11 OCT 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. Upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, proceed on your own to connect with your flight for Singapore. KUALA LUMPUR LV: 08:00 PM SINGAPORE AR: 08:55 PM TBA - Arrival transfer from Singapore Airport to Marina Mandarin Hotel Singapore. Overnight accommodation at the MARINA MANDARIN 12 OCT SINGAPORE 0800 HRS - Buffet breakfast at hotel 0900 HRS - Half day Ethnic Flavour cum Singapore City Tour ( Duration approximate 4 hours ) Visits include - Little India - Chinatown - National Museum - Peranakan Showroom - Botanic garden - Local wet market 1330 HRS - Inspection of Marina Mandarin HOTEL 1800 HRS - Tonight we climb into trishaws (ricksha plus bicycle) and on to the famous Raffles Hotel for an equally famous Singapore Sling ! 1900 HRS - Depart for Night Safari Tour The Night Safari trail at the Singapore Zoo wanders through eight different geographical zones reconstructed on 40 hectares. Discreet blue filtered lights allow humans to observe the wildlife without disturbing the animals' routines. About 1,200 animals populate the various regions, including some 100 species of nocturnal creatures. 2300 HRS - Transfer back to hotel Overnight at Marina Mandarin Hotel 13 OCT SINGAPORE LV: 01:20 PM KUALA LUMPUR AR: 02:15 PM Buffet breakfast at hotel Day at leisure to finalize any last minute requirements Departure transfer to airport for flight to KUL Proceed on your own to connect with your flight to Los Angeles KUALA LUMPUR/ Malaysian Airlines LV: 03:15 PM LOS ANGELES MH 94 AR: 05:25PM