Thailand Itinerary 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