Elephants At WorkDestination Focus

 

 

THAILAND

ThailandThe Kingdom of Thailand has something to interest every traveler. Whether you're looking to relax on a tropical island beach, take advantage of terrific shopping, visit the hilltribes of northern Thailand, venture to the River Kwai, explore fantastic Buddhist temples, dine on delicious delicacies, marvel at the rich scenery, ride an elephant or float down the klongs of Bangkok - Thailand will surely give you memories to cherish. Thailand has a well-established tourism industry, making it the most accessible destination for first-time visitors to Southeast Asia.

At Southeast Asia Tours, we design tours for any number of people and any length of stay. Do you prefer deluxe, first class or standard hotel accommodations? Do you want just a little sightseeing, a lot of sightseeing or a 50/50 mix of sightseeing and leisure time? The focus is always on your special interests and desires.

Move down to see all our Sample Itineraries, Overnight Soft Adventures, Overland Packages, Cruises and On Your Own Options.
Mix-and-match as many of these options as you like. Other options are available; just let us know what your heart desires.

Thailand packages include sightseeing and transfers per itinerary with
private
guide and driver, unless otherwise indicated.

Also see our seat-in-coach (SIC) non-private tours and cruises.

Do you have a small, medium or large group of people who want to travel together? Discounts are available for groups.


BANGKOK QUICK-TRIP

Day 1 - Upon arrival in Bangkok you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 - Today's full day Bangkok Highlights tour includes Wat Trimit, Wat Po and the Grand Palace. In addition, cruise the klongs (canals) of Bangkok on a longtail boat, before boarding a converted rice barge for a cruise on the larger canals. In the evening attend a Thai Classical Dance performance with included Thai dinner. (B, D)

Day 3 Today's full day excursion takes you 90 kilometers north of Bangkok to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand. At the city ruins, you'll see Wat Phra Sri Sanpetch and its pagodas, Wat Chaiya Mongkol and the large Buddha image of Phra Mongkol Bophit. You'll also take a boat trip to Bang Pa-In, the former Royal Summer residence of King Rama V, and will visit the Chinese Wehat Chamrun Palace. Travel by road in one direction and non-private boat in the other direction. (B, L)

Day 4 - Transfer to the airport.

Prices:
From $350 moderate accommodations
From $530 superior accommodations
From $585 deluxe accommodations
From $1270 luxury accommodations


CHIANG MAI & BEYOND

Day 1 - Upon arrival in Chiang Mai you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 - Today's half-day city and temple tour includes visits to Chiang Mai's most important temples, including Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. (B)

Day 3 - Today's full day excursion takes you to Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle. Visit the Hot Springs at Mekajan and overlook the Mekong River to the infamous triangle where Thailand, Laos and Burma meet. You'll also visit Akha and Yao hill tribe villages, before returning to Chiang Mai. (B, L)

Day 4 - Transfer to the airport. (B)

Prices:
From $235 - moderate accommodations
From $325 - first class accommodations
From $470 - superior accommodations
From $925 - luxury accommodations


CHIANG MAI / CHIANG RAI ADVENTURER

Day 1 - Upon arrival in Chiang Mai you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 - Transfer to Lisu Lodge where you'll meet your guide who will take you on a 10-kilometer mountain bike ride to a small Thai village. From the village you'll ride an elephant upstream to the elephant camp. There you'll picnic alongside the river. Then switch to a rubber boat for your hour-and-a-half downstream adventure. Upon arrival at an Akha Hill tribe village you'll have tea, before mountain biking back to Lisu Lodge. Return to Chiang Mai. This is a non-private tour. (B, L)

Day 3 - Today you will transfer, by road, to Chiang Rai via Waing Pa Pao and the Hot Springs. Check in at your hotel. (B)

Day 4 - Today's adventure takes you to the Golden Triangle and the ruins of the ancient city of Chiang Saen. Visit the site where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. Then take a long-tailed boat ride on the Mekong River for spectacular views of the Laos countryside. Stop at Chiang Khong, a town that's famous for its giant Mekong catfish. Continue to Chiang Saen to tour the 13th century ruins. You'll also visit a Meo hill tribe village before returning to your hotel in Chiang Rai. (B, L)

Day 5 - Transfer to the airport. (B)

Prices:
From $430 - moderate accommodations
From $520 - first class accommodations
From $655 - superior accommodations
From $1050 - luxury/deluxe accommodations


THAILAND'S ISLANDS

Day 1 - Upon arrival in Phuket you will transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 - Morning at leisure. This afternoon learn about elephant life and the conservation project on your half-day "safari adventure." Learn how monkeys are trained to pick coconuts. You'll also have a cooking demonstration and rubber tree tapping demonstration. Cruise on a traditional wooden junk to see the sunset over Chalong Bay. Light refreshments will be served. This is a non-private tour. (B)

Day 3 - Today you'll venture, by canoe, to Phang Nga Bay. You'll explore sea caves and hongs (open-air, cliff-lined cylindrical tidal lagoons connected to the outside world by stalactite tunnels that remained undiscovered until 1990). This is a non-private tour. (B, L)

Day 4 - Day at leisure to enjoy the beach on your own. (B)

Day 5 - Transfer to the Phuket airport for your flight to Koh Samui. (Flight is not included in the price.) Upon arrival you'll be transferred to your hotel. (B)

Day 6 - Today you'll explore Ang Thong Marine Park. By boat you'll visit a couple of the 40 islands that make up this park of blue lagoons, coral reefs, rock formations, caves and deserted beaches. Spend the day sunbathing, snorkeling
and swimming. This is a non-private tour. (B, L)

Day 7 - Transfer to the airport. (B)

Prices:
From $475 - moderate accommodations
From $705 - first class accommodations
From $990 - superior accommodations
From $1020 - deluxe accommodations
From $1425 - luxury accommodations


KRABI RETREAT

Day 1 - Upon arrival in Krabi you'll be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 - This morning's city tour includes the town, Tiger Cave Monastery, Gastropod Fossil remains and Nopparat Thara Beach. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 3 - Today's full day Hot Spring and Spa tour takes you to the hot springs at Trang. Bathe in the thermal pool, surrounded by rainforest. Visit the Tiger Cave Temple and continue to a Thai spa where you will select from a variety of one-hour massages. (B, L)

Day 4 - Transfer to the airport. (B)

Prices:
From $390 - moderate accommodations
From $435 - first class accommodations
From $610 - superior accommodations
From $670 - deluxe accommodations


BANGKOK IN DEPTH

Day 1 - Upon arrival in Bangkok you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 - This morning's city and temple tour visits three of Bangkok's most fascinating temples. Your afternoon tour explores the Grand Palace, including the Funeral Palace, Reception Palace, Throne Hall, Coronation Hall, Royal Guest House and Emerald Buddha Temple. In the evening enjoy a "River of Kings" dinner cruise. (B, D)

Day 3 - In the early morning you'll participate in a special Thai custom. Before dawn monks don their saffron robes and walk barefoot through the streets, carrying their alms bowls. The local people give boiled rice and condiments in exchange for blessings. You'll have an opportunity to join this tradition by personally presenting alms. Then it's off to the Bangkok Floral Market with its stalls filled with exotic, colorful flora. The balance of the morning is at leisure. In the afternoon you'll travel by long-tailed speedboat or express boat through the klongs (canals) of Bangkok. Once outside the city, you'll board a converted rice barge for a cruise through the rural canals. (B)

Day 4 - This morning's excursion takes you to Jim Thompson's House, a collection of wooden buildings that house a small, but fine, collection of Asian art. Jim Thompson remains a mystery, having disappeared in the Malaysian jungle. The balance of the morning is at leisure and afternoon are at leisure. In the evening attend a classical dance performance with Thai dinner. (B, D)

Day 5 - Today's full day excursion takes you 90 kilometers north of Bangkok to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand. At the city ruins, you'll see Wat Phra Sri Sanpetch and its pagodas, Wat Chaiya Mongkol and the large Buddha image of Phra Mongkol Bophit. You'll also take a boat trip to Bang Pa-In, the former Royal Summer residence of King Rama V, and will visit the Chinese Wehat Chamrun Palace. Travel by road in one direction and by non-private boat in the other direction. (B, L)

Day 6 - This morning you'll travel outside Bangkok to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Before returning to Bangkok you'll visit the Tiger Temple. (B, L)

Day 7 - Transfer to the airport. (B)

Prices:
From $505 - budget accommodations
From $730 - moderate accommodations
From $845 - first class accommodations
From $1025 - superior accommodations
From $1330 - deluxe accommodations
From $2120 - luxury accommodations


DAY-TOURING BEYOND BANGKOK

Day 1 - Upon arrival in Bangkok you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 - Today's full day excursion takes you to the rural Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Phra Pathom Chedi (Southeast Asia's largest pagoda), located 110 kilometers west of Bangkok. Continue to the River Kwai, where you will lunch at the site of the famous bridge, 130 kilometers west of Bangkok. You'll visit the cemetery, where 9,000 allied soldiers are buried. (B, L)

Day 3 - Today's restful excursion visits Pattaya, two hours southeast of Bangkok, on the Gulf of Thailand. Once a sleepy fishing village, Pattaya is now one of Thailand's most popular resorts. You'll visit the island of Koh Larn (via non-private boat). Swim, snorkel, take a glass-bottomed boat ride or just sunbathe on the sandy strand. Lunch at a beach café is included. (B, L)

Day 4 - Today's full day excursion takes you 90 kilometers north of Bangkok to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand. At the city ruins, you'll see Wat Phra Sri Sanpetch and its pagodas, Wat Chaiya Mongkol and the large Buddha image of Phra Mongkol Bophit. You'll also take a boat trip to Bang Pa-In, the former Royal Summer residence of King Rama V, as well as a visit to the Chinese Wehat Chamrun Palace. Travel one way by road and the other way by non-private boat. (B, L)

Day 5 - Morning at leisure. In the afternoon you'll travel 32 kilometers out of Bangkok to the Rose Garden with its over 50 acres of tropical gardens and orchards. At the Thai village you'll see a cultural show including the fingernail dance, Thai boxing, hilltribe dance, sword fighting, elephants at work and folk dancing. (B)

Day 6 - Transfer to the airport. (B)

Prices:
From $460 - budget accommodations
From $540 - moderate accommodations
From $660 - first class accommodations
From $790 - superior accommodations
From $1000 - deluxe accommodations
From $1780 - luxury accommodations


OVERNIGHT SOFT ADVENTURES

(These soft adventures include sightseeing and activities)

3 days/2 nights Soft Adventure at Doi Angkhang
With transfers from Chiang Mai, accommodations at Angkhang Nature Resort. Includes an elephant trek, hilltribes, trekking and seven meals.
Price: $565 - $750 depending upon season

3 days/2 nights Khao Yai Trekking
Departs and ends Bangkok with accommodations in Khao Yai, trekking with a park ranger in Khao Yai National Park and seven meals.
Price: $680 - $740 depending upon season

2 days/1 night Khao Yai Wine Trails Bike Ride
Departs and ends Bangkok with accommodations in Khao Yai. With wine making, wine tasting, bike riding and four meals.
Price: $355

2 days/1 night Mae Kampong Homestay
Includes roundtrip transfers from Chiang Mai, hot springs, local markets, learning handicrafts, and herbal sauna, visits with villagers, soft trekking in a mountain forest, caves and four meals.
Price: $240

3 days/2 nights Nature, Culture & Wellness
Includes roundtrip transfers from Chiang Mai, handicrafts, a spa visit, touring and three meals.
Price:
$440 - $480 depending upon season

Also see our non-private SIC adventure tours:


OVERLAND PACKAGES

(These overland packages include transfers, sightseeing and activities)

5 days/4 nights North Thailand
Departs from Bangkok and ends in Chiang Rai with accommodations in Phitsanuloke, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Touring Sukothai, Ayutthaya, elephant camp, hilltribes and Golden Triangle with 13 meals.
Price: $655 - $690 depending upon season

3 days/2 nights Through the Hills to Pai & Mae Hong Son
Departs and ends Chiang Mai with accommodations in Pai and Mae Hong Son. Includes a jungle elephant ride, longtailed boat ride, hilltribes, caves, Shan temples and and six meals.
Price: $530 - $560 depending upon season

2Days/1 night Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Departs from Bangkok and ends in Chiang Mai with an overnight stay in Phitsanuloke. Includes Ayutthay, Uthai Thani temples, Sukhothai Historical Park and four meals.
Price: $340

7 days/6 nights Explore the North
Departs from Chiang Mai and ends in Chiang Rai with accommodations in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Includes hilltribes, 13th century ruins, Shan and other temples, hot springs and 18 meals.
Price: $785 - $860 depending upon season

4 days/3 nights Central Thailand
Departs and ends Bangkok with accommodations in Uthai Thani, Nakorn Pathom and River Kwai. Includes Ayuttahaya, Tiger Temple, Rose Garden, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and 10 meals.
Price: $820 - $985 depending upon season

5 days/4 nights Treasures of Angkor & Mekong River
Departs and ends Bangkok with accommodations in Khao Yai, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani. Includes elephant and oxcart rides, offerings to monks, rickshaw ride, Khmer sanctuary, prehistoric paintings, 13 meals and a flight from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok.
Price: $760 - $800 depending upon season

5 days/4 nights South Thailand Overland Bangkok to Phuket
Departs from Bangkok and ends in Phuket with accommodations in Cha Am, Chumphon and Krabi. Includes Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Hua Hin fishing village, Sam Roi Yod National Park, monastery and temples, a Muslim village, Phang Nga National Park and 12 meals.
Price: $840 - $940 depending upon season


ON YOUR OWN OPTIONS

Choose the number of nights you want in any one or more of these cities. Choose the accommodation category you want. Your basic package will include accommodations and airport transfers only. Sightseeing options are available in each of these cities, to help build your own tour.

  • Bangkok on Your Own
  • Chiang Mai on Your Own
  • Chiang Rai on Your Own
  • Hua Hin / Cha-Am on Your Own
  • Krabi on Your Own
  • Pattaya on Your
  • Phuket on Your Own
  • Samui on Your Own
  • Phi Phi Island on Your Own

OTHER OPTIONAL FEATURES

Here are just some of the optional activities that can be added to your tour
(not all activities are available in all cities):

  • Variety of dinners with dance or other cultural performances
  • Variety of one to three day cooking classes
  • Cruises
  • Boat trips between islands
  • Elephant rides
  • Rafting
  • Wellness
  • Handicraft centers
  • Trekking

In addition to our custom-designed itineraries, we offer motorcoach sightseeing, on a seat-in-coach basis, for many of the day tours listed in the above itineraries.

For SIC (seat-in-coach) tours & cruises, click here

Thailand Calendar of Events 2008

Prices include meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner). Prices quoted are per person, based on double occupancy. Prices are approximate and are subject to change/availability at the time of confirmation. Prices are subject to holiday/high season surcharges. Prices are subject to currency fluctuation. Packages that include flights are subject to airfare changes. Prices in particular accommodation categories may vary greatly, depending upon the dates of travel and choice of hotel. Prices are based upon a cash discount.