June 8

Fly from LAX to Bangkok

June 10

Welcome to the bustling capital of Bangkok, ultra-modern and ultra-friendly.   We are met and transferred to the Davis Hotel, Thailand’s first “boutique hotel” in the heart of town.  (Rooftop pool, internet, rooms each have different decor with flat screen TV’s and DVD players.) 

Afternoon to relax or explore the neighborhood.  Tonight we get to know each other on a fabulous Dinner Cruise.  Sail in a converted rice barge down the Chao Phraya River passing some of the city’s greatest landmarks and enjoy the fresh Thai cuisine.

June 11

City & Temple Tour Bangkok.  Discover the rich cultural heritage of this Buddhist land.  We’ll tour the most unique temples; Wat Traimit, Chedi of the Kings and Wat Phoa.   See the striking 30 meter tall gleaming Buddha, a 5 ton figure of shinning gold.  Tour many other marble temples decorated with lacquer and gold and see the monks in saffron robes.  Afterwards we go to the Thai Massage School for an hour long foot massage you’ll never forget.  Thai Lunch at Fisherman Restaurant, located next to Maharaj Pier, next-door to the Grand Palace overlooking the Chao Phraya River. Customers can personally select the fish and seafood of their choice from beds of crushed ice or the live lobster, crab and crayfish swimming in the tanks. There are two separate dining areas with a combined capacity of 120 seats; the air-conditioned section is decorated with the nautical theme of old sailing ships, while out on the terrace slightly more contemporary with blue lighting and green plants creating the theme of the sea. The food has an authentic Thai taste and is complimented by a good selection of both New and Old World wines to match the menu.

After lunch we visit Mercy Orphanage/School in the floating slums of Klong Toey.  (Please bring some gifts or school supplies from home to give.  They will appreciate anything here, new or used.)  Later there will be some free time to explore the city.  You may want to shop for local treasures like silks and gems.

June 12

After breakfast, we head out early morning by coach via Bansaray and Chonburi to beautiful Pattaya.  Our guide will comment on sites along the way.  8am arrive to “Elephant Care Experience” for our full day volunteer experience.  You will work one on one with your elephant and the mahout (trainer) for the duration.  Learn how to shower, feed and care for this gentle beast.  After a delicious Thai lunch at the center, you head into the forest on elephant back.  Learn the commands to direct your elephant.  The close encounter will provide photos and memories to cherish.  Also participation greatly helps to fund the conservation of these rescued elephants. 

Return to Bangkok 6:30pm for evening at leisure.  The city has a vibrant nightlife.  I recommend dinner at Cabbage & Condoms or Hard Rock Café.

June 13

Breakfast buffet.  Transfer to airport for our short flight to Phuket, “Pearl of the Andaman Sea”, a paradise of solitude and natural splendors.  The gorgeous beaches, coconut groves and luxury resorts made this island famous.  It is a divers mecca and offers every water sport known to man.

Check into Katathani Beach Resort on the secluded coast of Kata Noi Bay, a world away from care on an unspoiled sandy beach.  It is styled in graceful contemporary Thai design with silk and teakwood. 6 swimming pools with jacuzzi, 6 restaurants, 2 fitness centers, The Spa, Beach Club, tennis, a Dive School, Internet Café, Thai cooking classes, aqua aerobics, hair salon and great shops.  Also nightly music shows.  You’ll have 3 nights here and won’t want to leave. 

Afternoon city tour of Phuket town.  See mansions dating back 2 centuries with architecture that reflects Chinese and Portuguese influence.  See Wat Chalong, the most holy and renowned monastery.  We stop at Rawai Beach to see how a community of “sea gypsies” live on the water.  Then visit the Gibbon Centre, a rehab sanctuary for gibbons. Have your photo taken with these cuddly small apes that resemble monkeys.  Proceed to Promthep Cape at the southern tip of the island for spectacular panoramic views. 

June 14

Breakfast buffet at hotel.  (We check out for 2 days but you may stow some baggage.  All you need are jeans and shorts for your jungle experience.)  Drive past rubber plantations to the province of Surat Thani.  Cross mountain passes into Khao Sok National Park, the largest rainforest in Southern Thailand.  We are met by Siam Safari reps and check into our jungle resort.  (Rooms have mosquito nets and full bathrooms.)  All meals included here.

The best way to experience this tropical forest is on a canoe trip down the Sok River in inflatable canoes.  Local river guides paddle and are experts at spotting animals encountered along the way.  Birds (kingfisher, egret, heron), various reptiles and monkeys live here.  The scenery is amazing by canoe.  Cliffs are covered in exotic tropical vegetation.  A buffet lunch of Thai dishes is served on return to camp. 

Afternoon we arrive to Siam Elephant Camp which now has 40 elephants!  There will be a lecture on elephant conservation.  (This place holds the best cared for elephants, the only camp that attained Phuket’s highest government standards award.)  You’ll see how the young elephants are trained.  Then time for a rewarding adventure by trek on elephant back in the Chalong Hills.  You’ll get a bird’s eye view of the lush jungle and outlying islands.  After dinner, sleep to sounds of nocturnal nature. 

June 15

Awake to the hills surrounded in mist and bird song.  After a leisurely breakfast, we explore the jungle on foot.  The guided trek will show a variety of ecological environments: jungle vines, wild orchids, bamboo forest, exotic insects, reptiles and mammals.  See hornbill in the cliffs going out to feed.  There are many macaque monkeys and occasionally wild elephants.  A special lunch in the jungle is provided with bamboo utensils. 

Late afternoon we return to Katathani Beach Resort.  

June 16

Optional full day Phang Nga Tour.  Transfer from hotel to Boat Lagoon, depart by traditional wooden longboats to Phong Nga Bay.  Sail in crystal waters alongside massive sheer cliffs.  Discover incredible landscapes at Kho Panak and Kho Hong islands.  Visit Tapu Island, called “James Bond Island” from Man With The Golden Gun.  Also visit Khao Ping, “the Leaning Island” named for its peculiar angle along 150’ rock walls.  You’ll sail into silent caves and through the labyrinth on mangrove swamps.  The seascape scenery is indescribable here! 

We stop at Kho Panyi Village for lunch at a restaurant on stilts.  It is surrounded by 400 houses on stilts.   Later we stop at beautiful Khai Nai Island for excellent snorkeling, swimming and relaxing on the white sandy beach.  8am-5pm $79

June 17

We had to provide a day at leisure with so much to do here.  Just Google “Phuket” for pages of activities.  My friends say to go to Bang Tao Bay to watch the baby elephants play on the beach.  There’s world class scuba diving and sea kayaking.  You can rent bicycles, scooters or small boats.  Vist Fanta Sea Theme Park or Thai Village for cultural shows.  Also Butterfly Gardens and Insect World or just enjoy the many amenities at our 5 star resort. 

June 18

Transfer to airport for our flight home via Bangkok.  Arrive LAX

How do I book?   Book Now  or by phone call us at 877-813-9421 or in GA 770-432-8225