BANGKOK, GOLDEN TRIANGLE, CHIANG RAI AND CHIANG MAI
The Kingdom of Thailand is a veritable feast for the senses, and you’ll savor its fascinating culture, extraordinary art and architecture, and flavorful cuisine with gusto. Our escorted women-only Thailand tour package takes you to places both remote and well-known, starting with bustling Bangkok, the capital and the most visited city in the world. Enjoy the visual splendor and vibrant energy of Bangkok where you’ll learn about the role of Thai women in both their culture and society and visit Nakhom Pathom Temple where female monks live and practice their religion. Next, breathe in Northern Thailand’s zen beauty and cultural delights. Intersect with Thailand, Myanmar and Laos at the Golden Triangle before visiting laid-back Chiang Rai and temple-rich Chiang Mai, where an elephant experience and a Thai cooking class add spice to this amazing destination!
Looking for a roommate or to connect with other women before your trip? Join our smarTours Women-Only Facebook group! Visit the group here (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1145762302478350/) and click the + Join Group button!
Itinerary at
a Glance
- 4 nights in Bangkok
- 1 night in Phitsanulok
- 1 night in Lampang
- 2 nights in Chiang Rai
- 3 nights in Chiang Mai
Tour
Highlights
- Buddhist Temples (Bangkok)
- Floating Market (Bangkok)
- Grand Palace (Bangkok)
- Wat Mongkol Borpith Statue (Ayutthaya)
- Elephant Nature Park (Chiang Mai)
- Wat Doi Suthep (Chiang Mai)
Special Women-Only Departure Highlights:
- “The Role of Thai Women in Thai Culture & Society” Presentation
- Nakhom Pathom Temple Visit with Female Monks
- Redbox Project Visit with Lunch
Your Tour
Includes
- Round-trip airfare from Los Angeles (New York-JFK available at an additional cost)
- Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Intra-Thailand flight and ground transportation
- Accommodations at superior first-class hotels
- Full buffet American breakfast daily (B)
- Welcome dinner in Bangkok (D)
- Lunch at Redbox Restaurant (L)
- Cooking Class with Dinner in Chiang Mai (D)
- Sightseeing Thailand tours as per itinerary and all transfers
- Professional English-speaking Tour Director throughout
Tour Itinerary
Find your special women-only tour experiences in bold in the itinerary below.
Bangkok
After a special orientation breakfast, we’ll tour some of Bangkok’s most impressive Buddhist temples. Marvel at the five-ton solid gold statue of Buddha at Wat Trimitr and the colossal 150-foot-long reclining Buddha at Wat Po. We’ll also stop at the White Marble Temple, one of the finest examples of Thai architecture. Spend the afternoon at your leisure or hop aboard an optional canal boat ride across the river for a glimpse of daily Thai life. Later, attend a lecture focusing on “The Role of Thai Women in Thai Culture & Society”. Our lecturer is a well-known…
Bangkok
A market on water? Today’s fascinating full-day excursion takes you first to the colorful floating market of Damneon Saduak. It’s great fun watching merchants selling food, produce, baskets and other wares from their boats. Photo ops abound! Our other stop is Phra Pathom Chedi, the world’s tallest stupa, a dome-shaped Buddhist shrine. Afterwards, visit the Nakhom Pathom Temple where female monks live and practice their religion. These Buddhist monks are known as bhikkhunis and are not ofifically recognized by Thailand’s conservative Buddhist clergy, and must…
Bangkok/Ayutthaya/Phitsanulok
Our travels through amazing Thailand continue as we venture into regions rich with culture, history and stunning landscapes. First: the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, which was one of the world’s largest cities in 1700. We’ll see some of its former glory in the giant bronze statue of Wat Mongkol Borpith and the three ancient pagodas at Wat Phra Sri. Our Thai adventure continues to Lopburi to view the magnificent stone carvings of Phra Prang Sam Yot and the mischievous inhabitants of the Monkey Temple. Our drive winds past rice paddies to Phitsanulok, the gateway to Northern Thailand,…
Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai
This morning, we drive on to Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North.” Your hotel is centrally located and only a short walk to the renowned night market. Enjoy lunch at the Redbox Restaurant, which stands for: ready, eatable, and distinctiveness. Recently awarded a Michelin Star, the restaurant was founded by Chef Dan who has more than fifteen years experience in the food industry in Australia and Brunei with international recognition, enjoy his unique take on traditional southeast Asian cuisine . You’ll have a free afternoon to explore or relax. In the evening, you can…
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has no shortage of temples; in fact, there are over 300! Take an optional morning city tour to see some of the city’s most interesting ones, including the regal Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which sits on a mountaintop overlooking Chiang Mai, where you’ll have the opportunity to take part in morning offerings and prayers with the local monks. (See Optional Tours.) In the evening, we explore the balanced flavors of Thai cuisine with a cooking class. Whether you participate or watch, you’ll enjoy the delicious results of our labors at our farewell dinner….
Guided Tour Pricing
There are currently no future departures for this tour.
Optional Tours Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Please note that you must decide on and pay for these tours in Bangkok.
Pricing is subject to change. Payment (non-refundable) should be made by cash or credit card (VISA, MasterCard or AmEx, subject to service charge). Optional tours are subject to a minimum number of participants.
Railway Market & Floating Market Tour
- Bangkok
- From approx. $45 Per Person
Early morning drives out of Bangkok and first stop to visit Mae Klong railway market. The market is also called Talad Rom Hoop, roughly translates to closing an umbrella or awning. As the name suggests, part of the market is situated on the railway. Every morning till late in the evening, this market springs to life selling a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, snacks, and clothes and accessories. However, what makes the market unique and exciting is the fact that a train will run through the market, the action at the railway market begins several minutes before the train is…
The Klongs (Canals) Afternoon Tour
- Bangkok
- From approx. $50 Per Person
Discover why Bangkok has been nicknamed the “Venice of the East!” Depart your hotel to Thornburi, situated on the right bank of the river, where you’ll board a private motorboat and ride along the canals to get a firsthand impression of the scenic life along the city’s waterways. A stop will also be made at the Royal Barge Museum.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Note: This optional activity is available as an afternoon tour on Day 3 and conflicts with the Grand Pearl Cruise tour. Travelers may select either this tour or the Grand Pearl…
Morning City/Temple Tour
- Chiang Mai
- From approx. $32 Per Person
Explore this charming city and visit some of its most interesting temples. The highlight is the golden, gleaming Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple, tucked away in the mountains at 3,500 feet above sea level, a sacred place for many Thai people with simply divine views. Here you’ll have the opportunity to take part in the morning offerings and prayers with the local monks.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Note: This optional activity is available as a morning tour on Day 12 and conflicts with the Local Life: Chiang Mai Rickshaw Explorer tour and the…
Ban Hmong Mae Sa Mai & Orchid Farm
- Chiang Mai
- From approx. $38 Per Person
On our optional tour, we’ll depart this morning and travel approximately 25 miles to Hmong Mae Sa Mai. We’ll begin at the Hmong Mae Sa Mai Learning Center where we’ll meet a staff member and learn more about the Hmong people from their history, way of life and beliefs, and equipment and tools for agriculture. Afterwards, we’ll walk through the village to observe their way of life. Afterwards, stop at the orchid farm en route back to Chiang Mai.
Note: Please bear in mind that the villagers may not be at home as they might be in fields,…
Featured Accommodations
Before You Depart
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Please make sure to allow sufficient time for clearing immigration and customs if you are planning a connecting domestic flight. We recommend at least 3½ hours. Please keep in mind that flight schedules are always subject to change.
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| 2020: Mar. 4, Oct. 7 | Air China | 1:15PM | 12:30PM | 4:00PM | 2:30PM |
ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT AND FREQUENT FLYER MILES
The airlines above do not assign seats in advance. Seat assignments can only be arranged at the airport upon check-in, and smarTours® is not involved with assigning seats. If you have a preferred seating choice, please make sure you check in for your flight as early as possible. Also, please note that Air China and China Eastern Airlines do not give frequent flyer miles for passengers traveling on a group fare; therefore, you will not be able to accrue miles on this trip.
LAND-ONLY TRAVELERS
International flights to/from the U.S. are not included. Land-only travelers are responsible for arranging the entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. smarTours cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by air schedule changes and delays. Unused land services are non-refundable.
Main Tour: Land-only services start upon independent check-in at your Bangkok hotel on Day 2 of the itinerary and end at the Bangkok airport on Day 13.
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
You must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. U.S. citizens do not require a visa for Thailand. Non-U.S. citizens should check with the respective consulates for current visa requirements to all their travel destinations. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Your airline tickets along with final instructions and additional travel tips will be sent to you 7–10 days before the scheduled departure of your tour. Please make sure to advise us in case your address changes.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Immunizations are not currently required. However, you may wish to consult your personal physician or local public health authorities about to their suggestions.
CLIMATE
Thailand’s climate is tropical. Expect daytime high temperatures in the 80s and 90s. Chiang Mai is about 10 degrees cooler.
NON-INCLUDED MEALS AND SIGHTSEEING
The hotels on this tour offer dining choices ranging from coffee shops to specialty restaurants. Average cost for dinner (excluding drinks) is about $15–$20 per person. Your hotel will accept credit cards for your non-included meals. Please reserve and pay for optional sightseeing tours and evening activities directly with your guide in Thailand. Credit card or cash is accepted.
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
Hotels and some stores accept major credit cards. However, for “street shopping” you will need local currency or U.S. Dollars. Your hotels will be able to exchange your cash to local currency. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations.
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage (suitcase) max. 44 pounds, and one carry-on, not exceeding 18”x10”x8”. We recommend that you do not overpack and that you take a variety of casual separates with climate and comfort in mind.