Day 01      Depart USA / Bangkok

Day 02      Arrive / Bangkok

Met by our representative at Bangkok airport and transferred to your hotel for an immediate check-in to rest and unwind from your flight.

Bangkok is one of the world's most exciting cities - a booming metropolis and a rich cultural goldmine. Here the best of the old and the new coexist gracefully side by side. Magnificent modern buildings share center stage with beautifully ornate ancient temples, creating a unique sense of urban harmony. Founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the current Chakri dynasty, Bangkok has served as Thailand's political and cultural capital for more than 200 years. Known to the locals as Krung Thep, or "City of Angels," Bangkok encompasses all the best that Thailand and its gracious people have to offer.

Overnight stay at Holiday Inn Silom 4* (deluxe room)

http://www.bangkok-silom.holiday-inn.com

Day 03      Bangkok (B)

Breakfast at hotel.Proceed on a half day tour of Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Temple. No visit to Thailand would be complete without a visit to Bangkok's Grand Palace in Dusit - the centre of Thai political power and an oasis of calm amid road and traffic chaos. The Grand Palace, once a royal residence, is the perfect example of an ancient Siamese court. Built by King Rama I in 1782, today it's Bangkok's major landmark and very few visitors leave the country without having made a visit.  It's an exuberant mix of golden domes, fluted spires, glittering temples and monkey images that will linger in your memory. Within the compound is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), Thailand's most precious image of Lord Buddha.  The Emerald Buddha is believed to have supernatural powers and is dressed by the King of Thailand himself. (If you have time, visit some of the interior chambers such as the Throne Rooms and Coronation Hall).Return to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight stay at Holiday Inn Silom (deluxe room).

Day 04      Bangkok (B/L)

Depart Bangkok this morning for a leisurely drive to the Kanchanaburi province, 80 miles west of Bangkok.  Visit the Allied soldiers' Cemetery, and the Bridge over the River Kwai. Lunch at a local restaurant.  In the Afternoon take an exciting boat ride downstream to Resotel Pier and visit The Hell Fire Pass Memorial. Afterwards proceed to visit the 7-tiered Erawan waterfall which is widely regarded as being one of Thailand's loveliest cascades, and Tiger Valley where the tigers are taken for their afternoon exercise.

River Kwai Bridge: An infamous historical site, standing as testimony to the horrors of World War II, is the bridge over the River Kwai, part of the "Death Railway." Spanning the Kwai Yai River in Kanchanaburi Province, the bridge and railway were built by prisoners-of-war held captive by the Japanese Imperial Army. Since the sea route to Rangoon was heavily patrolled by allied submarines and aircraft, the Japanese forced the construction of the railway to establish an alternative strategic route into Burma and the Indian Subcontinent.

Hellfire Pass: This is a part of the Death Railway that was constructed during the Second World War using POW labor to cut through the mountain. The site is located within a thick forest along a 2 mile walking trail made by the Allied prisoners. Visitors can envision the difficulties faced in constructing the Death Railway using simple tools. The pass is approximately 1400 feet long and 85 feet deep.

Erawan waterfall:The 7 levels of this waterfall drop 4920feet down steep-sided cliffs. It is surrounded by beautiful forest with many varieties of trees and orchids. There is a trail as far as the 6th level and from there you have to scramble up the cliff to reach the 7th level. The climb is well worth the effort.  The sight of tumbling water, spraying off the boulders into the deep pool below is amazing. These falls resemble the head of the Erawan Elephant (the 3-headed elephant from Hindu Mythology) which gives the waterfall its name.

Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasumpanno forest monastery (Tiger Temple)

Located 23 miles outside of the town of Kanchanaburi the Temple was constructed in 1994 to promote Buddhism and help conserve the forests & wildlife. The Temple houses many different types of animals that have been rescued or abandoned but is most famous for its Tigers.  Once a day, the tigers are led on leashes to their own quarry where they can roam around freely. Visitors are able to watch and even pet and take photos with the tigers.

http://www.tigertemple.org/Eng/index.htm

Return to Bangkok.

Overnight stay at Holiday Inn Silom (deluxe room)

Day 05      Bangkok (B)

This morning transfer the to airport for your flight – Bangkok / Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai - Set against a stunning backdrop of majestic mountains, Chiang Mai is a place with ancient roots spanning back to the time when it was a small Lanna Thai village. Now often called the "Rose of the North," Chiang Mai has become Thailand's second largest city with its own cultural personality. Visitors to Chiang Mai will delight in the wealth of its historical sites, as well as its abundance of silk, silver, and wood, which make for precious and timeless souvenirs. Chiang Mai also serves as the main connecting point for excursions to the host of wonderful attractions in Thailand's North.

Chiang Mai - Lisu Hilltribe Village (L/D)

Met on arrival in Chiang Mai and proceed to the hill-tribe Museum to learn about the different groups of minorities. Afterwards, proceed to an Orchid Farm in Mae Rim to see Thailand’s most beautiful orchids. Continue your visit to the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden - the largest botanical garden in Southeast Asia.

In the early afternoon, depart for Lisu Lodge. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch on the terrace of the lodge.

After lunch experience an ox-cart ride through mountain farmlands, orchards, forests and arrive an hour later at the Thai village of Pang Mai Daeng. Guided by Lisu people, walk from Ton Lung temple to the herbal garden. Visit Lisu families and stop for a cup of tea at the shaman’s (spirit doctor) house where you will also get an introduction to traditional medicine.

Return to the Lisu Lodge to enjoy Lisu hill tribe activities and evening entertainment.

Dinner and overnight stay at the Lisu Lodge (non air-conditioned room with electric fan).

The Lisu Lodge, set at the outskirts of a Lisu hilltribe village, is based on a traditional Lisu house design. The lodge, made from wood, woven bamboo and thatch, features basic but comfortable rooms surrounding a central family area where you and the other guests eat, socialize, and are entertained in the evenings by local musicians and dancers. This lovely spot, set among fields and mountains, is the home base for a wealth of fun and healthy adventures.

Day 06:      Lisu Hilltribe Village / Chiang Mai (B/L)

After breakfast collect your mountain bikes and take a mountain bike trek through pretty hill country and along the Mae Taeng River to the elephant camp. From here, you will enjoy an elephant ride through the beautiful mountains and jungle followed by a picnic lunch served by the river.

Embark on an exciting white water rafting trip along the Mae Taeng River. After this exciting adventure take a short drive to visit Akha Village.

Proceed to Chiang Mai and check in to Sheraton Chiang Mai Hotel 4* (River view rooms) for your overnight stay. www.sheraton-chiangmai.com

Day 07:      Chiang Mai (B)

Morning at leisure or to explore Chiang Mai.

Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight – Chiang Mai / Koh Samui

Koh Samui sits snugly in the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by other island gems like Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Tao, and is located approximately 50 miles east of Surat Thani, the provincial capital on the mainland. With soft-sand beaches shaded by towering palms, delicious fresh seafood and a vibrant nightlife, Samui has a magical formula that seems to cast its spell on everyone. Many visitors are content to laze the days away on the beach, soaking up the sun and cooling off in the turquoise waters, but for action enthusiasts there are plenty of choices. Diving and snorkeling, windsurfing and paragliding, beach volleyball and off-road driving (and other similar activities).

One of the island's most appealing features is its loop road, which makes a circuit around the island, giving tantalizing glimpses of superb beaches on the north, east and west coasts. It runs past sleepy fishing villages and through seas of coconut palms, passing Samui's most impressive waterfall and tempting turn-offs into the highlands along the way. Other attractions on or near the road include a butterfly farm, a snake show, a monkey-training centre, and health spas dedicated to pampering the body.

Met on arrival in Koh Samui and transfer to the Baan Samui Resort (Deluxe room) for your overnight stay. http://www.see2sea.com

Day 08:      Koh Samui (B/L)

After breakfast at hotel depart for a full day tour of Angthong National Marine Park.

Angthong National Marine Park is a fascinating group of islands in the north west of Samui, which comprises of 40 islands covering 96sq miles. This enchanting wonderland is composed of bulbous green isles, clear blue lagoons, mysterious caves and faceted rock formations.  Most islands contain limestone masses, reaching heights up to 1475 feet and blanketed by 4 different types of forest such as Dry Evergreen Forest, Beach Forest, Limestone Forest and Mangrove Forest. Besides the many coves and little beaches there are many strange formations brought about by erosion of the earth, and one island has a mysterious sink hole, completely enclosed by walls of sheer rock.

Your tour starts with an early morning pick up from your hotel to the pier. Board a comfortable speedboat to the marine park and visit the two most attractive islands.

Koh Wua Talap (Sleeping Cow Island): Climb up to the viewpoint and observe the gorgeous panorama below. Then snorkel among coral reef or you may swim at your leisure. Koh Mae (Mother island): where the green lagoon of beautiful emerald saltwater lake is located.

Lunch will be served on the island. Sail back to Samui and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the nightlife of Koh Samui.Overnight stay at Baan Samui Resort.

Day 09:      Koh Samui (B)

Full day at leisure to enjoy the beach and island activities such as hiking, diving, rock climbing, or touring on a bike or scooter.Overnight stay at Baan Samui Resort.

Day 10:      Koh Samui (B)

Morning at leisure (check out 12noon).Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight:-

Koh Samui / Bangkok / USA