Itinerary
Day 01 – Arrive in Bangkok
Upon arrival at the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Intl. Airport, you will be met by your guide Ms. Joy and your driver, transfer by private air-conditioned minivan to your hotel for some time to relax.
Ms. Joy
In the evening you will have a welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Accommodation: Anantara Bangkok Riverside – Delxue Room with breakfast
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 02 – Bangkok
Introduction tour of Bangkok
The Royal Grand Palace & The Royal Temple are the perfect introduction to Thailand’s Architecture, Culture and Tradition, You will visit the highlight attractions around this complex such as:
– The Royal Temple (Wat Phra Kaew,
– The Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
– The Golden Chedi
– Pantheon of the Chakri’s Kings
– A miniature replica of Angkor Wat in Cambodia
– Coronation Throne Hall and Royal Reception Hall
– Wat Pho (The Temple of The Reclining Buddha) is one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok and still an important center for Traditional Thai Medicine and Traditional Thai Massages School.
Canal Tour: Take a Private Long Tail Boat, continuing your exploration of Bangkok along the bustling Chao Phraya River & quiet Klongs (Canals). Passing picturesque scenes of Thai River Life. By the river see Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn) which is an important landmark located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The main shrine, decorated with glazed ornaments and ceramics, rises 67 meters towards the heavens. Built during the beginning of the Rattanakosin era, the magnificent temple reflects the glory of the Thai culture.
Observing the local lifestyle you will be going to the Pak Klong Talad (Flowers & Vegetables Market). It is known mostly as a wholesale flower market serving everyone from flower vendors to florists, but it also has a good selection of fresh vegetables, which are bought in the pre-dawn hours to be transported to neighborhood markets around Bangkok for sale in the morning. Pak Klong Talad is the most important flowers & Vegetables wholesale market in town.
In the late afternoon, your guide will take you back to your hotel where you will have the rest of the day at your own leisure.
Accommodation: Anantara Bangkok Riverside – Delxue Room with breakfast
Meals: breakfast
Day 03 – Bangkok
Half day tour to the Maeklong Railway Market & Damnern Saduak Florating Market
Early this morning (7:00am), your driver and guide will pick your group up at the hotel from where you will drive to the Maeklong Railway Market.
This is a unique local fresh market which takes place every day literally on the rail tracks. Just before the train arrives in the town, the market stallholders have to pull back their awnings and remove their produce from the tracks. They then have to repeat all of this when the train returns. Fortunately it is not a busy track. The train leaves four times and it arrives four times a day.
Damnern Saduak Floating Market: Thailand’s most famous floating market, “floating” because mostly the vendors are in small paddle boats. There are many of these boats with the vendors in characteristic straw hats coming and going on one day to sell their produces, mainly foods from the surrounding farms and household items.
Enjoy & Experience a private rowing boat ride along the floating market & local canal life. Tasting of some tropical fruits such as young coconut, rambutan, mango, durian, mangosteen & more.
You will be dropped off at your hotel at around 2:00pm for some time at your own leisure to relax and enjoy the beautiful pool area at the Anantara.
Time for a group sessionr: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
In the evening Ms. Joy, your guide, will meet you at your hotel to accompany you to the Scirocco Sky Bar located in the Lebua Hotel State Tower. After your time here, Ms. Joy will assist your group in returning to your hotel.
Transportation to and from the Sky Bar will be by boat.
Accommodation: Anantara Bangkok Riverside – Delxue Room with breakfast
Meals: breakfast
Day 04 – Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Early this morning you will be picked up by your private driver and taken to the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport where you will board your domestic flight to Chiang Mai.
Upon arrival at the Chiang Mai International Airport you will be met by your guide Laily and your private driver who will take you to your hotel.
Laily
You will have some time to rest and freshen up before you will be picked up in the afternoon for a Tuk-Tuk ride around the Chiang Mai Old City. This will include a local market. Afterwards you will drive to Doi Suthep which is the most beautiful temple in Chiang Mai, situated on the mountain side.
On the way, visit Palad Temple (Ancient Temple situated near the waterfall on the way to Doi Suthep Temple). Here you can have some quiet time before continue to drive to Doi Suthep Temple. Upon arrival, walk up the many stairs to Doi Suthep or take the Funicular (additional charge).
Evenings are usually much more quiet than during the day and you’ll have some beautiful view over the city of Chiang Mai.
At six o’clock you will experience the monks assembling in the hall for their chanting which is a serene and beautiful experience.
You will return to your hotel at around 7:30pm where you will have some time to freshen up before you go out for your welcome dinner at the Gallery Restaurant.
Accommodation: U Hotel Chiang Mai – Superior Room with breakfast
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 05 – Chiang Mai
Doi Inthanon National Park, hike and Mae Klang Laung Karen Village
Pick up from your hotel at 8:00am to visit Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest mountain (2565 meters above sea level), which offers beautiful scenery, evergreen forests, and impressive waterfalls.
Upon reaching the Doi Inthanon Summit we will stop at Wachirathan waterfall, by far the most beautiful and spectacular waterfall in the National Park. Next, you’ll visit the great twin royal stupas, which were built for the Royal Highness Majesties of the King and the Queen. The place provides a marvelous view of surroundings (dependent on weather conditions). Whilst at the highest spot, we will take a leisurely walk along the nature trail.
Lunch at the Lung Deang Restaurant
After lunch, at around 1:00pm, we will drive down hill and stop at the trekking point. Here you will be met by your private guide, Bo who lives in the Karen Hill Tribe village and begin walking through the National Park, through the forest for about two hours along a river, waterfalls and rice terracaes until your reach the Mae Klang Laung Karen village. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the Karen hill tribe village for an insight into their still primitive lifestyle.
After this experience, you’ll be taken back to your hotel in Chiang Mai where you will arrive at around 6:30pm.
The rest of the evening will be at your own leisure.
Accommodation: U Hotel Chiang Mai – Superior Room with breakfast
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 06 – Chiang Mai
Meditation Program at the Suandok Temple
8.30am: Pick up from the U Hotel by Songtaew (local taxi) and transfer to the Suandok Temple
for your meditation course
9.00am: Meet the monks at Wat Suan Dok
9.30am: Introduction to Buddhism and meditation practice
10.15am: Meditation Practice (Private Group)
11.30am: Lunch (Lunch box); you’ll have lunch under the tree in the temple area
13.00pm: Meditation Practice
15.30pm: Discussion and end of the program
After the program you will be taken back by Songtaew to your hotel and the rest of the evening will be at your own leisure or some time for a group meeting to reflect on today’s experiences.
Accommodation: U Hotel Chiang Mai – Superior Room with breakfast
Meals: breakfast, boxed lunch
Day 07 – Chiang Mai
Half day Elephant Experience at the Baan Chang Elephant Park
7.30am: You will be picked up from hotel and drive about 50 Km. North of Chiang Mai City to Baanchang Elephant Park
8.30am: Arrive at the elephant park where you will change your cloting and begin your unforgettable experience with the elephants.
You will be able to experience a daily health check, feed, take elephants for a walk to feed and excercise through the jungle, observe elephants resting in the natural environment.
At the end you will have the opportunity to bathe with and scrub your elephant.
At around 1:30pm you will have lunch at a local restaurant.
You will begin your drive back to the hotel at around 2:30pm and arrive back at your accommodation at around 3:30pm.
The afternoon will be at your own leisure.
In the eveing at 6:00pm walk across the street from your hotel to the Puntao Temple and experience the evening chant of the monks.
Accommodation: U Hotel Chiang Mai – Superior Room with breakfast
Meals: breakfast, simple lunch at elephant camp
Day 08 – Chiang Mai
Time for a group session: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Thai Cooking Course
You will be picked up in the afternoon from your hotel for a private Thai Cooking Course. On the way you will stop at the lcoal market to buy the ingredients for the meals you’ll be preparing. The cooking school is located 13 km from busy Chiang Mai in a peaceful and relaxing setting where many of the herbs and spices used in the classes are grown. You will learn how to cook Thai Food in a farm atmosphere where you have your own cooking station, knife, wok and clean utensils. You will be able to create all your own amazing sauces and typical Thai dished.
After you have enjoyed a nice dinner, eating the meals you have created, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel.
The rest of the day will be at your own leisure.
Accommodation: U Hotel Chiang Mai – Superior Room with breakfast
Meals: breakfast, dinner (cooking class meal)
Day 09 – Chiang Mai
Time for a group session: 9:00am – 11:00am
Today is at your own leisure. Some of the options available are a bicycle tour, massage by women prisoners, jewelery making etc.
In the evening you will have your farewell dinner at The Whole Earth Restaurant in Chiang Mai.
Accommodation: U Hotel Chiang Mai – Superior Room with breakfast
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 10 – Depart from Chiang Mai
Today it is time to say Good-bye to this amazing city. You will be transferred by private van to the Chiang Mai International Airport to board your flight taking you home.
For those who are going to Chiang Rai, you will be picked up by your private driver and guide to begin your journey North.
Pricing Information
The pricing is based on 8 participants & 1 facilitator
Tour price: $ 3,450*
Single supplement: $ 870*
*(This price is just a guideline and will vary, depending on accommodations, season and customization)
Tour price includes:
- 1 facilitator is free of charge for all services included in the itinerary
- Hotel as listed in the itinerary
- Daily breakfast
- Welcome dinner in Bangkok
- Welcome dinner in Chiang Mai
- Farewell dinner in Chiang Mai
- 2 x lunch
- Dinner at cooking class
- All private transfers per itinerary
- All private tours per itinerary
- Use of meeting room at U Chiang Mai
- Guide to take you to the Skybar in Bangkok
- Airline ticket budget for retreat leader: $ 1,500
- Tipping budget: $ 500
- Credit card fees
Tour price does not includes:
- International airline tickets
- Domestic flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai -approximate cost $ 100
- Tips to drivers & guides
- Items of a personal nature
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Any additional tours & services
TERMS & CONDITIONS
PAYMENTS:
A non-refundable deposit of $700 per person is required two weeks after confirmation of land arrangements. This deposit is applied towards the total trip cost. Final payment is due 60 days prior to trip departure. Payment due dates are subject to change. Prices quoted are subject to change until paid in full. Airline tickets have to be paid in full at the time of the reservation.
CANCELLATION / REFUND POLICY:
All payments for land arrangements (hotels, transfers, sightseeing, etc.) are non-refundable once received. Refunds will not be made for unused land services. Airline tickets are subject to change and/or cancellation fees once tickets have been issued. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND AND ENCOURAGE ALL TRAVELERS TO APPLY FOR TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE. TRIP INSURANCE INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED ON REQUEST AND WE WILL GLADLY ASSIST TRAVELERS IN APPLYING FOR TRIP INSURANCE. Default insurance does not apply to airlines operating under bankruptcy protection. The acceptance of the initial travel services to be provided, shall be considered an acceptance by the traveler(s) and/or purchaser(s) of all conditions detailed here.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Journeys of the Spirit Luxury Travel acts only as an agent in securing hotels, transportation and other travel services and will not be liable in the event of any failure by any person or company to render said services. All hotels, transportation and other travel services are provided subject to all terms and conditions under which they are offered to the public generally. Journeys of the Spirit Luxury Travel and employees shall not be liable for any personal injury, property loss or other damage arising out of, or incident to, the tour or otherwise. Airlines are not responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not aboard their aircraft. Passenger tickets, in use by the airlines, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between airline and purchaser and/or passenger. Furthermore, Journeys of the Spirit Luxury Travel and employees are not responsible for inclement weather, political acts, or any “acts of God” or the shortening of a trip due to these occurrences. Nor are they responsible for airline or ground operator defaults or repayment of monies lost due to default. Nor are they responsible for lost luggage. Flight schedules and accommodations are subject to change at any time, though such changes are not anticipated. No refunds will be made for changes beyond the control of Journeys of the Spirit Luxury Travel
AMENDMENT FEES:
There is a $65 amendment fee each time an itinerary is revised after invoicing. Amendments made after documents have been issued will incur a $130 fee to cover courier costs, communication costs and additional time to co-ordinate the changes.
Unused travel arrangements or travel arrangements cancelled, amended or altered once travel has commenced do not qualify for any refund.
FOLLOW-UP CHECK LIST:
Names – The correct spelling of your names must be provided as they appear on your passports. Name changes resulting in the reissuing of tickets will incur a $150 per person charge, as well as any fees charged by the airlines.
Passports and Visitors Visas – All passengers are required to travel with a passport valid for six months after their return. Visitors to Australia are required to have an entry visa. For a minimal fee of $25, we can issue an Australian visa for U.S. and Canadian citizens and require a copy of your passport to process.
International Flight and Ticket Numbers – Please note if we are not issuing the international tickets, correct flight information and ticket numbers are required in order for us to arrange applicable transfers and domestic air tickets.
Special Meal requests. – Please advise of any special meal requests or dietary requirements.
Seating Preference – Please note that seat requests can never be guaranteed, however we will contact the airlines with your preferences. Some airlines charge a fee to book advanced seat assignments.
Bedding request – Please advise if you prefer double, twin, triple or a single bedded rooms. Bedding requests cannot be guaranteed but we’ll do our best to provide your preferred option.
Thank you for allowing us to create this journey for you!
Journeys of the Spirit
Custom Travel Services
6245 Vista Verde Drive West
Gulfport, FL 33707
About Ales
I’ve been passionate about travel ever since I can remember. Having had the opportunity to travel all around the world for many years it’s my greatest desire to enrich peoples lives in a profound way by creating unforgettable journeys, and give each of my clients the amazing experiences I’ve had throughout my travels.
By allowing me to design your journeys, you can be assured that you will be taken care of from the moment we start planning your vacation until the moment you return. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions with regards to your itinerary or would like to have any changes made.
May all your travels stir your soul and change your life forever – Ales.
