|
 Our friendly gay Thailand New Year's tour will have us visiting several regions of lush and historic areas. Explore Bangkok, Saiyok, Chiang Rai and many other amazing locations. Spend New Year’s Eve on board a dinner cruise, as we ring in the new year in Thailand! Wander among ancient temples, markets and ruins all while lodging in amazing hotels that reflect the character of their surroundings. Join our optional extension to beautiful Phuket.
Our gay Thailand tour focuses on cultural aspects while still enjoying a hike in Khao Sok National Park and canoeing the scenic Khaosok River. We will be visiting a Railway market, a floating market, the Jeath War Museum, the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, the White Temple and so much more. There is a lot of culture to soak up in Thailand. We will enjoy river cruises, local cuisine, elephants, and gorgeous scenery.
• Ride the “train of death” (don’t worry, it’s safe)
• Cruise the Mae Kok River and enjoy the mountain scenery
• Visit the Mae Taman Elephant Nature Park
• Hike the Khao Sok National Park
• Tour Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
• View the gorgeous Erawan Waterfall
• Enjoy the numerous markets and river cruises
• Canoe the scenic Khaosok River
Day 1 -
 Welcome to Bangkok, upon arrival a local guide will meet you at the airport and transfer us to our hotel.
This evening we will enjoy our Welcome Dinner with a dinner cruise. Enjoy the City of Angels’ cultural contrasts by night over the Chao Praya River. Take in the views of the Temple of Dawn, Royal Barges House, Grand Palace and other splendid temples.
Day 2 -
 After breakfast, we will make our way to the amazing Grand Palace, with its original structure being a re-creation of the Temple of Ayutthaya. We will also visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha(Wat Phra Kaew) and its jade Buddha statue. Next up, the Hall of the Throne, State Reception Hall, and the Coronation Hall. We will wrap up the afternoon with a visit to Wat Pho.
This afternoon enjoy a visit to explore the Klongs of Thonburi. Including a stop to visit Wat Arun, names after Arune, the Indian goddess of dawn. We will make our way through Chinatown and sample some local delicacies. This evening is New Year’s Eve! Tonight we will enjoy a dinner cruise as we bring in the New Year in Thailand.
Day 3 -
 Today we will head south from Bangkok to the garden province of Samut Songkhram. We will spend time walking in the famous Railway Market in Maeklong District. Here we will enjoy the unique market and immerse ourselves in the local culture. Then we will continue to Damnoen Saduak floating market and climb aboard a long-tail boat for a canal cruise. We will have the opportunity to view how the Thai people live, including observing farmers working in the salt fields.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Jeath War Museum, a realistic depiction of the prisoner of war living quarters, including detailed memorabilia dating from WWII. Afterward, we will continue to Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, which is the main POW cemetery for victims of Japenese imprisonment while building The Thai-Burm Railway. This railway was known as the “Death Railway”.
Day 4 -
 This morning we will enjoy a bamboo rafting adventure along the Kwai River. Then we will set off to visit the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, where the entire site history is showcased.
This afternoon we will enjoy the largest and most amazing waterfall in the western region, Erawan Waterfall. Located on the bank of the Kwai Yai River in Khao Salop National Park. Enjoy some peaceful, serene time here surrounded by countless species of plants and flowers. We will have time to relax and enjoy our natural surroundings before heading to Saiyok for the rest of the afternoon.
Day 5 -
 This morning we will depart by boat and cruise upstream on the beautiful Kwai River. Then we will board a local train called the “train of death”. Don’t let the name scare you, it’s safe and was called this by the prisoners during the Second World War. We will make our way to Ayutthaya, the former capital, famous for the ruins and its prestigious past, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This afternoon we will visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet, a royal sanctuary. These ruins will give us an idea of the past splendor before we move onto the Wat Chaiwatthanaram, built by King PresatThong in 1630. The central prang is surrounded by eight smaller ones, all decorated with stucco reliefs, depicting images such as Buddha preaching his mother in heaven Tavatimsa.
Day 6 -
 This morning includes a visit to the old Chinese quarter at Wat Phananchoeng. The temple is 26 years older than the Ayutthaya Kingdom itself! We will then make our way to Baan Hollanda, the Dutch settlement, before paying a visit to the Japanese Village. Enjoy the city as we walk through the market and the Muslim Quarter, offering a chance to sample an unusual local delicacy, candy floss roti.
Later we will board a converted traditional teak rice barge and drift along the majestic Chao Phraya River, the River of Kings. Onboard we will enjoy a delicious selection of Thai food as we cruise around Ayutthaya and its old capital. This afternoon we will visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. Built in the 1600s as the summer residence for the Royal Family, this palace is an impressive collection of gardens and majestic mansions.
Day 7 -
 After breakfast, we will drive to Bangkok airport and take our flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, we will meet up with our local guide to transfer to our long-tail boat for a cruise on the Mae Kok River. The ride is more about the journey than the destination – the spectacular mountain scenery and opportunity to visit hill-tribe villages along the way make this one of the most enjoyable river trips in Thailand.
Day 8 -
 This morning, we will depart for an excursion to Santi Khiri. This city was founded on this lovely mountain in 1960 by the Kuomintang peasant-soldier expelled from Burma. Discover the ethnic villages: Lisu and Akha in Mae Salong; and stroll through a bucolic plantation of tea (Choui Fong). Next, embark on board of an I Tan, this vehicle is used as a means of transport for rice after it has been harvested. We will make our way to the village of Sango inhabited by the Akha ethnic group. This village is under the King’s patronage for planting fruit and vegetables to replace the drugs during the cool season. After lunch, you will have the afternoon at leisure.
Day 9 -
 Today we will visit the amazing White Temple, a masterpiece of Thai architecture. It was founded in 2000 by renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and it is made of white concrete and several thousand small mirrors. Afterward, we will continue to Chiang Mai and visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most important Chiang Mai’s landmarks where sacred Buddha relics are preserved in a golden stupa. The panoramic view of Chiang Mai is absolutely fantastic.
This evening, we will head to the cultural center for a Khantoke dinner! Enjoy the northern customs, consisting of tasting dishes while enjoying traditional music with dancers.
Day 10 -
 After breakfast, we will head north to Mae Taman Elephant Camp. Here we will observe elephants in there daily life: working, training, and bathtime! Then we will walk for about an hour through the mountainous jungle to the river, ending with an ox-cart ride. We will enjoy lunch while out on our excursion today. In the afternoon, we will visit a garden of orchids and admire over 150 amazing species with different sizes, diversity, and beauty.
Day 11 -
 Today we will take our flight to Phuket. Upon arrival, our local guide will transfer us to Khao Sok National Park.
In the afternoon, we will enjoy a canoe ride down the river of Khaosok, to spot flora & fauna, a limestone cliff and evergreen mountains along the way. We will enjoy a cup of coffee or tea made in a bamboo stick and served in bamboo cups which we soak in the beautiful nature surrounding us.
Day 12 -
 After breakfast, we will depart for Cheow Lan Lake. Here we will take a long tail boat and enjoy a scenic ride exploring. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the crystal clear water of the lake.
Then we will change the atmosphere to the jungle walk. We will view enchanting plants, flowers, butterflies, birds, squirrels, reptiles, etc. Next, we will take a short walk to 500 Rat Lake where we will board a bamboo raft to cross the 500 Rai Lake to the Pakarang Cave (Coral Cave). The stalagmites here have a similar shape to coral which is how the cave came to be named. We will enjoy some time here exploring the cave. Lunch will be at a floating restaurant today. Then this afternoon, we will start the boat ride back to our hotel and enjoy some time at leisure.
Day 13 -
 Today we will depart for Khao Sok National Park for around three hours of hiking. It will be another opportunity to view plenty of plants, flowers, butterflies, birds, squirrels, reptiles, and more. Our local guide will explain how native plants were used in many ways throughout history.
This afternoon lunch will be enjoyed at a mountain view restaurant. Then back to camp to clean up, pack and transfer to Phuket for the evening and enjoy our farewell dinner.
Day 14 -
After breakfast, you will have the morning at your leisure or you can enjoy a half-day excursion in Phuket before your transfer to the airport. (Excursions are Subject to Availability and not included in tour price).
Day 14 -
 Enjoy breakfast today at your leisure and then spend the day as you would like. You are free to choose from any of the half-day excursions offered to all clients today. (Subject to Availability and not included in tour price).
Day 15 -
Today is another free day to relax, hit the beach or take in some sites.
Day 16 -
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
|
