from $4999 pp
From December 01, 2024 to December 10, 2024
Abercrombie and Kent
Departing from Bangkok, visiting Chiang Mai, and departing from Phuket
Day 1
01 Dec 2024 - Sunday
Arrive Bangkok
Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, is bustling with an eclectic mix of ornate temples and towering skyscrapers. Both traditional and contemporary, the city is a hive of colorful food and flower markets, buzzing off-beat streets and intriguing waterways complemented by a dynamic dining scene with some of Asia’s top restaurants as well as Michelin-worthy street food all just waiting to be explored.
Fast track service is arranged for your arrival at the airport. Upon exiting the aircraft (or aerobridge), you are met by a representative who escorts you through the express immigration process, then assists with luggage collection and customs before leading you into the arrival hall where your guide is waiting to meet you near Exit Door 4. After meeting your guide, transfer to your hotel.
Boasting a prime riverfront location on the west bank of Bangkok's Chao Phraya River, The Peninsula Bangkok offers sophisticated riverside living with touches of traditional Thai style. The spacious guestrooms and suites combine sweeping river and skyline views, lush local silks and marble bathrooms. While the palm tree-lined swimming pool is ideal for outdoor relaxation, the wellness center offers a range of traditional Thai healing therapies and the restaurants offer a variety of options including Thai, Chinese and international cuisine as well as al fresco dining at the riverside restaurant.
Day 2
02 Dec 2024 - Monday
Bangkok
08:00-12:00 Discover the richness of Thai art, architecture, history and culture on an eye-opening journey through Bangkok's awe-inspiring palace and temples. Visit the famous Grand Palace which has served as the official residence of Thai Kings since 1782. Explore the various pavilions and courtyards which contain shimmering gold stupas and glittering glass mosaics and see the sacred Emerald Buddha dressed in ceremonial robes.
Admire the Queen Mother's exquisite fashion at the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles and enjoy a short ride by tuk tuk to the 200-year-old Wat Pho temple, the birthplace of traditional Thai massage and home to a large reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
13:00-17:00 Explore Bangkok’s meandering rivers and klongs (canals) to discover a city alive with architectural wonders, royal life and humble residential communities. Take a leisurely boat ride along the Thonburi klongs to discover real local life in the humble houses along the riverbanks.
Visit Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), to see its interesting ceramic and stucco work up close and observe the spiritual atmosphere amid the sweet scent of burning incense.
Continue on your boat journey to see the Thai Royal Family’s boat collection at the Royal Barge Museum and learn the history and significance of these ceremonial barges which are used only for official ceremonies and celebrations.
Please note: Please remember to cover the shoulders and knees when visiting Thai temples. Avoid short skirts, shorts, sleeveless tops and see-through clothing. A shawl or scarf is not enough to cover the shoulders, so a light jacket or a shirt with sleeves is preferred. Some buildings within the Grand Palace are open to visitors only on weekdays.
18:30 Transfer to the pier for embarking The Manohra Dinner Cruise.
19:30-21:30 Cruise down the River of Kings, Bangkok’s ancient lifeline, taking in the city’s most iconic sights as you enjoy traditional Thai cuisine.
Day 3
03 Dec 2024 - Tuesday
Bangkok/Chiang Mai
Transfer from your hotel to the airport.
Optional: Flight ticket Bangkok-Chiang Mai WE110 13:30-14:50 (Economy Class)
Chiang Mai, the cultural heart of northern Thailand, is a land of misty mountains and colorful hill tribes where the kings of the Lanna civilization once held court. Reaching the height of prosperity between the 13th to 18th centuries, the city is home to centuries-old artistic traditions and numerous history-filled temples framed by crumbling red-brick city walls, distant rice fields, teak forests and the Ping River in the east.
Offering contemporary urban living in the heart of Chiang Mai, Anantara Chiang Mai Serviced Suites is an ideal base for exploring the wonders of the old Lanna kingdom. Located a short walk from the city’s bustling night bazaar, the sophisticated residences feature modern design fused with artistic Thai accents and come complete with spacious kitchen, dining and living areas. Enjoy mountain views from the rooftop pool and take advantage of the personal chef service. Your stay offers access to the spa and fitness center at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, which is connected to the property via a walkway.
Enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Anantara Chiang Mai Resort 3 nights
Deluxe Garden View Room
Day 4
04 December 2024 - Wednesday
Anantara Chiang Mai Resort Deluxe Garden View Room B-L-D
northern Thailand. Take a drive for about one hour through the Chiang Mai countryside to reach Elephant Nature Park, a wildlife sanctuary where you can enjoy quality time observing a herd of rescued and orphaned elephants. After a life of working in the tourism and logging industries, the elephants here have been given a new lease of life and are able to rediscover their sense of adventure in a free and protected environment. Learn the stories of the elephants' rehabilitation while observing them from an elevated skywalk.
Enjoy a vegetarian lunch before saying goodbye to your elephant friends and heading back to Chiang Mai.
Explore the cultural wonders of Chiang Mai, starting at Waroros Market. Known locally as Kard Luang, the market was founded by a Princess over a century ago and sells a variety of local products including clothing and textiles. This is also a great place to sample some typical northern Thai food such as spicy sausage and crispy pork. Travel by trishaw along Tapae Road, passing through the ancient city walls into busy Rajdamnern Road in the old part of town.
Visit Wat Phra Singh, an historical temple built in 1345, which houses a sacred statue of Buddha.
Continue by road to Doi Suthep, a sacred mountaintop temple that overlooks the city. Take the pilgrimage route up 309 steps or opt for the more leisurely tram ride (for a small additional fee) to reach the peak.
Enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Anantara Chiang Mai Resort
Deluxe Garden View Room
Day 5
05 Dec 2024 -Thursday
Chiang Mai
Enjoy a day at leisure with time to relax at your hotel or treat yourself to a spa program or a walk on the beach. Alternatively, opt for a day of exploration to experience the local culture. Optional excursions can be arranged upon request.
Anantara Chiang Mai Resort
Deluxe Garden View Room
Day 6
06 Dec 2024 - Friday
Chiang Mai/Phuket
Depart from your hotel and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport.
Optional: Flight ticket Chiang Mai – Phuket PG248 14:35-16:40 (Economy Class)
Framed by the sparkling waters of Andaman Sea, Phuket is a haven of tropical beaches, idyllic rainforests and mountainous landscapes. An excellent base for diving and snorkeling among nearby Phang Nga Bay's limestone karsts, crystal lagoons and vibrant coral reefs, the island also contains an interesting old town lined with Sino-Portuguese shophouses that hark back to the glory days of tin-mining
Nestled on a soft sand beach overlooking the Andaman Sea, InterContinental Phuket Resort is a seaside hideaway cocooned by jungle covered hills. The rooms combine contemporary design with a rich blend of natural and earthy tones to create a soothing sense of calm and tranquility. Sleek, sophisticated and elegant, this beachside haven offers textures Thai and international culinary experiences at the restaurant and a range of wellness immersions at the spa.
Enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Intercontinental Phuket Resort 4 nights
Classic Pool View
Day 7
07 Dec 2024 - Saturday
Phuket
Explore Phuket’s old town where rows of colorful Sino-Portuguese buildings offer an insight into the island’s dynamic and multi-cultural history. Visit Chin Pracha House, one of the island’s oldest buildings, built in 1904. Visit Saphan Hin, a recreational park with a tin mining monument dedicated to Captain Edward Thomas Miles, an Australian who brought the first dredge to Phuket in 1909.
Stop by the Saphan Hin Chinese temple before sitting down for a Thai seafood lunch overlooking Chalong pier.
Then learn about local Buddhist customs at Wat Chalong, a temple built in honor of a revered monk, Luang Pho Chaem, and his disciple, Luang Pho Chuang.
Enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Intercontinental Phuket Resort
Classic Pool View
Day 8
08 December 2024 - Sunday
Phuket
Head out for a private cruise through the island-dotted waters south of Phuket to discover the Phi Phi Islands and their rich aquatic eco-systems. Transfer to the pier to board your speedboat. Then cruise towards Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh Islands. Make a brief photo stop at Maya Bay and admire mysterious prehistoric paintings at Viking Cave. Continue to Monkey Beach and enjoy snorkeling at Pileh Lagoon where you can look out for angelfish, clownfish and other colorful species.
Stop for a Thai set lunch on the island followed by time to relax or swim at the beach.
In the afternoon, head to Khai Island or Bamboo Island to explore more aquatic life. The warm waters in this area attract a variety of fish including Black tip reef sharks and giant clams. Return to the pier and transfer back to your hotel.
Enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Intercontinental Phuket Resort
Classic Pool View
Day 9
09 Dec 2024 -
Phuket
Enjoy a day at leisure with time to relax at your hotel or treat yourself to a spa program or a walk on the beach. Alternatively, opt for a day of exploration to experience the local culture. Optional excursions can be arranged upon request.
Intercontinental Phuket Resort
Classic Pool View
Day 10
10 December 2024 - Tuesday
Phuket
Depart from your hotel and transfer to Phuket International Airport.
Optional: Flight ticket Phuket – Bangkok PG246 12:20-13:50 (Economy Class)
Disclaimer: This offer is exclusive to guests who book through Aquafest only. All rates are land only and per person, based on double occupancy subject to availability at time of booking. Non-discountable fees and taxes, airfare, air taxes and transfers are additional. A $50 processing fee is additional and non-refundable and subject to change without notice. Events based on a minimum of 26 group passengers. Pricing and other information may change without notice. We reserve the right to correct errors. Information and pricing are subject to change without notice. All cancellations are subject to a $50 per booking cancellation fee from CruiseCenter in addition to any CruiseCenter or vendor cancellation penalties. Trip Cancellation Insurance is required for all reservations. More information will be provided to you at the time of booking confirmation. This tour is operated by Abercrombie & Kent Morocco and does not abide by terms and conditions of Abercrombie & Kent US or its published catalogue or web site offers and promotions.
CANCELLATION POLICY
All deposits and final payments are non-refundable. We recommend cancelation insurance to protect your travel investment.
REQUIRED TRAVEL INSURANCE
All booked guests must purchase travel insurance. The cost is needs to include all aspects of your trip including airfare and the land tour. Proof of purchased insurance certificate must be sent to your Aquafest agent by time of your final payment or you will be denied participation. You must cover your complete days of travel from the time you depart your home to your return. If you have any pre-existing condition, you will have 15-days from the initial deposit to purchase insurance for this need.
BOOKING PROCESSING FEE: A non-refundable $50.00 Booking Processing Fee and Special Event Fee (where applicable) will be charged to your credit card at the time of final payment. Your credit card statement reference line will display "CruiseCenter" and will not reflect a description of these fees.
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