Thailand - Malaysia Extravaganza 14D13N

Today, we will take the whole day to explore Bangkok – the city of golden temples.

The first destination is the Grand Palace. This huge architecture complex is over 2 sq. kilometers, including 3 main sites: Royal Palace, Royal Office and pagodas (Wat) built in 1770s. Nowadays, the Grand Palace is no longer home of Thailand Royal, most of national significant events takes place there. Wat Phra Kaew is the most out-standing architecture in complex, built in 1785 when King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok. The pagoda is famous not only for its beauty of unique Thailand Buddhism architecture but also for the sacred jade Buddha statue. 

Nearby Grand Palace is Wat Pho - the oldest and biggest pagoda in Bangkok with more than 1000 Buddha statues and the huge one sit-back Buddha in gold. This pagoda is also famous for being a birthplace of traditional Thai massage, since there is a traditional medicine school established in 1982, educating the arts of Thai massage. 

We will board on a boat to pay a visit along the Chao Phraya River, watching the life of local people close by. On route, we stop at Wat Arun, known as the most beautiful pagoda in Bangkok not only for its location on the Chao Phraya’s riverbank but also for the different architecture from other pagodas. The pagoda was decorated with glass pieces and Chinese ceramic, in a complicated style. 

After having lunch, we visit the last destination of the day: Wat Traimit. This pagoda is famous for its unique and historic beauty, and also for the huge golden Buddha statue. Thai people believe that the statue represents for prosperity and purity, as well as strength and power. 

Return to the hotel and you are free to explore Bangkok by night.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Bangkok 

Meals: Breakfast

Join morning session of Silom Thai Cooking, learn to cook famous Thai dishes in a relaxed and friendly environment which is made for a highly personalized and rewarding experience. The class starts with a trip to a local market to buy fresh ingredients. You’ll get a feel for real Thai culture as you experience its rich colors, and unique flavors and smells. Students then prepare a complete 5-course meal for lunch completely from scratch. After a hearty self-cooked lunch, be ready for a new journey to Chiang Mai by plane.
Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, meet guide and transfer to hotel for check in. Free time to relax. 
Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Mai 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Breakfast served at the hotel. The morning will be mainly devoted to the walking tour of the old town with a stop at the old wall, the moat and a door of the old town. You will see the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh temple, Wat Phan Tao temple, Wat Chedi Luang temple. 

Then you will stroll along small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take rickshaw tour. 

After that, you will take a walking through the central market of Warorot. In the afternoon you will visit the Doi Suthep hill. Then visit craft villages: lacquer factories, silk weaving, manufacture of umbrellas, wood carvings and goldsmith work.

Then transfer back to the hotel. To brighten up your evening, browse the Night Market for yourself. Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Mai 

Meals: Breakfast

For a day, join the Karen village of Mae Sa Pok and hike around this village, in the lush jungle that surrounds it, but also in the middle of rice fields and flower fields.

You will travel the paths and trails that surround the mountain of Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand, but also one of the most beautiful National Parks in the kingdom.

All of our jungle treks are exclusive and done with our very own Karen guides. We can thus adapt them, both in terms of the number of days and the difficulty, but also of the route followed according to your wishes

The program

Departure from your hotel or guesthouse between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. by private car

Hike in the jungle about 2 hours

Visiting the White Karen Tribe Village, Mae Sapok

Hike in the jungle about 1 hour

Relaxation and swimming in a waterfall

Lunch break in the jungle

Hike in the jungle about 2 hours

Go bamboo rafting (optional)

Return to Chiang Mai around 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Mai 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

08:00-08:30 AM Pick up from your hotel or accommodation

08:30 Drive approximately 1.5 hours South of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forest, and local farming areas.

10:30 Arrive at the Sanctuary. Meet your guide and walk for 10-15 minutes through the Jungle to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Change into traditional Karen clothing. Enjoy an introductory lesson about elephant anatomy, history, and behavior.

11:00 Meet the elephants. Feed, interact, and play with the elephants in a natural environment as you learn about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants.

12:00 Enjoy a lunch of traditional Thai food and fresh fruit.

13:00 Learn how to make herbal medicine balls, feed the Elephants and then walk with the elephants to the river. Bathe and brush the elephants.

14:00 Join the elephants for a therapeutic mud spa. Swim in the river and take photos with the elephants.

15:00 Change clothes and say good bye to the elephants

15:30 Leave the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chiang Mai.

17:00-17:30 Drop off at your hotel or accommodation.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Chiang Mai airport for a transit flight to Penang via Bangkok. Arrive in Penang, transfer to hotel and free to relax the rest of day.
Overnight in Penang.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Penang  

Meals: Breakfast 

After breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on a tour of Penang Island, taking in its beautiful and intriguing attractions along the western coast. The tour includes several highlights such as a drive along Batu Ferringhi beach, lined with international hotels and tourist shops, and a visit to a Batik Factory where you can learn about the making of this popular fabric. You will also pass by Telok Bahang dam, fruit orchards, and clove and nutmeg plantations. Another interesting stop is a visit to a Malay House for a glimpse of how the local villagers live. You will then visit the Snake Temple, where poisonous pit vipers adorn the altars, pillars, beams, and potted plants. Finally, you will make a photo stop en route to view the Penang Bridge, which spans 17 kilometers to the mainland. After the tour, you will return to your hotel for the night.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Penang  

Meals: Breakfast 

Free until your check-out, then you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Langkawi. 

Arrive at Langkawi airport, you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel. Free at your leisure the rest of day. Overnight in Langkawi.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Langkawi

Meals: Breakfast 

Breakfast at hotel. Then our tour guide will pick you up for the tour today. 
This morning we will proceed for an orientation of Langkawi Island.
* Visit Underwater World - Asia’s largest aquarium featuring “live” - more than 5,000 marine and freshwater specimens.
* Drive pass Pantai Cenang, the most popular beach on the island.
* Visit a traditional Gamat outlet, a local herbal house, popular with locals and visitors alike, where a variety of exotic natural products with “special healing powers” are processed.
* Visit Mahsuri Memorial - resting place of the legendary Malay Princess.
* Visit Eagle Square, the most prominent landmark and its magnificent symbol of Langkawi.
Late afternoon leave for Tanjung Rhu beach to witness sunset at arguably one of best beach on the Island.
Overnight in Langkawi. 

Accommodation: At the hotel in Langkawi

Meals: Breakfast 

Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00AM: You will be picked up from hotel lobby and proceed for Half Day Langkawi Mangrove Tour.
This river safari excursion from Kilim Mangrove reserve takes you to observe the unusual root formation of the mangrove trees in a swampy ecological system, as well as enjoying some wildlife sightings. Watch Brahminy Kite eagles and White Belly Sea eagles in action trying to outwit each other during feeding. Don't miss out on this fun-filled back to nature memorable outing.
Tour Highlights:
- See and participate to feed eagles at Kilim River (Mangrove River).
- Expect to see kingfishers, sea eagles, herons, iguana, crabs, wild monkeys.
- Visit a fish breeding farm of Ornamental Fishes, Moray Eels, Horse Shoe Crabs, Mantis Prawns, Macaques etc..
- Proceed to Bats Cave with its fascinating stalactite and stalagmite formations, and witness the hundreds of fruit bats that inhabit the cave.
- Pass by boat through Crocodile Cave (only during low tide).
- Finally, enjoy watching the farming of fish in specialized farms in the open sea.
(Please bring along a towel, swimming costume, sandals, sun block, cap and your camera)
Note: This tour is group tour. 
Overnight in Langkawi. 

Accommodation: At the hotel in Langkawi

Meals: Breakfast 

After a short flight from Penang, you will arrive in Kuala Lumpur where you will be greeted by your driver and tour guide who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Once you have had a chance to relax, you will begin your sightseeing tour of Kuala Lumpur. This buzzing city, which started life as a trading post for Chinese tin miners in the mid-1900s, is a fascinating mix of modern skyscrapers, traditional culture, and colonial architecture.

During your tour, you will visit the National Mosque, the National Monument and Cenotaph, and have a photo stop at the Gate of King’s Palace. The best way to experience Kuala Lumpur is by foot, and you will stroll through the streets to witness the sights, sounds, and smells of the city. Starting from Central Market, you will walk to the Sri Mahamariamman Temple and then through the busy streets of Chinatown, where you can haggle over prices.

Next, you will explore Little India, past the Jewelry and Saree shops, before visiting the beautiful Masjid Jamek mosque. You will then head to Merdeka Square, where the Tudor-style Royal Selangor Club provides an impressive backdrop. Finally, you will visit a batik outlet to watch demonstrations of how various types of batik prints are produced.

After the tour, you will return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Kuala Lumpur.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Kuala Lumpur

Meals: Breakfast 

After having breakfast at your hotel, your guide and driver will pick you up for the day's tour. You'll visit Malaysia's only casino resort located in the cool, crisp mountain air about 6,000 feet above sea level. At the cable car station, you'll take a skyway cable car ride, riding up to the hilltop on the longest and fastest cable car in Southeast Asia. Along the way, you'll be surrounded by a tropical rainforest and stunning views of the sky above. Once you arrive, you can try your luck at a variety of casino games like Blackjack, Keno, and Roulette. Alternatively, you can enjoy the numerous recreational facilities at the indoor Theme Park.

Afterward, you'll make a photo stop at the limestone hills of Batu Caves, which consist of three caverns and several smaller caves. It is the shrine of Lord Murugah, a Hindu deity. A flight of 272 steps leads up to the temple cave, and another cave, called the museum cave, is filled with images of deities and murals depicting scenes from the Hindu scriptures. Finally, you'll be transferred back to your hotel for overnight in Kuala Lumpur.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Kuala Lumpur

Meals: Breakfast 

Enjoy your breakfast and have a leisurely morning until it's time for your departure.

Accommodation: NA

Meals: Breakfast