River Kwai rail bridge, Kanchanaburi
ASIA
Floating market, Bangkok Karen hill-tribe village, Chiang Mai
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U. S. Depart the U. S. today for your international flight to Bangkok.
DAY 2 • Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand Your O. A. T. Trip Experience Leader will greet you and accompany you to your hotel, where you’ ll meet the travelers who joined the pre-trip extension to Malaysia & Singapore: A Beacon of Cultural Diversity. Bizotel Premier Hotel or similar
DAY 3 • Bangkok • Visit Kudi Chin community • Lunch in local home Today your Trip Experience Leader gives you a briefing about Bangkok. Then, we’ ll visit Kudi Chin, a diverse district settled by Portuguese traders in the 17th century that grew to become a thriving international community. We’ ll join a local for lunch in their home, then enjoy a cruise on the Chao Phraya River. Meals: B, L | Bizotel Premier Hotel or similar
DAY 4 • Explore Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha • Controversial Topic: LGBTQ + rights in Thailand Explore the sprawling Grand Palace complex and pay a visit to the Emerald Buddha— carved from jade— that resides inside a golden-spired temple. Then, meet a local student activist for a conversation about the Controversial Topic of freedom of expression in Thailand— specifically the liberty to publicly criticize the government. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Then, we’ ll return to our hotel via tuktuk, a popular local mode of transportation. Meals: B, D | Bizotel Premier Hotel or similar
DAY 5 • Bangkok floating market • Transfer to Kanchanaburi • Visit the bridge on the River Kwai After breakfast, we’ ll journey to Kanchanaburi Province, stopping to visit one of Bangkok’ s iconic floating markets on our way out of the city. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ ll have the opportunity to walk across the famous bridge on the River Kwai. Later today, we’ ll set off for our camp where the rest of the day is free. Meals: B, L, D | Hin Tok River Camp or similar
DAY 6 • Visit Hellfire Pass • Boat ride on the River Kwai This morning, we visit the Hellfire Pass Museum where we’ ll trace the World War II history of the“ Death Railroad,” before walking down the former River Kwai Railway. Then, our small group will board a longtail speedboat for a cruise on the River Kwai. We’ ll return to our camp and have dinner at a local restaurant this evening. Meals: B, L, D | Hin Tok River Camp or similar
DAY 7 • Overland to Uthai Thani • Cruise on a traditional rice barge • Nakhon Sawan Today, we’ ll travel to Uthai Thani where we’ ll board a traditional wooden rice barge and enjoy lunch as we cruise past peaceful scenes of river life. Then, early this afternoon, we’ ll travel to the city of Nakhon Sawan where you’ ll have free time to explore on your own. Meals: B, L, D | 42C The Chic Hotel or similar
DAY 8 • Sukhothai Province • Explore Sukhothai Travel to Sukhothai Province where we’ ll have lunch at a local restaurant. Then, we’ ll explore Sukhothai, home to Thailand’ s largest collection of historic ruins and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As Siam’ s first capital, it is considered the kingdom’ s artistic and spiritual epicenter. Later this evening, we have dinner at a local restaurant. Meals: B, L, D | Le Charm Sukhothai Resort or similar
DAY 9 • A Day in the Life of a Thai village • Grand Circle Foundation school visit Rise early to give alms to local monks. Then, we depart for A Day in the Life of Ban Na Sraloi
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 7, enjoy a boat ride along the Tha Chin River, enjoying scenes of daily life along the riverbanks.
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www. oattravel. com / thi 43