OVERVIEW
10 days from $ 2690.00 including airfare with Cathay Pacific Airways
Visiting: Bangkok, Thai capital and one of Asia's most cosmopolitan
cities - a splendid combination of modernity and traditional culture
and
Chiang Mai, The Shangri-la of Thailand, a largely mountainous
province with historic temples, was founded in 1296.
with optional extensions to
Pattaya Asia's premier beach resort
River Kwai A jungle retreat on the historical river
Phuket A magnificent tropical island in the Andaman Sea
Angkor Wat One of the world's greatest cultural heritage sites in Cambodia
Departure dates:
Friday November 7, 2003 to Friday April 23, 2004
2003 Nov 7, 21
2004 Jan
2, 16, 30, Feb 6, 20, 27,
Mar 5, 19, 26, Apr 16, 23
Please note: This program is offered to both men and women
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day
1, Friday Home
city/Bangkok
Depart from your home city to Bangkok via Cathay Pacific Airways.
Day 2, Saturday Enroute
You "lose" a day crossing the International Date Line.
Day
3, Sunday Bangkok
On arrival in Bangkok this morning, you will be met at the airport
and transferred to the
Amari Watergate Hotel in the heart
of this bustling metropolis. The Amari Watergate is ideally located
in central Bangkok, convenient for sightseeing and shopping, within
walking distance of Prathunam Market and within easy reach of a
number of first class spas offering traditional Thai Massage, Swedish
Massage, Acupressure, Aromatherapy, Hydro-therapy, Full body & Facial
Treatments, Herbal Treatment, Sauna, Jacuzzi etc. The hotel's own
Clark Hatch Fitness Centre offers: state-of-the-art gymnasium, 2
squash courts, aerobics studio, Sauna, steam room and indoor jacuzzi,
whirlpool. This afternoon, enjoy a tour of the spectacular sights
of Bangkok, including the Grand Palace, home of Thai Kings and the
temple of the Emerald Buddha. Also experience Bangkok's waterways
by converted rice barge, travelling through the klongs - or canals
- to view an ancient and simple way of life. The evening is free.
Day
4, Monday Bangkok
Early morning departure for golf at the famous
Thai Country Club,
an exclusive private members' club. The original Thai Country Club
golf course has been completely redeveloped into a world class championship
course keeping in place mature natural features such as fully grown
conifers and eucalyptus trees. The new golf course has been built
to "US-PGA" standards by Dennis Griffiths. The course features Paspalum
grass, which is salt resistant and grows horizontally for a smoother
golfing surface and can be considered as the latest turf advancement
in Thailand; 7,052 yards of distinctly different "climate zones".
Non-golfers visit the fascinating National Museum, full of
historical relics, followed by Jim Thomson House, the beautiful
teak house that was the home of Jim Thomson, pioneer of today's
Thai silk industry. There will be ample time for browsing in the
adjacent silk shop; full of glorious Thai silks, or just relax around
the pool. Golfers back in early afternoon. Rest of the day is free.
(B)
Day 5, Tuesday Bangkok
Again early departure for golfers to the
Lam Look Ka Golf & Country
Club. Roger Packard has created a pleasant modern course, typical
of the former paddy field courses around Bangkok, with lots of water,
wide fairways and big greens. There has been a great deal of planting,
so the course already is blessed with more shade than many of the
newer courses. The game strategy is accuracy rather than power play.
A few holes have water on both sides of the fairway and at the back
of the green. The big clubhouse provides every amenity for the golfer.
Non-golfers enjoy a day at leisure for shopping, optional
tours, perhaps take a Thai Cooking Course or spend the day at a
luxurious spa. This evening experience authentic Thai cuisine, at
the well known Baan Kanitha Restaurant. (B,D)
Day
6 Wednesday Bangkok / Chiang Mai
Transfer to the Bangkok airport for the short flight to Chiang Mai.
On arrival, you are met and taken to the Amari Rincome Hotel,
perfectly situated for exploring Chiang Mai city. Relax by the poolside
or enjoy an invigorating Thai massage. On the hotel grounds are
tennis and basketball courts. This evening, take the opportunity
to visit the Night Market, a huge area of downtown Chiang Mai that
comes alive after dark with stalls and vendors of every imaginable
product. Don't forget to test your bargaining skills - an absolute
must! The hotel will provide you with free transportation. A number
of other excellent spas are within easy reach, including the exquisite
Lanna Spa at the Regent Hotel. The Spa offers an exciting range
of treatments with extensive use of Thai herbs and aromatic oils,
sourced from their traditional rural origins, combining herbal steam
with massage, body scrubs, wraps, facial treatments, and hair care.
Golfers: depart to play a round at Green Valley Golf Club.
This Dennis Griffiths & Associates designed championship course
offers an unusually tough challenge. The tournament calibre course
has Chiang Mai's most superbly conditioned and maintained fairways
and greens, 7,200 yards of wide open fairways, tough water hazards
on every hole and plenty of bunkers. The course sits on a slightly
flat terrain sloping towards the Ping River. Most holes are heavily
bunkered, making play even more exacting. The huge club house provides
first-class amenities.
Non-golfers: morning to relax, to enjoy the spa or to do
some shopping. This afternoon's tour (golfers too) features a drive
up a steep mountain to visit the famous hilltop temple complex of
Wat Doi Suthep with its spectacular panoramic view of Chiang Mai.
(B)
Day
7, Thursday Chiang
Mai
Today is a full day of very special adventures, as we travel out
of Chiang Mai to visit local hill tribe villages and a waterfall
(light trekking). Enjoy a barbeque lunch in the middle of the jungle,
then set off on elephant back for a jungle trek. Next, cool off
with a bamboo raft trip down the river before returning to the hotel
in Chiang Mai. (B,L)
Day
8 Friday Chiang
Mai
Golfers: Hit the links this morning at the
Royal Chiang
Mai Golf Club. Designed by 5 times British Open winner Peter
Thomson and Michael Wolveridge, this 6900 yard, par 72, park-land
style course is located in the foothills of Northern Thailand. The
high altitude provides a cooler, less humid climate, sweet refreshing
air, and gentle breezes. It's filled with the songs of birds, an
abundance of wildlife, and thousands of flowering trees erupting
in different fragrances and colours every month of the year. The
design uses elements from a British links style course, including
bumpy gently rolling fairways, pot bunkers and closely mowed areas
around the greens.
Non-golfers: morning to relax, to enjoy the spa or to do
some shopping. This afternoon, (golfers too) get acquainted with
Thai Home Industry, visiting workshops producing laquerware, silks,
paper umbrellas, woodcarvings and silverware. Back to hotel late
afternoon and the rest of the day is free. (B)
Day
9, Saturday Chiang
Mai
Golfers: Again, early departure for golfers to
Chiang
Mai Lamphun Golf Club. The distinctively northen influence Chiang
Mai - Lamphun golf club lies in hilly countryside about an hour
away from the centre of Chiang Mai by car. The course offers a challenge
to golfers of all handicaps - it features creeks, water hazards,
and contoured terrain - but you will need to be accurate as the
bunkers and hazards are placed to catch you unawares. The 10-year-old
red roofed clubhouse is a delight as not only does it fit in well
with the local natural and beautiful surroundings, it also features
first-class amenities.
Non-golfers: Morning at leisure to relax or to visit to a
spa. This evening, a very special farewell dinner has been arranged
at Baan Suan Restaurant in beautiful surroundings on the banks of
the Ping River. This will be an unforgettable evening so don't forget
to bring your camera. (B,D)
Day
10, Sunday Chiang
Mai / Home city
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home via
Bangkok with Cathay Pacific Airways. (B)
OR
take one of 4 optional extensions
Pattaya
River
Kwai
Phuket
Angkor Wat
| Cost per person |
| Departure Date |
Vancouver |
Calgary
Edmonton |
Toronto |
Montreal
Ottawa |
Single
Supplement |
Land
Only * |
2003
Nov 7, 21 |
CA $ 2690 |
CA $ 2890 |
CA $ 2890 |
CA $ 2890 |
CA $ 330 |
CA $ 1790 |
2004
Jan2, 16 |
CA $ 3090 |
CA $ 3290 |
CA $ 3290 |
CA $ 3290 |
CA $ 350 |
CA $ 1890 |
| Jan 30 |
CA $ 2790 |
CA $ 2990 |
CA $ 2990 |
CA$ 2990 |
CA $ 330 |
CA $ 1890 |
| Feb 6, 20, 27 |
CA $ 2790 |
CA $ 2990 |
CA $ 2990 |
CA$ 2990 |
CA $ 330 |
CA $ 1890 |
| Mar 5, 19, 26 |
CA $ 2890 |
CA $ 2990 |
CA $ 3090 |
CA$ 3090 |
CA $ 350 |
CA $ 1990 |
| Apr 16, 23 |
CA $ 2790 |
CA $ 2990 |
CA $ 2990 |
CA$ 2990 |
CA $ 330 |
CA $ 1890 |
| Add-on fares from
other cities: Victoria, Kelowna CA $100, Saskatoon, Regina,
Winnipeg CA $100 (based on Calgary), Halifax, St. John's CA
$200 (based on Toronto). |
* Land only cost includes
airfare Bangkok-Chiang Mai return
Land only cost in US $1450 Single supplement US $ 250
Non-golfers deduction CA $250 (US $190) |
Price includes:
International economy class airfare via Cathay Pacific Airways;
Bangkok Chiang Mai airfare via Bangkok Airways; First class accommodation;
Full breakfast daily, plus 1 lunch and 2 special dinners; Comprehensive
sightseeing; Transfers and baggage handling; English speaking tour
guide; Plus: 5 games of golf on some of Thailand's finest courses
including transportation, green fees, caddy and golf cart.
Not included:
Cancellation and medical insurance; gratuities to guides, drivers
and caddies; meals not shown; personal expenses. Taxes, airline
surcharges for fuel and insurance, airport security, etc. CA$ 160
US$ 120
Thai cooking classes are available at the
hotel - client to arrange on their own.
