Destinations

Bangkok
Bangkok is one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities which will touch all of the senses with in seconds of your arrival. As with most capital cities, Bangkok is a 24 hour place, constantly on the go, without letting up. Thailand’s sprawling, dynamic and fast paced capital offers more variety, sights and wonders than any other destination in Asia. One full day and night in Bangkok will allow you to explore the main places of interest. But you could also explore Bangkok for a number of weeks and still feel like you have only just scratched the surface. Bangkok encompasses dozens of magnificent temples that form one of Asia’s great spectacles, countless restaurants with superb food at great value, legendary night life to satisfy all possible tastes, excellent shopping and some of the friendliest people in the world. If you explore with an open mind, before you leave Bangkok you will be under its irresistible spell.

Main attractions in Bangkok, apart from the night life and shopping, include The Emerald Buddha Temple, The Grand Palace, timeless canal and river scenes and the most amazing classical dance extravaganzas.

Chiang Mai
Located 700 km from Bangkok, Chiang Mai is pleasantly sited on the banks of The River Ping and situated in a lush valley fringed by forested mountains. The city is popularly known as “The Rose of the North” and presents a huge contrast to 200 year old Bangkok. Chiang Mai was founded in the late 13th century and is one of the oldest settlements in Thailand. It was once the capital of Lanna, an entirely independent Thai Kingdom, complete with its own unique culture, customs and traditions. Chiang Mai is further characterized by being the world’s largest centre for handicrafts. The traditional crafts of the region include silverware, lacquerware celadon pottery and silk, making the city an extraordinary shopping experience. The region also plays host to the colourful hill tribes, who reside in the highlands. These tribes, each with their own distinct culture, religion and language, welcome visitors to undertake a discovery into the traditions and customs which they have cherished for centuries. Chiang Mai offers easy access to some of Thailand’s most breath-taking scenery. Neighboring areas include the mist-shrouded mountains of Mae Hong Sorn, The Golden Triangle, where Burma, Thailand and Laos meet and the ancient city of Chiang Rai.
Chiang Mai demands at least 4 days of exploration. The most interesting places to visit in Chiang Mai include Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, Sankampaeng Handicraft Centre, The Elephant Conservation Camp and, of course, all the surrounding mountains, valleys, waterfalls, forests and countryside.

Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai, the northern most province in Thailand, is well known for its crisp mountain scenery and unique hilltribes. Sharing borders with Myanmar to the north and west and Laos to the east, Chiang Rai hosts the Golden Triangle, which offers awe-inspiring views at the convergence of the borders of all three countries. With stunning accommodation, Chiang Rai is a good centre for exploring the far north. The town itself has several impressive temples, while easy excursions can be made to a number of fascinating sights. On the banks of the river Mekong is the charming little town of Chiang Saen, where ancient ruins indicate an importance long before Chiang Rai was founded. Especially worth visiting is Doi Tung, a mountain where Her Royal Highness, The Princess Mother, has instigated hill tribe and agricultural development projects, and maintains a hill-top palace. Other “must-sees” include Wat Phra Kaeo, Doi Mae Salong and The Hall of Opium.

Mae Hong Sorn & Pai
When you visit Mae Hong Sorn, you will feel an aura of utter remoteness. An array of mountains, waterfalls, caves and pristine forests lend the province much of its unspoiled charm. The road leading to Mae Hong Sorn was only established in 1965, which answers for the sense of calm, which this province possesses. Hidden deep in a valley fringed by majestic mountain ranges, the town of Mae Hong Sorn has a leisurely ambience that comes as a welcome contrast to the bustle of most other northern towns. The liveliest time of the day is between 6 and 8am, when a busy market springs up in the centre of the town, with stalls selling food, clothing and household goods, and hill tribe people mingle with the locals. Otherwise, the chief attractions in Mae Hong Sorn are a stroll around the scenic Jongkhum lake, visiting Wat Prathat Doi Kong Mu and taking in the delightful charm of Tham Pla Forest Park. Go to Mae Hong Sorn for a lovely cool climate, over-whelmingly stunning nature and thrilling adventures in the forests.

Sukhothai
Heading south from Chiang Mai, through the towns of Lampang and Tak, each worthy of a look, you travel down to the very edge of the northern region to legendary Sukhothai. Located 350 km from Chiang Mai, this was Thailand’s first capital, founded in the early 13th century. The numerous ruined temples of what was once a large and glorious city are today preserved in Sokhothai’s wondrous historical park. This ranks as one of Thailand’s not to be missed ancient sights. Spread over a large area are the monuments that attest to the birth of a Thai nation, and which, in their unique architecture, display the first flowering of the Kingdom’s characteristic art. A short distance from Sukhothai are the remains of it’s satellite towns, Sri Satchanalai and Kampaeng Phet, the former uninhabited and enhanced by a hilltop location, the latter a thriving provincial centre. A good base for exploring the Sukhothai area is the town of Phitsanulok, which has some stylish accommodation, stunning architecture and the people are fantastic there too.
Other impressive sights and interesting places to visit include Ramkhamhaeng National Museum, Wat Mahathat, Wat Sri Sawai and Wat Sri Chum.

Ayuttaya
For over 400 years the rivene island town of Ayuttaya served as the second Royal Capital of Thailand. Though largely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767, many of the restored architectural ruins provide eloquent testimony to the splendor of Thailand’s once most powerful empire. Ayuttaya is one of Thailand’s largest archeological sites, as well as being a centre for Thai art and architecture. Just viewing the beautiful ancient sculptures and paintings in Ayuttaya is enough to make it a more than worthy place to visit. However, once the sight-seeing is completed, there is plenty more to experience. Maybe you’ll want to dine on the river, care of one of the town’s floating restaurants or perhaps stroll through the market where the sites, sounds and smells culminating to offer an opportunity to experience all manner of Thai customs and ways of life. If Ayuttaya sounds like your type of destination, make sure you do not miss the main places of interest, such as The Historical Park of Ayuttaya, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and Wat Mongkonborpit. The luxury accommodations in Ayuttaya will not disappoint, having been designed to compliment the city’s history. You will find that they are adorned with antiques and sculptures, draped with the most exquisite silks and scattered with priceless antique furniture, which all blend beautifully with the appealing architecture.

Phuket
Phuket is one of the largest islands in the Indian ocean. It is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, powdery palm fringed beaches; sparkling island-dotted seas; sincerely hospitable people; superb accommodation and delicious seafood. All of these elements combined create a marvelous ambience for a truly memorable holiday.
Before the tourism industry took hold in Phuket, it was noted for its rich tin ores, from which the island’s wealth derives. Today, the island is renowned for it’s magnificent long beaches, abundantly rich vegetation, crystal blue warm waters, fantastic underwater scenery and perfect snorkeling, scuba diving and sailing conditions. Despite being highly popular with tourists, you can still find deserted beaches to escape to in some sunny corners of the island. Some of the most revered attractions in Phuket are: the town itself, with it’s Indo-Portuguese architecture and quaint flea markets; the aquarium, with an abundancy of spectacular marine life; Pha Nga Bay, Phuket’s neighboring province which is home to “James Bond Island”, used as the location for The Man with the Golden Gun; and not forgetting Patong beach, famous for its colourful characters, sensational nightlife and superb choice in Aqua activities. Phuket is a good place to base yourself to take day excursions to neighboring islands Ko Pi Pi, which you may recognize from the staggeringly beautiful scenery in the Hollywood movie “The Beach”, and also Ko Lanta, a remote island where you can take in the peaceful tranquility of the quiet beaches. Phuket really does deserve a good five days stay to fully appreciate the destination. Visitors never fail to fall for this vibrant, lively, strikingly stunning island.

Krabi
Krabi – one of the most enchanting places on the planet. This idyllic southern province really is the ultimate destination, comprising of one of the most geographically interesting and scenically charming landscapes in Thailand. Situated close to the provincial capital of Krabi, which welcomes visitors arriving in its busy port, lies an oceanic wonderland of limestone outcroppings, surrounding white-sand beaches and primeval islands. Less crowded than Phuket and more laid back than Ko Samui, Krabi has an excellent reputation for the cleanest beaches, untouched coral reefs and amazing rock climbing opportunities. Beaches vary in type, from the bustling beach of Ao Nang to the more secluded bays of Railay and Nophorat Thara. Small, neighboring Islands are easily accessed from Krabi town, such as Koh Poda, an ideal retreat for snorkellers and sunbathers; Chicken Island, named so because of the chicken-shaped rock formation at the islands northern tip; and Mosquito and Bamboo Islands, which are both mostly renowned for an abundance of marine life and having some of the most impressive dive sites in Thailand.

Koh Samui
Located in the Gulf of Siam and surrounded by over 60 other islands, Koh Samui is an island of natural beauty and charm. Spend the day lapping up the sunshine on a local fishing boat, trying to catch your dinner, or take a tour of the island, to see the cascading Nam Muang waterfalls, monkeys working in the coconut trees, the Grandmother and Grandfather rocks, which look similar to the male and female genetalia and the largest sitting Buddha in Thailand, grandly overlooking the northern tip of the island, the choice is yours. Samui is in close proximity to Koh Pha Ngan, famous for it’s hippy reputation and full moon party nights; and Turtle Island (Koh Tao), almost untouched by development. Both these islands are only an hours journey to reach and make excellent day excursions. One of the must-sees is the Ang Thong National Marine Park, which was the inspiration for James Garland novel “The Beach”. This archipelago of 42 small islands is characterized by its impressive limestone outcrops, rare coral reefs and blue lagoons. On free nights, take a stroll through the fishermans village of Bo Phut and down to the beach where you can sip cocktails whilst watching the sunset in the horizon. The seafood restaurants here are outstanding!

Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai is the flagship of Thailand’s national parks. It was the first one to be established (in 1962), it is the most visited, and it remains one of the largest at 2,168 square kilometers. Above all it is one of the best refuges in the country for animals and birds in the wild, and remains the most likely spot in Thailand to see a wild tiger or elephant. At lower altitudes, it harbors some fine old tracts of seasonal evergreen forests, some of which is unusually wet. Orchids and other epiphytic are in abundance and there are several plants unique to the area. The park boasts over 20 species of large mammals such as hog badgers and leopard cats and 300 species of birds such as The Coral Billed Ground Cuckoo, The Asian Fairy Bluebird and The Scarlet Minivet. Its wonderful trails, originally made by elephants, wind through forests, streams and grasslands, passing huge buttressed trees, strangling figs, wild boar wallows, mushroom clusters, hornbill nests and salt-licks with quivering mud-pudding butterflies, and possibly a hidden tiger. There are 5 nature trails in total, which take from 2 to 6 hours, depending on which trail you choose. However, they all have there own special points of interest. As well as enjoying a trek in the day, Khao Yai is also famous for its popular night safaris. Sightings of deer, otters, tigers and gibbons are not all that rare in this area.
All this, with the sweet scents, vivid colours and shining sun, makes Khao Yai a most memorable destination. Any lover of nature will be inspired and spoiled. With so much to see and so many activities to partake in, Khao Yai will always hold a special place in your memory and heart.

Khao Yai can be reached easily by car and is only 2 -3 hours south-east of Bangkok.

Umphang Wildlife Sanctury

Kanchanaburi