Thailand is a country of wonder and enchantment. When you are there you never want to leave and when you leave you yearn to be back in that place where smiles are infectious and massages plentiful. The city of Bangkok is an adventure unto itself. Its many temples and museums will enchant. See the Emerald Buddha and head to the Floating Market. Follow with escapes outside the city into the wonder of the Kingdom of Thailand. A short flight brings us to rural northern reaches near Chiang Mai and Chang Rai, which welcomes you with an eclectic blend of history, culture, soft adventure, beautiful mountainous scenery and laid back charm. Here you can visit one of the remote hill tribes. Then, take a flight to the extraordinary south, at the world renowned resort of Phuket with its amazing offer of entertainment and excursions.

Day 1: Tuesday – New York - Bangkok
Flight to Bangkok.

Day 2: Wednesday – Bangkok
Arrival in frenetic Bangkok, your Tour Escort will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight Bangkok

Day 3: Thursday - Bangkok –The Royal Palace, Temples and the Night Market
Our guided sightseeing of today will take us for a drive across the city into the inner core to see the contrast between old and new Bangkok. Visit to the outstanding temples (Wat) such as - Wat Pho famous for its Reclining Buddha, Wat Trimitr, and the world's largest Golden Buddha believed to be about 700 years old. Then visit the Royal Grand Palace, the most important landmark in Bangkok. It is famous for its impressive architectures and building. Explore the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew, with the revered Emerald Buddha, carved from a single block of jade, and other key attractions such as the Coronation Throne Hall, Royal Reception Hall, Royal Funeral Hall, the Golden Chedi, and the Royal Pantheon. Afternoon will enjoy a cruise on Chaophraya River.
In the evening we will visit the famous Night Market.
Overnight Bangkok

Day 4: Friday – Chiang Mai
Transfer to the airport for the Flight to Chiang Mai located about 700km northwest of Bangkok. This city, known as the "Rose of the North", is a must see for any journey to Thailand. In this cooler city to the north the pace slows down a bit and the experiences are plentiful. From the airport we will proceed to the outskirts of Chiang Mai to visit the craft villages in order to get an insider's perspective at the Thai handicraft production: cotton and silk weaving, silverware, lacquer ware, woodcarving and Thai doll making. After the visit we will continue to our hotel.
Shabbat services, followed by Shabbat dinner.
Overnight Chiang Mai

Day 5: Shabbat – Chiang Mai
After morning Services and Shabbat lunch, enjoy a walking tour of
the area around the hotel.
Overnight Chiang Mai

Day 6: Sunday – Chiang Mai – Elephant Camp and Doi Suthep Temple
We open the day with a visit at an Elephant Camp where we can ride (optional) through the Jungle on the back of these massive beasts and witness a demonstration of their skills. Northern Thailand is mountainous and white water rafting is popular on the Mae Tang River, which tumbles out of the hills. On our way back we will visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep – Chiang Mai's most important Temple, a sacred site and pilgrimage destination to many Thai people. The temple is said to have been founded in 1383 when the first Chedi was built. Set on the hilltop and visible all around the countryside it offers magnificent views.
In the evening we will visit the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

Day 7: Monday – Long Neck Women Tribe, Chiang Rai
This morning we’ll embark on a hill tribe journey in the mountainous area surrounding Chiang Mai. We head for Thaton Nature Reserve. From Thaton River View Resort we depart for a promenade through the spectacular gorge. Next we will drive through the jungle to visit the Longneck women Village of Nai Soi, the largest of the three Pa Dong villages around Mae Hong son. The Pa Dong are a small minority of the Red Karen tribe, also called Karenni. The Karenni lived in Burma, as a small independent state, until they flew from Burma to Thailand. Late afternoon we will arrive to our hotel in Chiang Rai.
Overnight Chiang Rai.

Day 8: Tuesday Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle, Mekong River Boat Trip, Mae Sai
Chiang Rai is a starting point to reach the sites of many Hill Tribes and to get acquainted with their special ethnic features, dress and tradition in their original habitat. We shall visit Yao and Akha tribes. Then we drive to the Golden Triangle – where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar (formerly Burma) and Laos meet up at the Mekong River. In the past this was the center of the opium trade run by the local hill tribes. Here we board for a motor boat ride along the scenic Mekong River. At the end of our river cruise we visit the ancient fortified city Of Chiang Saen situated on the Banks the Mekong River. We finish our full day tour at the border town of Mai Sai where the Thai and Burmese ground borders meet. In the evening we will return to Chiang Mai.
Overnight Chiang Mai

Day 9: Wednesday – Phuket
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Phuket - dubbed the Pearl of the South, Thailand's largest and most visited island is one of the world's most famous dream destinations. A whirl of color and cosmopolitanism, Phuket revolves around and thrives on tourism, yet it retains a spark of the real Thailand. Upon arrival familiarize yourself with the island of Phuket. Take in the islands natural beauty as you drive along the beach roads through Patong, Karon, Kata and Rawai beaches. Each beach offers a different type of holiday experience. In the evening you may like to admire the exquisite Phuket Fantasea, a Las Vegas-style production spectacle. It is culture night time entertainment Theme Park on the Kamala Beach. Charming and beautiful classical dances from Thailand’s various regions play a prominent part in the variety of shows presented (optional).
Overnight Phuket

Day 10:Thursday – Phuket – James Bond Island
This is a unique experience that takes us into the famous Phang Nga Bay to visit Koh Ping Kan otherwise known as the James Bond Island made famous by the James Bond movie 'The Man with the Golden Gun'. Phang Nga can be reached in so many different ways however our tour takes you aboard a cruiser through the Mangrove jungles and limestone peaks that rise vertically from the sea. The newly discovered sea caves and 'Hongs' are an exciting feature. Hong is the Thai word for room. These Hongs are open-air cliff-lined cylindrical tidal lagoons connected to the outside world only through stalactite-filled tunnels which were undiscovered until the spring of 1990. On our way back to the hotel we will visit a Cashew Nut factory.
Overnight Phuket

Day 11: Friday – Phuket
Day at leisure at leisure to enjoy the countless entertainment options in the hotel and on the beach.
Shabbat services follow by Shabbat Dinner
Overnight Phuket

Day 12: Shabbat – Phuket
After morning Services and lunch, we will have a walking tour of the
area near the hotel.
Overnight Phuket

Day 13: Sunday – Bangkok, Ayutthaya
A morning flight takes us back to Bangkok. Directly from the airport we go out for ride through the countryside which will bring us to Ayutthaya the ancient Capital of Thailand for some 400 years (1350 to 1767). We will take a walk through the ruins offering us an insight into Thailand of the past with many fine temples and two museums. A short drive along the banks of the Chaopraya River will bring us to Bang Pa In, summer Palace of the kings of Thailand. The Palace dates back to the 17th century, pre-dating the establishment of Bangkok as the Capital, although it did fall into disuse for a long period. All the buildings we see date from its revival by King Mongkut (Rama IV) in the 19th century. Today, the Palace is only used infrequently, and then mostly for State occasions rather than as a Royal summer residence.
Overnight Bangkok

Day 14: Monday – Bangkok, Floating Market, Kanchanaburi
An early morning start to reach Damnern Saduk, the famous colorful floating market at its peak hour of activity. We will join local people in canoes laden with colorful fruits, vegetables and spices making their way through the canals. We will continue our tour with a visit of a Coconut Farm, and from here will proceed to the picturesque Kanchanaburi, 130km west of Bangkok in the valley of the Mae Klong River. During the Japanese occupation of WW II allied soldiers prisoners have been used to build the infamous ”Death Railway” along the Khwae Noi River. (A story popularized by the movie "The Bridge over the River Kwai"). It is estimated that 16,000 prisoners of war and over 50,000 impressed laborers died during the building of the railroad. We will visit the Jeath War Museum narrating the construction of the "Death Railway", and the Cemetery for the Allied POWs who died whilst building the railway. Then board a boat for a river trip to one of the nearby villages.
At the end of the tour we return to Bangkok.
Overnight Bangkok.

Day 15: Tuesday - Bangkok – New York
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Round trip air fare from New York and Internal flights as per itinerary.
• Superior First Class and First Class Hotels.
• Kosher Meals daily. (For details see General Conditions).
• Transportation by air conditioned coaches.
• Sightseeing, transfers and entrance fees as per Itinerary.
• Experienced English speaking Tour Escort.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Airport and security tax.
• Travel Insurance (For details see General Conditions).
• Gratuities to local service providers and Tour Escort.
• Optional tours as per Itinerary.
• Individual transfers.
• Any item not mentioned under “included in price”.