Thai Buddhism Cultural Immersion.
Optional pre-Bhutan Trip: Thursday, September 26, 2019- Monday, September 30, 2019.
5-Day and 4-Nights.
$ 1,295.00 based on Double Occupancy is all-inclusive, except for international and national airfare to Chiang Mai. Plan on approximately $120.00 round trip Bangkok-Chiang Mai. Two Truths LLC will make your Chiang Mai flight reservations and payment. The airfare depends upon how soon reservations are made for you, and your registration. We will all fly together. In your final invoice, you will be billed for the Chiang Mai round trip flight.
$ 385.00 Single Supplement additional payment. If you prefer, we will endeavor to match you with a roommate. If not possible, please anticipate paying the additional Single Supplement.
The Tour includes all ground transport; air transfers; day excursions to the Elephant Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, and the Thai Organic Cooking School; admissions to the Tribal Museum and the Chiang Mai National Museum; visits to the Hill Tribes of Doi Inthanon National Park; sunrise visit to Wat Pha That Doi Suthep Temple and other monasteries; tuk-tuk local transportation; 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and the Welcome Dinner.
Consider budgeting $6.00–10.00 for lunches, and $8.00–5.00 for dinners. The Tour also includes opportunities to interact with Buddhist monks and nuns, and village residents and artisans.
We recommend that international travelers arrive in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday, September 24th. Many flights from the U.S. arrive in Bangkok in the evening, and so Wednesday, September 25th will be a ‘rest day’, for body kindness, having gone through many time zones. You may wish to do some Bangkok sightseeing September 25th, as well as visiting the nearby Lat Krabang neighborhood Night Market.
The Chiang Mai Tour starts the morning of Thursday, September 26th, with early morning flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, a 1 hour and 20 minute flight. Please view the complete Chiang Mai itinerary.
Health information. We each have our own unique body and possible health challenges, and we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider, and/or your local international health travel clinic.
Having said that, here is what we have found:
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for most travelers, including those with “standard itineraries and accommodations.” Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water and via person-to-person contact.
We will not be in areas of Thailand where there is identified risk for malaria. There are available malaria prophylaxis drugs, if you choose, prior to departure.
Typhoid vaccine is recommended for “adventurous eaters” i.e. “street food.” We do not recommend eating from “street food” vendors. Typhoid is transmitted through food and water. We recommend drinking only bottled water. Please bring a reusable bottle/container for water, so we can refill these in the morning at our hotel’s trustworthy water sources.
Deposits and Payment schedule. Please consult Bhutan Travel Planner, as the Chiang Mai pre-Tour mirrors the same payment cchedule. Deposits and Payments for Chiang Mai are concurrent with the timelines for Bhutan.
Please note: The Chiang Mai deposit for double occupancy is $ 700.00 per person; the single occupancy deposit for Chiang Mai is $ 900.00.
Refund Policy. Please refer to the Bhutan Travel Planner. The Refund Policy is the same, for Chiang Mai pre-Tour as it is for Bhutan.
Climate, Clothing, and Thai Currency. For Chiang Mai, we recommend clothing that you will be comfortable in, with daytime temperatures of 80-88°F, and evening temperatures of 70°F. For your convenience, you may leave luggage for Bhutan in your Bangkok hotel, for ease of travel.
Regarding currency, the Thai Bhat, expressed as “THB” is, for every $10.00 USD is 316 THB. Which is to say 1 USD dollar = 31.6 THB. Best to exchange dollars for Thai currency at the airport, for best exchange rates. In Chiang Mai, there are ATM’s everywhere.