Bangkok, Thailand

Pre- or Post-Trip, 4 Days

Itinerary - 4 Days

Day 1 — U.S. (Pre-Tour) or Paro (Post-Tour) /Bangkok

Upon arrival in Bangkok, transfer to the hotel and settle into your room. The evening is at leisure.
Royal Orchid Hotel

Day 2 — Bangkok

After breakfast, enjoy free time to explore Bangkok on your own. Then set out on an afternoon guided city tour, stopping first at Pak Klong Talad, a wholesale market where fresh vegetables, flowers, and herbs are sold. Take a stroll through the stalls before boarding a tuk tuk for a short ride through the old part of the city. Visit Wat Pra Kaew, an exquisite temple whose main chapel houses the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred image for Buddhists in Thailand. From here, continue to the Grand Palace, the former residence and administrative base of the kings of the Chakri Dynasty. Some of the buildings are still used for state and royal functions. Continue to Wat Po, the temple of the Reclining Buddha. Its extensive compound includes a school of traditional medicine as well as a facility for teaching traditional massage. Later, embark on a cruise on the Chao Praya River. Pass through the klongs or canals of Thonburi, taking in scenes of everday life along the waterways. Return to the hotel in the early evening.
Royal Orchid Hotel (B)

Day 3 — Bangkok

Rise early for a guided excursion to the ancient city of Ayuthaya, the capital of Siam (the former name of Thailand) from 1350 to 1767. Originally founded by King U-Thong, the city remained the capital through the reigns of 33 Siamese kings from different dynasties. At its peak (around 1700), Ayuthaya had a population of well over a million inhabitants. Explore the royal temples of this important site and get a glimpse of the glory of the ancient Siamese kingdom. Then glide in a local long-tail boat from Wat Panuncheung to Bang Pa-In, on the way back to Bangkok. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Royal Orchid Hotel (B)

Day 4 — Bangkok/Paro (Pre-tour) or U.S. (Post-tour)

This morning, transfer to the airport to fly to Bhutan or to catch your flight home.