Elephant, boat, bamboo raft, sea canoe and bike – all necessary means of transportation on a two-week trip around Thailand with Asia Transpacific Journeys. Destinations include Bangkok, Chiang Rai, the Burmese border town of Mae Sai and Phuket, among others, along with time spent at the most important festival in Thailand, Loy Krathong, the celebration that involves thousands of candles floating on banana-leaf boats that send prayers along the water in the moonlight. Travelers also take a river cruise on a teak rice barge, ride an elephant through the jungle, visit hill-tribe villages and journey through Bangkok on a longtail boat. Side trips include white-sand beaches, walks through the rain forest, stops at Buddhist temples, and cooking classes. Accommodations and meals are first-rate, and there is the option of extending the trip to Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Land cost is $5,295 per person ($1,800 single supplement) and includes most meals, lodging, some medical insurance and evacuation, tips, beverages and local beer, and ground transfers; trip departs Nov. 17 and group size is limited to 16. Call 800-642-2742 or visit.
