Thailand Insight Adventures - A Real Explorer

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Trip Rating:

Trip (in general): Easy - Adventure for everyone

Trekking part: Moderate – For those wanting a bit more of a challenge

Group size: A maximum of 12 participants.

Itinerary:

Bangkok – Village life – Kanchanaburi – Ayudhaya – Train ride – Chiang Mai – Hill-tribe trek –Elephant riding – River rafting – Thaton - Kok River boat– Chiang Rai – Bangkok - Khao Sok – Krabi Fisherman Village - Krabi - Bangkok

A real adventure for those who want to see the ‘real’ Thailand.

Day 1 Bangkok      (-/-/-)

Group meeting

Welcome to Bangkok! Today is free as group members will arrive individually. We will though provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area until it is time for the group meeting in the evening where we would like you give your local leader an idea of some of the things you would like to do on your tour. Tonight you are in a simple, small hotel; basic but clean and in a good location.

Day 2 Bangkok – Local minibus to Homestay      (B/-/D)

Joyful host, villagers and school kids

You will have a lazy morning to discover more of Bangkok and then leave the bustling city behind by taking a local bus for about 2 hours to a small village near to Kanchanaburi town. After settling into your charming homestay and receiving a warm welcome from your host family you will then have time to explore the village and the chance to offer your English skills to the local school children. You may also join in the daily activities of your 'Thai family'.

Day 3 Homestay – Local bus to Kanchanaburi      (B/-/-)

A tour on foot

Time to say farewell to your kind hosts as you need to catch the local bus to Kanchanaburi and explore the town. After a walking tour you may choose at your preference and budget to take a ride on the famous 'Death Railway' or rent a ‘songthaew’ to Erawan Falls, one of Thailand's most beautiful national parks, or visit the Tiger Temple.

Day 4 Kanchanaburi – Local bus to Ayuthaya – Train to Chiang Mai      (B/-/-)

Jump on a local bus for Ayuthaya. There are many mystical ruins at this famous UNESCO World Heritage Site to visit either by bicycle, local tuk tuk or on elephant back! At your own expense you can choose exactly what you want to see, and how. Then leave the central region of Thailand to head north by another fun mode of transport - the overnight sleeper with comfortable second-class air-conditioned berths.

Days 5 Chiang Mai   (-/-/-)

A walking tour to explore the town

Chiang Mai is a lively, bustling city with its charm and character making the province “a must” to visit. Today we will have a walking tour after you settle into your cozy local hotel.  Walk through the old city to see charming temples, the Warorot Market or visit a meditation temple. In the late afternoon is the group trekking orientation so that you will be prepared and know what to expect while trekking. Overnight in the hotel.

Days 6 Start your adventure trekking – hill-tribe village   (B/L/D)

In the morning leave Chiang Mai by a pick-up truck, heading north to Huay Nam Dang National Park. Trekking starts in the afternoon through forested and hilly terrain for about 1 ½- 2 hours (5-6 Kms.) to a Karen hill-tribe village. Learn something of their way of life while exploring the village, then enjoy a simple dinner. Tonight you are sharing small bamboo huts in the Karen village.

Day 7 Trekking – Elephant riding      (B/L/D)

Breakfast is quite simple but enough to give you energy for a further 3 hours (7-8 Kms.) trekking. You arrive at an elephant camp around lunch time. Then be prepared to take an elephant ride for 1-1½ hours (3-3.5 Kms.). to a rafting camp near by a Karen village. You can enjoy swimming in the stream that passes the village and after dinner your second night in a bamboo hut.

Day 8 Bamboo rafting then to Chiang Mai      (B/L/-)

You should eat as much breakfast as you can to have enough energy for the bamboo rafting (20-25 Kms.) down river. Some stops will be made at local hill tribe-villages along the way. Rafting ends at a second rafting camp. The rafting can take 3-4 hours with fast rapids in the rainy season and up to 6 hours in the summer when the water level is shallow and the current is slow. After lunch return to Chiang Mai by a pick-up and back to your hotel.

Day 9 Chiang Mai - Your free day.     (B/-/-)

Today is a free day but there are still lots of options for you to choose from in this exciting city according to your preference and budget. Your leader will give you good information on what to do, such as Thai cooking, a visit to Doi Suthep or relaxing with a traditional Thai massage. No activities this day are included in the tour price.

Day 10 Chiang Mai – Local bus to Thaton       (B/-/-)

Explore the valley town

Today is a trip to Thaton which is a fascinating sleepy town and we will take 4-hour local bus ride to get there. The town is set in a beautiful valley so climbing up the hill to Wat Tha Ton is a must to see the wonderful views over the mountainous countryside. Or if you prefer, just relax on the grassy bank of the Mae Kok River in front of your bungalow.

Day 11 Thaton – Boat to Chiang Rai       (B/-/-)

A walking tour to explore the town

You will not want to leave Tha Ton but today we will take a 4-hour boat trip to Chiang Rai which is an unforgettable experience and on arrival you will have some time for a leisurely walk around Chiang Rai town.

Day 12 Chiang Rai – Your free day.  (B/-/-)

Today is a free day as we leave it up to you. Your options include, among other things, a visit to the Golden Triangle (and, perhaps, to the border town of Mae Sai to get more country stamps on your passport!) or perhaps Doi Tung, the famous horticultural project instigated by His Majesty the King's mother.

Day 13 Chiang Rai - Local bus to Chiang Mai – Train to Bangkok      (B/-/-)

You will have a lazy morning and then leave the town a bit before noon for Chiang Mai to catch an evening overnight train to Bangkok with comfortable second-class air-conditioned sleeping berths.

Day 14 Bangkok      (-/-/-)

A walking tour for different sights of Bangkok

The train will reach Bangkok in the morning and then check in to your hotel. After settling into your hotel those who are still energetic can perhaps do a walking tour to see a different side of the bustling city.

Day15 Bangkok - Train to Surat Thani      (B/-/-)

Local bus to 'Bang Nam Pung' local floating market

Before leaving Bangkok your tour leader will offer to take you to visit a genuine 'Bang Nam Pung' local floating market. Take a local bus for about one and a half hours out of central Bangkok to a small community named Pra Pradaeng. You will find many delicious local foods, fruits and handmade products brought in by the villagers to the market that is set in  coconut groves and along the canals.

In the evening you will board the train for the overnight journey to Surat Thani, with second-class air-conditioned sleeping berths provided.

Day 16 Surat Thani - Local bus to Khao Sok National Park      (-/-/-)

You will arrive in Surat Thani in the morning. After some time to get yourself breakfast at a local coffee shop near the station, take a public bus to Khao Sok National Park. You will be there at around noon and it is then for you to choose what you would like to explore. The park is 656 sq. km. of dense rainforest with waterfalls, limestone cliffs, numerous streams, an island-studded lake and many riverside walking trails. Don't forget that the park entrance fee is not included in the tour price as your accommodation is just outside the park perimeter.

Day 17 Khao Sok National Park      (B/-/-)

Free to explore the park.

Your options today include lazing around your simple forest huts near the bank of the Sok River or choosing one of various trails and going in search of signs of wildlife, including elephants, serow, banteng, gaur or dusky langur as well as a multitude of bird species. Talk to your local guide and see which option best suits your fitness and budget.

Day 18 Khao Sok National Park – Local bus to Krabi - Krabi Fisherman Village     (B/-/D)

Village tour – Batik practice - ‘Po Noh’ Muslim school

After an early breakfast take a public bus to Krabi. You will meet the villager who will take you to the Nateen fishing village. The villagers are mainly Muslim and so it is a good chance to learn their way of serious religious life. After meeting the kind host, take a tour around the village by local small pick up truck, see their pineapple plantation and how to turn the waste leaves to be beautiful paper and utensils, learn how to do coconut shell and ‘Hua Thong’ miniature boat carving, practice your art skill in batik painting, etc.

At night is the time to join the host to do their local sweet dishes which will be their breakfast next day. Perhaps you can join the kids to the ‘Po Noh’ evening Muslim school.

Overnight at the homestay.

Day 19 Nateen Homestay – Krabi                    (B/L/-)

Early wake up and join the host to their rubber plantation. Observe how to get the rubber from the big trees. Return for breakfast and time to practice more skills with the villagers. Check out how your batik painting turn to be. After lunch, transfer to Ao Nang to enjoy a beach stay.

Overnight at a small resort in Ao Nang Beach area.

Day 20-22  Krabi  (B/-/-)

You will have lots of free time for relaxation, swimming, and sunbathing. Check out with your tour leader for plenty of available options such as canoeing trips, boat to various islands, visiting hot spring and waterfalls, Railey, and much more.

Day 23 bus to Surat Thani  – Train to Bangkok      (B/-/-)

Leave to catch the public bus to Surat Thani. You will have a few hours free to look around, find things to eat and be ready for the night train to Bangkok.

Days 24 Bangkok      (-/-/-)

Your trip finishes on arrival at Bangkok train station at about 07.00. Please check with your local leader for onward travel arrangements. Please check with our other Thailand or Indochina programs for your options. Additional accommodation in Bangkok is available on request.

Remark:

·         We reserve the right to adjust the program without prior notice according to local conditions. However the essential concept of the tour be well maintained.

Services included in the price :

·         Travel by public transportation.

·         Hotel accommodation throughout the tour is on B&B basis in budget-/tourist-class hotels based on 2, 3 or multi-share occupancy.

·         Sleeping facilities during trekking consists of mat on the floor and sheet. Rucksack and water canteen and lifejacket are provided.

·         The homestay is on half board basis with a Thai family and accommodation is in the guest room of the house (sleeping facilities are provided and guests should bring their own toiletries).

·         Full board will be provided during trekking (boiled drinking water included).

·         Trekking park entrance fee

·         2^nd-class air-conditioned train with sleeping berth Ayudhaya / Chiang Mai / Bangkok / Surat Thani / Bangkok.

·         The services of a local English-speaking guide.

Services not included in the price:

·         Drinks and meals not mentioned in the above itinerary.

·         Costs of optional excursions.

·         Admission fees (except park entrance fee for trekking in Chiang Mai).

·         Tips for guides and drivers.

·         Personal expenses.

List of preferred accommodation:

Bangkok                            -     Trang (std a/c room)

Kanchanaburi (village)        -     Nong Khao homestay (see details in services included)

Kanchanaburi  (town)         -     Sam House (fanned bung.)

Chiang Mai                         -     Prince Hotel (a/c room)

Thaton                                -     Bansun Riverhouse (std. fanned room)

Chiang Rai                          -     Golden Triangle Inn (a/c room)

Khao Sok                          -     Khao Sok Rain Forest Resort (fanned bungalow)

Krabi (Village)                    -     see details in services included

Krabi (Ao Nang Beach)     -     Pranang Place (Mountain View a/c room)