Thailand Jungles & Beaches

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Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Bangkok

Accommodation: Nouvo City Hotel or similar, Bangkok

Activities:

• Arrive in Bangkok where you are transferred to your hotel. A pre-trip briefing is held in the evening, to meet the other members of your group and discuss the trip itinerary. Please check for a Welcome Notice on the hotel noticeboard located near the hotel lifts which will provide your tour leader's name and the exact time and location of your Welcome Meeting.
• Until this meeting we encourage you to get out and explore the delights that Bangkok has to offer, including trying some of Thailand’s famous cuisine.
• After the group meeting in the evening we may head off to a nearby restaurant and enjoy a meal together (this is optional and at your own expense). The rest of the evening is free - perhaps a quiet drink or a visit to the bustling night markets of Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Accommodation: Nouvo City Hotel or similar, Bangkok

Activities:

• Today is a full day to enjoy the sights of Bangkok.
• This city tour is all done on the different forms of public transport available to the citizens of Bangkok (Skytrain, canal boat, ferry and bus), to give you a true taste of life in this busy and varied city.
• First up it’s a stop at Jim Thompson’s House, a collection of unique antique Thai houses situated by a klong (canal). Here we get to appreciate its amazing Asian art collection. Jim Thompson was an American who arrived in Thailand during World War II and worked with the predecessor to the CIA, the OSS. When the war ended he changed professions and remained in Thailand. He is credited with reviving the Thai silk industry before mysteriously disappearing in the Cameron Highlands, in Malaysia, in 1967.
• We then visit the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), a must for first-time travellers to Bangkok.
• We also visit Wat Po, home of the famous Reclining Buddha. (When visiting temples and palaces in Thailand, please dress conservatively in order to respect the local culture).
• At the end of a busy day we also have a chance to discover the city’s shopping opportunities. For dinner we head down to the Chao Praya River to enjoy an optional Thai feast at a riverside restaurant.

Day 3: Kanchanaburi Region

Travel time: approximately 2 ½ hours

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Accommodation: Nouvo City Hotel or similar, Bangkok

Activities:

• We depart Bangkok and make our way to Kanchanaburi by our private minibus.
• A tour takes us to explore the sights in town, including the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai, the sobering Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and the JEATH War Museum.
• We also explore the beautiful countryside whilst driving out to the infamous Hellfire Pass, where we visit the fascinating museum that chronicles the events of World War II, as well as view a nearby section of the infamous Burma Death Railway.
• Following this we take a short longtail boat ride up river and check into our idyllic and peaceful accommodation, set in the countryside on the banks of the River Kwai Noi, away from town.

Day 4: Ayuthaya - Ban Koh Kerd

Travel time: approximately 4-5 hours

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Accommodation: River Kwai Resortel or similar, Kanchanaburi

Activities:

• We then head to Ayuthaya (approximately 4-5 hours).
• Situated 90 kilometres north of Bangkok, Ayuthya was the capital of Siam from 1350 to 1767 We then head to Ayuthaya.
• Situated 90 kilometres north of Bangkok, Ayuthya was the capital of Siam from 1350 to 1767 AD. In its prime it was one of the largest and most glamorous cities in the world and the capital city of the then huge Siamese empire, that included large parts of Laos, Cambodia and Burma. Following a siege of nearly two years, the city suffered total destruction at the hands of the Burmese.
• We board our private rice barge for a two-hour lunch cruise around this ancient city and its major temples.
• After our cruise, we head to Ban Koh Kerd, where we spend a night in a traditional Thai teak house. The accommodation is basic, however it enables you to experience a slice of the life-style of our gracious Thai hosts.

Day 5: Sukhothai

Travel time: approximately 5-6 hours

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Accommodation: The legendha Sukhothai or similar, Sukhothai

Activities:

• After an early morning wake-up call to offer alms to the monks, we embark on a long drive to Sukhothai.
• Our journey takes us through the central plains of Thailand - the major rice producing region of the country.
• We pass townships such as Uthai Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet and Tak, before reaching our destination. Most of these towns see very few foreign tourists.
• Tonight we stay in a comfortable hotel situated between the new town and the archaeological site.

Day 6: Sukhothai - Lampang

Travel time: approximately 4-5 hours

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Accommodation: Lampang Elephant Center Resort or similar

Activities:

• Sukhothai, historically known as 'The Dawn of Happiness', was Thailand's first capital. Some of the finest Thai antiques, Buddha images and ceramic pieces date from this period.
• We have an early start and visit the Sukhothai ruins. Here we ride bicycles – a great way to explore the archaeological park. After the decline of Sukhothai, the site remained deserted for centuries. The first major restoration began in 1979 and the visitors’ centre displays the original layout of the city.
• In the afternoon, we travel by private mini-van to Lampang, former centre of the teak wood trade. The chicken is the symbol of the province and can be seen everywhere. Legend has it that the god Indra was concerned that people wouldn’t get up in time to offer alms to the Lord Buddha, who was arriving the following day, so he descended on the province in the form of a chicken and started crowing to ensure everyone woke in time!
• In the late afternoon we visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. Built in Lanna style, it is arguably one of the most beautiful temples in northern Thailand. Your tour leader can teach you how to ‘tum bon’ (make merit), which ultimately should assist you in returning, in your next life, one step closer to enlightenment.
• We spend a special night in bungalows at the Lampang Elephant Conservation Center.

Day 7: Lampang - Chiang Mai

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Accommodation: The Imperial Maeping or similar, Chiang Mai

Activities:

• In the morning we see a demonstration of the skills that have made elephants such an integral part of the Thai logging trade. It is a great chance to get close to these magnificent animals.
• After lunch, it’s an hour’s drive Chiang Mai. It is a moated city with the impressive backdrop of Doi Suthep, a 1,676-metre peak that offers impressive views of the surrounding countryside. Near the summit is a famous temple – Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
• Chiang Mai is a melting pot of cultures and customs of the hill tribe people of northern Thailand.
• The evening presents you with a fantastic opportunity to explore the famous Night Bazaar, a shopper’s paradise! The combination of the local Lanna handicrafts and the traditional wares of the hill tribe people on offer ensure that you won’t go away empty handed!

Day 8: Chiang Dao - Chiang Mai

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Accommodation: The Imperial Maeping or similar, Chiang Mai

Activities:

• We catch a private mini-bus and drive for an hour and a half into the northern hill region around Chiang Dao.
• An elephant ride through the forest delivers us the hill tribe villages where we then trek around the area, visiting Palong, Karen, Lisu and Akha people.
• Meeting these colourful people gives you an insight into their unique lifestyle and customs.

Day 9 -12: Koh Samui

Meals included: 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Accommodation: Buddy Orient Hotel or similar, Samui

Activities:

• We say goodbye in the morning to the ‘Rose of the North’, as Chiang Mai is sometimes called, before we make our way to by flight to our beach paradise in Koh Samui. Please note that you will not be escorted by a tour leader for the rest of your trip, but the resort staff will be on hand to look after you. For further assistance and any other inquiries, you can also contact our local operator in Thailand.
• We then spen the next three full days in Koh Samui. This idealistic location is a perfect for either relaxing on the beach or by the pool in this tropical paradise.
• If you happen to tire of lying by the pool or basking in the sand, go island hopping - there are hundreds to explore!

Day 13: Koh Samui

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Activities:

• The tour ends after breakfast in Koh Samui today.
• A transfer to the airport is not included. You may wish to stay longer in Koh Samui simply book some post tour accommodation.

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Your Trip

What's Included

Local tour leader (for first 9 days of tour), local guides, arrival transfer, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees, rice barge cruise.

Summary of accommodation, transport & meals

Accommodation

• 9 nights Comfortable hotel
• 1 night Teak house
• 1 night Village hut
• 1 night Bungalow

Meals

• 11 breakfasts
• 3 lunches
• 2 dinners

Not Included

International flights, airport departure taxes, visas, insurance, other meals, any optional tours and activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.

Optional Extras

We have chosen some great optional activities to enhance your travel experience. You will need to cover any additional costs yourself. For group trips, speak to your leader if you are interested in any of the following:

• Bangkok - Grand Palace
  THB500.00
• Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House
  
• Bangkok - Klong Tour (long tailed boat)
  THB1000
• Bangkok - National Museum
  
• Bangkok - Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
  THB50
• Chiang Mai - Bicycle Tour
  THB750.00
• Chiang Mai - Flight of the Gibbon
  THB3300 including transport and lunch
• Chiang Mai - Mae Ping River Experience
  THB1400 including transport
• Chiang Mai - Thai cookery class
  THB1300
• Chiang Mai - Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
  THB700 including transport
• Ko Samui - Canopy Ride
  THB1500
• Ko Samui - Thai Cooking Class
  THB1500
• Koh Samui - Day trip to Ang Thong Marine Park by speedboat
  

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Important Information

Local Tour Leaders
By employing and training local guides to lead our group holidays, there is a two-fold benefit. Firstly, we provide employment opportunities for the local community. Just as importantly is the benefit to you, the traveller. Your tour leader’s friendship, humour, passion and intimate knowledge of the region will be key factors in making your holiday a success.

Tipping
Tipping has become an accepted part of tourism in South East Asia. Your tour leader will be able to advise you in this area; however, as a guideline we would recommend tipping 10% of the total bill in restaurants and a small tip to hotel bellboys for carrying your bags.

At you pre-tour briefing your tour leader will discuss with you the idea of running a tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then the tour leader pays the tips and keeps a record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour is returned to group members. This is often the easiest way to avoid the hassles of needing small change and knowing what is an appropriate amount to tip.

It is customary to tip your tour leader, at the end of the trip, if you are happy with the service. A minimum tip of US$2 per day, from each member of the group, is the usual amount expected.

Etiquettes and Customs
Your tour leader will advise you further on Thai cultural etiquettes during your tour; however, here are some simple ones to get you started.
· Patting a Thai on their head is considered extremely rude and insulting
· Public displays of affection are not acceptable, including holding hands and kissing.
· Losing your temper or showing anger and shouting or yelling will lose respect immediately;
to remain cool, calm and collected at all times is an admired quality in a person in Thai
culture
· When visiting temples, ensure your shoulders and knees are covered. They are places of
worship, so it is important to dress modestly
· The monarchy is held in very high esteem in Thailand. Please show the highest level of
respect to the king of Thailand and never make jokes about him

Songkran
The Thai Buddhist New Year or Songkran is celebrated every year on 13th April, although the associated water throwing festivities can start well before and go on through to a week well beyond this date. Songkran is a time of cleaning and renewal. Thais go to the temple to pray, give food to the monks and clean the Buddha statues with scented water. It is believed these practises will bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year. Water is used to pay respect to your elders, particularly your parents, during the Songkran period. It is poured in small amounts over the hands as a sign of respect. These days the nation erupts into one huge water fight and the small amounts have turned into bucket loads. The date used to be set by astrological calculations, but these days the date is set. Until 1888 Songkran represented the beginning of the year in Thailand. After 1888 the date of 1st April was considered the first day of the year. In 1940 the date of 1st January was recognised as the beginning of the new year, in line with international practice. It is a great time of year to be in Thailand and a lot of fun taken in the right spirit. However you will need to have an easy going attitude to your travels, as when you head outside there is a good chance that you will get wet. In addition to this it is a busy travel time, so you may find that the transport listed in the itinerary is not always the transport you get.

Dry Season Tours
Please note that March and April are traditionally the hot dry months in Thailand. During this time, the villagers burn their fields before the onset of the wet season, in order to prepare for the following season’s harvest. Whilst travelling at this time of the year, please be prepared for the fact that the fields and jungles are not lush and green, but dry and brown.

Thai Visas
Please note that any travellers of certain nationalities (ie. Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders) do not normally require a visa for Thailand if flying in and staying up to 30 days. However, travellers will only get 15 days of stay if arriving without a visa at a land border checkpoint from a neighbouring country. Travellers arriving in Thailand this way and planning to stay in the country longer than 15 days should obtain a Thai visa before they leave home.

All other nationalities should check for visa requirements with their travel agents. Please note that those nationalities requiring a visa may need to acquire one before they arrive Thailand, as a visa on arrival is not available at certain land borders.

Single Supplements
Due to the style of accommodation on our tours it might not always be possible to book you in a single room throughout the trip. If you book a single supplement it will not apply to nights on the overnight trains, homestays, Longhouses, village huts, mountain huts, rainforest lodges ,on hill tribe treks, on boats, Camp 5 in Sarawak, Iban Longhouse, ryokan’s and on the Kokoda Track. If you are unsure of where a single supplement will apply please check with your travel agent before booking.

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version.  If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

6 May 2013

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