12 days Thailand Trekking Page 123

Thailand Trekking - 12 Days (Bangkok back to Bangkok)

Trip Rating (for trekking part): Moderate – For those wanting a bit more of a challenge.

Applicable for: A group of minimum 2 persons

Itinerary:

A package to Northern Thailand visiting the kingdom’s ancient capital of Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second largest city and “Rose of the North”, and including a 3-day trek through stunning mountain scenery. The trek features staying overnight in hill tribe village, elephant-back riding and an exciting bamboo river-raft trip. A trip to the famous Golden Triangle also included.

Day 1, Bangkok (-/-/-)

Joint transfer from airport to hotel and check in.

Day at leisure.

Overnight.

Day 2, Bangkok (B/-/-)

An early morning at 07:30 hrs. at the lobby of Royal Hotel, an excursion to visit a floating market. In the afternoon visit three of the most famous monasteries in Thailand and experience the beauty of these spectacular yet delicate Thai architectural works of art: the Marble Temple, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Golden Buddha Temple.

Overnight.

Day 3, Bangkok / Phitsanuloke (B/-/-)

After breakfast depart by public air-conditioned bus for Phitsanulok, a principle city of northern Thailand for more than 500 years. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.

Overnight.

Day 4, Phitsanuloke / Sukhothai / Chiang Mai (B/-/-)

Morning excursion to Sukhothai, the oldest Thailand's former capitals, where the recently restored ruins of the Grand Palace and many temples dated back to the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great (AD 1277-1317) are preserved as historically valuable monuments and essential elements of Thailand's cultural heritage.

Transfer to the railway station for day train to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, transfer to the hotel.

Overnight.

Day 5, Chiang Mai (B/-/-)

Tour to Doi Suthep Monastery, spectacularly located on a mountain top at an altitude of 3,520 feet with splendid views of the surrounding countryside. This is followed by a visit to a centre for local handicrafts, such as paper umbrellas, silk, silverware and lacquerware.

Overnight.

Day 6, Trekking (B/L/D)

Depart Chiang Mai by a pick-up, heading north for about 1 ½ hrs. to Mae Malai. Visit the local market and then continue for 40-50 minutes to Pang Lan waterfall for relaxation and lunch before continuing by truck for about 1 1/2 hours to Huay Nam Dang National Park. Start trekking through the forest for about 1 ½- 2 hours, 5-6 Km. to a Karen village of Baan Mae Jok. Enjoy a village walk to witness their way of living that links to the nature. Dinner and overnight in the village.

Day 7, Trekking (B/L/D)

After breakfast trek for 3 hours, 7-8 Km. to an elephant camp and after lunch take an elephant ride for 1-1½ hours, 3-3.5 Km. to a rafting camp near by a Karen village of Bann Pa Khaolam. The Karen originated in Myanmar and is the largest tribal minority in Thailand.

Dinner and overnight at the Karen village.

Remark: Sometimes you may overnight at a rafting camp near by the village and the elephant riding might be on the next day. This depends on local conditions and can be informed locally.

Day 8, Trekking / Chiang Mai (B/L/-)

After breakfast take a bamboo raft (20-25 Km. in total) down river for 1½ hour to a small Lahu village of Ban Pong Ngan. The Lahu are related to the Lolo of Tibet who migrated through China and Myanmar to settle in Thailand more than 50 years ago. Continue rafting for about 2 - 2 1/2 hours to a Shan village for lunch. The Shans are considered among the earliest inhabitants of this region of Thailand and so their way of living is much alike northern local Thais’. The rafting can take 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 transfer to hotel.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 9, Chiang Mai (B/-/-)

Day at leisure.

Overnight.

Day 10, Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai (B/-/-)

Early departure from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by minibus. Make a short stop at a hot spring and then continue to the famous Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Visit Yao and Akha hill-tribe villages and then continue to the border town of Mai Sai with a stop for lunch along the way. Located just across the Sai River from Myanmar the town has a thriving market based on cross-border trade. After exploring Mai Sai set off to overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day 11, Chiang Rai / Chiang Mai / Bangkok (B/-/-)

Return to Chiang Mai by local air-con bus. Own transfer from Chiang Mai bus station to train station in connecting with night train to Bangkok.

Overnight on the train.

Day 12, Bangkok (-/-/-)

Arrive Bangkok in the morning.

Termination of the tour.

Departure day: Every Saturday, year round.

Remarks:

· Trekking itinerary is only a guideline and is subject to change without prior notice due to local conditions, but the same concept is well maintained.

· Not recommend for child under 7 years old for trekking.

TOUR COST

Cost based on a minimum of two persons in the group as per itinerary

Standard Hotels

Per Person UDS 481.00 In addition there is an Acceptance Fee/Deposit of £150.00.

PLEASE NOTE: The Acceptance Payment is only payable ONCE. There can be a combination of more than one tour in more than one country for the same Acceptance Fee.

Single Room Supplement USD124.00

Charge for children:

50% of tour rates when sharing same room with 2 adults and no extra bed is required.

75% of tour rates when sharing same room with 2 adults and one extra bed is required.

(Applicable for children aged less than 12 years, except where otherwise stated.)

Preferred accommodation list:

Standard class

Bangkok - Bangkok Centre (www.bangkokcentrehotel.com) or

Mandarin (standard, www.mandarin-bkk.com)

Phitsanuloke – La Paloma (www2.se-ed.net/lapalomahotel)

Chiang Mai – The Park (sup: www.empresshotels.com/park_hotel.html)

Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle Inn

Located in the hart of Chiang Rai city, the inn bungalows and rooms all with private facilities and air-conditioning. It has a restaurant serving Thai and western cuisine and a bar.)

First class - On application

Payment.

1. On acceptance - £150 per person, Acceptance Payment/Deposit (non refundable) by cheque payable to “S W & M Miller”.

Your Contract for all tour arrangements is directly with our Associate Company in Thailand, ETC, Bangkok, to whom payment for the tour is made.

2. Eight weeks prior to arrival in Thailand or on Acceptance - 50% payable in US $, by Credit Card or International Bank Transfer, direct to ETC, Bangkok.

3. On arrival in Thailand – The balance of 50% payable, in US $, by Credit Card or Cash.

Please Note: A credit card charge may apply.

Cancellation Charges

35 days prior to arrival a cancellation fee of US$200 per person will be applicable.
30 days notice of cancellation a fee of 25% of the total amount will be applicable.
25 days notice of cancellation a fee of 50% of the total amount will be applicable
Less than 25 days notice incurs the full amount.

Acceptance Payment non refundable

Services included in the price:

Tours and transfers by air-conditioned transport. Non air-conditioned transportation will be used in remote areas.
Except while trekking accommodation will be at standard (or first class) hotels based on 2 persons in twin-bedded room, B/B basis. All rooms are air-conditioned with attached bath and toilet.

While trekking, accommodation will be in village huts. Sleeping facilities consist of a floor mat and a sheet. A rucksack, water canteen and lifejacket are supplied.
Full board while trekking (boiled water provided for drinking during the trek)
Public air-conditioned deluxe bus from Bangkok to Phitsanulok.
2nd class air-conditioned day train from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai.
2nd class train with air-conditioned sleeping berth from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.

Services of local English-speaking guide.
Admission fees where applicable.

Services not included in the price:

Drinks & meals not mentioned in the above itinerary
Sleeping bag.
Tips for guide & drivers.
Personal expenses.