Thailand holiday, Northern Mountains, Southern Beaches
| country: | Thailand |
| location: | Thai hill tribes, Southern Thailand, Northern Thailand |
| departures: | 2008: 13 Sep, 5 Oct, 28 Oct, 22 Nov, 15 Dec, 24 Dec 2009: 11 Jan, 5 Feb, 2 Mar, 26 Mar, 23 Apr, 21 May, 14 Jun |
| price: | From £1800 - £2055 (21 days) including flights from the UK, from £1140 excluding flights. Price includes all transport, accommodation & activities specified in itinerary, all meals (except lunch on days 2 & 18, dinner on days 10 & 18) |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Ideal for the first time visitor, this trip offers an an excellent introduction to diverse Thailand.
The route will take you from the remote forest clad mountains of the North to the reef fringed tropical islands of the South, from hill-tribe villages lost in the mountains to the vibrant capital Bangkok.
White-water rafting, staying in tribal village, jungle trekking and camping, canoeing in mangrove swamps, snorkelling on coral reefs, deserted beaches, Bangkok's palaces and temples, Thai food - something for everyone!
The route will take you from the remote forest clad mountains of the North to the reef fringed tropical islands of the South, from hill-tribe villages lost in the mountains to the vibrant capital Bangkok.
White-water rafting, staying in tribal village, jungle trekking and camping, canoeing in mangrove swamps, snorkelling on coral reefs, deserted beaches, Bangkok's palaces and temples, Thai food - something for everyone!
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Departure from London. |
| Day 2: | Morning arrival in Bangkok - meet your tour leader and transfer to a downtown hotel in the City’s lively Banglamphu district. Afternoon to relax, get over your jet-lag by the pool or explore the area and the local markets. |
| Day 3: | City tour with a difference! Bangkok by riverboat, skytrain, tuk-tuk and canal boat! Stop-offs include the Grand Palace, fabulous Wat Phra Keow - “Temple of the Emerald Buddha” and the ‘Jim Thompson House’ Museum. |
| Day 4: | Morning departure by train; across the Central Plains and their emerald green rice paddies, to up-country Phitsanolok town – the Gateway to the North. Lunch time arrival and transfer to nearby Sukhothai town with the afternoon to relax in our guesthouse garden or explore the local markets. |
| Day 5: | Bicycle tour of the ancient city of Sukhothai, former capital of Siam, which, with it’s crumbling sandstone temples, towering Buddha statues and lotus-covered ponds, is one of the country’s most sacred and evocative sites. |
| Day 6: | Complete our northwards journey with a morning ride to remote Nan near the Lao border. This charming town, well off the beaten tourist trail, was an independent city-state until 1931 when it was finally incorporated into the Kingdom of Siam. |
| Day 7-9: | A unique three day experience trekking through the dramatic jungle clad mountains bordering Laos. Travelling by jeep and on foot we’ll spend the first night as guests of a Hmong family in a tribal village and the second in chalets on the banks of the scenic Wa River. A white-water descent of the river on the final day completes the expedition. Return to Nan town on the evening of the day 9. |
| Day 10: | Scenic drive through the mountains to Chiang Mai with a stop-off for a visit and elephant ride at the Lampang Elephant orphanage. Evening tour of the town’s famous night bazaar. |
| Day 11: | A fascinating ‘hands on’ Thai cookery lesson: beginning with a guided tour of the markets bewildering selection of herbs, spices, exotic fruit and vegetables you’ll then head off to the kitchen to cook (and then eat), your own lunch. |
| Day 12: | Morning at leisure or time to explore the town’s quiet lanes and picturesque temples before heading south with a flight to Bangkok where we’ll connect with the night sleeper train for Nakhorn Si Thammarat. |
| Day 13: | Afternoon tour to discover this southern town’s bustling markets and temples & checkout some of the local handicrafts. |
| Day 14: | Excursion to nearby Khao Luang National Park, site of the dramatic Kharom Waterfall – one of the highest and most spectacular in SE Asia. Bathing, nature hike and scrambling up the falls! |
| Day 15: | On to Thale Noi Bird Sanctuary in Phattalung Province – one of the region’s most important water-bird sites – where we’ll travel by boat through the atmospheric marshes and lily-covered lakes. Afternoon visit to the Wat Tham Sumano cave temple complex and an evening arrival in Trang Town on the Andaman Coast. |
| Day 16: | One day jungle expedition to Ban-Traat Mountain. Hike through the rainforest, bathe in mountain streams and visit a Sakai settlement – a former hunter-gatherer, jungle dwelling people. |
| Day 17: | Head for the coast to Chao Mai National Park where we’ll canoe through mangrove swamps and along underground streams to visit the spectacular and mysterious, sacred sea caves. Afternoon transfer to Libong Island for accommodation at a secluded beachside resort. |
| Day 18: | Leisurely day on this tranquil island; make the most of the turquoise waters and sandy beaches, sling a hammock between a couple of palm trees or visit the local fishing village. |
| Day 19: | Boat tour through the spectacular scenery of Chao Mai National Marine Park, snorkel and swim on the archipelago’s vibrant coral reefs. |
| Day 20: | Morning at leisure to explore the island or top up your suntan, before returning to Trang or Krabi* for an evening flight to London via Bangkok. (*From Trang or Krabi depending upon schedules) |
| Day 21: | Morning arrival in London. |
small group family holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - you will be sharing your experiences with like minded people. Group sizes are limited to a maximum of 9 persons, a genuinely small group. Experience has taught us that smaller groups are less intrusive to local cultures and environments whilst allowing more interaction with local people. Furthermore it means greater flexibility on a day to day basis and on a social level it proves to be fun. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends/family its good value, and a great way to meet new people! The intention is to travel as a group of friends rather than a typical tour group, so don't expect stick-on name badges or any following the umbrella. how this holiday makes a difference
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This itinerary includes a fascinating look into one of the indigenous ethnic minorities of the region. The home-stay at the Hmong village of Rom Klao. As well as educating our passenger to the ways of life of another lesser-known people of the region, it provides income directly to the owners of the houses in which we stay as well as indirectly for other members of the village.
Passengers are encouraged to make purchases, such as from the village shops and from individual crafts-people specifically, in this instance, embroidery from the women of the village. We then employ villagers to guide us through the jungle, further enhancing the benefit for the village as well as helping us to build up respectful and trusting relationships with the villagers. During an unusually cold winter last year we donated warm clothes and blankets to the village. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |