Cultural tours to Thailand
| country: | Thailand |
| location: | Golden Triangle, Northern Thailand, Central Thailand |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2009: 21 Nov, 19 Dec 2010: 2 Jan, 16 Jan, 30 Jan, 13 Feb, 27 Feb, 13 Mar, 27 Mar, 10 Apr, 24 Apr, 8 May, 22 May, 5 Jun, 19 Jun, 3 Jul, 17 Jul, 31 Jul, 14 Aug, 28 Aug, 11 Sep, 25 Sep, 9 Oct, 23 Oct, 6 Nov, 20 Nov, 4 Dec, 18 Dec 2011: 1 Jan |
| price: | From £1065 (14 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
This is the ideal and comprehensive adventure that showcases the best of Thailand - the 'Land of Smiles'. From the hustle and bustle of Bangkok to the rich historical and cultural diversity of northern Thailand, this journey has much to offer. Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle provide a window into both the Thai and the hilltribe peoples of the area, with their varied history, culture and customs. The Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai represents a veritable shopper's paradise. Ayuthaya and Sukhothai are old capitals of the Siamese Kingdom, with their impressive stupas reflecting glorious pasts. To the west of Bangkok is Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai, a tranquil region which was the stage for dramatic events in the Second World War. Everywhere you go, a highlight of your trip is sure to be meeting the people themselves - the level of hospitality extended to visitors will amaze you and ensure that your first visit will not be your last.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | (Sat) Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to hotel. |
| Day 2-3: | City tour of Bangkok. Drive to Kanchanaburi and visit Bridge on the River Kwai. |
| Day 4: | Rice barge cruise around ancient city of Ayuthaya. Overnight in traditional Thai teak house. |
| Day 5-6: | Drive to Sukhothai and cycle around this ancient city. Drive to Lampang. |
| Day 7: | Visit Lampang Elephant Centre. Drive to Chiang Mai, visit night bazaar. |
| Day 8: | Drive to Chiang Dao. Elephant ride and visits to hill tribe villages. Drive back to Chiang Mai. |
| Day 9: | Free day in Chiang Mai. Optional cooking class. |
| Day 10: | Drive to Thaton. Longtail boat ride on Kok River. Overnight in Lahu village hut. |
| Day 11: | Drive to Golden Triangle. Possible crossing into Burma. Drive to Chiang Rai, visit night market. |
| Day 12: | Drive to Chiang Mai. Overnight train to Bangkok. |
| Day 13: | Free day to explore Bangkok. |
| Day 14: | Trip ends in Bangkok this morning (Fri). |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
 Experience Thailand through the eyes of a local, as your Thai tour leader gives you a first-hand insight into the exotic and colourful tapestry that makes up this vibrant country. Wandering around historic towns and visiting pagodas gives travellers an awareness of these important cultural relics and the importance of them being preserved and protected, so that they can be enjoyed and appreciated by future generations. The hill tribe people living in the border regions of Thailand, Laos and Burma also have rich, enduring and diverse cultures, which are unveiled on this trip. Equally important your Thai tour leader helps you to understand the traditions of these proud people, ensuring you don’t commit any cultural ‘faux pas’. As you trek in northern Thailand you encounter various different tribal groups. You will also find that our porters all come from surrounding villages. Another highlight of this trip is a night spent at the Lampang Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, dedicated to ensuring that these gentle creatures can co-exist with humans in a way that benefits all. To support tour programs in Thailand this operator is training their tour leaders on a variety of issues, from environmental awareness to First Aid. This not only assists in the conduct of a tour but also provides leaders with important life skills. By only employing tour leaders born and bred in the regions they visit, they are supporting local economies. Through offering employment and steady revenue, tourism can ultimately make a real positive difference to local communities. |
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. |