Bangkok Holidays

Guided adventure tour to the northern mountains & southern beaches of Thailand - 20 nights - full board

Ideal for the first time visitor, offering an excellent introduction to diverse Thailand. 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.

Highlights

• White water rafting
• Staying in tribal village
• Jungle trekking
• Canoeing in mangrove swamps
• Snorkelling on coral reefs
• Deserted beaches
• Elephant riding
• Chiang Mai
• Bangkok’s palaces and temples
• Cookery lesson
• Thai food

Itinerary

• Day 1: Departure from London/Manchester

• Day 2: Arrival in Bangkok, meet your tour leader and transfer to a downtown hotel in the city’s Banglamphu district. Relax, explore the area or check out some local markets

• Day 3: City tour with a difference. Central Bangkok by riverboat, skytrain, tuk tuk and canal boat. Stop off including the Grand Palace and fabulous Wat Phra Keow - “Temple of the Emerald Buddha”

• 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 nearby, 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, 8 & 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 and elephant ride on the final day complete the expedition. Return to Nan town on the evening of the day 9

• Day 10:Scenic drive through the mountains to Chiang Mai with the afternoon free to explore the town’s quiet lanes and picturesque temples. Evening tour of the famous night bazaar

• Day 11: A ‘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 Trang Town on South Thailand’s Andaman Sea Coast.

• Day 13: Morning arrival and afternoon jungle expedition to Ban-Trat Mountain. Hike through the rainforest, bathe in mountain streams and visit a Sakai settlement – a former hunter-gatherer, jungle dwelling people.

• Day 14:Head for the coast to Ban Chao Mai ‘sea-gypsy’ village from where we’ll canoe through mangrove swamps and along underground streams to visit the spectacular and mysterious, sacred sea caves.

• Day 15: Drive into the mountainous interior for a visit to the spectacular cave temples of Wat Tham Sumano then 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 arrival in Nakorn Si Thammarat.

• Day 16: Excursion to Khao Luang National Park, site of the dramatic Karom Waterfall – one of the highest and most spectacular in SE Asia. Bathing, hiking and scrambling up the falls! Afternoon return to Nakorn with time to discover the impressive temples and bustling markets of this distinctively southern town.

• Day 17: Morning drive into the forested hills of Chumporn Province and afternoon rafting trip on the Pha To River. Overnight in a scenic lakeside, family run chalet resort.

• Day 18: Departure by minibus to Prachuap Khiri Khan Province and afternoon arrival on unspoilt Koh Thalu Island for 2 night’s accommodation in a secluded, beachside resort.

• Day 19: Relaxing in this peaceful setting: swimming, beach-combing, snorkelling, kayaking, exploring the area or just lazing in a hammock.

• Day 20 Morning at leisure on the island and afternoon drive back to Bangkok to catch an evening flight to the UK.* *Please note beach extensions are available for those wishing to stay longer on the island.

• Day 21: Morning arrival in London/Manchester.

Fitness level: moderate - maximum hiking - approx. 6-7 hours on day 8. Rafting on day 9 - medium (grade 3).

Accommodation: Hotel, guesthouse, hill-tribe village and beach chalet

Transport: Minibus, boat, bicycle, train, pick-up truck, flights

Useful information:

• Currency: Thai baht
• Language: Thai
• Visa: Not required for British/EU passport holders
• Time difference: GMT +7

Ticketing information: You will be contacted by the tour operator after making your booking

Single supplement: No single supplement (single people are most welcome)

Infants: Not available (adults sharing only)

Please note: The following extra charges will apply when booked by credit card: Visa/MasterCard - 1%, Amex – 1%.

Price includes: Flights, all meals, activities and accommodation for 20 nights. Full board except for lunch on day 2, dinner on day 10 & 16.