Your itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok (-/-/-)
Welcome to Bangkok! Today is free as group members will arrive individually. We will though provide you with some useful tips for exploring the city until it is time for the group meeting in the evening where we would like you to give your local leader an idea of some of the things you would like to see and do on your tour. Tonight you are in a simple, small hotel; basic but clean and in a good location.
Day 2: A walking tour to explore Bangkok - train to Chiang Mai (B/-/-)
Today is a tour on foot! The aim is to ensure that you see as much as possible of the everyday life of Bangkok and its people, by various means, and what better way to do that than to combine your walk with as many different modes of public transport as possible. Stops on the tour will normally include some interesting temples, a flower market, Chinatown and Little India. As it is you who will choose where to go no entrance fees are included in the program. Your journey tonight is by second-class train to Chiang Mai with air-conditioned sleeping berths. Quite comfortable enough and with all necessary amenities, so nothing to worry about.
Day 3: Chiang Mai (-/-/-)
A walking tour to explore the city
Chiang Mai is a lively, bustling city and its charming character makes the province a must to visit. Today we will have a walking tour of the city after you settle into your cozy local hotel. Walk through the old city to see charming temples, the Warorot Market or visit a meditation temple. In the late afternoon is the group trekking orientation so that you will be prepared and know what to expect while trekking.
Day 4: Start your adventure trekking hill-tribe village (B/L/D)
In the morning leave Chiang Mai by pick-up truck, heading north to Huay Nam Dang National Park. The trekking starts in the afternoon through forested and hilly terrain for about 1½ - 2 hours (5-6 Kms.) to a Karen hill-tribe village. Learn something of their way of life while exploring the village and then enjoy a simple dinner. Tonight you are sharing small bamboo huts in the Karen village.
Day 5: Trekking - elephant riding (B/L/D)
Breakfast is quite simple but sufficient to give you energy for a further 3 hours (7-8 Kms.) of trekking. You will arrive at an elephant camp around lunch time. Then be prepared to take an elephant ride for 1-1.5 hours (3-3.5 Kms.) to a rafting camp nearby a Karen village. You can enjoy swimming in the stream that passes the village and after dinner your second night is in a bamboo hut.
Day 6: Bamboo rafting - Chiang Mai (B/L/-)
You should eat as much breakfast as you can to have enough energy for the bamboo rafting, 20-25 Kms. down river. There will be some stops made at local hill-tribe villages along the way. The thrilling trip ends at a second rafting camp. The rafting can take about 3-4 hours with fast rapids in the rainy season and 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 pick-up truck and back to your hotel.
Day 7: Chiang Mai train to Bangkok (B/-/-)
Today is a free day but there are still lots of options for you to choose from in this exciting city. Your leader will give you good information on what to do, such as Thai cooking, a visit to Doi Suthep or relaxing with a traditional Thai massage. No activities this day are included in the tour price. In the evening board the overnight train to Bangkok with comfortable second-class air-conditioned sleeping berths.
Day 8: Bangkok (-/-/-)
On arrival in Bangkok and after some time for relaxation, those who are energetic can perhaps do a walking tour to see a different side of the bustling city.
Day 9: Bangkok train to Surat Thani (B/-/-)
Before leaving Bangkok your tour leader will offer to take you to visit a genuine local floating market, 'Bang Nam Pung'. Take a local bus for about one and a half hours out of central Bangkok to a small community named Pra Pradaeng. You will find many delicious local foods, fruits and handmade products brought in by the villagers to the market that is set in coconut groves along the canals.
In the evening you will board the train for the overnight journey to Surat Thani, with second-class air-conditioned sleeping berths
Day 10: Surat Thani - local bus to Khao Sok National Park (-/-/-)
You will arrive in Surat Thani in the morning. After some time to get yourself breakfast at a local coffee shop near the station, take a public bus to Khao Sok National Park. You will be there at around noon and it is then for you to choose what you would like to explore. The park is 656 sq. km. of dense rainforest with waterfalls, limestone cliffs, numerous streams, an island-studded lake and many riverside walking trails. Don't forget that the park entrance fee is not included in the tour price as your accommodation is just outside the park perimeter.
Day 11: Khao Sok National Park (B/-/-)
Free to explore the park.
Your options today include lazing around your simple forest huts near the bank of the Sok River or choosing one of various trails and going in search of signs of wildlife, including elephants, serow, banteng, gaur or dusky langur, as well as a multitude of bird species. Talk to your local guide and see which option best suits your fitness and budget.
Day 12: Khao Sok National Park local bus to Krabi - Krabi fishing village - home stay(B/-/D)
After an early breakfast take a public bus to Krabi. There you will meet the villager who will take you to Nateen fishing village. The villagers are mainly Muslim and so it is a good chance to learn about their serious way of religious living. After meeting your kind host, take a tour around the village by local pick up truck, see their pineapple plantation and how to turn the waste leaves into beautiful paper and utensils, learn how to do coconut shell and Hua Thong miniature boat carving, practice your skills in batik painting, etc.
At night is the time to join the host to make their local sweet dishes which will be their breakfast next day. Perhaps you can join the children at the Po Noh Muslim school for evening classes.
Overnight at the home stay.
Day 13: Nateen Home stay Krabi (B/L/-)
Early wake up and go with yoour hosts to their rubber plantation. and see how to tap the latex from the trees. Return for breakfast and time to practice more skills with the villagers. Check out how your batik painting turned out to be. After lunch transfer to Krabi to enjoy a beach stay.
Overnight at a small resort in Ao Nang Beach area.
Days 14-16: Krabi (B/-/-)
You will have lots of free time for relaxation, swimming, and sunbathing. Check with your tour leader about the many available options, such as canoeing, boat trip to various islands, visiting a hot spring and waterfall, Railey Beach and much more.
Day 17: Bus to Surat Thani Train to Bangkok (B/-/-)
Leave to catch the public bus to Surat Thani. You will have a few hours free to look around, find things to eat and be ready for the night train to Bangkok.
Days 18: Bangkok (-/-/-)
Your trip finishes on arrival at Bangkok train station at about 07.00. Please check with your local leader for onward travel arrangements. Please check our other Thailand or Indochina programs for further options. Additional accommodation in Bangkok is available on request.
Services included in the tour price:
Hotel acommodation throughout the tour is B&B in budget-/tourist-class hotels based on 2, 3 or multi-share occupancy.
Sleeping facilities during trekking consists of mat on the floor, sheet and mosquito-net. Rucksack, water canteen and lifejacket are also provided.
Full board will be provided during trekking (boiled drinking water included).
Trekking park entrance fee
2nd-class air-conditioned train with sleeping berth Bangkok/Chiang Mai/Bangkok/Surat Thani /Bangkok.
The services of a local English-speaking guides.
Not included:
Drinks and meals not mentioned in the above itinerary
Costs of optional excursions.
Admission fees (except park entrance fee for trekking in Chiang Mai).
Sleeping bag
Tips for guide & drivers.
Personal expenses.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
USD 993 per person (minimum 2 person)
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Thailand
Hiking & Trekking
Cultural Journey
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