Your Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok (-/-/-)
Joint transfer from airport to your hotel and check in.
Day at leisure.
Day 2: Bangkok (B/-/-)
An early morning 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.
Day 3: Bangkok / Phitsanuloke (B/-/-)
After breakfast depart by road for Phitsanulok, a principle city of northern Thailand for more than 500 years. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
Day 4: Phitsanuloke / Sukhothai / Chiang Mai (B/-/-)
Morning excursion to Sukhothai, the oldest of Thailand’s former capitals, where the recently restored ruins of the Grand Palace and many temples dating 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 air-conditioned day train to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, transfer to your hotel.
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.
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 1½-2 hours, 5-6 Km. to the Karen village of Baan Mae Jok. Enjoy a walk around the village to see their way of life with its close links to 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-back ride for 1-1½ hours, 3-3.5 Km. to a rafting camp near by the 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.
Day 8: Trekking / Chiang Mai (B/L/-)
After breakfast take a bamboo raft (20-25 Km. in total) down river for 1½ hours to the 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 60 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 like of the northern lowland 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 pick-up and transfer to your hotel.
Day 9: Chiang Mai (B/-/-)
Day at leisure.
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.
End of services.
Notes:
The trekking is not recommended for children under 7 years' of age.
Trekking itinerary is only a guideline and is subject to change without prior notice due to local conditions, but the essential concept will be maintained.
Though the trek rating is easy, one should not expect a flat, easy-to-walk route, but will be up and down hills in some parts. The best way is to walk at your own pace and the guide will adjust the stopping points to suite the fitness of the group.
A supplement for high season and/or compulsory dinners will be advised at the time of booking, if applicable.
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 in standard- or first-class hotels based on 2 persons in a twin-bedded room on 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 a sheet and mosquito-net. A rucksack, water canteen and lifejacket are also provided.
- 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 guides.
- 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.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Standard Class ( 01 Nov 07 - 31 Oct 08 )
649 US$ per person for a group of minimum 2 persons.
Single supplement 167 US$
Accommodation: First Class ( 01 Nov 07 - 31 Oct 08 )
707 US$ per person for a group of minimum 2 persons.
Single supplement 217 US$
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Thailand
Hiking & Trekking
Ecotourism
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