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| Explore — Worldwide 2008/09 |
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SOUTH EAST ASIA
THAILAND
Ancient Ayutthaya
Old Siam & the River Kwai
12 DAYS HOTELS/RAFT HOUSE CULTURAL HERITAGE
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NEW!
Essence of Thailand
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JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
14 DAYS HOTELS THAILAND IN STYLE
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
Old Siam & the River Kwai Ref OS Koh Samet Extn
CHIANG MAI
Doi Suthep temple
M YA N M A R
Here, we stay in raft houses and have time to walk to a nearby Mon village, ride elephants, and enjoy some bamboo rafting before finally heading back to Bangkok.
L AOS Si Satchanalai
Extend or Combine your tour...
Experience more of South East Asia by extending or combining this tour. See right for details. Service with a smile/Andy Jackson
This is a tour of contrasts; the cities of engaging Chiang Mai and bustling Bangkok, ancient capitals at Sukhothai and Ayutthaya and rainforests and beaches of the National Parks at Khao Yai and idyllic Koh Chang island. We stay in a variety of comfortable and atmospheric boutique-style hotels and resorts, many with spa facilities.
Elephants & Chillies In the northern hill city of Chiang Mai we scale the sacred heights of the Doi Suthep temple, discover the old city walls and moat and take in the smells and sounds of the bustling night bazaar, a legacy of ancient trading caravans en route between China and Burma. Leaving the city we learn about life in the villages and discover the secrets of fiery Thai cuisine at a cookery class. The elephant is revered in Thailand; we get up close to these gentle giants at a camp run to protect and preserve the species. Temples & Jungle Trails Ruined temples lie scattered at Sukhothai, 13th capital of the first Thai kingdom; a perfect way to explore is by bike. We also visit UNESCO listed Ayutthaya further south. Relaxing aboard a rice barge we cruise the Chao Phraya and its tributaries before travelling to the fabulous Khao Yai National Park where a naturalist guides us along trails in one of mainland Asia's largest monsoon rainforests. Elephant, sambar and barking deer, gibbon and 320 species of bird live here. Island life & Bangkok A trip to Thailand is not complete without a visit to one of its superb islands; we've chosen little-known Koh Chang on Thailand's Gulf coast. Protected as a marine park; as well as idyllic white sandy beaches, superb snorkelling and diving opportunities, over 70% of the island is undisturbed rainforest and Bareli resort, Koh Chang
Essence of Thailand Ref DOS
Doi Suthep temple Cookery course Villages
L AOS
CHIANG MAI
Lampang Elephant hospital Si Satchanalai
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SUKHOTHAI
Temples Nakorn Sawan
SUKHOTHAI
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Ancient city
Rice barge cruise KWAI NOI RIVER Sing Buri Longtail boat trip Nam AYUTTHAYA Stay in jungle Tok Old capital raft house w
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K
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THAILAND
Rice barge cruise
THAILAND
KHAO YAI N.P.
Rainforest, wildlife trek
Phayuha Khiri
CHAINAT
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UTHAI THANI
Ayutthaya Ancient capital
CAMBODIA
BANGKOK
Emerald Buddha Grand Palace
km 0 500
Lake Tonle Sap
KOH CHANG
Marine park, beaches & snorkelling
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ANDAMAN SEA
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Kanchanaburi Bridge over River Kwai
BANGKOK
Temples Grand Palace Ban Phe
Hotel Manathai, Chiang Mai
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KOH SAMET
As well as exploring the major cultural sites of Bangkok, Si Satchanalai, Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, we'll cruise the Chao Phraya river in our converted rice barge and see the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai'. We also meet the colourful Mon people, and stay in a jungle raft house on the Kwai Noi river.
North to Chiang Mai In Bangkok, we plan to visit the Grand Palace and temples of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Po (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), then take a night train to the northern hilltown of Chiang Mai. A highlight of this pleasantly cool town will be climbing the Dragon Steps' to the hilltop monastery of Doi Suthep. Aboard our Rice Barge The breathtaking complex of ancient temples and palaces at Si Satchanalai and Sukhothai are also along our route. At Sukhothai, the first capital of Siam (13th century) we marvel at the free-standing Buddhas and imposing ruins of Wat Mahathat. From Phayuha Khiri we board our rice barge and spend the next day cruising along the Chao Phraya a slow river journey past a medley of isolated villages and jungled landscapes. River Kwai & Death Railway' After exploring the 600-year-old ruins of Ayutthaya, we drive to Kanchanaburi and the Bridge over the River Kwai'. We then board the train to Nam Tok (along the infamous Railway of Death'), before taking a longtail boat up the Kwai Noi river and into the jungle.
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Bangkok. 2 Arrive Bangkok; optional klong trip. 3 In Bangkok; city tour, overnight train Chiang Mai. 4 & 5 In Chiang Mai; visit Doi Suthep, optional visit to Lampang elephant sanctuary. 6 Drive Si Satchanalai, visit temples, continue to Sukhothai, explore Sukhothai ancient site. 7 Drive Phayuha Khiri; cruise on board Rice Barge, overnight at Chainat. 8 Half day cruise along Chao Phraya river to Sing Buri; disembark and drive to Ayutthaya, visit site. 9 Drive to Kanchanaburi and see River Kwai Bridge; train Nam Tok, longtail boat on Kwai Noi river to Jungle Raft Houses. 10 Jungle walk including tribal village, elephant ride, bamboo rafting trip, optional boat trip to Sai Yok Yai waterfall and limestone caves. 11 Longtail boat to Pak Sang pier; drive to Bangkok, fly London. 12 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 6nts hotel, 1nt sleeper train, 2nts raft house; 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Train/Rice Barge/Longtail boat/Raft. Comment: A journey through Thailand combining the classics along with time off the beaten track. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver, boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
there are a number of interesting hikes. Finally, we end our journey in Bangkok, with time to discover its glittering palaces and temples and famous markets.
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Chiang Mai. 2 Arrive Chiang Mai; PM sightseeing. 3 Visit elephant camp, villages and cookery course. 4 Free day, optional spa treatments, cycling trip. 5 Visit Lampang elephant hospital, Si Satchanalai and Sukhothai ancient temple complex. 6 Rice Barge cruise. 7 Visit Ayutthaya temples; drive Khao Yai. 8 Trekking in the National Park. 9 Drive to Trat; ferry to Koh Chang. 10 & 11 On Koh Chang. 12 Fly Bangkok; visit Grand Palace and Wat Po. 13 In Bangkok; PM transfer airport. 14 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 11nts hotel; 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 1 dinner included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Minibus/Ricebarge/Cycle/On foot/Ferry/Flight. Comment: Experiencing the variety of Thailand's highlights we stay in a range of boutique-style hotels, many utilising local textiles and crafts in their decor. Please see dossier for further details. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, local guides and driver(s). Group Size: Approx. 9 to 12.
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Essential information, departure dates & prices see Pricing & Information Supplement
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