Description:

KUMUKA ADVENTURE TOUR - 16 DAYS

Experience Bangkok, The Grand Palace, Floating Markets, Kanchanaburi, Chang Mai & more

This trip has it all. It combines exciting contrasts covering the length of Thailand, from trekking in the hills and the cultural heritage of the rugged north, to trips through rainforests and snorkelling in the tropical south.

Day 1: Bangkok. Our first day is a get together day, designed for you to meet all the other tour guests who will have come from different destinations around the world. The hotel for the first two nights in Thailand has plenty of facilities as well as being near to lots of local restaurants and bars. The Pre Departure meeting will be in reception and will take place at 6pm.

You will probably already have realised during your trip into the city that Bangkok is throbbing with life and noise. Nine million people live here and the streets are always buzzing. Once you are through the initial culture shock you will discover Bangkok’s many and varied charms - the exciting markets, the peaceful temples, the noisy nightclubs and the grand historic buildings. Our biggest challenge this evening is to decide where to eat, as there are hundreds of restaurants all serving delicious food!

Day 2: Bangkok - City Tour. This morning we include a City Tour. We take a long-tail boat ride on the Chao Phraya river, which has been the lifeline of Thailand’s ancient kingdoms and agricultural sustainability. We see traditional houses still perched at the edge of the river and its’ canals and pass the Royal Barge Museum.

We visit one of Thailand’s greatest visual wonders, the Wat Phra Kaeo, the Grand Palace. This is Thailand’s holiest Buddhist Temple and because of that you must make sure you wear ankle length trousers or a long skirt, a top fully covering the shoulders and proper sandals or shoes (no flip-flops/thongs). The Wat Phra Kaeo Royal Chapel houses the Emerald Buddha, actually made of jade. The Thais believe that as long as they remain keepers of the Emerald Buddha, their country will be safe. A local guide will be with us to show us this and many other stunning buildings in the 61-acre site.

Afterwards we visit Wat Pho - the oldest temple in Bangkok, older than the city itself where Buddhist monks live. Wat Pho houses the incredible reclining gilt Buddha, which is nearly 50 feet high and 151 feet long with ornately inlayed mother-of-pearl feet. And here’s a bonus: the compound houses the Traditional Massage School offering Thai Massage and Foot Reflexology – a good way to end the day.

After the tour we return to the hotel, and the remainder of the day is free. (B)

Day 3: Floating Markets, Drive Kanchanaburi - The Bridge Over the River Kwai. We start today with a trip round the Floating Markets. It is best to get there first thing so breakfast is early. On the way, we stop at a coconut sugar maker and a teak woodcarving factory. Shopping on water is a novel experience. Our long tail boat will take us through a network of canals, which is crowded with small paddleboats crammed to overflowing with exotic fruits and vegetables, such as coconuts and pomelos, and arts and crafts. Local housewives paddle through the throng of boats, stopping to bargain for their shopping. Here’s a chance for you to make some purchases in traditional Thai style.

Then we set off for Kanchanaburi and a visit to the world famous Bridge over the River Kwai. Kanchanaburi is a provincial capital city set in a lush landscape framed with limestone hills set on the banks of this river, which is so rich in 20th century history. During the Second World War Kanchanaburi was the site of a massive prison camp, run by the Japanese. Allied prisoners were forced to build a railway over the River Kwai and into Burma. The story is told in one of cinema’s great classics. We will visit the JEATH Museum, which is housed in bamboo huts like the ones where the prisoners lived. The museum holds unique documents, pictures and other material telling the story of the prisoner’s lives. From the museum we go to the War Cemetery where there are nearly seven thousand Prisoner of War graves - the last resting place of troops who died building the bridge and the railway.

After our tour, the remainder of the day is free. You may like to explore Kanchanburi further, or take an optional trip to the Tiger Monastery, or just relax by the hotel pool. For those wishing to visit the Tiger Monastery, your Tour Guide will be able to help organise this, or you can just take a local songtaew to the Monastery. Please note that the tigers are generally let out between 2 and 3pm. (B)

Day 4: Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya / Night Train To Chiang Mai. This morning after breakfast we transfer to Hellfire Pass. Upon arrival we take a walk down the trail to the actual pass, and then return to the museum. The museum explains to visitors the story of why and how the railway was built and attempts to convey the hardships and suffering endured by so many who were forced to work in extremely harsh conditions.

After a visit to the museum, we transfer to Ayutthaya, where we embark on a bike tour of the old town and ruins of Ayutthaya. After the bike tour there is time for a shower before dinner on the Rice Barge cruise.

Our day concludes with a transfer to the train station for the overnight train to Chiang Mai. The trains we use in Thailand are Second Class Air-conditioned sleeper (No meals included), so you should arrive relaxed and refreshed in Northern Thailand. (B,D)

Day 5: Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is the capital of Northern Thailand and we arrive here in the early morning. We will take the local taxi transport, a songthaew, to our Guest House for our first night’s stay. In recent years Chiang Mai has grown, although with a population of 200,000 it is still a comfortable size and you will find that people here are relaxed and easy going. After lunch we take a road trip up the mountains to the Doi Suthep temple, a pilgrimage sight in Northern Thailand. From here you will see spectacular views down the mountain to Chiang Mai.

The evening is free for you to explore the famous night markets where there are also plenty of options to sample the local cuisine.

Day 6: Trekking In The Hills. Today we start the second phase of our trip. After the buzz of city life we are going to taste the peace of the country with a trek through the mountains around Chiang Mai offering us an opportunity to meet some of the different tribes who have migrated into Thailand from Southwest China and Burma.

We start with a truck journey south for about 2.5 hours to Mae Tang district. We begin our trek from Pongdeud, using the local footpaths through orchards and up and over mountains. A lunch box will be provided and we will stop for a picnic lunch in the jungle.

Our destination this first day is a Karen Village. The Karen or Kariang are thought to have originated in Tibet, and have lived in Burma for hundreds of years. They have been in Thailand since the 18th Century. Today there are some 4 million Karen in Burma, and 280,000 in the mountain areas all along the Thai side of the Burmese border.

The Karen people believe a white “younger brother” will come from over the waters bringing with him knowledge of writing that had been lost long ago. As a result, many embraced Christianity easily upon meeting the foreign missionaries.

The Karen have a special relationship with elephants, and the Karen trainers are the best in Asia.

Our base for the night is a traditional White Karen house, made of wood and on stilts, basic but clean. Mattresses will be provided as well as a sheet, blanket and mosquito net. Although there will be plenty of water for washing, facilities will be basic. Electricity will depend on the village, so it is recommended to take a torch. Dinner will be cooked for you after your day’s exertions. (B,L,D)

Please Note: This trekking trip can be quite strenuous at times. A lot of the trekking is uphill, and in warm weather. Also, during this 2-day trek, you will not have access to your main luggage. Your main luggage will be securely stored in Chiang Mai.

Day 7: Trekking To Muser (Lahu) Village. After breakfast, we set out on elephant back, riding for about 1 hour from the village through the jungle to the Elephant Camp. We have a picnic lunch and then trek for about 2 hours to the Muser Village where we will spend the night.

There are some 60,000 Lahu in Thailand. They started to arrive at the beginning of the 20th Century, and there are several different clans distinguished by their dress. Although many Muser have now adopted Christianity, their own belief is in a Supreme being, and many spirits remain strong. The Muser long for the blessings of this life and the next, for things that are good and pleasant, and, in accordance with the message of an old legend, men are particularly caring of their partners.

Tonight we stay in a traditional Lahu house. Facilities will again be basic, but clean, and bedding will be provided. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Back To Chiang Mai And Bangkok. After breakfast we walk down to the Maetang River, where we set off by bamboo raft in what is one of the most idyllic settings for this sort of journey - you will get wet, you may get soaked! For those not wishing to raft, there is the option to walk along the trail to meet the group at the end of the rafting.

The rafting will take about 2 hours and will end at the Sobkai Village, where we will meet our driver. After lunch we are then transported back to Chiang Mai, arriving in time to catch the overnight train back to Bangkok. (B,L)

Days 9-10: Bangkok. Arriving back into Bangkok you have a day to discover this vibrant city. Amongst all the chaos you have a chance to discover markets, like Chatuchak Weekend Market or Pratunam Market alongside hushed golden temples. If you’ve seen enough of buddhas and sarongs, there are also plenty of museums to keep you busy.

In the early evening of day 10 we board the train and head down to Surat Thani in the south of the country. (B on Day 10 only)

Days 11-12: Khao Sok National Park. On arrival in Surat Thani in the southern part of the country, we are transported to Khao Sok National Park, where we shall stay for the next two nights in jungle lodges, located by a lovely stream. After the bustle of Bangkok you can relax and enjoy the beauty of this rich, rainforest environment.

Khao Sok was established in 1980 and is believed to be older rainforest than that found in the Amazon or Africa. It is a terrain thick with trees and features many clear waterfalls, lots of streams, limestone cliffs and a lake studded with little islands. After lunch at the lodge, we travel like the locals, on elephants, to see still more of the rainforest. Dinner is with an orchestra of jungle life.

When you wake up you will probably need to pinch yourself for you are likely to hear the screech of baboons in the rainforest outside - a morning moment to remember. After breakfast, we set off on a trek through the rainforest to take a look at the abundant wildlife and plant life. There are more than 180 species of bird, as well as the occasional long-tailed macaque, that we can be on the look out for. Because of the geography of this area, it is a watershed and the vegetation is lush. You will see flora such as lianas, bamboo, ferns and rattan. Our trek finishes at one of the spectacular waterfalls in the park complete with a relaxing swimming hole. We return to the guesthouse for lunch and then spend the afternoon in either canoes or inner tubes for the next adventure, a guided trip down the river. This is a unique way of seeing and experiencing this centuries old landscape and unique karst topography. Watch out for some colourful water birds, such as the kingfisher along the way! (2B,2L,2D)

Days 13-15: Beach Escape - Krabi or Koh Samui. After breakfast we travel further south to Krabi Province on the wonderful western Andaman Sea coast of Thailand. The Krabi area offers the beaches you have always dreamt of - white sand as far as the eye can see, beautiful blue iridescent water against a backdrop of stunning limestone cliffs. Our hotel is situated in the area of Rai Ley Beach.

On the first day you are free to do what you like – rest and relax on the beach in the sun or, if you feel a bit more active, do some snorkelling, diving, sea kayaking, or island tours. For the more adventurous, there is the option of experiencing some world-class rock climbing along the coast. The limestone cliffs are a treat – there are lots of pockets for grip and some interesting overhangs. Krabi has an excellent choice of restaurants and bars to spend the evenings.

On the second day we offer an optional* trip in a traditional long tailed boat for a trip out to four pretty islands that are dotted off the coast. If you fancy some snorkelling, this is the time to do it - the sea is home to some beautiful fish and there are some fascinating coral reefs here too.

On the last day in Krabi, you are free again to explore more of the islands off the coast such as James Bond Island, relax on the beach, get a Thai massage, or maybe take a Thai cooking course. (3B)

Please Note: Tours operating between May and October will stay in Koh Samui on days 13 – 15 due to climatic conditions. The optional Longtail boat trip will go out to Coral Island for snorkelling and swimming. On the free day you can take various excursions such as visits to coconut plantations, boat trip to Marine National Park, hiring mopeds to explore inland rainforest and waterfalls or visit Chawery beach.

• KUMUKA ADVENTURE TOUR - 16 DAYS
• Coach tour as shown in above itinerary
• Sightseeing as shown in itinerary
• Meals (if applicable) are shown in itinerary
• Please call 1300 858 816

There is more to Thailand than your average package holiday to Phuket.

Thailand is a melting pot of green fertile land, larger than life golden buddas, spicy cuisine and the most perfect white sand beaches that would put your average post card to shame.

For most travellers, Bangkok will be your first taste of this colourful country. Street fulls of screeching traffic, gleaming shopping centres and all of the usual tourist traps. All intertwined with symbols of the country's devotion to Buddha.

In the north Chiang Mai has cemented a place on the itinerary of most keen travellers exploring Thailand. Famous for its night markets you can find anything here, and for a bargain price! Partaking in some of the activities around Chiang Mai will see you riding elephants through the national park and drifting down river in a bamboo raft. Trekking through the hilltribes and immersing yourself in their culture and even take a cooking class and mastering the art of Thai cuisine!

In contrast, Southern Thailand is every beach bums fantasy! Miles of palm fringed coastline dotted with petruding limestone peaks from the sparkling turquoise water is simply stunning! Here you can do as little or as much as you like. Spend your days beachside sipping coconut cocktails and soaking up the sun, or if you're feeling a bit more energetic perhaps a kayaking trip that sees you exploring caves and hidden lagoons is in order? Then party the night away at one of the famous full moon parties at Ko Pha-Ngan.