Thailand in Depth

Day 1: Bangkok

Your trip starts today with your arrival in Bangkok. No activities are planned until your evening group meeting, so you may arrive at any time. Please check the noticeboard in the hotel lobby, located on the ground floor, for a notice containing details of your tour. This will advise you of your tour leader's name, telephone number and the time and location of your group meeting. Normally this meeting takes place around 6pm. Until your meeting we encourage you to get out and discover the delights that Bangkok has to offer, including Thailand's famous cuisine. Make sure that you take a hotel business card so that you will be able to find your way back to the hotel.

Day 2: Bangkok

This morning sees us head out to face Bangkok's infamous traffic! Near our hotel is one of Bangkok's renowned waterways (klongs), where we jump in a boat and head off in search of the Grand Palace. Along the way we also introduce you to the local bus network - quite a different experience to your own local bus network! The Grand Palace and Wat Pho (which houses the magnificent Reclining Buddha) are fine examples of classic 'Old Bangkok' style of architecture. Resplendent in gilded stupas and mosaic-encrusted pillars, you will be amazed at their extraordinary beauty. When in Wat Pho, you may wish to have a traditional Thai massage, as this is the national headquarters for the teaching and preservation of Thai medicine. It comes thoroughly recommended! In the evening, we board the northbound overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai (approximately 13 hours).

Day 3: Chiang Mai

We arrive in Chiang Mai early in the morning and transfer to our guesthouse. The day is free to do as you wish, as there is much to see in this northern city, with over 120 temples in the centre alone. A visit to the Tribal Research Institute is an ideal preparation for your hill tribe day trip, whilst an excursion to the top of Doi Suthep offers fantastic views over the city. It's best to visit Doi Suthep in the morning, before the heat of the day, as there are over 300 steps to climb! You may also wish to get a traditional Thai massage before your trek, or even partake in a cooking class (highly recommended!). Your tour leader will be able to offer other suggestions for things to see and do your free time. This evening the Night Bazaar beckons, a shoppers paradise it is a great chance to practice your bargaining skills.

Day 4: Hill Tribe Villages - Chiang Mai

We take an all-day excursion to a Palong Village, in the surrounding hills, where we try our hand at elephant riding. From on top of these magnificent creatures, we get to enjoy the spectacular surrounding scenery around us, dominated by Chiang Dao Mountain. There are a number of villages in this area that are home to various hill tribes - each unique with their own customs, housing and colourful clothing. There are plenty of opportunities for you to bargain with the villagers, in order to purchase some authentic Thai handicrafts. We return to Chiang Mai for the evening, where you are free to enjoy a cultural show or maybe return to the Night Market.

Day 5: Village Homestay

We leave Chiang Mai early in the morning by local bus and wind our way through the countryside to Thaton (approximately 3 ½ hours), situated on the banks of the Mae Kok River. Around noon we board a long-tail boat for an exhilarating journey down stream, passing several villages along the way. Please note that, at some times of the year, it may be necessary to travel by songthaew due to the low water making it unsuitable to travel by boat. At other times, if the water levels are only just sufficient, you may have to lend a bit of muscle in the drier months to push the boat over a sandbar or two. The trip along the Kok River allows us time to enjoy the surroundings before we stop and meet our hill tribe hosts for this evening. A night spent in the hill tribe village accommodation allows for an insight into the local people's unique way of life. Please accept that the conditions are very basic, but the evening is very much about sampling first-hand a very different way of life.

Day 6: The Golden Triangle - Chiang Rai

Today we take a tour to the Golden Triangle by songthaew. After travelling to the town of Mae Sai, located inside the Golden Triangle, we have the opportunity to cross the border for some sightseeing and shopping in the Burmese town of Tachileik. Please be aware, however, that the border unexpectedly closes from time to time. If this is the case, alternative arrangements will be made. In the afternoon we travel to the Golden Triangle - the point where the three countries, Laos, Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand meet. You have the option to visit the small opium museum that provides information on the infamous trade for which this region is known. We continue to Chiang Rai in the late afternoon.

Day 7: Chiang Rai

For the early risers there's time to visit the temples of Chiang Rai, such as Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Jet Yot and also to browse around the markets, where the local hill tribe people sell their wares. We leave Chiang Rai about mid-morning and travel by bus back to Chiang Mai (approximately 3 ½ hours), where we board the overnight sleeper train to Bangkok.

Day 8-9: Kanchanaburi

Arriving in Bangkok we transfer to a bus for the two-hour trip to Kanchanaburi, renowned for its natural beauty. On arrival we transfer to our guesthouse situated near the river from where, in the afternoon, we take a longtail boat ride to the famous Bridge on the River Kwai and an Allied war cemetery. After lunch on Day 9 we return to Bangkok to catch the overnight train southbound to Surat Thani (approximately 12 hours).

Day 10: Khao Sok National Park

We arrive into Surat Thani early in the morning and then transfer by local fan bus to the Khao Sok National Park (approximately 3 hours). This is one of Thailand's best-kept secrets, containing some of the country's finest rainforests and home to a rich variety of wildlife. From our jungle guesthouse, we head down to the river for a canoeing trip. There is every chance of seeing monkeys playing by the water's edge during your excursion. Please note that we generally need to be lucky to spot other wildlife, due to the thick jungles and the nocturnal nature of many of the species. We also have the option of going for a walk along the many interesting trails and beside the many waterways that exist within the park.

Day 11: Koh Panyi

We leave Khao Sok behind and travel by local bus to Phang Nga (approximately 3 ½ hours), where we board a longtail boat for a leisurely excursion, exploring the narrow tidal waterways and the limestone caves of the region. We make a short stop at Koh Phing Kan (James Bond Island) before continuing to Koh Panyi - a Muslim fishing village and our home for the night. The entire village is built on stilts complete with its own mosque, shops and school. Its history dates back over 200 years, when the original inhabitants migrated up from Malaysia. In the evening our host will prepare us a traditional Muslim dinner. Please note that the accommodation on Koh Panyi is local style and very basic. As it is a Muslim community we ask that you refrain from taking alcohol onto the island, in order to respect their culture and customs. This is a fishing village frequented by tourists during the daytime; however very few people stay overnight, so you get the special opportunity to experience a unique perspective on a very different way of life.

Day 12-13: Krabi (Rai Leh)

Returning by boat to Phang Nga we catch a local bus south to Krabi (approximately 3 hours). From Ao Nang we catch a boat to the beautiful and secluded beach area of Rai Leh, where we spend two days appreciating the peace and tranquillity. This is a great place to kick back, relax and swim in the warm waters of a hidden tropical paradise. Our accommodation is in comfortable, but basic, fan cooled bungalows. There are plenty of optional activities to fill your time, you can choose from cave exploring, sea kayaking, diving and rock climbing. (N.B. During the months of May to October inclusive, due to inclement weather conditions, we may need to change our accommodation to nearby Railay beach.)

Day 14-15: Phuket

Our final stop is Phuket, the largest island in Thailand. Here is a great place to finish our journey, as we can relax on the beach or stroll along the streets and indulge in the numerous shopping opportunities. Our tour finishes after breakfast on the morning of Day 15; however, you may wish to extend your holiday and stay longer in Phuket. There are many facets to this island, especially in Phuket Town, which was a major port over the centuries visited by Portuguese, Chinese and Malay traders. Here, historic remnants of the island's past are reflected in its eclectic architecture.

Tour Grade: Moderate

A moderate level of fitness is required. These trips generally involve some physical activities and occasional long travelling days. Accommodation and travel conditions may be more basic.