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Code:

TTW015

Dates/Times:

November 3rd, 2012 – November 15th, 2012

Duration:

13 days

From:

AU$2175

Location:

Thailand

 * (B/L/D) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 1   Arrival Bangkok

Your trip starts today with your arrival in Bangkok. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel if you arrive with the group.  (If you arrive on different flights/times to the group, you will need to catch a taxi or public transport to the hotel at your own expense) 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  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.
Accommodation:  3* Tourist Class Hotel

 

Day 2   Grand Palace and Wat Po – Overnight train to Chiang Mai                (B/-/-)

In the morning, we introduce you to some of Bangkok’s most famous sights, including the impressive Grand Palace and the adjoining Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). We also visit Wat Po – the temple of the famous Reclining Buddha. From near our hotel we jump on board a local khlong (canal) boat, before catching a public bus to these sites. This is a great way to sample a couple of the more popular forms of local transport. You have a free afternoon to make your own discoveries, do some shopping in the many excellent shops and markets for which Bangkok is renowned. In the evening we catch the overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Accommodation: Overnight Train

 

Day 3 – 4          Chiang Mai                  (2B/-/-)

Two free days to explore the sights & surrounds of Chiang Mai at your own leisure.  Your AW Host can help out with things to do & see around the Chiang Mai area.  Suggestions include: Half or full day cooking class at the best cooking school in Chiang Mai, Spa Packages, Take a visit to Wat Phra Doi Suthep, For an unusual experience, but worthy cause "the rehabilitation of female prisoners", visit the women's correctional institution for a massage, Grab a bargain & some delicious Thai Cuisine at the bustling Night Markets.
Accommodation: 3* Tourist Class Hotel

 

Day 5   Flight to Mae Hong Son           (B/-/-)

Its an early start today as we head to the airport for the short flight to Mae Hong Son.     

Departure flight: KND721        Departure Time : 08.25hrs  Arrival Mae Hong Sorn at 09.00hrs

Transfer to the resort by private minivan transfer. The afternoon is free for your optional trip to visit Padong Hilltribe village and other sightseeing options, including important temples in town such as Wat Jong Kam, Wat Jong Klang and Wat Prathat Doi Kong Mu which decorated in Thai Yai Sytle.  Later in the day perhaps enjoy a mud bath at the famous ‘Phu – Klone’ nearby (Optional).
Accommodation: 3* Resort

 

Day 6   Fish Cave – Lod Cave - Pai      (B/-/-)

After finishing your breakfast at the hotel, we drive south down to Fish Cave then Lod Cave Grotte, the biggest cave in northern region. You will visit Tham Phee Man, an ancient coffin which is kept in this cave. After, we drive down to Pai, the small town but nice. We can explore the pretty town at the local temples and night market, the Chinese – Yunnan village offers the Yunnanese Food that you can have for dinner with fantastic atmosphere.
Accommodation: 3* Resort

 

Day 7   Huay Nam Dang National Park - Chiang Dao               (B/-/-)

This morning is not too rushed.  After checking out from the hotel, there is time to visit Pai Hot Spring, and the waterfall before we drive to Huay Nam Dang National Park, the area surround with beautiful mountainous scenery. We continue driving further to Chiang Dao, the small town with the background of the third highest mountain of Thailand “Doi Luang Chiang Dao”. Overnight at Chiang Dao Nest. It is also home to Wicha's world-famous European Gourmet kitchen, which produces some of the finest Western / European and fusion cuisine in Northern Thailand.
Accommodation: Basic Bungalow

 

Day 8 - 9 Trekking in Chiang Dao Area 2 Days/1Night             (-/2L/1D)

We take a two-day/one-night excursion to a Palong Village in the hills beyond Chiang Mai, where 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 homes to various hill tribes - each unique their own customs, housing and colourful clothing.

There are plenty of opportunities for you to haggle with the villagers, in order to purchase some authentic Hilltribe handicrafts. Trekking is a great way to experience all this at a grassroots level, however a fairly good level of fitness is required, but the highlight is a night spent sleeping in a local village hut, as a guest of the hill tribe people. After our trek we can experience bamboo rafting on the river (Optional) before we return to Chiang Dao Nest.
Accommodation: Camping Village Hut Day 8,
Basic Bungalow Day 9

 

Day 10 Tha Ton – Mae Salong                                                (-/-/-)

This morning we set off by road to the Golden Triangle region. Along the way , we stop at an elephant camp and see these gentle giants take a morning bath and demonstrate how they were trained to haul timber in the forest. Take a ride on the backs of these majestic animals for an unforgettable jungle experience (Optional).
 

After lunch we explore the five interconnected Chiang Dao Caves before arriving to the charming small town of Doi Mae Salong. The atmosphere here is reminiscent of a small Southern Chinese village. The region is famous for its Chinese tea traders and you can enjoy a cup of tea in a traditional Chinese tea house overlooking the mountains. In the late afternoon there is time to explore interesting markets full of produce and crafts made by hilltribe people.
Accommodation: Basic Homestay

 

Day 11  Mae Sai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Rai                   (B/-/-)

After breakfast stop near the Burmese border at Mae Sai, the northernmost town in Thailand. A well known trading post, you'll find Burmese lacquerware, gems, jade and other goods from Laos and Burma for sale along the main street.

Continue on to the region known as the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet. Enjoy lunch overlooking the mighty Mekong River and then visit the fascinating hall of opium - an exhibition that details this notorious history.

This afternoon climb on board a long-tail boat and travel on the Khong River to the old city of Chiang Saen, the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom. On the way there is a chance to step foot into Laos. This point is famous for the local rice whiskey sold from distilleries on the banks of river.
Accommodation: 3* Tourist Class Hotel

 

Day 12  Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai                                             (-/-/-)

Today visit the Wat Rong Kun (white temple). Construction of the temple started in 1997, and it is expected to be a work in progress for another 60 to 70 years.

We then head to Mae Ka Chan hot springs with a lunch stop along the way. Oddly located in the 'car park', the springs offer an opportunity to take a relaxing soak, and/or enjoy a foot massage 'fish spa style', whilst munching on quail eggs which have been cooked in the heat of the waters.

Arrival Chiang Mai late afternoon, go straight to Chiang Mai Train Station to catch night train to Bangkok.
Accommodation: Overnight Train

 

Day 13  Arrival Bangkok – End trip                               (-/-/-)

Your tour ends on arrival at the Bangkok train station.

 

COST OF TOUR:

Based on Twin Share: AU$2235.00 (excluding flights)

Adventurous Women Valid Club Card Holder: AU$2175 (exclusing flights)

Single Supplement Optional on Request.

Services Include:

• 9 nights accommodation, 1 night camping, and 2 overnight train as outlined in itinerary
• Meals:  7 Breakfast, 2 Lunches and 1 Dinner
• Arrival Airport transfers for passengers in Bangkok on group basis

• Vehicle as indicated
• Flight from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son
• Service of English-speaking tour leader throughout the trip
• Service of Adventurous Women Tour Escort throughout the trip
• Service charge and tax

• All activities as mentioned
• Admission fees where applicable

 

Transport:

 

• Bus
• Boat
• Songteaw
• Train
• Walking
• Flight

 

Services Exclude:

 

• International & Domestic flights
• Entry visas
• Services not mentioned in the itinerary
• Early check in or Late check out at hotels
• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
• Tips for leaders, guide and driver
• Expenditure of personal nature

 

Meals:

Indicated on the itinerary as (B/L/D) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.  To provide our guests with the very best opportunity to explore the Thai Cuisine to there own liking, there are many times where you will be able to purchase your own food at a very reasonable price - Thailand is cheap...particularly with the strength of our dollar at the moment.  We can provide you with an indication of how much you will need to budget for.

 

 

 

No Princess Policy - Please read to ensure that this is the kind of tour for you.

This tour by it's very nature is not designed for the 5 Star Traveller. It is for the girl who has an 'adventurous spirit' and is looking for a unique and rewarding 'experience'.  You need to be prepared to camp in a village hut and sleep in basic accommodation along with others in the group (we recommend earplugs).  You need to be comfortable with using different forms of public transport along with the rest of the group. We also ask that you assume responsibility for yourself & your belongings and embrace a "go with the flow" attitude, as we are in a foreign country and sometimes things may occur that are beyond our control, therefore we may need to make changes to accommodate circumstances.  Each participant will require a general level of fitness to complete the trek component.

 

HOW TO BOOK: 

Please click on the BOOK NOW BUTTON below and submit a booking form.  Once we have received that, we will forward through to our Travel Agent Partner who will raise an invoice for your deposit.  On receipt of your deposit, your place on this tour is confirmed.