Hike Bike Kayak Thailand

Transcription

1 Hike Bike Kayak Thailand Trip Information Feb 2nd Feb 15th 2019 Thailand has the full package - in buzzing, indulge in mouth-watering food, visit nightclubs and explore street markets; in the north, meet hill tribes, see elephants and explore ancient temples; and in the south, relax on beaches, discover underwater worlds and hangout in jungles. Fancy some outdoor activity in a tropical paradise? Now's your chance as we launch into the remote highlands of Northern Thailand from, one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities. Travel into steamy rainforests on foot to visit colourful hilltribes, cruise down the River Kwai on kayaks and explore the lesser-known side of Chiang Mai from a bicycle. The diversity of exciting outdoor options makes Thailand a haven for adventurers. Why you'll love this trip * Cycle off the main streets and into the heart and soul of with a backstreets bike tour * Even the transport on this trip is an adventure and a great chance to interact with the Thai people * Get the heart pumping on a 3 day trek through scenic and enlightening northern hilltribe villages, and experience rural Thai life from a local's perspective with two nights in village homestays * Explore areas of Chiang Mai rarely seen by visitors with 2 days cycling through local neighbourhoods, discovering everyday Thai life that thrives in the backstreets * Uncover a different side to the River Kwai with 2 days peaceful kayaking down its waters, through tropical forest and with beautiful mountain views Is this trip right for you? * This is an active trip designed for those with a good level of fitness. Be prepared for some serious physical activity. The majority of activities included on this trip cycling around, trekking in Chiang Mai, kayaking down the River Kwai will be challenging. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy this trip. * Some accommodation on this trip is basic. This includes two homestays the best way to really understand a country and its people and one night of camping.

2 Trip Overview Day 0 ( day zero of your relaxing vacation ). Arrive to. Decompress Day 1 Visit. There are some optional activities Day 2 Flight to Chiang Mai Day 3 Hilltribe Trek Day 4 Hilltribe Trek Day 5 Hilltribe Trek/Chiang Mai Day 6 Chiang Mai Day 7 Chiang Mai Day 8 Chiang Mai Day 9 Fly to. Bus to Kanchanaburi/River Kwai Day 10 Kanchanaburi/River Kwai Day 11 Kanchanaburi Day 12 Bus Day 13 Departure day

3 Detailed Itinerary Day 0 Meals included: None Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Upon arrival at airport, meet with our guide and transfer to hotel for check-in. Arrive to the hotel and decompress Arrival Transfer Included based on group bawhysis. Nouvo City Hotel or similar Day 1 Meals included: None Thailand's bustling capital, is famous for its tuk tuks, khlong boats and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. has so much to offer those with time to explore, so perhaps arrive a day or so early and take a riverboat to Chinatown and explore the crowded streets, wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road, or indulge in some Thai massage. After the meeting tonight perhaps gather your fellow travellers together and tuck into some world famous street food. Optional Activities - Grand Palace - THB500 (admission fee only) - Chinatown Food Discovery Urban Adventure - THB Temple & River of Kings Urban Adventure - THB Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure - THB Thai Massage - THB250 Nouvo City Hotel or similar

4 Day 2. Flight to Chiang Mai Meals included: None Take to the streets of on bikes and explore some of the quieter parts of town on a half day tour. Cross Rama VII Bridge and cycle through the suburbs of Noi, down the small alleyways that house the local residents. This is a great chance to get away from the tourist areas of and into the heart and soul of this lively city. Pass the King s Royal Barges, the Noi Canal, a local market, and ride on to Wat Arun. There s a brief stop for an optional visit inside the impressively towered Wat Arun, before crossing Chao Praya River to Pranakorn. Head past Wat Suthat, and make a stop for those who wish to see the largest sitting Buddha image in Thailand. Your final stop on this ultimate bike tour is the giant swing Sao Ching Cha, which represents the movement of the God Shiva and was reserved for performances at grand ceremonies. Today s total distance cycled is around 17 kilometres. Take the afternoon to relax and maybe wander the streets a little more to soak up s unique city life. This evening take a flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival at Chiang Mai airport, transfer to hotel for check-in. Included Activities - Cycling day tour Ratana Hotel or similar Day 3 Hilltribe Trek Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner You destination today is the Karen village of Ban Pong Noi, stopping for lunch at the Mok Fah Waterfall. On the way you ll drop into Mae Malai local market to buy some fresh food for the trip, then drive for 1 hour to Mork Fah Waterfall. Have lunch and rest by the gushing waters, and maybe also take a quick dip, before heading to Baan Mae Sae, which marks the starting point of the trek (approximately 2 hours). Today is a relatively simple 2.8 kilometre hike to Ban Pong Noi, and you ll arrive in the village in the late afternoon. You ll have your first homestay tonight, a brilliant opportunity to experience rural Thai life first-hand. All meals are included while trekking, but you'll need to purchase your own water (please allow approximately US$10 to cover your water purchase for the trek). is multishare, sleeping on rented roll mats on the floor of the wooden/bamboo huts typical of the villages. There are shared squat toilets and basic washing facilities (a hose or water pipe) in most villages. You may also be able to wash in a nearby stream. Warmer clothing and sleeping bags is recommended, as the nights are usually quite cool during this period. Included Activities Hilltribe Trek (3days) Homestay

5 Day 4 Hilltribe Trek Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Today, there s an early morning start to take a tour the village before breakfast. Then trek through jungle, rice paddies, rotation dry farms, streams, rivers and waterfalls on a nature trail through Karen villages. The first leg of the trek is steep up and down hill through bamboo forest, a total walking time of around 3 hours. You ll enjoy a picnic lunch en route, and then continue for another 2-3 hours to a Lahu village, where you ll spend the night. The total walking distance today will be approximately 11 kilometres. Homestay Day 5 Hilltribe Trek/Chiang Mai Meals included: Breakfast, lunch After breakfast, take a morning walk around the village, with the opportunity to buy some local handicrafts. Then begin today s trek through the storybook landscape of farmland and jungle (approximately 3-4 hours) to a Thai village for lunch. Take your time returning to Chiang Mai (approximately 2 hours), and this evening perhaps indulge with another traditional Thai massage before heading down to the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, a shopaholic s dream. Make sure to sample some delicious traditional northern Thai food. Ratana Hotel or similar Day 6 Chiang Mai Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner The most vibrant city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is renowned for dazzling beauty and extremely welcoming locals. The Rose of the North will leave you spellbound. You ll get to ride right into it with two days of cycling narrow lanes through local neighbourhoods, past beautiful houses and to areas rarely seen by visitors. You ll be cycling for around 55 kilometres today, so an average level of fitness is suggested. The terrain is mostly flat with occasional hills, down quiet country roads and lanes, through beautiful changing scenery, picturesque rice paddy fields and orchards. You ll see the Thai countryside and Thai way of life, pausing at local markets, temples, villages and anywhere that deserves a photo stop or that s worthy of stretching the legs. Bike along paved roads through the local villages and their farmland to Mae Jo University, before stopping to relax and refuel with lunch in the area. Continue biking and you ll arrive at your accommodation, a lovely resort, around 4pm. Before your included dinner tonight you can relax by the swimming pool and take a well-deserved and refreshing dip. Included Activities Chiang Mai 1 day cycling tour Royal Ping Resort or similar

6 Day 7 Month, Day Chiang Mai Meals included: Breakfast, lunch Saddle up again this morning with a ride to the gigantic temple of Wat Ban Den, where you ll discover the beautiful temple arts and architectures of Lanna modern temple buildings. Each of the 12 chedis here is dedicated to one of the 12 animals of the Thai zodiac, and Buddhists from all over Thailand make the pilgrimage to this special temple. Then, drop by another highlight of the Mae Tang Valley, Mae Ngat Dam. Here you can bike on the ridge of the dam, giving you panoramic views of the valley. Take a lunch break and refresh, then continue cycling to the sticky waterfall, Nam Tok Buatong. Hidden in the lush green forest of Sri Lanna National Park, the waterfall gets its name from the porous limestone that s surprisingly easy to climb on. Today you ll cycle around 35 kilometres, passing though teakwood plantations, with teak being one of the most economic logging industries in Thailand. You ll spend some time relaxing at the waterfall before returning to Chiang Mai around 4pm. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free for you to enjoy the city s atmosphere. Ratana Hotel or similar Day 8 Chiang Mai Meals included: Breakfast Free at leisure Ratana Hotel or similar Kanchanaburi/River Kwai Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 Transfer to Chiang Mai airport for flight to. Upon arrival at airport, transfer to the bus station. Travel by local bus to Kanchanaburi (approximately 2 hours). Located where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai rivers converge, Kanchanaburi is home to the infamous 'Bridge on the River Kwai'. Today you can enjoy the views over the river, explore the rows of street vendors in town and grab a drink overlooking the Kwai. River Kwai Bridge Resort -

7 Day 10 Kanchanaburi/River Kwai Meals included: Lunch, dinner This morning you ll get an insight into the darker side of Kanchanaburi s history with a moving visit to the Hellfire Pass Memorial (approximately 1 hour), built to honour the Allied POWs and Asian conscripts who died while constructing some of the most difficult stretches of the Thai-Burma Death Railway. You can head out to a teak observation deck, and look across to Myanmar just 25 miles away and the eponymous pass, cut through rock 18 metres deep, that got its name from the hellish fires used to light the work at night. You then have time by the river for lunch before jumping aboard kayaks to enjoy paddling at a leisurely pace on the smooth waters of the River Kwai Noi for the next two days. The time it takes can depend on the water level but you ll usually kayak for approximately 3-4 hours on the first day and 4-5 hours on the second day. The scenery is stunning, and kayaking through tropical forests and beautiful limestone mountain views is unique and unforgettable. You ll overnight on the River Kwai Noi in a basic raft house. Twin share rooms are provided with thin mattresses, pillows, towels and a private bathroom with shower. There is also a common area with complimentary tea and coffee provided. You may want to bring a sleeping sheet for additional comfort. The raft is basic but the location is beautiful. You will kayak for approximate 23Kms on this day. Double seater kayaks are provided. Basic Raft House Kanchanaburi Meals included: Breakfast, lunch Day 11 You ll continue your wonderful kayak down the river this morning, floating down the river (with the help of a bit of arm power) for around 3 hours this morning, or approximately 13 kilometres. After a rest and refuel for lunch you ll get another good workout with 5 hours at a leisurely pace in the afternoon. The kayaking finishes at Kaeng Pralom Bridge in the afternoon, and you ll drive back to Kanchanaburi for a well-deserved cold drink. Notes: There will be a support vehicle with you for these two days, just in case anyone gets tired and would like a rest from kayaking. The amount of kayaking done on Day 11 can depend on the group s wishes and fitness. It can be 35 kilometres, but it may also be possible to finish kayaking after lunch and visit the seven-tiered Erwan Waterfalls in the afternoon. River Kwai Bridge Resort -

8 Meals included: Breakfast Day 12 Travel back to by public bus (approximately 2 hours). Free at leisure Day use room till hrs. Nouvo City hotel (4pax/room) Meals included: Breakfast Day 13 You are free to depart at any time.. Please note no accommodation is included in on this day. There are shared day rooms available for your use until midday. Departure Transfer Included on a group basis Day use room till hrs. Nouvo City hotel (4pax/room) What s Included Hotel 8 nights Float house 1 night Homestay 2 nights Will have Twin Shared rooms Breakfast (8) Lunch (7) Dinner (4) Transportation in Thailand Public bus, Songthaew, Private minivan & plane Chiang Mai - English speaking tour leader throughout Activities described in itinerary Entrance/Admission Fees to scheduled activities What s NOT Included Airfare to and from, Thailand International airport departure tax Transportation to/from airport to hotel in Personal Travel and Medical Insurance Approximately 7 days of meals, you can eat local and street food for around $20/day Drinks with included lunches and dinners Optional activities in, time for 2-3 at $20-$80 each

9 Trip Cost and Payment Information CMC Members: $2295 Non Member: $2409 Minimum Deposit: $750 Final Payment Due By: Nov 1, 2018 Maximum # Participants: 11 Minimum # Participants: 10 CMC Deposit and Cancellation Policy: 1. Non-refundable Deposit: A non-refundable deposit is required to register for all trips. 2. All requests for cancellation must be submitted in writing to the trip leader. 3. Cancellations 90 or more prior to departure: All money paid in will be refunded less the non-refundable deposit. 4. Cancellation on Day 30 or more prior to departure: a. If a qualified, wait-listed, person is available to take a vacated slot and pays all money due, all payments made by the canceling party will be refunded less the nonrefundable deposit. b. If no one is available to take a vacated slot, 50% of paid money will be refunded, less the nonrefundable deposit. 5. Cancellation on Day 29 or fewer days prior to departure: No refund will be made. The Colorado Mountain Club will make every effort to carry out this trip. However, if the trip is canceled by the CMC, all money collected from participants, including any non-refundable deposit shall be returned. Participant will not be reimbursed for any other purchase made for the trip or other expenses that the participant may have paid in association with this trip, which includes equipment purchase, airline cancellation penalties or medical inoculations. Travel Information Participant need to arrive in, Thailand no later than 10pm on Feb 2, 2019 Departures from, Thailand should be planned after 6 am 15, 2019 Trip Leader Name: Bogie Dumitrescu cmcthailand@dumi.us