Mountains and Beaches
Escorted Group Tour Dossier.TMB21

Ideal for the first time visitor. Offering an excellent introduction to diverse Thailand, from the remote, forest clad mountains of the North to the reef fringed tropical islands of the South; from hill-tribe villages lost in the mountains to the vibrant capital Bangkok.

Many people have no idea of the stunning visual beauty and traditional culture that Thailand has to offer. Thailand is a unique and fascinating land of great physical and rich cultural diversity whose history spans over many centuries.

Picture a land of idyllic tree-lined beaches, tranquil bays dotted with the sails of junks and sampans, offshore coral islands, mountains, valleys, primal forests, plains crossed by countless rivers and emerald rice fields enriched with the varied scenes of everyday life. The traditional rural life, embodied in the villagers tilling the land with rudimentary tools under their conical hats in the patchwork paddy fields, and children riding their water buffaloes home from the fields at the end of the day, contrasts dramatically with the sights, sounds and pace of the cities whose busy streets overflow with humanity.

The country's long history is an every present companion: sites of ancient battles, ancient civilisations and kingdoms which flourished in this enigmatic land. As country that has never been colonised by another power, it has been able to retain much of its unique culture dispite modernisation.

This tour traces the complex history and culture of Vietnam and its people, introducing some of the many different faces and places of this fascinating country.

MEKONG TRAVEL - SIGHTSEEING TOUR POLICY
Major sightseeing highlights of Indochina include a huge variety of religious and historic monuments; a rich cultural and artistic heritage; museums and beautiful scenery. Such key elements are naturally include in sightseeing tour itineraries, but Mekong Travel also seeks out the less obvious attractions - interesting local markets, festivals, wherever these coincide with travel plans, traditional handicrafts and industries, plus the opportunity to meet local people in their own environments. Also include are opportunities to try regional cuisine and to see typical or traditional forms of entertainment.

Mekong Travel includes such extra dimensions to make any visit to Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia or Laos a richer, more rewarding and more memorable experience.

GENERAL ADVICE ON TRAVELLING IN INDOCHINA

Never drink tap water - purified, bottled water is available everywhere.

Use an insect repellent against mosquitoes, especially in upcountry and forested areas. A hat and high factor block cream is advisable as protection against the hot tropical sun when sightseeing.

Casual and light clothing is required, preferable natural fiber, year-round, but
a sweater or jacket may be useful in hill areas, particularly during winter months, when evenings can be quite cool. An umbrella or raincoat is essential if visiting during the monsoon months (May-September).

Travellers should take adequate supplies of any prescription medicines they may need, as supplies may not be available locally. A spare pair of eyeglasses, if worn, is also advisable. Useful too, is a flashlight, for exploring caves or details of temple interiors, which are often not properly illuminated

Take plenty of film, as locally available supplies are not always reliable. Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military installation is forbidden. Please use discretion when photographing people, especially with tribal people, who may have superstitions against this. For close-up shots always ask first.

Visitors are required to dress decently within the precincts of religious buildings. Ladies should not wear shorts or bra-less T-shirts in such places. Shoes and socks/stockings must always be removed at pagodas and monasteries. Shoulders and knees should be covered. Disregard of these rules causes serious cultural and religious offence to the devout Asian people. Visitors are advised to ignore touts who may approach them to exchange foreign currency, or to sell gems of dubious quality. Such offers, although apparently attractive, are breaking strict laws.

Begging is widespread in some parts of Indochina but not in others and visitors are requested not to encourage development of this practice by giving money, sweets etc. to children. If travellers wish to contribute to say, a village community, gifts should be directed to the local schoolteacher or headman.
Contributions can also be arranged to recognise local charities two of which we support.

HOTELS

In spite of the building boom that is creating new hotels up to international standards for the first time in key tourist centres, accommodations in Indochina still varies widely in quality and, during high seasons, availability can be limited. Mekong Travel clients will generally receive hotel reservation priority, but Mekong Travel cannot guarantee specific hotel requests and reserves the right to substitute accommodation of the best available alternative standard when a first-choice hotel is not available. Clients are advised that accommodations, especially outside the main locations, may not always be up to international standards.

ACCOMMODATION. The accommodation on this trip is a mixture of private hotels (mostly 2 Star), guest houses, tribal village, beach chalets and camping. We also spend a night on a train, which is quite comfortable. The hotels have air conditioning and we will normally have twin rooms with private facilities. In general, the hotels we use are of a good standard, and will be clean and comfortable.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

WEATHER. Except for the north between November and February the weather will be hot and humid throughout, with temperatures during the day between about 28C and 34C. It is only a little cooler at nights. There is quite a range of seasons between the north and the south: the south has a distinct hot dry season from February to June, and there is a pronounced wet season in the middle of the country in September and October. November to March is a cool season in the north, and there may be some drizzly rain: a jumper or warm jacket may be required. Other than that, rain when it does fall usually comes in short, violent bursts with bright sunshine in between. There is no ideal time to visit Thailand: it is quite pleasant at any time of year, though due to the shape of the country it is unlikely that the weather will ever be perfect for the entire duration of any trip. In addition flooding does occur from time to time particularly in the south though this is unpredictable, as indeed is the weather in Thailand in general.

VACCINATIONS. No vaccinations are compulsory unless arriving from and infected area, but we recommend vaccination against hepatitis A and typhoid. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended and there has been some chloroquine resistance reported, so please see your Doctor for advice.

FOOD. All breakfasts (e.g. bread, eggs or fruit and tea or coffee) are included as are all Lunches and Dinners which are taken as a group and arranged in good local restaurants were a variety of Thai dishes can be tried. Main meals include rice. There is always enough food and we eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

EXTRA EXPENSES. Departure tax: currently BHT 500. There are also a number of entry fees not included in the price: as it is hard to say what people would like to visit . There will also costs to cover soft drinks, mineral water and snacks for consumption whilst travelling , though this is unlikely to cost very much.

GROUP, STAFF & SUPPORT. The group size will be limited to 8. All groups will be accompanied by an experienced English guide, plus a local guide and where applicable a local driver. All your luggage and personal belongings will be carried in the vehicle.

TRIP PROFILE.
Ideal for the first time visitor. Offering an excellent introduction to diverse Thailand, from the remote, forest clad mountains of the North to the reef fringed tropical islands of the South; from hill-tribe villages lost in the mountains to the vibrant capital Bangkok.

Day 1
Departure from London.

Day 2
Arrival in Bangkok meet your tour leader and transfer to a downtown hotel. Afternoon to relax, explore the area or checkout some local markets.

Day 3
Day tour of some of the City's sites; Wat Pho temple, the Grand Palace and fabulous Wat Phra Kaew - the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Day 4
Head across the Central Plains and their emerald green rice-paddies, for up-country Phitsanolok Town - the Gateway to the North - including a lunch-time stop-off at the famous 'monkey shrine' in historic Lopburi City. Evening tour of the City's lively night bazaar.

Day 5
Bicycle tour of the nearby, ancient city of Sukhothai - former capital of Siam - which, with it's crumbling sandstone temples, towering Buddha statues and lotus-covered ponds is one of the country's most sacred amd evocative sites.

Day 6
Complete our northwards journey with a morning ride to Nan near the Lao border. This charming, friendly town, well off the beaten tourist trails, was an independent city-state until 1931 when it was finally incorporated into the Kingdom of Siam.

Days 7,8 & 9
A unique three day experience trekking through the dramatic, jungle-clad mountains bordering Laos. We'll spend the first night as guests of a Hmong family in a tribal village and the second in chalets on the banks of the scenic Wa River. A white-water descent of the river on the final day completes the expedition. Return to Nan town on the evening of the day 9.

Day 10
Time to head south with a flight to Bangkok where we'll connect with the night sleeper train for Nakhorn Si Thammarat.

Day 11
Free to relax or explore this distinctively southern town's bustling markets and checkout some of the local handicrafts.

Day 12
Excursion to the dramatic Kharom waterfall, situated in the Khao Luang National Park - one of the highest and most spectacular in S.E. Asia.

Day 13
Travel to Thale Noi Bird Sanctuary - one of the region's most important waterbird sites - where we'll travel by boat through the vast marshes and atmospheric water-lily covered lakes.

Days 14 & 15
Expedition to Ban-Traat Mountain. Trek through the rainforest, bathe in mountain streams, explore limestone caves and visit a Sakai settlement - a hunter-gatherer, jungle dwelling people. Overnight camping in the jungle! Return to Trang in the afternoon of day 15.

Day 16
Head for Chao Mai 'sea-gypsy' village from where we'll canoe through mangrove swamps and along underground streams to visit the atmospheric and mysterious, sacred sea-caves. Afternoon transfer to Koh Muk Island.

Day 17
Leisurely day on this tranquil island: make the most of the turquoise waters and sandy beaches, sling a hammock between a couple of palm trees or visit a local fishing village.

Day 18
Boat tour through the spectacular scenery of Chao Mai National Marine Park, snorkel on the archipelago's vibrant coral reefs and swim through the unique Emerald cave'.

Day 19
Free morning to top up your sun-tan before an afternoon return to Trang.

Day 20
Cook your own lunch with a half-day, Thai cookery lesson. Evening return flight to London,via Bangkok.

Day 21
Morning arrival in London.

Highlights:
· white-water rafting
· staying in tribal village
· jungle trekking
· canoeing in mangrove swamps
· snorkelling on coral reefs
· deserted beaches
· Bangkok's palaces and temples
· Thai food

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

· Accommodation as specified (tax and service charges are also included as is breakfast)
· Services of a Western tour leader throughout
· Local guide throughout
· Private vehicles in each location
· Private (group) transfers to and from airports and train stations
· Entrance fees to museums, etc., permits, etc.
· Meals
· The services of our local staff in Thailand

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
· Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, tips, etc.
· Visas
· Airport transfers on arrival and departure
· Airport taxes payable locally on each departure

DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES

Single supplement £200.00

For currency conversions, click here: XE.com Personal Currency Assistant

We will arrange twin share accommodation for single travellers, the supplement is for those requesting their own rooms.

The information in this dossier has been given in good faith and covers the average range of conditions to be found on the trip. Thailand is a poor country where services are not up to international standards consequently unexpected changes sometime occur.

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