SOUTH EAST ASIA - STA Travel Hub

THAILAND DISCOVERYBangkok BangkokFR$1,99918 DAYSSOUTH EAST ASIAHighlights• See bustling riverside Bangkok• Check out historical Sukhothai• Take a memorable elephant ride• Visit the famous Golden Triangle• Shop in Chiang Mai’s night bazaars• Laze on paradise Thai islands• Snorkel in clear blue seasDepartures 2014STARTFINISHJan 03 Jan 20Jan 10 Jan 27Jan 17 Feb 03Jan 24 Feb 10Jan 31 Feb 17Feb 07 Feb 24Feb 14 Mar 03Feb 21 Mar 10Feb 28 Mar 17Mar 07 Mar 24Mar 14 Mar 31Mar 21 Apr 07Mar 28 Apr 14Apr 04 Apr 21Apr 11 Apr 28Apr 18 May 05Apr 25 May 12InclusionsGolden TriangleChiang MaiSTARTFINISHMay 02 May 19May 09 May 26May 16 Jun 02May 23 Jun 09May 30 Jun 16Jun 06 Jun 23Jun 13 Jun 30Jun 20 Jul 07Jun 27 Jul 14Jul 04 Jul 21Jul 11 Jul 28Jul 18 Aug 04Jul 25 Aug 11Aug 01 Aug 18Aug 08 Aug 25Aug 15 Sep 01Aug 22 Sep 08Chiang RaiLampangSukhothaiRailay BeachKrabiKoh Phai Koh KlangTHAILANDBangkokSTARTKoh TaoKoh PhanganKoh SamuiFINISHAug 29 Sep 15Sep 05 Sep 22Sep 12 Sep 29Sep 19 Oct 06Sep 26 Oct 13Oct 03 Oct 20Oct 10 Oct 27Oct 17 Nov 03Oct 24 Nov 10Oct 31 Nov 17Nov 07 Nov 24Nov 14 Dec 01Nov 21 Dec 08Nov 28 Dec 15Dec 05 Dec 22Dec 12 Dec 29Dec 19 Jan 05Trip Style: Classic Service Level: StandardPhysical Grading: 3 Age Group: Any ageAccommodation (Nov-Apr): Guesthouses/hotels (9 nts), sleeper train (2 nts), simplebungalows (4 nts, fan-cooled), camping (1 nt),homestay (1 nt) Accommodation (May-Oct):Guesthouses/hotels (15 nts), sleeper train(2 nts) Transport: Train, public bus, taxi,songthaew, bicycle, long-tail boat, plane,elephant Meals (Nov-Apr): 15 breakfasts,1 lunch, 2 dinners Meals (Nov-Apr): 15breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner Budget: AllowUSD $325-425 for meals not included GroupLeader: Chief Experience Officer (CEO), localguides Group Size: Max 15, Avg 10 TourCode: GAATDTMy Own Room Available: Fr $699you might likeNov-MayMay-NovWhy not add an optional theme pack tocustomise your trip?Thai Adventure Pack Fr $225Jungle ziplining (Bangkok, half day),elephant nature park (Chiang Mai, fullday), sea kayaking (Krabi, 2 hours)Take a step back as Thailand throws everything it’s got at you; friendly people, sacred sitesfrom days gone by and the beaches... oh, the beaches *sigh*. Words can’t describe thebliss of sitting on some of the best beaches in the world, lazing on pure white sands anddunking yourself in sparkling blue seas. Take an unforgettable ride on an elephant, exploreChiang Mai and the Golden Triangle and cycle the streets of ancient Sukhothai. The southernsection of the trip varies seasonally: Nov-Apr departures travel down the West Coast andMay-Oct departures travel down the East Coast. Either option is perfect for chilling out.DAY0102-030405-0607-091011-1718ITINERARYBangkokArrive into Bangkok at any time. Spend your day adjusting to the frenetic pace of the city.SukhothaiYour trip starts with a chance to see Bangkok from the ‘klongs’, the canals that wind their waythrough the city. Watch local life in the city as you cruise by in a traditional long-tail boat. Stop offat Wat Po, home of the giant reclining Buddha, before travelling to the town of Sukhothai with itsimpressive historic ruins. Check out the awe-inspiring Buddha images. Day 3 will be spent cyclingaround the remains of this ancient royal realm, now one of Thailand’s World Heritage Sites. (2B)LampangContinue to Lampang, the temporary capital of the Lanna Kingdom from 1776-1791 when ChiangMai was deserted as a result of successive wars with the Burmese. Free afternoon to explore. (B)Chiang Rai / Golden TriangleDrive to Chiang Rai Province stopping at the Lampang Elephant Conservation Centre. Tour thefacilities of the elephant hospital and see how young and sick elephants are cared for. Opt to take aride on the back of these majestic animals, which many find to be a highlight of their trip to Thailand.Head onwards to Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle where Myanmar, Thailand and Laos meet. In themorning of Day 6, visit the border town of Mae Sai where you can observe Burmese traders at workand pick up a few souvenirs. There is also time for a visit to the fascinating Opium Museum. (2B)Chiang MaiHead off to Chiang Mai, an important Buddhist centre since the 14th Century and home to more than300 temples. Explore the best known of these, Doi Suthep, perched on top of a hill outside the city.Optional activities on offer include a cooking class, bike tour or a visit to the Mae Sa waterfall. You’llalso get the chance to enjoy a home-cooked meal, kantoke-style, with a village family. The rest ofyour time in Chiang Mai is free to explore; not to be missed is the vibrant Night Bazaar, with shopsand stalls showcasing the best of Thailand’s handicrafts. Overnight train back to Bangkok. (3B, D)BangkokArrive back into Bangkok this morning for a free day to continue to explore the capital city. Some ofthe options available include the Grand Palace, Jim Thompson’s House or the Baiyok Tower.Island HoppingNov-Apr (West Coast): Fly from Bangkok to the chilled-out town of Krabi and head for a homestayon Koh Klang. Visit a community project before returning to Krabi to experience the beachside vibe ofAo Nang, with optional rock climbing, kayaking, snorkelling or diving. Travel by private long-tail boatKoh Phai to snorkel its coral reefs. Transfer to Railay Beach to indulge in its huge array of activitiessuch as jungle trekking, cooking classes, whitewater rafting and quad biking. Return to Krabi for onelast night before catching the overnight train back to Bangkok. (7B, L, D)May-Oct (East Coast): Fly from Bangkok to the tropical island of Koh Samui where you can take anoptional snorkelling trip to Ang Thong Marine Park. Ferry to nearby Koh Phangan to swim in lagoonsand explore the island’s waterfalls. Time your trip right and you could also enjoy the Full Moon Party.Next up is Koh Tao, a haven for snorkelling and diving and a good spot for a few cocktails. On Day17, transfer back to the mainland in time to catch the overnight train back to Bangkok. (7B, L)BangkokArriving from your overnight sleeper train, bid farewell to your fellow travellers as your journey ends.44 VISIT WWW.STATRAVEL.COM.AU