Island Insight - Overland Trip

2 weeks: Bangkok to Krabi (IMT-VSII08)

Intro

Head into the hills of northern Thailand for a stay with a hilltribe and a visit to an elephant training centre, as well as an elephant ride through the jungle and a trip down the river on bamboo rafts. Explore the many attractions of Bangkok before travelling south to an idyllic island in beautiful Phang Nga Bay, where you\'ll join the local fishing community casting nets for fish and crabs, exploring beautiful desert islands and helping out with day to day village jobs, such as maintaining fishing boats or weighting the nets. You\'ll gain an insight into a traditional way of life in Thailand most visitors never see.

Group Size

Max 12

Activities

Hilltribe walking (easy), village homestay, elephant riding, bamboo rafting, optional watersports, mending fishing nets and other community based activities

Accommodation

4 nights simple hotels or bungalows, 5 nights village homestay, 3 nights overnight train

Transport

Local bus, taxi, pick-up truck, ferry, sleeper train, elephant, bamboo raft

Staffing & Participation

Fully escorted by Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local staff while on volunteer programme

Meals

As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

YOUR DONATION MATTERS

A guaranteed 100% of your donation goes direct to the charities, allowing their magnificent work to continue. Covering programme materials, services and other essentials, every penny counts!

Itineraries

Day 1, BANGKOK

Arrive in this vibrant city and check in to your hotel.

Day 2, BANGKOK

A full day to explore the city before taking the overnight train to Chiang Mai. (B)

Day 3, CHIANG MAI

Arrive in Chiang Mai and transfer to our guesthouse. The rest of the day is free to explore the town or perhaps visit the hilltop temple of Doi Suthep. (B)

Day 4, CHIANG MAI - TRIBAL MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

Our day starts with a visit to an elephant training camp where we can see how these enormous creatures are trained for working in the jungle. After lunch we continue by pick-up truck to a small tribal village. We then continue on foot through mountainous terrain (easy walking) to a Palong village where we spend the night in a traditional village house. (BLD)

Day 5, ELEPHANT RIDE AND BAMBOO RAFTING

After breakfast we board our elephants for a short ride through the jungle to a small river. We then continue by bamboo raft down the river. Later we return via an orchid garden and butterfly farm to Chiang Mai, where we have free time before boarding the overnight train to Bangkok. (BL)

Day 6, BANGKOK

Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to our hotel. Today you have the option to visit Kanchanaburi and the Bridge on the River Kwai.

Day 7, BANGKOK

A free day before we take the overnight train to Krabi. (B)

Days 8-11, PHANG NGA BAY

We spend the next 4 nights on a tiny island in beautiful Phang Nga Bay. During our time on the island, we will learn about the fascinating way of life of the local fishermen, stay in local homes with friendly families and lend a hand with some interesting volunteer activities. An amazing cultural exchange experience! (Day 8 - LD, Days 9-11 - BLD)

Day 12, PHANG NGA BAY – KRABI

We return to Krabi, one of the most popular beach resorts in Thailand. (BL)

Day 13, KRABI

Tour ends.



Last updated: 8th June 2008

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