THAILAND & MALAYSIA |
USD$2,750.00 |
This trip has trekking, relaxation, shopping, many friendly cultures, history and is our best itinerary for food. It has the lot.
If you want to do this trip you only have to compare the following inclusions list with rival operators. After doing that the only other decision to be made is the date you start your Baktrax trip.
Food is no doubt a major highlight of this trip.
Baktrax's food advisor from France declares without hesitation that, "Malaysia is undoubtably the food capital of the world," and Penang is the best place in Malaysia to try a lot of it. Baktrax takes no responsibility whatsoever for gained weight during this trip. Whether it's Thai, Malay, Indian or Chinese, this trip has it all.
NO LOCAL PAYMENT REQUIRED ON ARRIVAL
GROUP SIZE: Minimum one, maximum eight.
Guaranteed to depart.
English speaking tour coordinator.
VISITING:
BANGKOK - THE RIVER KWAI - SUKOTHAI - SUKOTHAI HISTORICAL PARK - CHIANG MAI - PAI - VARIOUS HILLTRIBE VILLAGES - PENANG (Malaysia) - TANAH RATA - KOH SUKORN (Thailand).
ACCOMMODATION:
Three star hotel, (3 nights).
One to two star guest houses and hotels, (9 nights).
Simple guest houses, (12 nights).
Hill tribe villages, (2 nights).
Overnight sleeper train (2 nights).
TRANSPORT:
Plane, train, bus, taxi.
DAY TRIPS:
River Kwai, (full day).
Sukothai historical park, (half day).
Pai district, (half day)
Hill tribe trek, (three days, two nights).
Cooking course, (half day).
Thai massage, (one hour).
Cameron highlands, (half day).
ENTRY FEES:
All included when part of the itinerary.
MEALS:
44 meals as per itinerary. B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: BANGKOK - Your trip officially starts as soon as you check in to your Bangkok accommodation. A welcoming dinner will be had in the evening. D.
DAY 2: BANGKOK - A free day to explore the amazing city of Bangkok. Markets, temples and numerous other attractions will keep you busy whichever way you decide to go. B.
DAY 3: BANGKOK - A local operator will take you on a full days tour to the River Kwai with other attractions en route. B. L. D.
DAY 4: SUKOTHAI - We take a bus today to the first capital of Thailand, Sukothai. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore before dinner. B. D.
DAY 5: SUKOTHAI - Historical Park; A local operator will take you to explore the old ruins of Sukothai which is now a heritage listed historical park. B.
DAY 6: CHIANG MAI - A bus trip takes us to the northern capital of Thailand, Chiang Mai. The night bazaar is a must see for most visitors. Bargain hard but always with a smile. B. D.
DAY 7: CHIANG MAI - A free day to explore Chiang Mai with your tour coordinator on hand to advise you on places to see, shop and eat. B.
DAY 8: PAI - A local bus takes us to a very special town in Thailand. Situated in a valley surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery, Pai has an aura all of its own. B. D.
DAY 9: PAI - A local operator will show you around the district with the possibility of swimming under a cool mountain waterfall (seasonal). At night you will also meet your trekking guide who will brief you about your upcoming trek. B. D.
DAYS 10 & 11: HILLTRIBE VILLAGES - Pack just a day pack, ( your main bag will be safely stored in Pai ), for the three day trek to Lahu, Lisu and Karen hill tribe villages, where you will experience a totally different culture and way of life. You will sleep in the huts with your local hosts... but be prepared for some surprises. They usually have no gas or electricity and live a very simple subsistence life, but you will never meet more hospitable people. B. L. D. daily.
DAY 12: PAI - Your cultural trek will finish back in Pai after a fascinating three days. A traditional Thai dinner will be had with our hosts in the evening. B. L. D.
DAY 13: PAI - A day to relax in this amazing town of Pai including a complimentary Thai massage to ease any hard earned aches and pains. A half-day cooking course is also part of today's itinerary. At night we will devour what you have created. B. D.
DAY 14; PAI - Another free day in Pai for the energetic to do some more exploration of this wonderful town, or just relax a bit more. At night you will be treated to a traditional Thai dinner at your accommodation as we farewell our hosts in Pai-adise. B. D.
DAY 15: CHIANG MAI - Sadly you will leave Pai and return to Chiang Mai . Rest of the day is free for any last minute shopping or sightseeing in this region. B.
DAY 16: OVERNIGHT SLEEPER TRAIN - A morning domestic flight to Bangkok will connect you with your overnight sleeper train to Malaysia. B.
DAY 17:PENANG - At around midday your train will arrive in Butterworth, Malaysia, and you will take the short ferry ride to Georgetown, the main city on Penang Island and possibly the food capital of the world. No meals.
DAY 18: PENANG - A free day to wander around atmospheric Georgetown with your tour coordinator on hand to point you towards the many attractions and points of interest. However, trying the food in between will probably be the highlight. B.
DAY 19: TANAH RATA - A morning bus takes you to the Pai of Malaysia, in the rolling tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands sits Tanah Rata with its elevation giving some relief from the heat at sea level. B.
DAY 20: TANAH RATA - A short walk along a stream and around a golf course will see you in the nearby village of Brinchang. For anyone not wishing to do this leisurely 1 hour walk a local bus will have you there in 15 minutes. Explore this peaceful village before returning to Tanah Rata for a traditional Chinese steamboat dinner. B. L. D.
DAY 21: TANAH RATA - Either a morning or afternoon half day tour of the region is included today. The tour includes a visit to a tea plantation and factory, a chinese temple & a butterfly farm while all the time enjoying the sensational scenery as you go. B. D.
DAY 22: TANAH RATA - A free day to debate which town is the best, Pai or Tanah Rata. B.
DAY 23: PENANG - We return to Penang for a free afternoon of last minute shopping or sightseeing. B.
Day 24: KOH SUKORN - An early start sees you return to Thailand and the province of Trang from where you will transfer to the little known island of Koh Sukorn for three nights in beachside bungalows surrounded by only coconut palms. No meals.
Day 25:KOH SUKORN - Not much to do apart from laying on the beach and watching the sun go down with a cool drink or two. B.
Day 26: KOH SUKORN - Repeat previous day or maybe explore this, as yet, undeveloped island getaway which also has a local village and rubber plantations. B.
Day 27: OVERNIGHT SLEEPER TRAIN - Sadly transfer back to Trang to connect with your overnight sleeper train back to Bangkok. B.
Day 28: BANGKOK - Arrive a.m. in Bangkok. The rest of the day is free. A farewell dinner will be had in the evening. D.
Day 29: Your trip is officially over when you check out of your Bangkok accommodation. An airport transfer is included also. B.
TOUR DATES 2008
2008: Jan 5; Feb 2; Mar 1; Apr 5; May; 1; Jun 7; Jul 5; Aug 2; Sep 6; Oct 4; Nov 1; Dec 6.
2009: Jan 3; Feb 7; Mar 7; April 4; May 2; June 6; July 4; Aug 1; Sept 5; Oct 3; Nov 7; Dec 5.
Any other date on application. (Minimum two people).
PRICE:
P/P, land only; (includes flight Chiang Mai to Bangkok).
USD$2,750.00
Single Suppliment: USD$650.00