BOOK THIS TOUR TODAY and recieve a USD$300.00 discount per couple, twin share on the prices listed below. Available for all departure dates other than January & December.
THIS THAILAND SMALL GROUP TOUR HAS THE OPTION OF BUDGET OR QUALITY ACCOMMODATION.
While all Baktrax trips try to show you the real culture of the destinations you visit, the Meander trips along with our Pure Central Thailand tour are probably more suitable for those visiting Asia for the very first time and who want to see a cross section of what it’s all about while travelling slowly enough to make it an even more relaxing holiday as well as a small group tour.
They would be even more suitable for families also.
GO FOR IT! LISTEN! LOOK! SMELL! TASTE! LEARN!
The Meander All takes in the better know destinations of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui as well as the six less visited provinces of Phitsanulok, Chai Naat, Lopburi, Samut Songkram, Phetchaburi, (Cha-Am) and Chumpon.
Group Size: Minimum 1, Maximum 8
Guaranteed to depart
English speaking tour coordinator
Visiting
BANGKOK - CHIANG MAI - PHITSANULOK - CHAI NAAT - LOPBURI - SAMUT SONGKRAM - CHA-AM - CHUMPON - KOH SAMUI.
Accommodation
BUDGET
- One to two star guest houses and hotels, (14 nights).
- Simple guest houses, (10 nights).
- Basic guest house, (1 night).
- Second class overnight sleeper train, (2 nights).
QUALITY
- Five star hotel, ( 3 nights).
- Three star hotels, (11 night ).
- One to two star guest houses and hotels, (11 nights).
- First class overnight sleeper train, (2 nights).
Transport
Bus, Train, Boat, Taxi.
Day Trips
Marine national park, (full day).
Entry Fees
All included when part of the itinerary.
Meals
29 meals included as per itinerary.
B = Breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
Itinerary
Day 1:
Tonight our Thailand small group tour will stay in; BANGKOK - Our Thailand small group tour officially starts when you check into your Bangkok accommodation. A welcoming dinner will be had in the evening. If you arrive early enough your free time could be spent visiting the enormous Chatuchak weekend market and/or, Wat Phra Kaew & the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, MBK or Siam shopping centres or take a boat ride with the locals on the Chao Phraya express to some local shops in Nonthaburi.
A few of the dozens of other options may be Vimanmek Teak Mansion, Chinatown, Wat Traimit, Jim Thompsons House, Silom or Sukhumvit road shops.
OR? Maybe just lay back and have a traditional Thai Massage. A month in the capital wouldn't allow you enough time to see it all. D.
Day 2:
Tonight our small group Thailand tour will stay on; OVERNIGHT SLEEPER TRAIN - A free morning to explore Bangkok before our small group tour catches an overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai. B.
Day 3:
Tonight our small group Thailand tour will stay in; CHIANG MAI - Our small group tour will arrive a.m. in Chiang Mai with the rest of the day free to explore the Northern Thai capital. Just a few of the easy to visit sights by foot, Tuk Tuk or Sawngthaew, (share taxi) include Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Jet Yot and Wat Phan Tao among dozens of others.
If you don't temple out there is still the mountain top temple of Phra That Doi Suthep, approx fifteen kilometres away in a national park. For shoppers it doesn't get much better than Chiang Mai. After a day at Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Centre, Worowat Market, and/or dozens of other speciality shops all over the place you can barter hard at the famous Night Bazaar. Arts and crafts, textiles, silver and clothing are but a few of the great bargains to be had in Chiang Mai. A budget trip to a dentist is another possiblity as well. No meals.
Day 4:
CHIANG MAI - With all of the above and more you'll be glad to have almost three totally free days to meander in this travellers favorite destination. B, daily.
Day 5:
See day 4.
Day 6:
Tonight our small group Thailand tour will stay in; PHITSANULOK - A morning train will see our small group tour arrive in Phitsanulok (P-Lok to the locals), mid afternoon. B.
Day 7:
PHITSANULOK - Again with lots to see and do in P-Lok you'll be glad to have two full days here. One of the most revered temples in the kingdom of Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat, ( Wat Yai), a folk museum, Buddha casting foundry or a short bus ride out of town to Wat Chulamani which dates back to the 14th century. There will also be the opportunity, (not included), to visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Sukothai Historical Park which is two hours away. Restaurants and markets abound as usual with a particularly good afternoon market setting up for a smorgasboard of local choices for dinner. Another of those great Thai markets that very few tourists get to see. B. daily.
Day 8:
See Day 7.
Day 9:
Tonight our small group Thailand tour will stay in; CHAI NAAT - A change to local buses today will see our small group tour in the central province of Chai Naat. This off the beaten track destination will give you a great chance to experience a rarely visited Thai provincial capital. B.
Day 10:
CHAI NAAT - A free day to explore Chai-Nat which has a bird park as it's main attraction. Another local street vendors market or a floating restaurant on the Chao Praya river are two of the better options for dinner. B.D.
Day 11:
Tonight our small group Thailand tour will stay in; LOPBURI - Two local bus trips will see our small group tour in the once important historical, but now monkey ruled town of Lopburi.
Lopburi is one of the oldest cities in Thailand dating back to before the 11th century which accounts for some of the Khmer style architecture of the old temples. B.
Day 12:
LOPBURI - A free day in the historical section of old Lopburi to explore the many ruins right beside or close to your accommodation. These include The former Royal Palace of Phra Narai Ratchaniwet, Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat, Prang Khaek and Prang Sam Yot with the latter usually covered in the local monkey population. We may also see a monkey or two roaming freely around town. Lopburi also has a great night food vendors market which sets up daily in the streets for dinner with the locals. Yet another chance to taste some great Thai food that very few tourists get to try. Hoi Tawt, (mussels in batter), is just one of the local favs. B.
Day 13:
Tonight our small group Thailand tour will stay in; BANGKOK - A morning train sees our small group tour back in Bangkok. Rest of the day is free to sightsee or shop with a Tuk Tuk ride being the local way to get around. B.
Day 14:
BANGKOK - A full day to explore or go shopping. Optional day trips are available or maybe just a movie at a Mall. A budget trip to a Dentist is again another possibility . B. D.
Day 15:
Tonight our small group Thailand tour will stay in; SAMUT SONGKRAM - An almost secret little rail line will see our small group tour travel by two very local trains, bisected by a river ferry crossing, to the geographically smallest province in the Kingdom, Samut Songkram. Also known as Mae Klong by the locals. It would be most unlikely to see any other non locals on this train. A fascinating look at local life both on the train and along the tracks. B.
Day 16:
SAMUT SONGKRAM - A free day to wander around this REAL Thai provincial capital, it seems once again that the Baktrax philosophy of small is best rings true because the local population must surely be in the running for the friendliest people in this Kingdom of friendly people. Wat Phet Samut Worawihan will give you a look at a local temple. In the evening you will get the chance to have a ten or more courses dinner for a few dollars as you meander around the evening market sampling the numerous delights on offer. No meals.
Day 17:
Tonight our small group Thailand tour will stay in; CHA-AM - Our small group tour heads for the beach today via local buses. Cha-Am is a very popular weekend beachside destination for Bangkokians and other locals but as we are there mid week and there are less crowds, this beautiful coastal destination is even more appealing. B. D.
Day 18:
CHA-AM - This lesser known seaside resort has a great atmosphere whether laying on the long beach during the day or eating seafood at night. The local town part of Cha-Am is a short motor bike taxi ride away from the beach where we will be able to visit the once weekly night market with lots of goodies on offer to tempt and delight. B, daily.
Day 19:
See day 18
Day 20:
Tonight our small group Thailand tour will stay in; CHUMPON - By bus and train today will see our small group tour in Chumpon for an overnight stop. Chumpon is a quieter provincial capital used by less tourists to get to the nearby islands of Koh Tao, Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Samui, than the bigger city of Surat thani. This means enough markets and restaurants for dinner but with a more laid back local atmosphere. B.
Day 21:
Tonight our small group Thailand tour will stay on; KOH SAMUI - Our small group tour will go by boat today to the world famous island of Koh Samui, arriving mid afternoon at lovely Lamai Beach. It would seem that if Baktrax had to have one really touristy destination in South Thailand then Samui was the best choice because it has a great atmosphere and something for everyone whatever your budget or want. From an international fast food hamburger to a locally caught grilled fish done Thai style. Warm waters off a coconut palm lined white sandy beach followed by an early night or party till dawn.
Enough shopping opportunities also or for the experienced rider, hire a motorbike and explore the island. A big emphasis on EXPERIENCED ONLY. Others can take a taxi. With plenty of time you will have the chance to have a massage or spa. do a yoga or cooking course.
No meals.
Day 22:
KOH SAMUI - Three full days to do anything you want to or nothing at all on beautiful Samui. One of these days will include a visit to a Marine National Park with a local operator with snorkelling included.
B, daily. Lunch on the day trip.
Day 23:
See day 22
Day 24:
See day 22
Day 25:
Tonight our small group Thailand tour will stay on; OVERNIGHT SLEEPER TRAIN - Sadly, time for our small group tour to pack up and head back to Bangkok. Firstly to the island port of Na thon for the ferry to Surathani from where we catch an overnight sleeper train to Bangkok. There will be enough time for a stroll around Na thon which has more interesting shops to tempt and delight you. B.
Day 26:
Tonight our small group Thailand tour will stay in; BANGKOK - Our small group tour will arrive a.m. in Bangkok with the rest of the day free. No meals.
Day 27:
BANGKOK - Last minute shopping, sightseeing or a day trip are among the myriad of options for your last day in the city of Angels known as Krung Thep to the locals. A farewell dinner will be had in the evening. B. D.
Day 28:
Our Thailand small group tour is officially over when you check out of your Bangkok accommodation. An airport transfer is included also. B.
Tour Departure Dates
2012
05 May, 02 Jun, 07 Jul, 04 Aug, 01 Sep, 06 Oct, 03 Nov
2013
05 Jan, 02 Feb, 02 Mar, 06 Apr, 04 May, 01 Jun, 06 Jul, 03 Aug, 07 Sep, 05 Oct, 02 Nov, 07 Dec
Any other date on application. (Minimum two people).
Price
P/P, land only;
Budget: USD $2,050
Single Suppliment: USD $650
Quality: USD $3,450
Single Suppliment: USD $1,150
