Royal Princess Hotel

269 Larn Luang Road

Pomprab

Bangkok 10100

Thailand

Tel:   +66 02 2813088

Fax:  +66 02 2801314

Bangkok. Our first day is a get together day, designed for you to meet all the other tour guests who will have come from different destinations around the world.  The hotel for the first two nights in Thailand has plenty of facilities as well as being near to lots of local restaurants and bars.

The Pre Departure meeting will be held in the hotel reception area and will take place at 6pm.

You will probably already have realised during your trip into the city that Bangkok is throbbing with life and noise. Nine million people live here and the streets are always buzzing. Once you are through the initial culture shock you will discover Bangkok’s many and varied charms - the exciting markets, the peaceful temples, the noisy nightclubs and the grand historic buildings. Our biggest challenge this evening is to decide where to eat, as there are hundreds of restaurants all serving delicious food!

Floating Markets, Drive Kanchanaburi - The Bridge Over the River Kwai.  We start today with a trip round the Floating Markets. It is best to get there first thing so breakfast is early. On the way, we stop at a coconut sugar maker and a teak woodcarving factory. Shopping on water is a novel experience. Our long tail boat will take us through a network of canals, which is crowded with small paddleboats crammed to overflowing with exotic fruits and vegetables, such as coconuts and pomelos, and arts and crafts. Local housewives paddle through the throng of boats, stopping to bargain for their shopping. Here’s a chance for you to make some purchases in traditional Thai style.

Then we set off for Kanchanaburi and a visit to the world famous Bridge over the River Kwai. Kanchanaburi is a provincial capital city set in a lush landscape framed with limestone hills set on the banks of this river, which is so rich in 20th century history. During the Second World War Kanchanaburi was the site of a massive prison camp, run by the Japanese. Allied prisoners were forced to build a railway over the River Kwai and into Burma. The story is told in one of cinema’s great classics. We will visit the JEATH Museum, which is housed in bamboo huts like the ones where the prisoners lived. The museum holds unique documents, pictures and other material telling the story of the prisoner’s lives. From the museum we go to the War Cemetery where there are nearly seven thousand Prisoner of War graves - the last resting place of troops who died building the bridge and the railway.

After our tour, the remainder of the day is free. You may like to explore Kanchanburi further, or take an optional trip to the Tiger Monastery, or just relax by the hotel pool. For those wishing to visit the  Tiger Monastery, your Tour Guide will be able to help organise this, or you can just take a local songtaew to the Monastery. Please note that the tigers are generally taken out between 2-3pm.  Breakfast

Chiang Mai.  Chiang Mai is the capital of Northern Thailand and we arrive here in the early morning. We will take the local taxi transport, a songthaew, to our Guest House for our first night’s stay. In recent years Chiang Mai has grown, although with a population of 200,000 it is still a comfortable size and you will find that people here are relaxed and easy going.  After lunch we take a road trip up the mountains to the Doi Suthep temple, a pilgrimage sight in Northern Thailand. From here you will see spectacular views down the mountain to Chiang Mai.

In the evening you are free to explore the famous night markets, where there are also plenty of food options.

Trekking To Muser (Lahu) Village.  After breakfast, we set out on elephant back, riding for about 1 hour from the village through the jungle to the Elephant Camp. We have a picnic lunch and then trek for about 2 hours to the Muser Village where we will spend the night.

There are some 60,000 Lahu in Thailand. They started to arrive at the beginning of the 20th Century, and there are several different clans distinguished by their dress. Although many Muser have now adopted Christianity, their own belief is in a Supreme being, and many spirits remain strong. The Muser long for the blessings of this life and the next, for things that are good and pleasant, and, in accordance with the message of an old legend, men are particularly caring of their partners.

Tonight we stay in a traditional Lahu house. Facilities will again be basic, but clean, and bedding will be provided.

Breakfast/lunch/dinner included today.

Bangkok.  Arriving back into Bangkok this tour will finish. The train is scheduled to arrive back into Bangkok between 7 and 8am, but please allow for delays if booking an onward flight today.

Please note that accommodation is not included in Bangkok on Day 9. 

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

Vaccinations:

No vaccinations are compulsory in Asia, but we do recommend you are covered for *diphtheria & TB, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, typhoid, polio and tetanus.

NB* A Yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from infected areas. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

You may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information. Please consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst travelling in Asia.

We also recommend:

- A dental check-up prior to travelling.
- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.
- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

Medical Supplies:

We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

• Do not take unnecessary valuables with you.
• A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money.
• DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room in Asia, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Items are left at the individuals’ risk.
• Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care.
• Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.

We suggest passengers budget for between US$15-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evenings out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

For security you are advised to carry most of your money in Traveller’s cheques - small denominations are preferable.

It is often a good idea to have a small amount of the currency of the country you are visiting prior to arrival. This will cover you for any initial expenses at or from the airport.

Banks are generally open Monday to Friday and some are open on Saturday morning. In the main cities travellers’ cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureaux, but this can be very difficult in small towns.

Some Hotels will also change money.

How much should I take?

• Please bring lightweight walking shoes or sandals, and a day sac. Pack essentially for hot conditions: days are hot and humid. Lightweight rain gear is essential at all times.
• Because of limited luggage space on transport, we must limit each passenger to ONE main suitcase or frameless backpack and one day bag. Your main bag must not weigh more than 20 kg’s.
• A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles.
• A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers checks etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

This is always hard to classify because lots of the time depend on personal abilities.

Consider the following just as a general guide to our trek grade, which should help you, prepare for your trip. However, if you still have doubts call us now for more detail information. Remember that the more prepare you are, the more you will enjoy yourself!

Grade: Moderate to hard.

This trek involves long walks (around 4-6 hours) at lower altitudes but in hot conditions and hilly terrain. During the summer, due to the high levels of humidity, trek conditions are likely to be more demanding.

Please note that the support crew will be only at the beginning of the trek and once started there is no turning back.

We do suggest doing some fitness activity before joining the tour in order to enjoy more your holiday. However, this walks should be suitable for anyone with an average level of fitness and mobility that is those who normally lead an active life.

The national language in Thailand is Thai. It has five different tones, which determine the meanings of words, which would otherwise be identical. It is a difficult language for most foreigners to grasp.  The National language in Laos is Lao and Vietnam is Vietnamese. Cambodia is Khmer and unlike most other languages in South East Asia is not tonal. However, there are a number of sounds in Khmer, which are difficult for English speakers to pronounce. Nonetheless we encourage you try to speak a few words of Khmer as the locals will certainly appreciate your efforts!

Thai food offers a variety of flavours and tastes. The subtle mixing of herbs and spices and market-fresh ingredients makes dining a special culinary experience.

Thai cuisine is pungent and spicy, seasoned with heaps of garlic and chillies and a characteristic mix of lime juice, lemon grass and fresh coriander. Galangal root, basil, ground peanuts, tamarind juice, ginger and coconut milk are other common additions. Fish sauce or shrimp paste are mainstays of Thai dishes, and of course rice is eaten with most meals. Main dishes include hot and sour fish ragout, green and red curries, various soups and noodle dishes. Thai food is served with a variety of condiments and dipping sauces. Snacks and appetisers include fried peanuts, chicken, chopped ginger, peppers and slices of lime. There is an incredible variety of fruit available, either fresh or juiced. Sugar cane juice and, for something stronger, rice whisky are favourite local tipples.
Eating ranks high on the Thai scale of pleasures, and meals are informal affairs. The staple is rice, either ordinary or glutinous, accompanied by a variety of dishes that can be eaten in almost any order, and seasoned to individual taste with several condiments such as fish sauce and chilli peppers. Most often there will be a soup of some kind, a curry, a steamed or fried dish, a salad, and one or more basic sauces. Desserts may consist of fresh fruit or one of the many traditional Thai sweets.

Thai food differs from region to region. Unlike the North and Northeast, where glutinous rice is popular, Central Thais like the fragrant plain variety, most commonly steamed. In addition to fresh-water fish, there is seafood from the Gulf of Thailand, as well as a wide range of fresh vegetables. Chinese-Thai food is popular in cities like Bangkok, particularly in the form of numerous noodle dishes.

The Central region also has what is called the Royal cuisine, a more sophisticated version of the regional cuisine. Influenced by the kitchens of the Royal Court, the dishes are elaborately put together, making it as much of an art form as a culinary masterpiece.

Pre-booked transfers - If you have booked an arrival transfer, please look for our representative who will be holding a sign with your name or Kumuka once you have cleared Customs and Immigration.

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.

Kumuka Travel Money
The easiest way to buy currency and travellers cheques, without having to leave home.

• Easy to arrange either online or over the phone
• Great value - no commission, only a straightforward £5 fee 
• Fast delivery direct to your home - next day if you order before 2pm Mon to Fri 
• Choose from over 60 currencies or American Express Travellers Cheques

www.kumuka.com/TravelMoney.aspx (UK customers only)

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com