Thailand Encounters tour
Thailand Encounters tour
Thailand Encounters tour
12 Days Starting and ending in Bangkok, Thailand
Visiting: Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Baan Pa Khao Lam
Tour operator:
Tour code:
22
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 20
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Thailand has so much to offer the active, adventure-seeking traveller. Suited to the budget travellers’ pocket with plenty of free time and guided tours as optional extras, this tour offers fantastic value for money and the peace of mind of a well organised tour.
We start in the vibrant, colourful capital of Bangkok, with its majestic monuments where we take a walking tour of the important temples and markets before heading to Kanchanaburi, home of the 'Bridge on the River Kwai', where we spend the night in a traditional rafthouse. After time to visit the local sites we head to Ayutthaya and explore the historic temples at this World Heritage Site before hopping aboard the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai.
Once in Chiang Mai we take you can enjoy an optional walking tour of this charming and bustling city before making our way out to the Huay Nam Dang National Park to begin your jungle adventure. En-route we will visit a local village market to pick up supplies, and have a refreshing stop at a local waterfall. After an easy first afternoon's walk through the forest, we visit a Karen village to sample their simple way of life and to learn a bit more about the local customs – including a basic dinner and overnight in a bamboo hut.
The next day features a couple of longer walks in the morning and afternoon (around 2-3 hours each) through the forest and jungle.
After spending the night in another hill-tribe village, we spend the next day enjoying a bamboo rafting trip back (approx. 3-4 hours) before returning to Chiang Mai. In Chiang Mai there is time for more sightseeing after which we catch the overnight sleeper train back to Bangkok
The tour ends with some free time in Bangkok before we transfer you back to the airport for your flight home.
This is a sample private tour itinerary and we can customise the daily itinerary, duration and accommodation levels and styles as much or as little as you wish.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Day 1: Arrive Into Bangkok: Transfer To Hotel
Location: Bangkok
Accommodation Name: Bangkok hotel
Upon arrival at Bangkok airport we meet & greet and transfer to your hotel in Bangkok. The rest of the day is free for you to settle into your hotel and relax, or start exploring the local area.
Single room supplement (THSGTE), Extra day in Bangkok - pre-tour
Day 2 : Day 2: Bangkok: City Tour
Location: Bangkok
Accommodation Name: Bangkok hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our tour begins with a a fun way to discover Bangkok's unmistakable 'Kwam-Pen-Thai' (Thai-ness) as we take to tuk tuks and long-tailed boats for tours of the Grand Palace, Buddhist temples including Wat Po, the old canals of Thonburi and the iconic temple of dawn, Wat Arun. Local legend has it that the shards of pottery decorating its 79m tall spire came from a nearby shipwreck 100 years ago. Overall we aim to make sure the true Bangkok is uncovered.
Day 3 : Day 3: Bangkok To Kanchanaburi
Location: Kanchanaburi
Accommodation Name: Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leaving Bangkok this morning we travel to the historic town of Kanchanaburi. Originally founded to protect Thailand from the Burmese the area is known today for being the site of the famous Bridge Over the River Kwai. Occupied by Japanese troops during WWII the bridge and subsequent railway line was built by allied prisoners of war. Travelling by train along the bridge we will also visit the Allied War Cemetery and the local museum. Then we take to the river to our overnight floating raft-house accommodation.
Day 4 : Day 4: Kanchanaburi: Visit To Erawan Falls National Park
Location: Kanchanaburi
Accommodation Name: Kanchanaburi hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we head for the beautiful Erawan Falls National Park. This huge park is home to ancient caves and the spectacular waterfalls named after the 3-headed white elephant found in Hindu mythology.
Day 5 : Day 5: Kanchanaburi: Ayutthaya Tour: Train To Chiang Mai
Location: Ayutthaya
Accommodation Name: On board sleeper train
Meals Included: Breakfast
We depart Kanchanaburi this morning for the short trip to the former Siam capital of Ayutthaya. Now a UNESCO world heritage site the city flourished between the 14th and 18th centuries and is home to many ancient temples and Palaces. This evening we board the overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Day 6 : Day 6: Arrive In Chiang Mai: Free Day
Location: Chiang Mai
Accommodation Name: Chiang Mai hotel
We arrive into Chiang Mai this morning where the rest of the day is free to explore the city. Nestled amongst some of the highest mountains in Thailand, Chiang Mai retains a relaxed feel to it. Head to the impressive local zoo or visit one of the nearby Buddhist temples before dining out in one of the city's many restaurants.
Day 7 : Day 7: Chiang Mai: Begin Trekking
Location: Chiang Mai
Accommodation Name: Village huts
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Chiang Mai this morning we travel to the colourful market at Mae Malai before carrying on to the lush Pang Lan Waterfalls. After lunch we begin our trek into the Huay Nam Dang National Park and walk on to the traditional Karen village of Baan Mae Jok where we stop for the night in order to learn more about the culture of the local hill-tribes.
Day 8 : Day 8: Forest Trekking
Location: Baan Pa Khao Lam
Accommodation Name: Village huts
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Awakening to cool mountain breezes we enjoy breakfast this morning before we trek on through the tropical jungle to the village of Baan Pa Khao Lam. We'll continue our trek through the forest before arriving later today at the rafting camp.
Day 9 : Day 9: Trekking And Bamboo Rafting
Location: Chiang Mai
Accommodation Name: Chiang Mai hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
On our final day in the jungle we experience bamboo rafting along the Mae Tang river. Cruising along the tropical riverbanks in our bamboo rafts we make stops at small tribal settlements before finally arriving into Shan village where we transfer back to Chiang Mai.
Day 10 : Day 10: Chiang Mai: Free Day: Overnight Train To Bangkok
Location: Chiang Mai
Accommodation Name: On board sleeper train
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is kept free to relax after the trek. You could take in a local Thai cooking course, explore the markets and alleyways of Chiang Mai on foot or relieve any tired muscles with a relaxing local massage. Transfer to the train station for the overnight train to Bangkok.
Day 11 : Day 11: Arrive In Bangkok: Free Day
Location: Bangkok
Accommodation Name: Bangkok hotel
We arrive back into the Thai capital this morning and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore Bangkok at your leisure. Visit the lively area around Patpong, drop in on a snake farm or browse round Bangkok's many modern shopping centres.
Day 12 : Day 12: Bangkok: Departure Transfer To The Airport
Location: Bangkok
Meals Included: Breakfast
Free day, transfer to the airport for departure flight.
Extra day in Bangkok - post-tour
What's Included
What's Not Included
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- International Flights
- Visa fees
- Travel Insurance (compulsory)
- Single room supplements (chargeable if a same-sex room share is not available)
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
- Tips for tour leader, rafting guide and park guide
- Any other items not mentioned above
Mode of Transport
Travel through Thailand with a mix of tuk tuks, long-tailed boats, trains, and bamboo rafts, ensuring a diverse and adventurous journey. Enjoy 24-hour airport transfers and all necessary transport and transfers during the tour.
Accommodation
Experience a variety of accommodations including Bangkok hotels, a homestay in Kanchanaburi, village huts during the trek, and sleeper trains for overnight journeys, providing a blend of comfort and cultural immersion throughout the tour.
Check out our Q&As
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What types of transportation are used during the Thailand Encounters tour?
The tour includes a mix of tuk tuks, long-tailed boats, trains, and bamboo rafts, providing a diverse and adventurous journey through Thailand.
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What kind of accommodations can I expect on this tour?
You will experience a variety of accommodations including hotels in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, a homestay in Kanchanaburi, village huts during the trek, and sleeper trains for overnight journeys.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Yes, 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer services are included in the tour package.
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Is a local tour guide provided during the tour?
Yes, the services of a local tour guide are included during sightseeing and activities.
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What trekking supplies are provided during the tour?
Admission fees, a rucksack, water canteen, and lifejacket are supplied for trekking activities.
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Are international flights included in the tour package?
No, international flights are not included in the tour package.
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Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
Travel insurance is compulsory but not included in the tour package.
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What meals are included in the tour?
Meals as indicated in the itinerary are included in the tour package.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.