THAILAND 225 FAMILY TOURS Imaginative Facts Tour code: FSFT • Activities: Elephant ride, swimming, bamboo rafting • Accommodation: 9 nights tourist class hotels with swimming pools, 1 night River Kwai rafthouse, 1 night island resort, 1 night hilltribe village stay, 2 overnight train journeys • Transport: Air conditioned minibuses, sonthaews ( pick up trucks), local transport, longtail boats, sleeper trains • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, local guides and representatives DAY 1: BANGKOK- Arrive and check in to your hotel - which has a pool! DAY 2: BANGKOK- We have an exciting klong ( canal) tour of Bangkok by longtail boat. ( BD) DAY 3: KANCHANABURI- This morning we travel to Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai. We then board a longtail boat to get to our jungle rafts. Spending the night in a floating bungalow surrounded by the jungle is a fabulous experience! There is also the chance to ride an elephant. ( BLD) DAY 4: KANCHANABURI- Today we spend the morning at the Erawan Waterfalls where we can swim and explore the natural beauty of the surroundings. In the afternoon we drive to Kanchanaburi and visit the famous Bridge on the River Kwai, before heading on to the beautiful island resort of Koh Kasem to spend the night. ( BL) DAY 5: BANGKOK - This morning we visit the new interactive museum exploring the history of the area. We also visit the Commonwealth cemetery before returning to Bangkok to catch the overnight train to Thailand's northern capital of Chiang Mai. ( BL) DAY 6: CHIANG MAI - Transfer to our comfortable hotel - which again has a pool. The day is free for you to swim and relax. ( B) DAY 7: 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 though!) to a Palong village where we spend the night in a traditional village house. ( BLD) DAY 8: ELEPHANT RIDE AND BAMBOO RAFTING- After breakfast we board our elephants for a short but exciting ride through the jungle. We then continue our adventurous day by floating on a bamboo raft down the river. Later we return to our Chiang Mai hotel. ( BL) DAY 9: CHIANG MAI- A full free day to relax by the pool or perhaps take a Thai cookery class. Venture into the night market this evening and try some exotic delicacies. ( BD) DAY 10: CHIANG MAI - BANGKOK- A second full day to relax or explore. In the evening we board our overnight train back to Bangkok. ( B) DAY 11: BANGKOK - KOH CHANG- We arrive in Bangkok and transfer to the beautiful island of Koh Chang, the second largest but least known of Thailands' tropical islands. DAYS 12 & 13: KOH CHANG- Koh Chang is part of the Koh Chang Marine National Park and contains virgin rainforest, breathtaking waterfalls, colourful coral reefs and beautiful beaches. Two wonderful days are spent here with options for snorkelling, swimming or just relaxing. ( B) DAY 14: KOH CHANG - BANGKOK-Return to Bangkok for our final night. ( BD) DAY 15: BANGKOK- Tour ends. ( B) A tropical adventure with elephants, hilltribes, jungle and beaches! • See Bangkok by longtail boat and visit the exotic marketsof Chiang Mai • Spend the night on a floating rafthouse in the jungleby the River Kwai • Walk to a hilltribe mountain villagefor an overnight stay • Ride elephants through the rainforest and bamboo rafts down river • Swimand snorkelon the beaches of thetropical islandof Koh Chang Fabulous Thailand Imaginative Facts Tour code: FSEE • Activities: Volunteer programme at the Elephant Nature Park, klong ( canal) tour, jungle walk, bamboo rafting, optional swimming • Accommodation: 8 nights hotel, 1 night sleeper train, 3 nights simple accommodation at volunteer programme • Transport: Minivan, sleeper train, plane, longtail boat, bamboo raft • Flights: Chiang Mai to Bankok, Bangkok to Krabi / Koh Samui return • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader days 1- 7, services of representatives days 8- 13, services of local staff at the Elephant Nature Park DAY 1: BANGKOK- Arrive and check in to our hotel. Tonight you will meet your Imaginative Traveller tour leader, for a briefing on the adventure ahead. ( D) DAY 2: BANGKOK- This morning we take a guided tour of Bangkok, then make an exciting journey by longtail boat along Bangkok's canals or ' klongs'. Board our overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai. ( B) DAY 3: CHIANG MAI- Today we visit the hilltop temple of Doi Suthep, which legend says was founded by an ancient Thai king after he saw a white elephant at the site. We will also visit the orphanage supported by Imaginative Traveller for children from the area's hilltribe minority groups. ( B) DAYS 4- 6: ELEPHANT NATURE PARK-This morning we leave Chiang Mai and travel to the ' Elephant Nature Park', our home for the next three nights. In the jungle of Northern Thailand, Lek, the founder and her team of volunteers, house, feed and care for elephants that have been injured or abused. You and your family will have the chance to join in all the daily chores. It is a great chance to learn about these amazing animals. ( BLD) DAY 7: CHIANG MAI- Take a guided walk in to the jungle to explore, then continue by bamboo raft down the river. Return to Chiang Mai and visit the famous night market. ( BD) DAY 8: KRABI- Fly to Krabi via Bangkok. ( B) DAYS 9- 11: KRABI- Three whole days to relax on the beautiful sandy beaches of southern Thailand. ( B) DAY 12: BANGKOK- Fly back to Bangkok. On arrival transfer to our hotel. ( B) DAY 13: BANGKOK- Tour ends. ( B) Your Involvement The Programme Days 4- 6 Assisting the mahouts ( elephant trainers) at the ' Elephant Nature Park', Imaginative Volunteers will become familiar with elephant commands and experience a hands- on approach to feeding, bathing and observing the elephants close up. We will also have the opportunity to learn about the reforestation of elephant habitats and herbal cures for treating elephant diseases. 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! Get up close and personal with these gentle giants in their jungle habitat Getting the family involved creates a rewarding and enjoyable travel experience. And this one is special as it involves loveable elephants! This is an adventure holiday where the whole family can make a difference. The rewards are immense - a truly unforgettable experience. Minimum age 10 years. Thailand Elephant Experience • High Seasonal Supplement £ 40 * Peak Season Supplement £ 135 Xmas / NYE Supplement £ 90 Single Supplement from £ 210( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 22.87 * Price includes tour price of £ 625and local payment of US$ 250All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 755pp Land Only *• New Year's Eve Supplement £ 45 Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 22.87 * Price includes tour price of £ 765, local payment of US$ 250 and donation of £ 180All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1075pp Land Only * familyvolunteer Tour duration 15 daysTour duration 13 days Starts SunEnds Sun BangkokBangkok 2009 04- Jan- 0918- Jan- 09 * 11- Jan- 0925- Jan- 09 * 05- Apr- 0919- Apr- 09 * 12- Apr- 0926- Apr- 09 * 24- May- 0907- Jun- 09 05- Jul- 0919- Jul- 09 12- Jul- 0926- Jul- 09 19- Jul- 0902- Aug- 09 26- Jul- 0909- Aug- 09 02- Aug- 0916- Aug- 09 09- Aug- 0923- Aug- 09 16- Aug- 0930- Aug- 09 25- Oct- 0908- Nov- 09 * 13- Dec- 0927- Dec- 09 • 20- Dec- 0903- Jan- 10 • * High season supplement Starts SunEnds Sun BangkokBangkok 2010 03- Jan- 1017- Jan- 10 * 28- Mar- 1011- Apr- 10 * 04- Apr- 1018- Apr- 10 * 23- May- 1006- Jun- 10 04- Jul- 1018- Jul- 10 11- Jul- 1025- Jul- 10 18- Jul- 1001- Aug- 10 25- Jul- 1008- Aug- 10 01- Aug- 1015- Aug- 10 08- Aug- 1022- Aug- 10 15- Aug- 1029- Aug- 10 24- Oct- 1007- Nov- 10 * 12- Dec- 1026- Dec- 10 • 19- Dec- 1002- Jan- 11 • • Peak season supplement Starts SunEnds Fri BangkokBangkok 2009 05- Apr- 0917- Apr- 09 26- Jul- 0907- Aug- 09 * 16- Aug- 0928- Aug- 09 * 20- Dec- 0901- Jan- 10 • • New Year's Eve Supplement Starts SunEnds Fri BangkokBangkok 2010 28- Mar- 1009- Apr- 10 18- Jul- 1030- Jul- 10 * 08- Aug- 1020- Aug- 10 * 19- Dec- 1031- Dec- 10 * These tours stay at Koh Samui instead of Krabi Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

FAMILY TOURSVIETNAM 226 " It was an incredible trip we will remember forever. This was Brett's first overseas trip and everything was PERFECT! We can't wait to travel with Imaginative Traveller again!" Amelia Savins and Brett Eolkin family tours Imaginative Facts Tour code: FSVD • Activities: Walking, swimming, snorkelling, exploring, relaxing and eating great food! • Accommodation: 10 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night family homestay, 1 night Halong Bay cruise boat, 1 overnight train • Transport: Air conditioned minibuses, Halong Bay cruise boat, cyclos, local boats, plane, overnight train • Flight: Saigon to Danang • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of qualified local guides and representatives DAY 1: SAIGON ( HO CHI MINH CITY)- Arrive in Saigon and check in to your comfortable, centrally located hotel. DAY 2: SAIGON- Morning walking tour of the exotic city of Saigon. We explore the bustling market and see the beautiful old colonial buildings from the French era. In the afternoon you have the option to visit the Cu Chi tunnels outside Saigon where the Viet Cong hid during the Vietnam war. ( B) DAY 3: MEKONG DELTA- Driving south we visit the Mekong Delta, an area of islands and rivers where there are no cars and the only form of transport is by boat. We explore in a boat of our own, past floating markets and friendly villages and spend the night in a local house. ( BLD) DAY 4: MEKONG DELTA - SAIGON-Morning sampan cruise ( these are small wooden canoe- like boats) to Vinh Long. Later we drive back to Saigon. ( B) DAY 5: DANANG - HOI AN- Afternoon flight to Danang then transfer to the beautiful ancient trading town of Hoi An. ( B) DAY 6: HOI AN- Take a boat trip along the river stopping at local craft villages. Enjoy fishing opportunites and a picnic lunch. The rest of the day is free to bargain for local handicrafts or even travel to Cua Dai Beach. ( BL) DAY 7: HOI AN- A relaxing free day to spend by the pool, at the beach or more shopping or exploring. ( B) DAY 8: HUE- Drive along the coast via dramatic Cloud Mountain Pass, the geographical divide between north and south Vietnam. Arrive in Hue, a gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy an afternoon cruise along the Perfume River to the Heavenly Lady Pagoda and the tomb of the Ngyuen Emperor Minh Mang. ( B) DAY 9: HUE- Our guide takes us on a tour of the Imperial City. The afternoon is free and if you are feeling active you can hire a bike and head into the villages around Hue. We then board the overnight train to Hanoi. ( B) DAY 10: HANOI- Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to our hotel. Take an exciting afternoon cyclo tour of this beautiful old city. ( B) DAY 11: HANOI - HALONG BAY- A truly wonderful day! We drive out to Halong Bay, a stunning area of green steep- sided islands dotted around the turquoise sea and famous from numerous films. We have the chance to explore some huge limestone caves and spend the night gazing at the stars from the deck of our Halong Bay cruise boat. ( BLD) DAY 12: HALONG BAY- Continue our boat trip in the morning before returning to Hanoi. ( BL) DAY 13: HANOI- A full free day to relax or try out your bargaining skills in the markets. In the evening we will have an exciting visit to the National Water Puppet show. ( B) Day 14: HANOI- Tour ends. ( B) A land of exotic sights, sounds and aromas! • Explore colonial Saigon and the beautiful Imperial City of Hue • Cruise on a sampan through the Mekong Delta and stay with a local family • Tour Hanoi by cyclo and enjoy a Water Puppet show • Spend the night on a traditional Chinese Junkon a Halong Bay cruise • Relax on a beach in Hoi An Vietnam Discovery Vietnam HanoiHalong Bay Saigon Mekong Delta Hue Hoi An Danang Vietnam Discovery Bali DenpasarSanur Ubud Lovina Singaraja Kintamani Tropical Treasures China Chinese Crackers Beijing Hong Kong Xi'an Zhongwei Yinchuan Chengdu Guilin Yangshuo Shenzhen Great Wall Single Supplement £ 210 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 23.36 * Price includes tour price of £ 630and local payment of US$ 220All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 745pp Land Only * family Tour duration 14 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Fri SaigonHanoi 2009 10- Jan- 0923- Jan- 09 04- Apr- 0917- Apr- 09 11- Apr- 0924- Apr- 09 18- Jul- 0931- Jul- 09 08- Aug- 0921- Aug- 09 19- Dec- 0901- Jan- 10 Starts SatEnds Fri SaigonHanoi 2010 09- Jan- 1022- Jan- 10 27- Mar- 1009- Apr- 10 03- Apr- 1016- Apr- 10 17- Jul- 1030- Jul- 10 07- Aug- 1020- Aug- 10 18- Dec- 1031- Dec- 10 We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243