THAILAND 27 SOUTH EAST ASIA Highlights & Hilltribes Imaginative Facts Tour code: SAHH • Activities: Hilltribe walk ( easy), elephant ride, bamboo rafting, village homestay • Accommodation: 3 nights simple hotels, 2 nights sleeper train, 1 night village homestay • Transport: Local bus, taxi, tuk tuk, pick- up truck, sleeper train, elephant, bamboo raft • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides at village homestay and when elephant riding and bamboo rafting • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Kanchanaburi Extension' DAY 1: BANGKOK- Arrive in this vibrant, exciting city and check in to hotel. DAY 2: BANGKOK- A full day to explore the city before taking the overnight train to Chiang Mai. ( B) DAY 3: CHIANG MAI- Arrive in Chiang Mai and transfer to our guesthouse. The rest of the day is free to explore the town or perhaps visit the hilltop temple of Doi Suthep. ( B) DAY 4: 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 5: ELEPHANT RIDE AND BAMBOO RAFTING - After breakfast we board our elephants for a short ride through the jungle to a small river. We then continue by bamboo raft down the river. Later we return via an orchid garden and butterfly farm to Chiang Mai, where we have free time before boarding the overnight train to Bangkok. ( BL) DAY 6: BANGKOK- Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free for last minute souvenir hunting or sightseeing. DAY 7: BANGKOK- Tour ends. ( B) A short but in depth adventure to northern Thailand • Take the train to the famous night market of Chiang Mai • Trek through hilltribe country and overnight in a traditional village house • Visit an elephant training campand take a ride through the jungle • Jump aboard bamboo raftsto float down a meandering river • Free time to visit the temples, palaces and shopsof Bangkok Bangkok & Beaches Imaginative Facts Tour code: SABB • Activities: Optional watersports • Accommodation: 1 night simple hotel, 1 night sleeper train, 4 nights beach bungalows ( or hotel in Krabi) • Transport: Local bus, taxi, pick- up truck, ferry, sleeper train • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Bangkok Heart of the City tour' DAY 1: BANGKOK- Arrive and check in to your hotel. DAY 2: BANGKOK - KANCHANABURI-An early start brings us to Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai. We visit the cemetery and the famous bridge before travelling on to Nakhon Pathom for the overnight train to Surat Thani. ( B) DAY 3: KOH PHA NGAN- Travel to Koh Pha Ngan by ferry then continue through the jungle by pick- up truck to Thongnaipan Beach, one of Thailand's most beautiful beaches. Overnight in beach bungalows. DAYS 4- 6: KOH PHA NGAN- Three full days to do as you please. There are options for snorkelling and diving, jungle and waterfall walks and boat trips to surrounding highlights. Or you can just laze around on the beach and eat, sleep and swim whenever you want. DAY 7: KOH PHA NGAN- Tour ends. Note: From Nov to Apr the tour visits Krabi instead of Koh Pha Ngan. See trip dossier for further details. Krabi departures are marked with an *. Note: This tour finishes in Koh Pha Ngan / Krabi to enable you to extend your time on the beach. However we can also arrange an overnight bus and train transfer back to Bangkok. Please see the dossier for details. Jungle walks and beach life - a relaxing week in the south • Explore the temples, palaces and shopsof Bangkok • Visit emotive Kanchanaburi, site of the Bridge on the River Kwai • Chill out for three full days on idyllic Koh Pha Ngan • Snorkel, take boat rides or sunbathe on tropical beaches • The perfect week to combine with a trip to northern Thailand Single Supplement £ 35 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 22.87 * Price includes tour price of £ 285and local payment of US$ 120All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 349pp Land Only *• Krabi Supplement £ 10 Single Supplement £ 70 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 22.87 * Price includes tour price of £ 260and local payment of US$ 120All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 320pp Land Only * adventureradventurer Tour duration 7 daysTour duration 7 days Starts SatEnds Fri BangkokBangkok 2009 17- Jan- 0923- Jan- 09 07- Feb- 0913- Feb- 09 28- Feb- 0906- Mar- 09 21- Mar- 0927- Mar- 09 11- Apr- 0917- Apr- 09 02- May- 0908- May- 09 23- May- 0929- May- 09 13- Jun- 0919- Jun- 09 04- Jul- 0910- Jul- 09 25- Jul- 0931- Jul- 09 15- Aug- 0921- Aug- 09 05- Sep- 0911- Sep- 09 26- Sep- 0902- Oct- 09 17- Oct- 0923- Oct- 09 07- Nov- 0913- Nov- 09 28- Nov- 0904- Dec- 09 19- Dec- 0925- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Fri BangkokBangkok 2010 09- Jan- 1015- Jan- 10 30- Jan- 1005- Feb- 10 20- Feb- 1026- Feb- 10 13- Mar- 1019- Mar- 10 03- Apr- 1009- Apr- 10 24- Apr- 1030- Apr- 10 15- May- 1021- May- 10 05- Jun- 1011- Jun- 10 26- Jun- 1002- Jul- 10 17- Jul- 1023- Jul- 10 07- Aug- 1013- Aug- 10 28- Aug- 1003- Sep- 10 18- Sep- 1024- Sep- 10 09- Oct- 1015- Oct- 10 30- Oct- 1005- Nov- 10 20- Nov- 1026- Nov- 10 11- Dec- 1017- Dec- 10 Starts ThuEnds Wed BangkokKoh Pha Ngan / Krabi 2009 01- Jan- 0907- Jan- 09 • 22- Jan- 0928- Jan- 09 • 12- Feb- 0918- Feb- 09 • 05- Mar- 0911- Mar- 09 • 26- Mar- 0901- Apr- 09 • 16- Apr- 0922- Apr- 09 • 07- May- 0913- May- 09 28- May- 0903- Jun- 09 18- Jun- 0924- Jun- 09 09- Jul- 0915- Jul- 09 30- Jul- 0905- Aug- 09 20- Aug- 0926- Aug- 09 10- Sep- 0916- Sep- 09 01- Oct- 0907- Oct- 09 22- Oct- 0928- Oct- 09 12- Nov- 0918- Nov- 09 • 03- Dec- 0909- Dec- 09 • 24- Dec- 0930- Dec- 09 • Starts ThuEnds Wed BangkokKoh Pha Ngan / Krabi 2010 14- Jan- 1020- Jan- 10 • 04- Feb- 1010- Feb- 10 • 25- Feb- 1003- Mar- 10 • 18- Mar- 1024- Mar- 10 • 08- Apr- 1014- Apr- 10 • 29- Apr- 1005- May- 10 20- May- 1026- May- 10 10- Jun- 1016- Jun- 10 01- Jul- 1007- Jul- 10 22- Jul- 1028- Jul- 10 12- Aug- 1018- Aug- 10 02- Sep- 1008- Sep- 10 23- Sep- 1029- Sep- 10 14- Oct- 1020- Oct- 10 04- Nov- 1010- Nov- 10 • 25- Nov- 1001- Dec- 10 • 16- Dec- 1022- Dec- 10 • • These departures visit Krabi instead of Koh Pha Ngan Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

SOUTH EAST ASIATHAILAND 28 " Go with an open mind and in return you will have a fantastic holiday, go to some great places and meet some great travelling companions. Just enjoy the experience!" Donna Fell south east asia Northern Explorer Imaginative Facts Tour code: STNX • Activities: Village homestay, hilltribe walk ( easy), bamboo rafting, elephant ride, klong ( canal) tour, swimming in waterfalls • Accommodation: 8 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night homestay, 1 night River Kwai rafthouse • Transport: Private air- conditioned bus, local longboat, bamboo raft, plane • Flight: Chiang Mai to Bangkok • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Bangkok Heart of the City tour' DAY 1: BANGKOK- Arrival day. DAY 2: BANGKOK- Guided tour of the Grand Palace and the magnificent Wat Phra Keow ( Emerald Buddha). This afternoon your tour leader will take you on an exciting journey along Bangkok's canals or ' klongs'. ( BD) DAY 3: PHITSANULOK- Our first stop today is the ancient capital of Siam, Ayuthaya. We have a guided tour of the old palace and city before continuing to Phitsanulok where we have the chance to enjoy the local culinary experience of the ' Flying Vegetables' or the great night food market. ( BD) DAY 4: SUKHOTHAI - CHIANG MAI-Guided tour of the magnificent Buddhist site of Sukhothai. Later we drive to Chiang Mai via the elephant orphanage at Lamphang. ( B) DAY 5: CHIANG MAI- An excursion to the hilltop Buddhist temple of Doi Suthep. Free afternoon to explore or experience a Thai massage. ( B) DAY 6: CHIANG MAI - TRIBAL MOUNTAIN VILLAGE- We head out of Chiang Mai into the hills. After a visit to an elephant training camp we travel by pick- up truck to a small tribal village. We then continue on foot through mountainous terrain to a Palong village where we spend the night in a traditional village house. ( BLD) DAY 7: ELEPHANT RIDE AND BAMBOO RAFTING- After breakfast we ride elephants through the jungle to a small river. We then continue by bamboo raft down the river. Later we return via an orchid garden and butterfly farm to Chiang Mai. There is time to relax around the pool before the evening flight to Bangkok. ( BL) DAYS 8 & 9: RIVER KWAI- A short drive west of Bangkok takes us to Kanchanaburi for our adventure on the River Kwai. We visit the floating market before boarding a train on the notorious Burma Railway. We then visit the Bridge on the River Kwai and take an exciting boat ride up river to our rafthouses, set amongst beautiful jungle scenery, where we spend the night. The following day we visit the War Cemeteries and JEATH Museum in Kanchanaburi before transferring to our hotel which is situated on a small island in the middle of the River Kwai. The rest of the day is free to explore the town or enjoy the swimming pool. ( BLD) DAY 10: BANGKOK- Drive to the nearby National Park and visit the Erawan Waterfalls. We can swim in the natural pools or walk up to the top of the falls. We later return to Bangkok, visiting the tallest Buddhist monument in the world on the way. ( BL) DAY 11: BANGKOK- Tour ends after breakfast. ( B) The best of northern Thailand from Bangkok to Chiang Mai • Trek, ride elephants and float on bamboo rafts deep in hilltribe country • Visit the Bridge on the River Kwai and stay in beautiful rafthouses • Tour the vibrant cities of Bangkokand Chiang Mai • Enjoy floating markets, an orchid gardenand the refreshing Erawan Waterfalls • Explore the ancient sites of Ayuthaya and Sukothai Thailand Bangkok Kanchanaburi Surat Thani Krabi Khao Sok National Park Chiang Mai Lamphang Sukhothai Phitsanulok Northern Explorer Elephants & Adventure Single Supplement £ 125 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 22.87 * Price includes tour price of £ 715and local payment of US$ 170All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 799pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 11 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Tue BangkokBangkok 2009 10- Jan- 0920- Jan- 09 07- Feb- 0917- Feb- 09 07- Mar- 0917- Mar- 09 04- Apr- 0914- Apr- 09 02- May- 0912- May- 09 30- May- 0909- Jun- 09 27- Jun- 0907- Jul- 09 25- Jul- 0904- Aug- 09 22- Aug- 0901- Sep- 09 19- Sep- 0929- Sep- 09 17- Oct- 0927- Oct- 09 14- Nov- 0924- Nov- 09 12- Dec- 0922- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Tue BangkokBangkok 2010 23- Jan- 1002- Feb- 10 20- Feb- 1002- Mar- 10 20- Mar- 1030- Mar- 10 17- Apr- 1027- Apr- 10 15- May- 1025- May- 10 12- Jun- 1022- Jun- 10 10- Jul- 1020- Jul- 10 07- Aug- 1017- Aug- 10 04- Sep- 1014- Sep- 10 02- Oct- 1012- Oct- 10 30- Oct- 1009- Nov- 10 27- Nov- 1007- Dec- 10 18- Dec- 1028- Dec- 10 We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243