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

THAILAND 29 SOUTH EAST ASIA Bangkok Heart of the City Tour DAY 1: ARRIVE IN BANGKOK- Airport transfer to your hotel. DAY 2: TOUR THE CITY WITH YOUR CITY ESCORT- City and area briefing and a full day of exploring the city with your guide. ( B) DAY 3: END OF TOUR- Programme ends after breakfast. ( B) Departs daily ex Bangkok airport. A city tour with a difference • Discover the hidden gems of Bangkokthat few visitors know about • Your guide takes you off the tourist trailto the places the locals frequent • The perfect way to gain an insight into your destination Imaginative Facts Tour code: BBSB • Activities: Extensive walking • Accommodation: 2 nights in tourist class hotel on twin- share basis • Transport: Local transport fares are included • Fully Escorted: Services of Imaginative Traveller representatives Elephants & Adventure Get up close with elephants and enjoy Thailand's best sightsAssist with the preservationof one of the world's most respected animals and explore Thailand. Visit Bangkok, bamboo raft and trek through the northern hills, go on a jungle walkand enjoy the southern islands and beaches. You will be assisting at ' The Elephant Nature Park' in Chiang Mai, established to preserve the future of elephants. DAY 1: BANGKOK - Arrive Bangkok and transfer to hotel. DAY 2: BANGKOK- Free day. Overnight train to Chiang Mai. ( B) DAY 3: CHIANG MAI- Arrive Chiang Mai and transfer to the Elephant Nature Park. ( LD) DAYS 4- 9: VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME-We spend the next 6 days volunteering at the Elephant Nature Park and learning about these incredible creatures. On Day 9 we transfer back to Chiang Mai in time to perhaps visit the night markets. ( BLD) DAY 10: CHIANG MAI- Free day to explore Chiang Mai. This evening we meet for a briefing on our trek. ( B) DAY 11: HILLTRIBE TREK- Drive by pick-up truck to Chiang Dao via a local market. We continue to a Shan village for lunch before beginning our trek. We stay overnight in a Karen village. ( BLD) DAY 12: HILLTRIBE TREK- Trekking in a less explored area of Chiang Dao, where we visit different hilltribe villages. Overnight at a riverside village. ( BLD) DAY 13: BAMBOO RAFTING - CHIANG MAI- We board bamboo rafts and float along the Mae Ping river. Return to Chiang Mai in the early afternoon. ( BL) DAY 14: CHIANG MAI- Free day to explore. Overnight train to Bangkok. ( B) DAY 15: BANGKOK- Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to our hotel. There is the option to visit the war museums of Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai with its infamous bridge. DAY 16: BANGKOK- Free day. Overnight train to Surat Thani. ( B) DAYS 17 & 18: KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK - RAJA PHRABA LAKE- Transfer to Khao Sok National Park. Enjoy a boat ride along Raja Phraba Lake and spend the afternoon exploring caves and waterfalls. Take a night walk in search of the nocturnal animals of the jungle. Stay two nights in rafthouses with plenty of free time to further explore the area ( Day 17 - LD, Day 18 - BLD) DAY 19: KHAO SOK- Transfer deeper into the national park. Take an afternoon nature walk and spot some wildlife. If the water in the river is high, we can shoot rapids on inner- tubes. Overnight in jungle huts. ( BLD) DAYS 20 & 21: KRABI- Transfer to Krabi Province, famous for its magnificent limestone karst scenery and gorgeous beaches. A free day with a wide choice of activities - canoeing or sea kayaking, exploring the surrounding islands, caves and waterfalls or snorkelling. Then again, you may just choose to chill out on the beach or shop for souvenirs. DAY 22: KRABI PROVINCE- Tour ends. Imaginative Facts Tour code: VSEA • Activities: Hilltribe trek, bamboo rafting, jungle safari in Khao Sok National Park, canoeing, tubing, volunteer programme at the Elephant Nature Park. Trek grade - Easy/ Moderate • Accommodation: 4 nights simple hotels, 3 nights sleeper train, 2 nights village houses, 2 nights rafthouses, 2 nights beach bungalows, 1 night jungle hut, 7 nights simple accommodation at volunteer programme • Transport: Local transport, buses, minibus, pick- up trucks, tuk tuks, ferries, longtail boats, sleeper trains • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides, while trekking and in Khao Sok National Park, services of local staff at the Elephant Nature Park Your Involvement The Programme Days 4- 9 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. Learning about the reforestation of elephant habitats and herbal cures for treating elephant disease, you'll be taken out on an exciting overnight elephant safari where you will see the elephants in their natural environment. By working closely with the park staff and the elephants themselves, Imaginative Volunteers will not only gain a true understanding of what is required to save this gentle giant from extinction but also assist in the very process itself. 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! Single Supplement £ 130 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 23.44 * Price includes tour price of £ 599, local payment of US$ 170 and donation of £ 220All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 905pp Land Only * Solo Traveller Supplement £ 45 ( compulsory if you are travelling alone) All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 70pp Land Only adventurer volunteer Tour duration 22 days Tour duration 3 days Starts SatEnds Sat BangkokKrabi 2009 17- Jan- 0907- Feb- 09 07- Feb- 0928- Feb- 09 21- Mar- 0911- Apr- 09 11- Apr- 0902- May- 09 02- May- 0923- May- 09 30- May- 0920- Jun- 09 27- Jun- 0918- Jul- 09 25- Jul- 0915- Aug- 09 22- Aug- 0912- Sep- 09 19- Sep- 0910- Oct- 09 17- Oct- 0907- Nov- 09 14- Nov- 0905- Dec- 09 12- Dec- 0902- Jan- 10 Starts SatEnds Sat BangkokKrabi 2010 09- Jan- 1030- Jan- 10 06- Feb- 1027- Feb- 10 06- Mar- 1027- Mar- 10 03- Apr- 1024- Apr- 10 01- May- 1022- May- 10 29- May- 1019- Jun- 10 26- Jun- 1017- Jul- 10 24- Jul- 1014- Aug- 10 21- Aug- 1011- Sep- 10 18- Sep- 1009- Oct- 10 16- Oct- 1006- Nov- 10 13- Nov- 1004- Dec- 10 11- Dec- 1001- Jan- 11 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243