THAILAND 31 SOUTH EAST ASIA Cycle Thailand Imaginative Facts Tour code: SACT • Activities: Cycling • Accommodation: 15 nights simple hotels, 2 overnight trains, 1 night homestay • Transport: Overnight train, mountain bike, pick- up truck or van • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, local representatives and drivers • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Relax after your ride on our ' Hua Hin Beach Extension' DAY 1: BANGKOK- Arrive and check in to your hotel. Your tour leader will explain that this is not a ' killer' trip - the most we ride in one day is about 70 kilometres and the least is about 20 kilometres. The emphasis is on enjoyment! DAY 2: BLESSING CEREMONY - KHAO YAI- This morning we take our bikes for a short ride to one of Bangkok's most famous temples, Wat Intharawihan ( Temple of the Standing Buddha). We will be treated to a blessing ceremony by the monks who will bless you and your trusty bike. Afterwards we return to the hotel and head for Khao Yai National Park. ( B) DAYS 3 & 4: KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK-We spend two days exploring the tracks and trails of one of South East Asia's most diverse and interesting national parks. Lots of opportunities to cycle the tracks and roads possibly spotting wild elephant, deer, monkeys and other exotic animals. ( B) DAY 5: PAK CHONG- Ride out of Khao Yai toward Pak Chong where we pick up our overnight train to Nong Khai. DAY 6: NONG KHAI- This is the gateway to Laos and the famous ' Friendship Bridge'. On arrival we transfer to our accommodation right on the Mekong River. DAYS 7 & 8: MEKONG RIVER RIDE- Cycle along the mighty Mekong through rural Thailand - a fantastic way to see the country. We reach the riverside hamlet of Chiang Khan on Day 8. DAY 9: CHIANG KHAN- Free day to explore the area by bike or by boat. DAY 10: LOEI- We drive through the hills to Loei, Thailand's burgeoning wine- growing area. We can cycle around the vineyards and possibly taste some of their products. DAY 11: CHIANG RAI- Today we take to our road transport to make the long journey to Chiang Rai, the heart of the Golden Triangle. DAYS 12 & 13: GOLDEN TRIANGLE- Cycle eastwards into the infamous Golden Triangle; our first night is spent at Chiang Saen Lake. The next day we embark on probably one of our most interesting and scenic rides following the Mekong and visiting the 1,300 year old temple of Wat Phu Khao. We then continue along the frontiers of Laos and Burma. Visit the ' House of Opium' museum to discover the infamous past of this region. Finishing at Mae Sai we meet our vehicle and drive back to Chiang Rai. DAY 14: CHIANG MAI- Drive to Thailand's northern capital of Chiang Mai. DAY 15: HOMESTAY CYCLE RIDE- Today we cycle eastwards out of Chiang Mai towards Mae On where we meet our host family for an overnight stay. ( BD) DAY 16: CHIANG MAI - We cycle towards Doi Saket and eventually pick up our road transport back to Chiang Mai. Day 17, CHIANG MAI - OVERNIGHT TRAIN- Free day to enjoy Chiang Mai before our overnight train back to Bangkok. DAY 18: BANGKOK- Arrive and check into our hotel. Tonight we have our final dinner together to reflect on our amazing eco-friendly journey through Thailand. DAY 19: BANGKOK- Tour ends. ( B) A chance to see the Thailand most people would LOVE to see! • Cycle at a relaxed pacebetween sites • Enjoy free time to exploreChiang Mai and rural life along the Mekong River • Visit all the main highlights - from the Golden Triangle to Bangkok • Combine road, train and bike transport to maximise your time • A brilliant way to explore this beautiful and fascinating country Hua Hin Beach Extension Imaginative Facts Tour code: STHH • Activities: Relaxing on the beach, optional horse- riding, golf • Accommodation: 1 night 3 star hotel on twin share basis, 3 nights resort hotel on twin share basis • Transport: Private transport • Escorted: Services of Imaginative Traveller representatives DAY 1: BANGKOK - Arrive and transfer to hotel. DAY 2: BANGKOK - HUA HIN- Leave Bangkok and travel south to the beach resort of Hua Hin. Often overlooked by western tourists who prefer to travel to some of the more famous beaches and islands in the south of the country, it is nevertheless extremely popular with the Thai people. ( B) DAYS 3 & 4: HUA HIN- Two full free days to enjoy the area. A regular stream of fishing boats dock at Hua Hin pier every day loaded with fresh produce, and the town has the reputation of being one of the finest places to sample traditional Thai seafood dishes. It is an ideal place to enjoy a true mix of relaxation and local culture, where if you wander a short distance from the beach you can explore beautiful temples and tranquil fishing villages. For those who would like to do something more active than relaxing on the beach there are a wide variety of optional activities to choose from including horse- riding and golf. Alternatively, Thailand's first Marine National Park, Khao Sam Roi Yot, is only around an hour's drive away. ( B) DAY 5: HUA HIN - BANGKOK- Return to Bangkok for your onward flight. Tour ends. ( B) Departs daily ex Bangkok airport. Thailand's most traditional beach retreat - three hours from Bangkok • Enjoy the non- commercial atmosphere of Thailand's oldest resort • Watch the daily fishing boats dock and sample their delicious produce • Swim, sunbatheor visit Khao Sam Roi Yot Marine National Park Kanchanaburi Extension Imaginative Facts Tour code: STKA • Activities: Sightseeing • Accommodation: 1 night rafthouse, 2 nights tourist class hotels • Transport: Car, train, boat • Escorted: Services of Imaginative Traveller representatives DAY 1: BANGKOK - RIVER KWAI- A few hours west of Bangkok lies Kanchanaburi, site of our adventure on the River Kwai. We visit the floating market before boarding a train on the notorious Burma Railway. The ' Death Railway' was constructed by POWs and Asian labourers in 1942- 3 under the control of the Japanese to link Siam ( Thailand) and Burma, providing a shorter route for transporting supplies essential to their war effort from Japan to Rangoon. We then visit the Bridge on the River Kwai, made famous by the David Lean film. Apart from its tragic 20th century history the area contains outstanding natural beauty. We take an exciting longboat ride upriver to our rafthouses, set amongst beautiful jungle scenery, where we spend the night watching the sunset over the green hills. ( BLD) DAY 2: RIVER KWAI- Today we visit the War Cemeteries and JEATH Museum in Kanchanaburi before transferring to our hotel which is situated on a small island right 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 3: BANGKOK- Drive to the beautiful Erawan Waterfalls for a refreshing dip before continuing on to our hotel in Bangkok. ( B) DAY 4: BANGKOK- Tour ends. ( B) Departs daily ex Bangkok airport. Visit the emotive site of the Bridge on the River Kwai • Take the train on the infamous ' Death Railway' and visit the bridge itself • Take a longboat ride upriver to your overnight rafthouse • Enjoy beautiful jungle scenery and the refreshing Erawan Falls Single Supplement £ 255 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 22.87 * Price includes tour price of £ 799and local payment of US$ 250All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 930pp Land Only * Solo Traveller Supplement £ 175( compulsory if you are travelling alone) All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 290pp Land Only Solo Traveller Supplement £ 150( compulsory if you are travelling alone) All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 249pp Land Only adventurer traveller traveller Tour duration 19 days Tour duration 4 days Tour duration 5 days Starts SatEnds Wed BangkokBangkok 2009 16- May- 0903- Jun- 09 08- Aug- 0926- Aug- 09 19- Sep- 0907- Oct- 09 14- Nov- 0902- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Wed BangkokBangkok 2010 16- Jan- 1003- Feb- 10 15- May- 1002- Jun- 10 07- Aug- 1025- Aug- 10 18- Sep- 1006- Oct- 10 13- Nov- 1001- Dec- 10 new tour for 2009 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

SOUTH EAST ASIACAMBODIA  THAILAND 32 " The mix and scope of the hotels, transport, meals, local guides and the itinerary were all fantastic and allowed us a more authentic experience." Amanda Baird south east asia Cambodia Discovery Imaginative Facts Tour code: SACA • Activities: Optional snorkelling, fishing or diving, optional jungle hikes, extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 12 nights simple hotels and 1 night National Park dormitory • Transport: Public bus, local boat, tuk tuk, songthaew • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, local guides • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Hua Hin Extension' DAY 1: BANGKOK- Transfer to hotel. DAY 2: BANGKOK - BATTAMBANG- An early start for an adventurous journey from Thailand into Cambodia. We travel by public bus and pick- up trucks to the sleepy provincial town of Battambang in Cambodia. ( B) DAY 3: BATTAMBANG- Today we travel on the local " Bamboo Train", a definite highlight unique to Battambang - you have to see it to believe it! DAY 4: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR WAT-Travel by boat to Siem Reap along the Sangker River and into Tonle Sap Lake. DAYS 5 & 6: ANGKOR WAT- Two spectacular days of exploration. We rise early for sunrise over Angkor Wat then enjoy a guided tour of the main complex including Angkor Thom, Bayon, South Gate and the Terrace of the Leper King. The following day is free to further explore this amazing complex of Khmer temples or visit the bustling Siem Reap market. ( B) DAY 7: SIEM REAP - PHNOM PENH-Travel to Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital. Afternoon optional city tour. ( B) DAY 8: PHNOM PENH- Today we get an insight into Pol Pot's regime in Cambodia by visiting the torture centre of Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek. Both visits are optional. Free afternoon. DAY 9: SIHANOUKVILLE- Morning bus journey to Cambodia's southern coastal city of Sihanoukville. The rest of day is free to relax on the beach. DAY 10: KAMPOT - KEP- Today we drive further along the coast to Kampot and Kep. Kampot is full of French colonial architecture and nestled on a peaceful river with loads of restaurants and cafes. After a quick stop we continue to Kep on the coast. We travel by boat to Rabbit Island with time to explore or relax before returning to Kampot for the evening to enjoy a typical and delicious local meal. ( BD) DAYS 11 & 12: SIHANOUKVILLE- Today leaves plenty of time to wander around Kampot before heading back to Sihanoukville. We then have a free day to relax on any of the beautiful beaches that surround Sihanoukville. Alternatively you can take a day trip to Ream National Park for jungle hiking or possibly canoeing through the mangroves. ( B) DAY 13: TRAT- We catch a boat along the coast to the Thai border. After leaving Cambodia, we take a songthaew ( pick- up truck) to Trat. Overnight in Trat. ( B) DAY 14: BANGKOK- Return to Bangkok where the tour ends on arrival. ( B) Enjoy ancient sites, jungles and beaches untouched by tourism • Visit the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat, an architectural gem • Relax on the long white beachesof Cambodia's southern coastline • Cruise along the coastfrom Sihanoukville to the Thai border • Explore Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and colonial Kampot • Travel on the unique " Bamboo Train" from Battambang Thailand Cambodia Vietnam Bangkok Trat Sihanoukville Kampot Kep Siem Reap / Angkor Wat Battambang Saigon Phnom Penh Cambodia Discovery Majestic Angkor - SAMA Majestic Angkor - SAMB / SAMS Single Supplement £ 165 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 22.87 * Price includes tour price of £ 549and local payment of US$ 170All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 640pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 14 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Fri BangkokBangkok 2009 10- Jan- 0923- Jan- 09 07- Feb- 0920- Feb- 09 07- Mar- 0920- Mar- 09 04- Apr- 0917- Apr- 09 02- May- 0915- May- 09 30- May- 0912- Jun- 09 27- Jun- 0910- Jul- 09 25- Jul- 0907- Aug- 09 22- Aug- 0904- Sep- 09 19- Sep- 0902- Oct- 09 17- Oct- 0930- Oct- 09 14- Nov- 0927- Nov- 09 12- Dec- 0925- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Fri BangkokBangkok 2010 09- Jan- 1022- Jan- 10 06- Feb- 1019- Feb- 10 06- Mar- 1019- Mar- 10 03- Apr- 1016- Apr- 10 01- May- 1014- May- 10 29- May- 1011- Jun- 10 26- Jun- 1009- Jul- 10 24- Jul- 1006- Aug- 10 21- Aug- 1003- Sep- 10 18- Sep- 1001- Oct- 10 16- Oct- 1029- Oct- 10 13- Nov- 1026- Nov- 10 11- Dec- 1024- Dec- 10 You can chill out at the beach after your tour on our Hua Hin Extension on page 31. don't forget ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243