Thailand Off The Beaten Tracks 14 Nights / 15 Days

Destinations: Bangkok-Nakhon Sawan-Uthai Thani-Umphang-Sukhothai-Krabi
Activities: Sightseeing historic and scenic places, wildlife sanctuary visit to explore nature, cruise in the rivers to explore scenery and local culture, rafting, elephant safari, trekking in the off the beaten paths, sea kayaking and snorkeling in Krabi's scenic mangroves and islands, one of the less traveled hot spots of Thailand.

Trip Grade: Easy and fun filled trip
Best Season: The best time to visit Thailand is from October to March.
Note: This tour is not operated July to September as the monsoon river poses a great danger for rafting.

Highlights of Bangkok:
Welcome to Bangkok, the capital and the major metropolitan city of Thailand! The Grand Palace, ancient temples, riverboat cruise, floating market, and classical Thai dance are some of the highlights of the tour here. The bustling capital offers sightseers a full range of historic monuments and avant-garde modern architecture. Temples, monasteries, museums, libraries, cultural centers, safari parks, huge shopping complexes and first class hotels make Bangkok one of the greatest cities in the Far East. Our guided tours will take you through most attractive historic monuments and sites of Bangkok.

Ancient Capital City of Ayuthaya: Ayuthaya, historic ruins of second Thai capital from 1350 to 1767, was the seat of 33 kings. During this period Thai culture flourished and so did international relations with the Dutch, French, Portuguese, Japanese and Chinese. Ayuthaya, situated in the middle of the Pasak River, boasts uncountable ancient temples, monuments, ruins and stupas. The Ayuthaya Historical Park is a UNESCO declared World Heritage site. In 1767, the Burnese Army conquered and burnt down Ayuthaya to complete ruins. Although it suffered a great destruction, Ayuthaya is still a very attractive to visit and is only 82 kilometers north of Bangkok. Other attractions in Ayuthaya that we incorporate as part of our tour are The Bang Pa In-Summer Palace and the Bang Sai Art Village under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Queen Sirikit.

Singburi-Uthai Thani-Nakhon Sawan-Khamphaengphet-Phitsanuloke-Sukhothai and Lampang:
The central heartland and upper northern provinces are some of the routes of ancient Thai civilization, where first Thai script was developed and Buddhism was adopted as the national religion. Ancient monuments in Uthai Thani, Khamphaengphet, Phitsanuloke, Sukhothai (where first Thai script evolved), and Lampang are some of the prevailing examples to mention a few. Most local people here depend on farming. Journeys through these provinces will give you an opportunity to see some of the most outstanding ancient monuments and explore the rural Thai way of life.

Eco friendly accommodation:
The Country Lake Nature Resort offers comfortable cottage rooms with air-condition, hot and cold water shower. The resort is located on the lakeside called "Nong Nam Song ". Thanks to its healthy natural conditions, the lake is the house of various kinds of fresh water fish, water plants, wild animals and almost 100 different species of birds, both local residents and from Siberia in winter season. Optional activities around the resort are biking around the lake and bird watching.

Villagers living around the lake earn their living from agriculture; fish farms and bamboo handicrafts are their immediate cash income sources. Guests can enjoy the natural surroundings as well as experience real upcountry way of lifestyles.

Highlights of Krabi:
Krabi has spectacular beaches and islands made up of craggy limestone cliffs and lush mangrove forests. Railey Beach is one of the most exclusive destinations that are surrounded by a sheer wall of craggy limestone cliffs. These cliffs cut off from the mainland, prohibiting vehicle access. Hence, the sandy beach is undisturbed. Railay Beach is also a popular destination for rock climbers for both experienced and beginners from around the world.
Railay Beach offers various standards of accommodations such as tourist class, middle class and five stars in limited numbers, all shaded by the coconut palms.

Ao Nang Beach, the main gateway of Krabi, offers many choices of accommodations such as luxury five to four star resorts with spa facilities, middle class and tourist class hotel resorts. Restaurants serving local Thai and Western cuisines are abundant at Ao Nang Beach. Moreover, this small beach town offers various tastes of souvenirs, ATM machines and spa facilities to pamper you.

Krabi has hundreds of craggy karsts islands ideal for boating, diving and snorkeling. There is considerable exploring to do in the nearby destinations, inside and outside the many limestone cliffs. The possibilities for rock climbing and caving are unlimited.

Discover Asia Travel's Krabi tours take you to some of the most beautiful limestone islands, lush mangrove forests and national park conservation areas where you can hike, kayak, snorkel and swim in the paradise of nature.

Highlights of Lanta Island:
The Lanta Island group consists of 52 islands located in Krabi province, South Thailand. The archipelago's largest island, Lanta Yai, is long and slender with low, forested hills down the middle and beaches on its West Coast. Relatively undeveloped from tourism, Lanta Yai is truly a paradise destination with fewer visitors. The islands' long sandy beaches complemented by the surrounding scenery are amazingly beautiful. Nearby islands in the Andaman Sea with excellent dive and snorkel sites make a perfect day excursion. Lanta Island offers top four to five star, middle class and tourist class resorts with spa facilities.

Discover Asia Travel specializes in operating tours in popular and off the beaten track destinations of south Thailand. We can offer special package deals to suite every budget traveler and can offer quality hotels at reasonable prices. Please ask for special offers and programs when booking throughout the year except during high to peak season.

Itinerary: Thailand Off The Beaten Tracks 15 Days:
Day 1 Arrive Bangkok
Meet on arrival at Bangkok international Airport, meet and transfer to hotel.
Transfer in is provided if arriving in one group.

Day 2 Bangkok National Museum, Grand Palace and Temples
Breakfast at the hotel, and 08:00am depart to visit the National Museum Bangkok. The visit to the National Museum is to give you an insight about the history of Thailand, its people and culture. Museum opens 9.00am to 4.00pm, and closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and National holidays.

Next, we visit the Royal Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keow (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which was moved by King Rama I of Chakri Dynasty in 1782 from the westside of Chao Phraya River to the east. Visit various halls of royal function such as Amarindra Throne Hall, Chakri Mahaprasart and Dusit Mahaprasart Throne Hall and the residential area.

Wat Pra Keow (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is one of the most beautiful temples in the royal grand palace compound. The temple itself is being used for principal royal function and royal chapel. This temple is the repository of The Emerald Buddha, the most holy Buddha Image of Thai Buddhism. The Image is carved in semiprecious green stone 66cm high. The temple is regarded as the oldest and the most beautiful decoration in the country.

We walk to visit Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) is the oldest, largest and most visited temple in Bangkok, which is well known as the first open university of Thailand; Thai people learned therapeutic Thai massage techniques from this temple.

Lunch break will be around noon, depending on when we finish the tour inside the Grand Palace.

Canal tour after lunch, get on long-tail boat and cruise along the Chao Phraya River (The River of Kings). There are well over 100 canals in Bangkok. Hence, it is often called the "Venice of the east". Early Thai lifestyle of dwelling along the riverbanks is still experienced in this hustle and bustle of the modern city of Bangkok.

Canal tour gives you an opportunity to observe how local people live here. Bangkok has many canal ways of ancient times, many of which are still active. After the canal tour, we visit Wat Arun (The Temple of dawn), the former palace of King Taksin of Thonburi (period 1767-1782), the most revered temple of Thailand, and transfer back to your hotel.

Dress Code: Formal attire is required to enter the Royal Grand Palace. Thus, please wear comfortable casual clothes while touring the Royal Grand Palace. High cut-shorts, skirts, beach attires, bare shoulders and ankles are not allowed. If you are not in proper attire, you will be asked to rent one at the palace gate! Recommendation on Foot Wear: Wear comfortable walking shoes covering your ankles; Tevas covering ankles are acceptable.
Wear shoes that you can take off and put on easily while visiting the temples.

Dinner with Thai Classical Dance Show: Relax and refresh until pick up for dinner.
6.30 PM Pick up from the hotel for a welcome night with Thai dinner and classical dance in a typical Thai pavilion restaurant. The Thai classical dance, in the old days, was usually performed only in the Royal Court. This is offered to you to give you an insight about Thai Classical Dance.
End of dinner, transfer back to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: BLD.

Day 3 Bangkok-Ayuthaya-Nakhon Sawan
Visit Ayuthaya and the historic ruins of the second capital of Thailand, from 1350-1767, which used to be the residence of 33 kings. Then, continue to Singburi to see the "flying foxes" -fruit bats that live in big trees. Then continue to Nakorn Sawan for overnight, where we stay two nights.
Meals: BLD.

Day 4 Hup Pa Tad, Huay Khakheang (Nature World Heritage)
Wake up when the birds call you, and go for a birding walk if you love watching our winged friends. Almost 100 different species of birds can be seen in the "Nong Nam Song" lake and around the resort in the surrounding trees. Black Drongo, woodpecker, kingfisher, heron, and the red duck are few of the local residents around the resort.
After breakfast, depart to Hub Pa Tad, a kind of "Jurassic Park," (local people call it) a huge craterlike valley surrounded by limestone mountains filled with ancient trees where we see old-growth forest including huge palm trees. To get inside, we walk through a limestone cave tunnel, which is summer home for some species of bats. The nature trail has some educational explanations in Thai language. However, it is a pleasant hike. Then, we exit the Hup Pa Tad and drive back to Sakaekrang River in Uthai Thani, where we'll board on a converted rice barge, "Kiri Nava," and cruise along the river, passing by floating houses and natural fish farms. Lunch served on board the rice barge. After lunch, we will visit Ta Sung temple, the biggest and most famous temple in Thai Thani serves as a Buddhist meditation center.
Meals: BLD.

Day 5 Bung Boraphet Water Bird Sanctuary and to Mae Sot
Drive to visit "Bunhg Boraphet" (Water Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary), Thailand's largest freshwater lake, which is known for its crocodiles. We'll board a flat-bottom boat for a relaxing lake trip, and walk along the Crocodile Bridge to see these reptiles in their natural state.

Next, we drive to Kamphaengphet Province for lunch and visit National Museum Wat Phra kaew and Kamphaengphet Historical Park.

Then, we'll continue our journey via a scenic country road to Mae Sot Hill Station. On arrival, we'll check into our hotel and have the remaining time at leisure. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at hotel.
Meals: BLD.

Day 6 Mae Sot-Umphang scenic drive and visit local school
Early breakfast at the hotel and drive to Umphang. It's a beautiful, if winding, drive, we arrive at a beautiful log cabin in a quiet area in Umphang, by the Mae Klong River and surrounded by forests and farms.
Lunch will be served at the resort.
After lunch, we'll drive to visit a local school, which receives a portion of our tour money near Thai-Myanmar border, an area rarely visited by foreigners. The local Karen children appreciate it. Then, we will drive back to our resort and at leisure until dinner.
Meals: BLD.

Day 7 Mae Klong River Raft and hike to see Thee Lor Su Waterfall
Depart to the Mae Klong rafting put-in point. Today we'll float down the scenic Mae Klong River go through couple class one rapids. Kingfishers and various other birds can be seen along the river, along with rhesus and langur monkeys in the trees. We'll actually see a rainbow at the Thee Lor Jor Fall (Double Rainbow waterfall). The river valley here is almost uninhabited, except a small hut by the hot springs. Our raft ends at Thasai and drive to Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary entrance and campsite near the Thee Lor Su Waterfall's wildlife preservation;
We eat picnic lunch at the camping area, enter the park, hike to the viewpoint of the waterfall, swim and enjoy the scenery. In the afternoon, we will drive back to the resort and at leisure.
Meals: BLD.

Day 8 Nature trail hike, village farms and local people
Breakfast at resort and drive to visit Palatha Karen village, Thung Yai Naresuan National Park for an hour hike through the nature trail. We will eat picnic lunch en-route, visit the viewpoint, then drive back to Umphang town, walk through farms and meet locals to see their way of farming as well as lifestyles. Finally, walk through Umphang's small town before returning to our resort and be at leisure.
Meals: BLD.

Day 9 Umphang-Sukhothai
Breakfast at resort and drive through the scenic hills once again.
En-route visit a beautiful waterfall called Nam Tok Pha Charoen and continue journey to Sukhothai, first capital of Thailand where Thai language script was developed. On arrival, visit the Sukhothai historical park and local market. We will stop for picnic lunch at en-route.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Meals: BL.

Day 10 Sukhothai-Bangkok-Krabi flight
Early breakfast, drive to Sukhothai Airport for a flight to Bangkok and to Krabi.
On arrival in Krabi, transfer to our beach resort and remaining time at leisure.
Overnight at a beach resort.
Meals: B.

Day 11 Krabi sea kayak
(Than Bok Khor Ranee Marine National Park)
On the cave route, you will enjoy kayaking along the river, which is flanked by mangrove trees on both sides. The highlight of the trip is paddling through the marvelous caves. We will see stalagmites and stalactites in Lod cave, and visit the Pee Hua Tho cave with prehistoric paintings.
Once we paddle through the Light cave, we will find ourselves in the fascinating paradise room, where we can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful scenery. Next, we paddle through the Dark passage cave. At the end of kayak trip, drive to Taan Bok Khor Ranee National Park, walk through the nature trail, refresh yourself by swimming in the freshwater pool and waterfall, which comes out of a huge limestone cave.
This kayak program is under the limitation of the weather conditions.
Basic kayak instruction is provided on how to use a sit-on-top hard shell kayak.

Kayak Trip Include: lunch, fruits, drinking water, coke, beach towels, life jacket, kayak equipment, first aid kit, insurance, and English speaking guide.
Accessories to Bring: swimwear, sunglasses, suntan lotion, camera, clothes and beach slippers. Tevas are the best footwear for kayaking and short walks.

Program Schedule:
Breakfast at resort and depart at 09.00am,
Around 10.00am, arrive at Bor Tor pier of Than Bok khor Ranee National Park, where we begin our sea kayak trip.
Basic instruction on how to use a sit-on-top hard shell kayak is given for your knowledge safety issues. Enjoy kayaking and exploring the fascinating stalactite and stalagmite at the Light Cave, more exciting kayaking to the Dark Cave;
Continue adventure through the Lod Cave, which is famous for the stalactite and stalagmite in beautiful shapes.
Visit Pee Hua Tho Cave with prehistoric paintings and paddle back to the pier. Enjoy freshly cooked delicious lunch.
Next, transfer Taan Bok khor Ranee's natural pool for refreshing swim.
Then return to Krabi resort and at leisure.
Meals: BL.

Day 12 Snorkel around the outlying islands by long-tailed boat
Breakfast and then depart for a half-day trip by covered long-tailed boat will take us to the outlying islands, one of which (Koh Hong) boasts a former pirate's cove surrounded by sheer cliffs. It is accessible only at high tide. Its clear water makes great snorkeling while the sandy beaches around this island is great for swimming, walking and sunbathing. After lunch, return to resort and at leisure.
Meals: BL.

Day 13 Krabi at Leisure
Breakfast at resort and day at leisure to explore Krabi on your own.
Meals: B.

Day 14 Morning flight to Bangkok
Breakfast at the resort and transfer to Krabi Airport for a flight to Bangkok.
Arrive Bangkok and transfer to hotel. Remaining time at leisure.
Meals: B.

Day 15 Departure from Bangkok
Breakfast at the hotel, and at leisure until transfer to Bangkok International Airport to connect for a homeward-bound flight.
Meals: B.

Meals: (Breakfast=B, Lunch=L, Dinner=D):
The meals, such as lunch and dinner are not included in some locations. This is done in purpose in order to let you have choices of choosing your own favorite dish where the variety of local and international cuisine is abundant.

Sukhothai-Bangkok one-way airfare: US$98 per person,
Bangkok-Krabi Airfare roundtrip: US$190 per person
Airfares are current and subject to change.

Tour Cost Includes:
Fourteen nights in quality hotels and resorts in Bangkok, Nakhon Sawan, Mae Sot, Umphang, Sukhothai and Krabi on twin sharing and breakfast (Accommodations provided variety of quality 2-3-3 star standard hotels in the city areas, beaches and quality lodges in remote areas), Transfers by air-conditioned tour van or coach in the cities to plains and off road vehicles in remote areas, tour activities as mentioned in the itinerary, entrance fees to monuments & parks visited, English speaking local tour guide service throughout the tour, all ground transfers (train, ground, and water) including on arrival and departure, Meals are based on half-board and full-board as outlined in the tour program, and insurance for the period of tour.

Tour Cost Does Not Include:
Visa fees, international and domestic airfares (Sukhothai-Bangkok-Krabi), airport departure tax, meals lunch and dinner not mentioned in the itinerary (particularly in the cities), personal insurance and expenses, alcoholic beverages, telephone, laundry, tips, charges for delays caused by situations beyond our control such as bad weather, natural disasters, civil unrest, and emergencies. Note: The above itinerary is guideline only to plan your trip. Itineraries will be modified as per the local conditions and logistical needs. A final program outline will be given before departure.

Package Price Changes and Alternation of Itineraries:
All package prices are net per person in US Dollars. Package prices are subject to change should there be major changes in government tax policies, Thai currency exchange rates and/or major changes in US Dollar exchange rates. We reserve the right to alternate an itinerary in the event of natural disasters, bad weather, civil unrest or other unforeseen factors that pose threat to our clients and crew. Alteration of an itinerary is made for the safety of our clients and the crew. Please treat the above program as guideline for your trip planning. We will provide you with fine tuned itinerary with specific details before departure.