Sierra Club Outings | Warm Winter Adventure in Exotic Thailand

Highlights:

Explore hill tribe villages and participate in an elephant conservation project
Travel the River Kwai by long-tail boat and kayak
Visit with endangered Indo-Chinese tigers at a temple conservation project
Enjoy bird watching, walking in tropical forests and visit with long-neck Padong hilltribe people in remote Mae Hong Song province

Includes:

Three in-country flights
Most meals, gratuities and all activities as listed in the brochure
Local, English-speaking guides

About the size of France and a bit smaller than Texas, Thailand offers just about everything the adventurous traveler could want. Join us as we visit tribal mountain villages and journey up the River Kwai by train, bus, kayak, and long-tail boat. We'll explore Sai Yok National Park, with its teak forest and exotic birds, while in Bangkok we'll visit the Grand Palace and its ancient temples and see how the local people live while touring the city�s canals on a long-tail boat. Next, we'll venture north to an isolated, riverside resort where we will take time to explore the nearby Lahu village and kayak the scenic Mae Kok River. Next, we travel overland to explore the far northern, mountainous regions of the country. We'll walk through the long-necked Padong hill tribe and Karen village near Mae Hong Son. A visit to Chiang Mai's temples and night market completes our journey. Along the way, we'll enjoy exciting river kayaking, skim rivers on long-tail boats, participate in an on-going elephant conservation project, go cave exploring, take guided jungle and hill tribe village walks, soak in hot springs and swim under waterfalls, go bird-watching, explore ancient and sacred temples, feast on tantalizing Thai delicacies and have an unforgettable visit with the tigers at the Indochina Tiger Conservation Project. Experience the variety of magnificent scenery, flora, wildlife and local cuisines as we explore exotic Thailand. Experienced Thai guides will accompany the group for the 15-day adventure.

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok. The trip starts with a group meeting in the lobby of our hotel at 4:00 p.m. Transfer-in is provided in the trip cost if arriving in with the group flight. Individual arrivals will have to pay an additional transfer fee. Afterward, we will walk to a local restaurant for dinner. (D)

Day 2: Bangkok�s Royal Grand Palace, ancient temples, and canal tour.Following breakfast at the hotel, we'll depart to visit Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), the oldest, largest, and most-visited temple in Bangkok. Next, we'll walk a short distance to visit the Royal Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keow (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, meanwhile, is one of the oldest, most beautiful temples in the royal palace compound and home to the holiest image in Thai Buddhism, the Emerald Buddha, which is carved from a semi-precious form of jade. After lunch, we�ll visit the National Museum in Bangkok, a wonderful resource for insight into Thailand�s history, people, and culture. Afterwards, we'll board a long-tail boat and cruise the main artery of Bangkok�s Chao Phraya River (The River of Kings). There are well over 100 canals in Bangkok. For this reason, the city is often referred to the �Venice of the East.� After our canal tour, we'll visit Wat Arun then drive back to our hotel. The rest of the afternoon and evening is for leisure. (B, L,)

Day 3: Bangkok to Kanchanaburi Tour. We'll have an early breakfast, followed by our departure for Kanchanaburi. Upon arrival in Kanchanaburi, we'll visit the DEATH Railway War Museum, which is a replica of a World War II prisoner-of-war camp. The museum houses fragments of weapons, paintings, drawings, and pictures of camp life. We'll also visit Don Rak Cemetery, the burial place of some 7,000 Allied soldiers. Next, we'll drive to the see the railway bridge over the River Kwai (memorialized in the Academy Award-winning movie), which was constructed by POW�s in 1942 to transport Japanese troops and supplies between Burma and Thailand. Afterward, we'll board the original Death Railway train for an adventurous ride that passes over the wooden bridge that was once the terminus of the Thailand-Burmese Railway.

After the train ride, we will drive by coach about 10 miles to visit the Indo-Chinese Tiger Conservation Project site at the local Forest Monastery. Here, after lunch and a briefing by the project director, we will walk through the Tiger Conservation project site to see for ourselves the various wild animals the volunteers care for at this unique and fascinating project. We�ll then drive to Resotel Pier where we'll make a short trip by long-tail boat up the Kwai Noi River and check into the River Kwai Resotel. We'll have a buffet dinner at the resort restaurant. (B, L, D)

Day 4: River excursion, waterfalls, and a jungle hike. After breakfast we'll head up the River Kwai by long-tail boat (a type of watercraft native to SE Asia that uses common automotive engine as its power plant) to Sai Yok National Park where we'll enjoy an approximate three-hour nature walk in the teakwood and deciduous forest. Along the way, we will visit Sai Yok waterfall, the ruins of a World War II Japanese army camp kitchen and visit some of the local bat habitats. We'll eat lunch at the waterfall, then return by boat and stroll through the Mon hill tribe village and school, before we return downstream to the Resotel. The remaining time is at your leisure. You may swim in the pool, walk in the herbal garden around the resort, or simply relax in paradise. We'll eat dinner followed by a Mon hill tribe cultural show. Overnight at River Kwai Resotel. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Lawa Cave Hike, Kayak Kwai Noi River, drive to Bangkok. In the morning, we'll walk about half-a-mile to the Lawa Cave, where we'll explore the fascinating rock formations and view the small shrines inside the cave. From here we'll walk down to the river to begin our kayak trip for about one hour along the scenic Kwai Noi River. We'll eat lunch at the Resotel, then check out, transferring from the long-tail boat to a waiting vehicle for the drive back to Bangkok. We'll overnight at a Bangkok airport hotel. (B, L)

Day 6: Bangkok to Chiang Rai flight. After breakfast we'll transfer to the airport for a flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival we will transfer to the Chiang Rai Boat Landing and take an exciting, two hour long-tail boat ride up the Mae Kok River to the Huai Khum Village Resort, a lovely, isolated, eco resort in the Mae Kok River valley. On arrival, we check-in, have lunch with the remaining time at leisure. Swim in the beautiful pool, walk to the nearby Lahu hill tribe village or simply relax and enjoy the scenery. That evening, we will have dinner and enjoy a Lihu folk song and dance show. Meals: (B,L,D).

Day 7: Kayak Mae Kok River. After breakfast at our resort we'll kayak down the Mae Kok River. Along the way, we'll stop to visit the black Lahu village of Ban Jahue. We'll then continue our kayak journey down stream to a hot spring and we'll take time to soak in the warm waters. Afterwards, we return upstream by long-tail boat to our resort. Remaining time is at leisure. Meals: (B,L,D).

Day 8: Elephant Nature Park After breakfast we�ll depart from the resort by long-tail boat to the boat landing. From there, we then take a scenic morning drive to the Elephant Nature Park in Mae Taeng. The center rescues elephants from loggers, the streets of Bangkok and other cities, and from other commercial parks. We will learn about the challenges of caring for these magnificent animals and reintroducing them into the wild. On arrival, we will be met by the volunteers, get introduced to the elephants and the project. Then, we will feed the elephants and learn about them. After lunch we then go with the elephants and their trainers to the river to help them bathe. At the end of bathing the giants, we�ll transfer to a country resort with spa facilities for the evening. Meals: (B,L,D).

Day 9: Scenic drive to Pai This morning, after breakfast, we'll take a scenic drive to Pai, nestled among the green hills of Mae Hong Son province in Northern Thailand. Along the way, we'll enjoy the scenic views along the windy road to Pai and will stop at points of interest. After we check-in to our mountain resort we'll have lunch. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Relax in the resorts hot spring pool, enjoy a spa treatment or take a stroll in the surrounding countryside. Dinner and overnight at our resort in Pai. Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 10: Morning walk: Hill Tribe villages, waterfalls and temples. After breakfast at the resort we walk for five miles to visit Mo Paeng Waterfall. Along the way we visit Shan, Lisu, Haw Chinese and Lahu villages. At the falls, there is an option for you to swim in one of the three pools. We'll then return by vehicle to Pai and visit Luang Temple, a beautiful Shan style chedi. The temple was built in 1899 and it also contains a Shan style sermon hall and Buddha image. It is also the main temple in Pai, where many of the regions important festivals take place. Our last visit of the day will be to the Klang temple. There are alcoves set in the sides to represent the different Buddha images for each weekday. Meals: (B, L, D)

Day 11: Lod Cave and Mae Hong Son After breakfast at our resort we'll drive to the visit the Lisu museum to see how the local people make their way of living. We'll then continue our scenic journey to Lod Cave and then to Mae Hong Son. Upon arrival, check into our mountain resort nestled in a lush valley outside the town of Mae Hong Son and have lunch. In the afternoon, we'll take a leisurely tour to explore ancient Burmese-style temples such as Wat Jong Kham, Wat Jong Klang and Wat Phar Thart Doi Kong Moo situated atop a hill with panoramic views of the Mae Hong Son valley. Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 12: Culture and Nature of Mae Hong Son In the early morning, we'll visit the Mae Hong Son morning market to see the local market activities and to see the forest monks collecting their routine alms. Afterwards, we have breakfast and drive to a local pier on the Pai River. We'll then board a long-tailed boat and ride downstream to visit the Long-necked Padong hill tribe people and school at the Karen village. Afterwards, we return upriver to have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon there is an optional hike in Mae Surin National Park, located next to our resort. It is a moderate hike and will take about three hours roundtrip to and from the waterfall. Non-hikers can relax at the pool. We'll meet for dinner at the resort. Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 13: Flight to Chiang Mai and Wat Prathad Doi Suthep Tour. After breakfast at the resort we'll transfer to the Mae Hong Son airport for a flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival at Chiang Mai, we'll transfer to our hotel for check-in. After lunch, we'll depart by coach for a visit to the Chiang Mai National Museum and the Hill Tribe Museum. Next, we'll drive to Wat Prathad Doi Suthep, the most celebrated temple in Chiang Mai. The temple contains a holy relic of Lord Buddha. To reach the temple, we'll drive up Doi (Mount) Suthep and climb 300 steps to the temple courtyard. Both sides of the steps are flanked by enormous mythological nagas (snakes). Up here, at 3,500 feet above sea level, we'll have a panoramic view of the city. After the temple visit, we�ll return to Chiang Mai town for lunch. Remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. In the evening, we'll enjoy traditional northern Thai cuisine and observe a northern Thai folk song and dance performed by different hill tribes. Each tribe has its own costumes, dialects, culture, and superstitions. At the end, we'll likely be asked to dance! (B, L, D)

Day 14: Chiang Mai at leisure Breakfast at our centrally located hotel and the remainder of the day is free to explore Chiang Mai on your own. A leisure day in Chiang Mai can be spent by shopping, spa treatments to relax your tired muscles, tasting local and international cuisines or simply relax at our hotels pool. Chiang Mia is well known for its fine local handicrafts and peaceful streets for pleasant walking. We meet later in evening for our farewell dinner hosted by your trip leader. Meals: (B, D)

Day 15: Return to Bangkok Breakfast at the hotel and your remaining time is at leisure until transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for flight to Bangkok. Meals: (B)

Bear in mind that the 15-day itinerary outlined above is only a goal; our plans must be flexible to adjust to conditions on the spot. Additionally, as a group, we may want to keep some options open to pursue other attractions or cultural interests as they arise. In such instances the leader has the final say in adjusting the above itinerary to meet the needs of the group.

An optional extension to this trip is available for those who want to explore the Temples of Angkor (e.g. Angkor Wat, Bayon & Ta Phrom) in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This extension is not part of your Sierra Club trip, but is being planned by your trip leader. The itinerary and cost of the extension will be sent to interested members on request.

We'll rendezvous at our Bangkok hotel on Day 1. If you travel with the group from the West Coast, you will depart the United States two days earlier. Group flight participants will then transfer to our hotel after a morning arrival at the Bangkok airport. (Keep in mind that we lose a day crossing the International Dateline.) If you are not traveling with the group flight it is best if you arrive in Bangkok no later than noon on Day 1. Ultimately, it is each participant�s responsibility to be present at our Bangkok hotel by the early afternoon of January 16. Our trip ends when we return to Bangkok on Day 15.

While you are free to make your own travel arrangements to and from Bangkok, we encourage you to join the group flight from the West Coast. This is likely to get you a lower airfare, allow you to meet the other trip members, and simplify the immigration and customs formalities. Plus, you'll benefit from the transfer-in to our Bangkok hotel at the beginning of the trip. Please note that the 'group' flight is arranged by a travel agent for your convenience. It is not a discounted group airfare but a regularly scheduled flight that will allow those that take these particular flights to take advantage of the included transfer-in to the Bangkok hotel on day 1.The leader will send details once you've registered.

The month of January is peak tourist season in Thailand. Since there are a limited number of flights and seats available on our three in-country flight segments during the trip we encourage you to register for the trip early to assure a seat reservation. Anyone approved for the trip after the flights are sold out would likely have to be placed on alternative flights either before or after the group flights. Contact the trip leader for further details.

You will need a valid passport. Thai immigration will issue a 30-day, no-fee visa upon arrival in Bangkok for US passport holders. If you do not have a passport or if it has expired, apply for a new one right away. You may need another visa if you plan to visit other countries -- Cambodia, for example -- while you're in Asia. Certain travel shots may be advisable for the trip. The leader will send more information later.

We will stay in a variety of boutique & three-star quality hotels, cottages, and resort-hotels. There is no camping or tent lodging on this trip. Rooms are double-occupancy and equipped with a shower and bathroom. A roommate will be provided for solo travelers. Participants who prefer to have a single room and are willing to pay the difference should contact the leader well in advance to check for availability.

The lodging that we use will often be traditional family-run establishments, full of ambience and colorful local history. Although the rooms in these lodgings are not always of uniform or international size, your trip leader and local guide always try their best to assign rooms provided to us from our lodging management in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole.

Most meals are included in the cost of the trip. Check the itinerary above for meals that are not. The lodge will provide breakfasts each day as part of a bed-and-breakfast arrangement. We will usually eat lunch and dinner at local cafes and restaurants. The majority of the restaurants offers some vegetarian dishes and will attempt to satisfy special dietary needs. However, there may be times when vegetarian or special diets cannot be accommodated. Please inform the leader of dietary restrictions when completing your trip application.

The trip is ideal for veteran travelers to Thailand and those with good walking skills that are new to the SE Asian travel experience and open to the richness of the Thailand culture. The trip is best suited for energetic, flexible and adaptable people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. As you can tell from the daily itinerary, we have packed a tremendous variety of activities into our 15-day Thailand adventure. It is not a strenuous trip, but it can be classified overall as moderately active. Keep in mind that foreign travel can be tiring, so you will need patience and a sense of humor. The trip is suitable for active people, old or young, single or married. Additionally, the trip will appeal to those with an interest in cultural heritage and natural beauty. We will travel in elevations ranging from sea level to 3,500 feet. Most of the time, we will be traveling by air-conditioned minivan or coach. There will be times when we drive overland for stretches of several hours in duration, sometimes on windy, mountainous roads. No kayaking experience is required but a willingness to learn is expected. Basic training on how to maneuver a kayak is provided. There will be some walking most days, including some short hikes (all are optional), and some free time for individual pursuits. The leader will send a suggested equipment list to each trip member.

To enjoy the country and its people to the fullest, you will want to acquaint yourself with the history, religion, and culture of Thailand. The leader will suggest a list of books to each trip member in pre-trip correspondence.

Websites:
For photographs from the leader's past Thailand trips go to http://community.webshots.com/user/sierraclubphotosand select the Thailand photo albums. Representative photos for many, but not all, of our trip destinations and sites can be viewed in these albums.

The Sierra Club sponsors international outings in the hope that our members and leaders will experience new places and new people. We also wish to heighten environmental awareness and spur action to protect our wild lands both at home and abroad. Doi Suthep National Park, which is one of the three national parks our group will visit, is close to urban Chiang Mai. For a number of years, poachers and land encroachers -- including the resident hill tribes -- severely disturbed the western side of the park. We shall observe the progress made in recent years by Chiang Mai University's Forest Restoration Unit (FORRU).

We will visit the Indochina Tiger Conservation Project in Kanchanaburi province. Here, Dr. Somchai Visasmonkolchai, a veterinarian, will give us a brief lecture about his project. Dr. Somchai volunteers to treat the tigers and other sick animals at the temple and is working to create a tiger island within the tiger conservation project. Sick or injured tiger cubs that were brought to the temple and nursed back to health are now part of a breeding project within the temple. According to the resident monks, the tigers originally sought out the monastery as a sanctuary against poachers. The head monk walks the tigers in the cool afternoon at an old quarry, where we may have an opportunity to mingle with these magnificent and endangered animals.

We will also visit The Elephant Nature Park. The volunteers at the park will teach us about the challenges of caring for these magnificent animals and the methods they use to reintroduce the elephants into the wild. You will have a hands-on opportunity to feed and bathe the elephants during our visit to the ENP.

This trip requires a $200 per-person deposit. An additional payment of $300 per person is due six months prior to trip departure. International trip prices are subject to change and are based on double-occupancy or group accommodations as described above. Single rooms may not be available or may cost more than the listed price. If you have any questions regarding double occupancy, please contact the trip leader.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

The Sierra Club accurately and fairly budgets and prices our trips. However, unforeseen costs such as devaluation of the dollar compared to other currencies and fuel surcharges assessed by our international providers may necessitate adjustment in trip price. We will make every effort to mitigate and absorb these fees. If a price increase is necessary, however, you will have 14 days after announcement to cancel without penalty.

Brad Carlson has traveled extensively throughout Thailand since his first visit to the country in 1990. He is familiar with the country�s culture, religion, and language, and looks forward to sharing his appreciation of Thailand�s great variety of scenery, the exotic foods, and its warm, friendly people. Brad joined the Sierra Club in 1988 and has led or co-led Sierra Club domestic and foreign outings since 1989, including several Sierra Nevada backpack, base camp, lodge, Thailand, Himalayan and European trips. When not wandering the world for the Sierra Club, Brad, a practicing hospital pharmacist, enjoys hiking, skiing, photography, and social dancing.