Day	Itinerary	Night stop
1	Arrive in Bangkok.	Bangkok
	Travellers will be arriving at all times during the day, from all corners of the world. Feel free to arrive at the joining-point hotel at any time, as there are no activities planned for today apart from our group meeting and optional dinner afterwards. For those who arrive early, look at the noticeboard in the hotel for things to see around Bangkok and ask hotel reception for a map of the area. On the notice board in the hotel foyer, you will see a message from your leader detailing the time and place to meet. Please note that your leader will collect your local payment today.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse.
	Included Meals: Please see summary.
2	Travel to Sukhothai.	Sukhothai
	We depart early by bus for Sukhothai (approx. 6 hours), the first capital of Thailand, built in the 12th century. Arriving just before sunset, we check into basic, cosy rooms beside some picturesque rice fields. Why not take this opportunity here to wander around the rice paddies and take that perfect picture?
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse.
	Included Meals: Please see summary.
3	Bicycle day trip.	Lampang
	The morning greets us with a bicycle day trip around the historical ruins of old Sukhothai, set amid beautiful lakes and gardens (it is approx. 30 minutes from the guesthouse by songthaew).  Upon our arrival at the historical park, we hire bicycles and enjoy a few leisurely hours feeling the breeze in our hair and learning about the history of this fascinating place. We enjoy a home-cooked picnic lunch somewhere along the way, and conclude our afternoon with a visit to a ceramics factory and local market. We head to Lampang in the afternoon for our overnight stay (approx. 3 hours).
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse.
	Included Meals: Please see summary.
4	A visit to the Elephant Conservation Centre.	Village home stay
	In the morning, we visit the Elephant Conservation Centre near Lampang (approx. 45 minutes), where we can watch elephants having a communal bathing session as well as young and old elephants being taught the skills in the logging industry.  Afterwards, we enjoy an unforgettable ride through the forest on the back of one of these magnificent creatures. After lunch there is time to visit the F.A.E. elephant hospital. We stay the night at a home stay in a small Thai village (approx. 1.5 hours from the elephant centre). Although accommodation is multi-share and basic, we experience everyday Thai life - something not many travellers get to do - and in the evening, we are treated to a traditional northern Thai khan tohk dinner accompanied by live music and dancing.
	Accommodation: Home stay.
	Included Meals: Please see summary.
5	Travel to Chiang Mai.	Chiang Mai
	In the morning we may have the opportunity to offer alms to the monks as they go about their daily routine, or perhaps enjoy an early morning yoga session that will leave you feeling invigorated. We also have the option to visit some hot springs for a well-deserved soak in the mineral pools. Following a delicious picnic lunch, before we travel the short distance (approx. 40 minutes) to Chiang Mai.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse.
	Included Meals: Please see summary.
6	Full day in Chiang Mai.	Chiang Mai
	Our accommodation provides a return to modernity, with rooms complete with hot water, air-conditioning and a television. But why would you stay in your room when Chiang Mai has so much on offer? A great night bazaar with lots of excellent food and plenty of colourful goodies for sale are waiting, and this is the perfect opportunity to unleash your bargaining skills. Later on, you might want to head down to a riverside bar for some live music and a couple of drinks.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse.
	Included Meals: Please see summary.
7	Chiang Mai; overnight train to Bangkok.	Overnight train to Bangkok
	The most vibrant city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has many famous temples and an interesting old city area. In your free time, you can visit the hilltop temple of Doi Suthep for stunning views over the city, attend Thai cooking classes, try bamboo rafting, shop or indulge in traditional Thai massage. A great way to see the surrounding countryside is to take a cycling tour, on which you will visit temples and other places of interest. In the afternoon, we board an overnight train for the trip back to Bangkok (approx. 13 hours).
	Accommodation: Overnight train.
	Included Meals: Please see summary.
8	Tour ends Bangkok.	None
	Our train is scheduled to arrive into Bangkok early in the morning. We transfer back to the Viengtai Hotel and you are free to depart at any time after that. If you are booking flights or other transport out of Bangkok on this day, please keep in mind that train delays are frequent - we suggest you do not book a flight earlier than 2:00pm.
	Accommodation: None.
	Included Meals: Please see summary.

Accommodation

Hotels/guesthouses 5 nights, homestay 1 night, overnight train 1 night.

Transport

Overnight train, taxi, local bus, songthaew, bicycle, elephant, on foot.

Meals

1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner.

Staff

Drivers and group leader. All group trips in Thailand are accompanied by one of our Thai group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders.

Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.

Age Restriction

Minimum 18 years unless accompanied by a legal guardian.

Optional Activities

All optional activities are entirely your choice and are not included in price of this trip. The following is not an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only.

Optional Activities: USD150 for optional activities not included in the trip.
Grand Palace, Bangkok - USD7
Thai massage, Bangkok - USD6 p/h
Bicycle tour, Chiang Mai - USD20
Bamboo rafting, Chiang Mai - USD9
Thai Cookery Course, Chiang Mai - USD20
Grand palace, Bangkok - USD7
Thai massage, Bangkok - USD6 p/h
Bicycle tour, Chiang Mai - USD20
Bamboo rafting, Chiang Mai - USD9
Thai Cookery Course Chiang Mai - USD20

What To Bring

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking though, you should pack as lightly as possible. On the vast majority of our trips you are expected to carry your own luggage (please see below for exceptions), and though you will not be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes) we recommend keeping the weight under 10kg/22lb.

Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags with wheels are acceptable, although we recommend your bag has carry straps as well, as you may be required to negotiate bus and railway station steps. Suitcases are not recommended. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day walks and day trips.

You will be on the move a good deal, so pack as lightly as possible (try to keep under 10 kg /22lb). It is in your own interest as you are expected to carry your own luggage, though distances will never be great. Most travellers carry their luggage in a pack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice.

The following checklist is to be used as a guide only and is not intended to be a complete packing list. Any other items that you wish to pack are at your own discretion however you should attempt to comply with the suggested luggage weight limit.

Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, voucher
Health requirements arranged
Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card
Money pouch
First aid kit and personal medication
Day pack to carry your personal needs during the day
Alarm clock and torch/flashlight
Hat, sun cream, sunglasses
Mosquito repellent
Ear plugs & eye mask for train (optional)
Toiletries and towel
Comfortable walking shoes/adventure sandals with good grip
Oral rehydration salts - can be purchased in Thailand
modest swimming costume
Inner sheet/sleeping sheet
A poncho-style raincoat or umbrella in the wet season (May-Oct)
Waterproof bags for clothing (May-Oct)
Light sweater or jacket for the evenings when it gets cooler (Nov-Feb)
Clothes for temples long pants or long skirts, no sleeveless tops.

When packing be aware that dress standards are conservative throughout Asia. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means covering shoulders and no short shorts. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate. Shorts should be knee-length. Singlets and tank tops are not suitable. Topless sun bathing is unacceptable.

Group Size

Minimum 1, maximum 12

Other Information

Please note that on occasions the overnight trains may be covered by an overnight bus rather than train. Some accommodation may be multi share.

Alternative transport can be arranged if you do not wish to cycle around the Sukhothai Historic Park.

With the exception of our Comfort trips, our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers share with people of the same sex for the duration of the trip, in accommodation ranging from twin to multi-share. Please note some of our itineraries have accommodation booked on a mixed gender share basis - where applicable this will be specified in our Trip Notes. On our Comfort trips you have the choice of sharing or paying a single supplement. Please note that this only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre- and post-trip accommodation will be booked on a single room basis.