DOWNLOAD THE ITINERARY FOR OUR HELLFIRE & HILLTRIBES TREK 15 NIGHT / 164 DAY TREK (PDF 603kb)
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ITINERARY – 16 DAY TOUR/TREK
DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN BANGKOK (EARLY) TUESDAY 9TH NOV
Sightseeing and free time after we book into the hotel. There are no planned group activities for this day, though there will usually be a group meeting over dinner. You may wish to visit the majestic Grand Palace. Built in traditional Thai architecture mixed with European designs, the Grand Palace complex, once the official home for the Kings of Siam, is unquestionably one of the Thailand's major tourist highlights. For shopping, perhaps take a Tuk-Tuk (motorised three wheeler taxi) down to the bustling Kao San Road precinct. (-/-/-)
DAY 2 (10TH) KANCHANABURI, RIVER KWAI AND HELLFIRE PASS (2 DAYS)
In the morning we will catch our bus to Kanchanaburi; the journey taking about 2 hours. On the way we visit the “floating markets”. Totally chaotic, small 'khlongs' or canals are filled with flat boats piled high with fresh produce, each jockeying for position and paddled by ladies ready to stop and bargain at a moment’s notice. It's colourful, noisy and touristy, but great fun. During the long-tail boat ride to market, you’ll pass orchards,
traditional teak houses and local people going about their lives. We take a train ride along the “death railway” and then onto the Weary Dunlop museum before checking in to our hotel. (B/L/D)
DAY 3 KANCHANABURI, RIVER KWAI AND HELLFIRE PASS THUR 11TH NOV
After breakfast at the hotel, we visit Hellfire Pass, allowing plenty of time to walk through the cutting. The River Kwai and Hell Fire pass claimed many POW lives- each one of the 120,000 railway sleeper laid cost one human life. The Australian War Graves hold a service here to commemorate the lives lost and the sacrifices of the local people. (See our section on the Thai Burma railway) Following the service we will take a 5 km walk along the original railway.
(B/L/D)
DAY 4 KANCHANABURI, FRI 12TH NOV
Following breakfast we visit our final point of interest; the famous Tiger Temple, where you can take a stroll amongst the tigers and spend time chatting with the monks. Our transport then takes us back to Bangkok. (B/-/-)
DAY 5 CHANG MAI, SAT 13TH NOV
Early flight from Bangkok to Chang Mai. After arriving mid morning and after checking in to our hotel, we have free time to explore for the rest of the day. Surrounded by rolling hills, Chiang Mai offers both pretty surroundings and old style architecture. Enclosed by a moat and crumbling walls, the old city features great cafes, shops and accommodation. An important Buddhist centre since the 14th century, Chiang Mai is home to more than 300 temples. Many visitors come here to attend meditation retreats, massage classes or yoga lessons.
It is also a centre of handicraft production, with a long history of silverwork, woodcarving, pottery-making and weaving. The Night Bazaar and Sunday markets consist of a series of covered markets, shops and stalls that offer the best selection of handicrafts in Thailand. (B/-/-/)
DAYS 6-10 HILLTRIBE TREKKING; - ABOUT THE TREK
From Chiang Mai, we start our hilltribe trek where we visit various hill tribe minority groups, each with their own language, clothing and religion. We walk approximately 4-6 hours each day along sloping hills and valleys. The ground may be muddy and slippery during the rainy season (around July to October) though the scenery is at its most lush and spectacular. Each trekker is required to be able to carry their own pack as our porters will be carrying food and water supplies. Accommodation is group share, where you will be sleeping on the floor of the village huts. The first night’s accommodation is in a tent. Toilet and washing facilities are very basic in most of the villages so be prepared to rough it for a few days. A sleeping mat, sheet and blanket is provided but for additional comfort you may wish to bring a sleeping bag as nights can be quite cool from November to January. During the trek simple food is provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It can be cold during the evenings so make sure you have some lightweight warm clothes with you.
DAY 6 (TREK DAY 1) SUN 14TH NOV
We leave Chang Mai by truck and head to the Chiang Dao area where we have lunch at a local restaurant before starting our trek. A 5-6 hr walk to the top of Doi Luang Mountain allows magnificent views in the surrounding countryside. Chiang Dao's most striking feature is Doi Luang, Thailand's 3rd highest mountain at 2225m which plays host to an abundance of wildlife and biodiversity. Tonight we sleep in tents. Dinner is a traditional local meal. (B/L/D)
DAY 7 (TREK DAY 2 ) MON 15TH NOV
Lisu Hill Tribe woman in traditional dress
An early morning wake up sets up a 30 minute walk to view this beautiful sunrise. Following breakfast, we trek for 4 hrs to the village of Baan Nalao, home of the Lisu tribe, where we have lunch. The most colorful of all the Thai hill tribes in Thailand has to be the Lisu hill tribe, whose women wear brightly coloured blue or green striped tunics, split up the sides to the waist, a wide black belt and blue or green pants. (For more information on the Lisu Hill Tribe see “about Thailand’s Hill tribes” on our website.)
Following lunch, we take a 2 hr walk to the Khoon Khong cave, one of many caves in this area. Our destination tonight is a further 2 hr trek to the Karen tribe village of Mae Kong Sai. (B/L/D)
( For information on the Karen Tribe, visit our website)
DAY 8 (TREK DAY 3) TUES 16TH NOV
Our trek today consists of a 7-8 hr jungle walk. Our destination is the village of Paa Gluay on the Mae Taeng River. The Lahu tribe inhabits this area and originated in South West China.
The Lahu men are renowned for their hunting and trapping skills and the women make some of the finest baskets to be found anywhere in Thailand. (B/L/D)
DAY 9 ( TREK DAY 4) WED 17TH NOV
Today we give our legs a rest and take in the beautiful countryside as we glide down the Mae Taeng River on a bamboo raft. The trip lasts for about 7 hrs and as we pass the many villages along the way, there is plenty of opportunity to stop and look around. Our last night will be spent at the village of Pong-ngan, another Lahu village. (B/L/D)
DAY 10 ( TREK DAY 5) THUR 18TH NOV
After breakfast, we trek for about 2 hours to Toon Yau, home of the Akha tribe. These colourful people originated in Tibet and every Akha village is characterised by carved wooden gates, presided over by guardian spirits. The Akha are deeply superstitious, their religion prescribing exactly how each action should be performed. This tribe is the poorest of the hill tribes, but well known for their extraordinary costumes and exotic appearance.
A further walk to Sop Khai village, home of the Shan tribe, one of the most important and oldest minority groups from Myanmar ( Burma). Aside from Buddha, the Shan people also worship natas (spirits).
Our truck will be waiting here to take us back to our accommodation in Chang Mai at about 5.00pm. (B/L/-)
DAY 11 CHANG MAI FRI 19TH NOV
Today is free allowing you time for a well deserved massage, shopping, sampling the great food of the night market or a sunset excursion to the lovely hilltop temple of Doi Sutep. You may choose an elephant ride or enrol in a world renowned Thai cooking class. (B/-/-)
DAY 12 DEPART FOR PHUKET SAT 20TH NOV
After an early morning departure from Chang Mai, we travel by plane to Phuket. The afternoon is free to give you some time to get acquainted to Kata and Patong. Phuket is Thailand's largest island, an idyllic site for the country's premier international beach resort. Much of the island's charm is that the ocean facing west coast is lined with a series of bays where white sand beaches span between two rocky points. There are plenty of small restaurants and bars if you wish to just relax. (B/-/-)
DAY 13 PHUKET SUN 21ST NOV
Free day to relax on the beach , visit the many market places or choose one of the many tours available. One of the most popular trips is to Phi Phi island.
Phi Phi is renowned for the clearness of its water and the beauty of its corals; take a ferry out to the island where there is plenty of opportunity to explore the natural surroundings or go snorkelling. Qualified divers can book themselves into one of the many dive tours available. These tours are your own expense. Overnight Phuket. (B/-/-)
DAY 14 PHUKET MON 22ND NOV
Another day of leisure before our final group dinner together at one of the many beautiful restaurants along the beach either in Kata or Patong (optional) (B/-/-)
DAY 15 PHUKET TUES 23RD NOV
Our final day in Phuket and time for that last massage, or for those who like to shop, the opportunity to stroll through the many alley ways full of small stalls selling everything imaginable. We have an evening flight back to Australia. (B/-/-)
DAY 16 ARR AUSTRALIA WED 24TH NOV
TRIP DETAILS: THAILAND – HELLFIRE & HILLTRIBES
COST
LAND COMPONENT: $2,995
16 day fully escorted tour
WHAT’S COVERED AND WHAT’S NOT!
The land component includes:
* Australian Tour leader and local guide
* Domestic airfares to Chang Mai and Phuket
* Airport / hotel transfers
* Village campsite and guesthouse fees
* Floating market tour
* Hell Fire Pass tour
* Train experience over Kwai River
* Tiger Temple entry
* Private air conditioned bus transport
* Twin share accommodation
* Accommodation during trek
* Meals as indicated on itinerary
* Certified rafting and trekking guides
* Free Getaway Trekking walking Shirt
* Option to join regular training sessions
* $10 million public liability
Not included:
* International/internal and Australian domestic airfares
* Passport costs
* Visas
* Travel insurance
* Vaccinations and anti-malarial medicines
* Alcohol and soft drinks
* Personal expenditure
* Tips and gratuities
* Personal porter ( trek phase)
* Museum entry fees
* Side trips and tours
Note:
Some tipping is customary when receiving good service. We will brief you on this aspect of your trip at a later time.
Meals:
B - Breakfast
L - Lunch
D - Dinner