Download pdf - Private Group Trip Itinerary - Third Rock Tours...Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khao Sok and Ao Nang. Temples, elephants, jungles, beaches! Join Third Rock Tours for an incredible experience!

2017AmazingThailandPrivateTourSixfunpeoplewillspend14adventurefilleddaysinBangkok,ChiangMai,KhaoSokandAoNang.Temples,elephants,jungles,beaches!JoinThirdRockToursforanincredibleexperience!

PrivateGroupTripItinerary

Fortravelerswithayearningtogetoffthebeatentrack,Intrepidopensupawholenewworldofadventuretravelsince1989.Withahugevarietyoftripsavailable, Intrepidtravelersexploretheworld'smostamazingplaces-fromthebackstreetsofAsia, to thewildsofAfrica, thecolorful landscapesofLatinAmerica, thepicturesqueNational ParksofNorthAmerica, thedelicaciesof Europe&ancient culturesofAustralasia. Comewithus todiscoverrealpeople,realcultures&incrediblereallifeexperiencesalongtheway…

Whereverwegointheworld,wetakearesponsibleattitudewithus.Thatmeanstravellinginawaywhichbothrespectsandbenefitslocalpeople,theircultureandtheenvironment.ThankyouforgivingustheopportunitytoarrangeaprivategroupadventurewithIntrepidTravel.

Preparedfor:BruceCook–ThirdRockTourswww.thirdrocktours.com•512-415-3033•[email protected]

Date:May4,2017

Bookingreference:5692111

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Preparedfor: BruceCook–ThirdRockTours–512.415.3033

2Date: May4,2017Bookingreference: 5692111

WhytravelwithIntrepid

ResponsibleTravel

Allaboutthelocals ExperiencedTourDirector

Freedomandflexibility

Balanceditineraries SixTravelersonly!

OurTravelStyle

Forcenturiespeoplehavetravellednotoutofnecessity,butdrivenbycuriosity.Exchangingstories,amealorasmilewithastrangerhelpsusseetheworldinadifferentwayandunderstandourplaceinitalittlebetter.AtIntrepid,we’recommittedtoastyleoftravelthatbenefitsourtravelersandcommunities.Everyyear,wetakemorethan100,000travelersaroundtheworldonsmallgroupadventures.

Accommodation Transport ResponsibleTravelWhere we stay ensures we keep ourtravelersfirmlyentrenchedinaregion’speople and culture, and provides themwith unique local experiences thatbenefitthecommunitytoo.Acrossallofour styles, many of our itineraries alsoincludehomestayexperiences

GettingfromPointAtoPointBisusuallya hassle, not a highlight. We want tochangeallthat.Wherewehavetotravel,we like to travel local.Youcouldwatchtheworldpassby frombehinda tintedbus window, but the view from agrassrootslevelisbetter.

Intrepidiscommittedtomaintainingourintegrity, livingourvaluesandensuringthatwe're fulfilling thecorepurposeofourbusiness.Thisbeing,tooperateinaresponsible manner, incorporating theprinciplesofsustainabledevelopment.

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PrivateThailand–14days/13nights

December21,2017-January3,2018

TraveltoThailand

Thailandhasthefullpackage-inbuzzingBangkok,indulgeinmouth-wateringfood,visitnightclubsandexplorestreetmarkets;inthenorth,meethilltribes,seeelephantsandexploreancienttemples;andinthesouth,relaxonbeaches,discoverunderwaterworldsandhangoutinjungles.

EverythingyouneedtoknowaboutThailand

Wehaveanentirewebpagededicatedtotheneedtoknowinformationforthiscountry.Findoutabouteverythingfromtheweather,tothefood,destinationhighlights,andsomuchmore.Justclickonthelinkbelow!

http://www.intrepidtravel.com/thailand

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ITINERARY

Day1–BangkokArriving Date:21Dec17 MealPlan(-/-/-)Sa-watdee!WelcometoThailand.Anairportarrivaltransferisincluded.Thailand'sbustlingcapital,Bangkokisfamousforitstuktuks,khlongboatsandstreetvendorsservingupdeliciousThaifood.Bangkokhassomuchtoofferthosewithtimetoexplore-whynottakeariverboattoChinatownandexplorethecrowdedstreets,uncoverthemagnificentGrandPalaceandtheTempleoftheEmeraldBuddha,wanderdownthetouristmeccaofKhaoSanRoad,orindulgeinsomeThaimassage?OptionalActivities

• VisittailorforcustomclothingArrivalTransfer

• IncludedAccommodationIBISSTYLESBANGKOKKHAOSANVIENGTAI–StandardRoomhttp://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-9906-ibis-styles-bangkok-khaosan-viengtai/index.shtmlDay2–ChinatownVisit Date:22Dec17 MealPlan(B/-/D)

Youwillhaveafreetimetodayuntilmeetwithyourtourguideat15.00pm.Enjoyaleisurelybreakfast,thenwanderaroundKhaoSanRoadarea–there’ssomuchtoseeanddo.Nearbyoptions:BangkokNationalMuseum,theDemocracyMonument,theNationalGallery,SantichaiprakanPark,SoiRambutri,WatChanagonkram,WatMahathat,WatSaketAt15.00,youwillwalkdowntoChaoprayaRivertotakethepublicferrytoChinatown.YourshortjourneywillbeginatRatchawongPier,whereyou’llstepbackintotheoldmarketsinYaowarat,rightintheheartofChinatown.Itdoesn’tgetanymoreold-schoolBangkokthanthis–theseChineselocalsweretraderslivinginthevillagesofBangkokbeforeitbecamethecapital.Yourlocalguidewilltellyouallaboutthehistoryofthisarea,andwhyit’ssuchanimportantpartofChinatown.

Fromthepier,yourBangkoktourwillcontinuealSongWatRoad,whichisborderedbyoldbusinessbuildingsandwarehousesthatarestilloperatingtoday,andalsoheadtowardstheplasticandleatherproductsquarteronYaowaPhanitRoad.ThispartofthetourisajourneythroughthebustlingbusinessesofChinatown,whereyou’llbeabletoseethelocalsgoabouttheirdailydutiesandgetafeelofwhatitwouldbeliketolivehere.

Fromindustrytoancienthistory,thenextstoponyourtourwillleadyoutoWatTraimitTemple,anincrediblesighttobeholdandoneofthecan’tmissthingstodoinBangkok.Thisstunningtempleenshrinestheworld’slargestgoldenseatedBuddhafromtheSukhothaiEra,measuringnearlyfivemetreshighandweighingfiveandahalftonnes.HereyourguidewillletyouinonthelocalsecretsandhistorybehindtheBuddha,andthelegendarytalesthatsurroundtheoriginalBuddhathatsatthere.Thistemplealso

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houses the ChineseMuseum, where you’ll learn all about the history of the Chinese people in Thailand and the fascinatingrelationshipbetweenthesetwocountries.

Next,you’llgetintoeverythingyou’vebeenwaitingfor–bringonthefood!Withyourlocalguide,you’llheadtoa100-yearoldcoffee shop on Phat Sai Road, where you’ll be treated to a coffee, snack, and the opportunity to sit back and soak up theatmosphere.Fullyrejuvenated,you’llheadtoamarketspecialisinginChinesereligiousproductsandfreshfood.Atnight,thisareaisfilledwithstreetstallsandbecomesonegiantandextremelytastyfoodbazaar.PickandchoosefromstreetgrillsorthefinestChineserestaurants;thiswillbeyouropportunitytogowildandtryallthosedishesyou’veneverevenheardof,butafterthisexperienceyou’llneverforgetthem!

WithabellyfullofBangkoktreats,you’llcontinueonthisBangkokfoodtourtowardsSaphanPhutnightmarket,whereyoucanfindahugearrayofclothes,shoes,bags,accessories,second-handcollectionsandantiquesonsale.Hereyoucanevenhaveaportraitofyourselfpaintedasasouvenir!You’llalsostopoffatTalatPakKhlong,thelargestwholesaleflowerandvegetablemarketinBangkok,anarearichincolourandvitality,andtheperfectspottotakesomebrightBangkokphotos.

FinishingTime:20.00pm–21.00pmIncludedActivities

• ChinatowntourAccommodationIBISSTYLESBANGKOKKHAOSANVIENGTAI–StandardRoomhttp://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-9906-ibis-styles-bangkok-khaosan-viengtai/index.shtmlDay3–BangkokCityTour Date:23Dec17 MealPlan(B/-/D)

StartingTime:08.00am–8.30am.You’llbeginthisBangkoktourbyhoppingonalocalpublicbusandheadingovertotheGrandPalace.StrollingthroughthepalacegroundsfeelslikewalkingthroughanAsianversionofAliceinWonderland–thebuildingsaresobeautifultheyalmostdon’tfeelreal.Butbetyourbottomdollar,they’rerealalright!YourlocalguidewilltellyouallaboutthehistorybehindthePalaceandthemostsacredBuddhisttempleinThailand,WatPhraKaew.Thisplaceisconsideredtobethespiritualcentreofthenation,makingitavisitthatyoucannotaffordtomiss.

Fromonebeautifultempletoanother,you’llmoveontoWatPo,anothertemplethatisintegraltotheBuddhistreligioninThailand.It’shometotheinfamousgoldenrecliningBuddhaandisthebirthplaceoftraditionalThaimassage.Thisisoneofthemostpopularthingstodo inBangkok,andwithour localguidetotakeyourthroughthetemples,you’llhearall thesecretstoriesand localknowledgeabouttheplace.

ContinuetotheothersoneofBangkok’smostfamouslandmarksandknownfrommanypostcards,theWatArunisbestknownforitsmassiveprang,atowerontheChaoPhrariverbankbuiltinKhmerarchitecturalstyle.Theprangwithitsheightofmorethan80meters isthehighest inThailand.TheWatArun,commonlyknownas“theTempleofDawn”, isoneofonlysixtemplesofthehighestgradeofthefirstclassRoyalTemples,andthereforeoneofThailand’smostreveredtemples

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YouwillheadontowardstoPhahuratMarket,intheheartofBangkok'sLittleIndia,whereallkindsoffabrics,cloths,ornaments,andaccessoriesaresoldalongwithstallssellingdeliciousIndiansnacks.Hereyou’llfindatrulyuniquemixbetweenThaiandIndianculture,andthemeetingofthesetwoverydistinctiveculturescreatesomethingveryspecial!FinishingTime:13.00pm–14.00pm

Dressstandard:PleaseensureyourkneesandshouldersarecoveredasthisdaytourvisitsareligioustempleStartingTime:18.00pm.Thiseveningyou’llenjoyarivercruiseanddinneronthemightyChaoPhrayaRiver.ThisisagreatwaytoexperienceBangkok'shistoricallandmarksfromadifferentperspective.FeastonThaicuisineasyouwatchriverlifegoby.AluxuryricebargejourneyintoThaicultureandtheThaiheart.Fivestardining,traditionalcultureandtouring,ontheonlyoriginalantiqueteakwoodricebargeontheriverinBangkok.Experiencefirst-classThaihospitalityanddeliciousfoodfromaroundThailandinthecomfortandtranquilityofthisluxury,open-aircruise.FinishingTime:20.00pmIncludedActivities

• GrandPalace• WatPho• WatArun• LittleIndia• DinnerCruise

AccommodationIBISSTYLESBANGKOKKHAOSANVIENGTAI–StandardRoomhttp://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-9906-ibis-styles-bangkok-khaosan-viengtai/index.shtml

LoyNavaDinnerCruise-http://www.loynava.com/Day4–Bangkok–ChiangMai Date:24Dec17 MealPlan(B/-/-)

TakethemorningflighttoChiangMaibyAirAsiaFlightFD3435Depart1030Arrive1140(include)ThemostvibrantcityinnorthernThailand,ChiangMaihasmanyfamoustemplesandaninterestingoldcityarea.Renownedfordazzlingbeautyandextremelywelcominglocals,the‘RoseoftheNorth’willleaveyouspellbound.Chancesare,youwon’twanttoleave.StartingTime:15.00pm.Embarkonascenic,windingdriveupamountain(approximately45minutes)tooneofthecountry'smoststunningtemplecomplexes,DoiSuthep.A300-stepnaga-guardedstairwayleadsyoutothetemples,andtheclimbiswellworththeeffort.Thehypnoticatmosphereof chantingBuddhistmonksandsweepingviewsof thecitymake thisamostmemorableexperience.FinishingTime:19.00pmIncludedActivities

• FlightfromBangkoktoChiangMai• Doisuthep

AccommodationImperialMeapingHotel(Superior)http://www.imperialmaeping.com/

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Day5–ElephantNaturePark Date:25Dec17ChristmasDay! MealPlan(B/L/-)Setoffearly,around8am,throughMaeTaengValleytoElephantNaturePark.Thedriveisabout60kilometres(approximately1.5hours).Thisuniqueprojectprovidesasanctuaryandrescuecentreforelephants.Greetedbyanexpertguide,learnabouttheproblems these creatures face in South East Asia. You'll have the chance to see these amazing beasts from the viewingplatform.Enjoysome lunchbeforeelephantbathingtime.Then,afterasafetybriefing,youcan join intoscrubandbathetheelephants(besuretobringsswimmersandachangeofclothing).FinishingTime:17.00pmIncludedActivities

• OnedayElephantNatureParkAccommodationImperialMeapingHotel(Superior)http://www.imperialmaeping.com/Day6–ChiangMaiCityTour Date:26Dec17 MealPlan(B/L/-)

StartingTime:09.00pmOurChiangMaicitytouradventurewillbeginbyexploringtheWarorotMarket,oneofthelargestmarketsinChiangMai.Almosteverythingisforsaleherefromfoodtoclothingtohilltribecrafts.Atthemarket,you'llhaveplentyoftimetotasteandsamplelocalspecialtiesbeforemovingontotheTonLamYaiFlowerMarket,overflowingwithcolourful,freshcutflowers.

Next,we’lltakeasongthaewtoWatChaiMongkol,amagnificenttemplethatwasbuiltonthebanksoftheMaePingRiver.TakepartinalocalBuddhistpracticebyofferingalmstomonksandlearningaboutotherinterestingreligioustraditions.

Thenit’stimetotakeacruiseuptheMaePingRiver,oneofthemainriversinnorthernThailandandthelifelineofChiangMai.OurMaePingRivercruisewillrevealvillagesandrurallifeplayedoutontherivershores,andyourguidewillofferinsightintolocallivelihoodandhistorythroughoutthejourney.

NextonourChiangMaitourwe'llenjoyasumptuousKhaoSoilunchatalocalfarmer’shouse.Thisnoodledishisoftenmadewithchickenorbeef,servedoverChineseeggnoodles,andgarnishedwithshallots,cilantro,pickledmustardgreens,friedwholechilies,andasqueezeoflimejuice.It'stotallydelicious,andamust-tryfoodinChiangMai!

Afterlunch,we'llvisitagardentolearnaboutlocalvegetables,herbs,andthemedicinalpropertiesofplants,beforereturningtoChiangMaibycruiseback.

Continuevisitavillageofwoodsculpturesandwood-carvedproductsmade.

BaantawaiistherenownedsourceoffinehandicraftsofChiangMai.IthascreatednumerouswoodsculpturesandwoodcarvingsbothfordomesticsaleandexportwithwhichBaantawaiearnedreputationasthevillageofwoodcarving.

ThehandicraftproductsofBaantawaiaremeticulouslyhand-madewithskilledcraftsmenandits40-year-longexperienceinwoodsculpturingandBaantawaiwoodcarvingexpertise.NextstopisCeladonfactory.ThefinestPotteryoftheregionisknownasceladon,whichhasadistinctiveglazemadewithwoodash.

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Traditionallytheglazeisdesignedto"run"(flowdownthepotastheglazebecomesglassy)aswellas"craze"andtakeonacrackledappearance.Thoughalightgreencolorisconsideredideal,oldceladonscouldalsobeyellowandbrownandtheglazemattandopaqueifunder-fired.JustwhenandhowtheconsiderableskillsrequiredtomakethispotterycametoLannaisuncertain.ItisgenerallyacceptedthatproductionnearChiangMaiatSanKamphaengbeganearlyinthe14thcentury,and,likeotherkilns,washelpedbyChinesepotterswhohadmovedsouthaway fromtheMongols.However, there isalso thepossibility that thenecessaryskillscamefromahithertoundiscoveredkilnsiteandcouldbeThaiinorigin.Thesekilnsmayhaveproducedfinewares,perhapswithhelpfromearliermigrationsofChinesepotters,longbeforetheestablishmentoftheSanKamphaengkilnsatthebeginningofthe14thcentury.ThelocalindustrythriveduntilthefallofLannatotheBurmese.Themid-17thcenturywarandthecompetitionfromcheaperblueandwhitewaresfromChinahadputoutthefires inLannakilns.Productionbeganagainatthebeginningofthe20thcentury,bringingLannapotterytoanewage.FinishingTime:16.00pmIncludedActivities

• Teakwoodcarvingfactory• Cleadonfactory• PrivateMaepingRiverExperience

AccommodationImperialMeapingHotel(Superior)http://www.imperialmaeping.com/

Day7–FlytoBangkok Date:27Dec17 MealPlan(B/-/-)

TakingtheflightreturntothebustlingcapitalBangkokbyAirAsiaFlightbyFD3434Depart0820Arrive0930(Include).

TherestofthedayisfreeforyoutoenjoyallthatBangkokhastooffer,andforanythingthatyoumightnothavegotaroundtoatthestartofthetrip.

Gobytailor’sforyoursecondfitting!

IncludedActivities• FlightfromChiangMai–Bangkok

AccommodationIBISSTYLESBANGKOKKHAOSANVIENGTAI–StandardRoomhttp://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-9906-ibis-styles-bangkok-khaosan-viengtai/index.shtml

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Day8–FlytoSurathani Date:28Dec17 MealPlan(B/-/-)

TodayyouwilltaketheflighttoSurathanibyAirAsiaFlightFD3237Depart0945Arrive1100(include)Whentheprivateminivanleavesthetownarea,youcanfeelthelifestyleofthelocalcommunitiesandtheirlivingsaswellasthesceneryofmountains,rubberandpalmwhichareeconomicplantsaroundthearea.We’llstopforlunchalongtheway.WethentakeyoutoKhaosokNationalParkwhereouraccommodation“KhaosokBoutiqueCamps”islocated.Therestofthedayisfree.IncludedActivities

• FlightfromBangkoktoSurathaniAccommodationCliff and River Resort http://thecliffandriver.com/ Day9–LakeDayTour Date:29Dec17 MealPlan(B/L/-)

Afterbreakfasttravelthroughpristinejungle,rubberandoilplantationsbeforeboardingalongtailboatforarideacrossstunningRajjaprapaLaketoitsislandsetamongstlimestonekarsthillssurroundingitsbeautifulgreenlake.Trektotheislandscaveanditseeriestalactites.Lunchinalocalraft-housebeforefreetimetorelax,swimorkayak.Thewaterisclearandkeepaneyeoutforhornbills,langurs,macaquesorgibbons

IncludedActivities• Rajjaprapa(CheowLan)Laketour

AccommodationCliff and River Resort http://thecliffandriver.com/ Day10–Krabi Date:30Dec17 MealPlan(B/-/-)

TodaywearetransferredtoKrabibyprivateminivan.,itwilltakeapprox.3hrs.We’llstopforlunchalongtheway.Therestofthedayisyourfreetime.Withpowderywhite-sandbeaches,limestonekarstsjuttingoutofceruleanwatersandjaw-droppingscenerybothinandoutofthewater,Krabiisasliceofparadise.AlivelybeachsidetowninKrabiProvince,AoNanghasamainstreetwithrestaurants,shopsandbars,andisclosetomanyidyllicislands.AccommodationPhanangInn(DeluxeBeach/SpaWing)-http://phrananginn.vacationvillage.co.th/

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Day11–13KrabiFreeday–NewYear’sEve! Date:31stDec–2Jan18 MealPlan(3B/-/-)

Thesethreedaysarefreeforyou.AoNang.AlivelybeachsidetowninKrabiProvince,AoNanghasamainstreetwithopen-airrestaurants,shopsthatlightupthesidewalkandbarsperfectforkickingbackwithabeer.It’salsoinagreatpositiontohoponlongtailboatstobeacheslikeRailayandidyllicislands.There'splentyoffreetimetorelaxonthebeautifulbeachesandgetintothespiritofsouthernThailand.Enjoyarelaxingmassageonthebeach,orsimplysitbackwithagoodbookandacoolcocktailtowatchthesunslipbeneaththewaves.Ratherthanrelaxingtodayyoualsomightwanttotakeadvantageofsomeoftheoptionalactivitiesonoffer,likeacyclingtripthattakesyouonbackcountrytracks,getsyouclosetolocalculture,andrewardsyouwithalovelyafternoondipinabeautifulwaterfall.TheareaaroundKrabiisalsohometosomeofthemostspectacularclimbingroutesaround.Whetheryou'reanoviceorapro,beingsecurelytiedhighupalimestonecliff-facelookingdownonjungleandcrystallineseasisunforgettable.OptionalActivities

• LongtailBoatTaxitoRailayBeach-THB100• CyclingTripincludingwaterfallvisit-THB3000(08.30–13.30)• ThaiMassage-THB300• RockClimbing-THB1800(09.00–15.00)• HalfDaySeaKayaking–THB1100(08.30–13.30)• HongIslandbyspeedboat–THB1650(08.30–15.00)• PhiPhiIslandtourbyspeedboat–THB1600(08.30–16.00)• 4IslandsTourbyspeedboat–THB1200(08.30–14.00)• SimilanIsland–THB3650(06.00–19.00)

AccommodationPhanangInn(DeluxeBeach/SpaWing)-http://phrananginn.vacationvillage.co.th/Day14Departure Date:3Jan18 MealPlan(B/-/-)

TransfertoKrabiAirportandFlybacktoBangkok.ThetripendsattheInternationalairport.ThaiAirwayFlightTG252Depart15:20Arrive16:40(include)OtherflightsareavailabletocoordinatewithyourinternationaldeparturetimeifyouaregoingbacktotheUSA.Or,joinThirdRockToursfora4-dayexcursiontoCambodiaandAngkorWat.Airporttransfer

• Included

IncludedActivities• FlightfromKrabi-Bangkok

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AboutYourTrip

StartLocationBangkok,ThailandBangkokAirport

FinishLocationBangkok,ThailandBangkokAirport

AccommodationHotel(13nights)

RoomingRequirementsTwinshare

IncludedDomesticFlightBangkok–ChiangMaiChiangMai-BangkokBangkok–SurathaniKrabi–Bangkok

IncludedMealsBreakfast(13)Lunch(3)Dinner(2)

TransportAirconditionedvehicletransfersthroughout.

Leader/Guide1Englishspeakingtourleaderfromday1–11.**FinishtripinKrabi

IncludedActivitiesRefertodaybydayitinerary

Entrance/AdmissionFeesWhereapplicablewithincludedactivities

AirportTransfersDepartureTransfertoairport

Exclusions• Internationalairportdeparture

tax• Anyvisasrequired• Servicesnotmentionedinthe

itinerary• Latecheckoutathotels• Mealsanddrinksnotmentioned

intheitinerary• Drinkswithincludedlunchesand

dinners• Tipsforleaders,guideanddriver• Expenditureofpersonalnature• PersonalInsurance• Optionalactivities

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PackagePrice

Pricingperperson(twinsharebasis)

Basedondoubleoccupancy $2,795.00

Extras

Wantyourownroom?SingleSupplement$800

AdditionalTransfers:1-2passengerspervehicleArrival:$40

Pre-Accommodation-IbisStylesBangkokKhaosanViengtaiSingle:$85Twin:$85

Post-Accommodation-PhranangInnSingle:$150Twin:$150