|
|
Thailand Adventure
A guided biking, hiking, and kayaking trip in and around Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the River Kwai.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006;
The Real Deal: Eleven nights' accommodations, meals, train travel, and guided rafting, biking, and hiking, from $620 per person.
When: Depart Feb. 26, Mar. 19, Apr. 9, 30, May 21, June 11, July 2, 23, Aug. 13, Sept. 3, 24, Oct. 15, Nov. 5, 26, Dec. 17, 2007; additional dates available in 2008.
Details: Some meals (two breakfasts, three lunches, two dinners) are included. Airfare and airport taxes are not included. There is an additional local payment of $250 per person. A visa is required for U.S. citizens and costs $25; contact your local consulate. Groups are limited to 15 persons. For general guidelines on evaluating deals, click here.
Book By: Dec. 31, 2006; afterwards, the rate increases by 20 percent to $775 per person.
Contact: G.A.P Adventures, 800/708-7761, gapadventures.com.
The escorted trip begins in Bangkok, where you'll spend two nights at a hotel in the Bamglamphu or Chinatown areas, such as the stylish Trang Hotel, which has a swimming pool and Cantonese restaurant. You'll go on bike rides throughout the city and then hop on an overnight train to Chiang Mai. (Seats on the train fold down into beds, and the staff provide sheets and pillows.)
From Chiang Mai, you'll hike through the jungle, passing rice paddies and waterfalls, and spend two nights in the villages of the Karen, Lahu, and Akha hill tribes. The G.A.P group shares a communal room in a traditional bamboo cottage. Toilets are basic, and washing is done either in the river or with a water pump. Note that English is not commonly spoken in the villages.
Next come three nights in a no-frills, family-run hotel in Chiang Mai and more city cycling. An overnight train ride brings you to Kanchanburi, where you'll walk across the bridge over the River Kwai--made famous by the book and film of the same name--and kayak down the river. Spend one night in a local hotel and another night on a two-floor jungle raft equipped with a toilet. (If the weather is stormy, you'll spend the night in the local hotel instead.) You'll make the hour-and-a-half trip back to Bangkok by local bus.
A visit to Bangkok's Grand Palace ($7), a Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai ($14), and an elephant ride in Chiang Mai ($7) are among the optional activities.
No outdoor experience is required for this trip, but you should be in good shape and up for an adventure. You'll want to pack lightly (in a backpack, not a suitcase) and remember sturdy walking shoes, a sleeping bag, first-aid supplies, and bug repellant. G.A.P takes care of the bicycles, mosquito nets, and life preservers. For more tips, consult G.A.P's online trip dossier.
Before you go, check the weather forecast, exchange rate, and local time at BudgetTravelOnline.com.
Getting There: Airfare is not included in G.A.P's package. Here are the lowest round-trip fares we've found for Bangkok in late February: $893 from Los Angeles (Philippine Air); $1,022 from Chicago (United); $1,036 from New York City (United); $1,101 from Miami (United).
What Makes This a Deal? It's hard to do a point-by-point comparison for this package because it would be tough to reliably and affordably replicate this experience on your own (particularly elements such as the village homestay and sleepover on the jungle raft). But consider that the $620 rate breaks down to about $50 per person per day and covers accommodations, guided activities, local transportation, and some meals. And besides, it's 20 percent off G.A.P's typical rate.
Related Stories: