A holiday to Thailand is a real treat and it is not hard to see why. As well as lush tropical jungle and white sandy beaches, the country is full of ancient cities, delicious food, fine hotels, fantastic hosts and numerous colourful annual festivals to attract the visitor, including the Songkran Water Festival, the Elephant Roundup in Surin and the Loi Krathong Candle Light Festival. if you desire to get away from the crowds trekking and river cruising in the hills offer opportunities to gt off the beaten track and into a land that is very much 'Old Asia'
As Bangkok serves as a hub for Southeast Asia, Thailand is well placed to combine with other countries in the region and after a week’s tour of Laos or Cambodia why not unwind on some of the region’s most beautiful beaches.
A delightful combination is to travel onto Peninsula Malaysia that has something for everybody. Whilst the restless & state of the art Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, has fashionable restaurants and spectacular 21st century architecture such as the iconic Petronas Towers, just a few hours away by car or train is the impenetrably huge Taman Negara National Park, or the smaller Belum Temengor Rainforest Reserve both full of wildlife. Beyond are the sandy beaches and colourful coral of the East Coast retreats of Redang and the Perhentian Islands. To the west visit old colonial rule Penang, the Cameron Highlands and Malacca.
‘At-a-Glance’ Illustrative Itinerary
DAY 3: Guided tour of the Flower Market, the Klongs and the Grand Palace: This morning meet your guide and set out to visit the colourful flower markets. Afterwards board a long-tailed boat to Thonburi,
Afternoon tour of Wat Trimitr which boasts an invaluable Golden Buddha weighing some 5.5 tons of solid gold. Then continue to Chinatown for a first-hand look at old Bangkok, visit at one of the oldest teashops in the city for a cup of Chinese tea with the locals before continue to explore the bustling Talad Kao Market, where a variety of food, fresh and dry fruits, and Chinese herbs are on offer. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
DAY 4: Early morning transfer to the island of either Phuket, Koh Yao by speedboat or Koh Samui to a beach hotel of choice for some rest and relaxation. Rest of day at leisure
DAY 8: After breakfast you will set out to explore the rainforest reserve in the company of your own private guide. In the morning you travel by boat to visit an indigenous Orang Asli village, later in the afternoon you will be taken to visit the natural salk lik at Jenut Papan, where many creatures of the forest come to take in its natural nutrients. Return to the Eco Resort in the afternoon, and you are then at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the resort.
DAY 10: After breakfast, check out of your rainforest resort and transfer by road to Penang. This is a journey of approximately 3 hours.
Afternoon pedicab tour of Georgetown: In the afternoon, after some time to freshen up from the drive, join your guide on an orientation tour of Georgetown. Highlights include a walk around one of the oldest Malay markets in Georgetown and a pedicab ride through Little India and historic Georgetown.
Photos courtesy of Bamboo Travel
