NATURE, LIFE AND CULTURE ( 7 days / 6 Nights )

DAY 1

Departure from Bangkok around 9am going south.
After an hour drive, discover the vast salt plains. Straight afterwards we will leave the main road, steering towards the Kaeng Krachan National Park, the largest in Thailand and certainly with the most dense, lavish forest. Above the Kaeng Krachen dam, we will arrive at a very large reserve lake known for its quantity of fish. Here we will lunch in a local lake side restaurant and be able to taste freshly caught fare.
After the meal, a boat will take us off for a tour of the lake to admire the unspoilt surrounding nature. Around 200 kilometres further south we shall make a short stop at the southern point of another National Park, Khao Sam Roi Yot, where we may be amazed by the savage landscape, as its name indicates (the three hundred summits). At sunset we'll be off the discover the marsh fauna, an unforgettable experience!
Back on the road to Bangsaphan and Coral Hotel, followed by evening meal.

DAY 2

Breakfast at Coral Hotel, then departure for a expedition into authentic Thailand.
Firstly a visit to the natural caves and statuettes situated in the heart of a Buddhist temple, a unique introduction to this dominant religion. Then, driving along the coastal route with its savage scenery and sandy dunes, we'll arrive at the fishing village of Bankrut, dominated by a Big Buddha and temple which was built in homage to the king.
After lunching at Coral Hotel, take a trek in a jeep along a thin, winding path to admire the mountain views, rubber plantations, local cultures and numerous orchards including coffee, bananas, pineapples, mangoes and other exotic fruits. Before arriving at the Burmese border, we shall journey alongside the small rapids and waterfalls in the heart of the lavish vegetation. Dinner and barbeque at Coral Hotel.

DAY 3

Breakfast, and back on with our travels. In the heart of the coconut palms that dominate this region we shall visit a coconut factory where the fruit is crushed and the fibres bailed for matress fabrication. On the way, admire the rice fields before heading off along the coast to discover the magnificent, colourful scenery of the coastal landscape. We will also come across the palm fields which are another local ressource.
Carrying on towards the south, after a short stop to eat, we'll head for the Suan Mokkhaphalarm monastry. This modern Buddhiste temple is very different from the usual rich and colourful temples, as here, in the heart of the forest we find the meditation centres created by the famous Thailand Buddhadasa Bhikku. We may visit the library and the meditation rooms. With the help of our guide, and the many wall friezes', we shall journey into the fundamental precept of the buddhiste philosophy. After this experience, we shall enter the town of Chaya, one of the oldest cities in Thailand. Between the VIII and X century, at the hight of its commercial era with India, this town was the regions capital. The restored stupa in the Borom That temple is a beautiful example of the eras architecture, and in the Wat Kae temple ruins we can still see traces of the Java art. The National museum offers a collection of early and prehistoric objets A small market bordering the traditional wooden houses is to be savoured.by all.
To finish this busy days outing, discover the local economy with a visit to a monkey training centre where we will see some interesting demonstrations of agility. A few more kilometres on, and we'll arrive at Surat Thani, the provinces capital, where the population essentially live off local production of cocounts, rubber and fishing. Onwards to the Saowaluk Thani Hotel (or other) and diner in town near the night time market which we shall be able to wander around after our meal.

DAY 4

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Surat port on the Tapee river, and embark on long tailed canoes for a journey down this spiders web of canals and rivers edged by villages in a naturel environment domiated by mangrove. During this river trip, we will wander through local life dependant on the waters natural elements, and observe local fishermen at work. Watch the inhabitants cutting the water plants to roof their houses with, and shrimp farms which are an important local resource. Back on to land again, and venture off the see another economic activity, the oyster park, which was lanced and is supervised by the state. The morning ends with a well earned sea food lunch on the bank of river Tapee.
Following lunch we will be on the road again to the Nakhon Si Thamarat province. The majority of this large, southern province is covered by hilly, dense forest growth. A visit to a factory where bricks are fired in a natural wood kiln, then on to the capital, Nakhon Si Thamarat where we will stay at the best hotel, the Twin Lotus. Before the 8th century this city already existed and was called Ligor, the capital of a kingdom dominating the ocean. We shall dine simply and traditionally in town, at a wooden built restaurant where we will be served southern thai dishes.

DAY 5

Breakfast at the hotel and a morning in the moutains with a visit to the Kao Luang National Park situated in the middle of this province where peasants farm "Souan Loms", shaded farming. We shall go to the southern area where the National Park office is situated. The park guards will explain about the wildlife, including panthers, tigers and elephants, plus over 200 species of birds who live in this huge domaine.
After this conference, a 3 hours trek through the thick tropical jungle, passing waterfalls where we may bathe, and easily asending the summit of the Karom falls. Return to Nakon and a delicious meal of noodles in a popular local restaurant. After recharging our batteries, a trip across Nakhon Si Thamarat (by cyclo-pousse) to discover the town. We shall visit the mosque, churches, Hindu temples and, of course, Buddhas and their temples, then spend some time in the Pura Mahathat temple, the most important historical element in the town. This monument is more than a thousand years old, was partly rebuilt in the XIII centuary, and since largly renovated. It is certainly the largest southern temple, and easily as beautiful as those found in Bangkok.
Following this cultural tour, we can visit the puppet workshop of Mr Sischaat Sapsin, famous for his art. Watch the minicule cutting of the puppets in buffalo leather, and discover the instuments of today and their ancestors. If we are lucky, we may get to see a shadow theatre show. Back to the hotel and dinner.

DAY 6

Breakfast and departure for Krabi on the other side of the penninsula which borders the Andaman sea.
The Krabi province has many spectacular cliffs and cavities. At the entrance to this province, a stop off at What Tham Seua ( temple of the tigers cave).
This forest temple is the most renowned in this region with the heart of the temple and its Buddhas found in the interior of a cave.
Taking the path through the middle of these chalky reliefs, discover the monastic cells dug out of the rock or in small natural caves. The bravest of us can asend the 1237 steps arriving at the summit of the cliff over the temple.
The panoramic view largely compensates our physical efforts, but keep some energy for the descent!!
Following a Muslim lunch, back on the road again and a detour to see the fossiled shell cemetry, formed by 75 million years of accumulated sediment.

Arrival at Krabi Maritime hotel with its exceptional panoramic views, and dinner.

DAY 7

After breakfast, a relaxing morning on one of the beautiful beaches. Lunch at the hotel and transfer to Krabi airport for return to Bangkok. If you choose to prolong your stay, we can organise your transfer to the hotel of your choise.

TOUR INFORMATION

Sightseeing tour: 7 days / 6 nights with a french guide

All meals inclusive - drinks non inclusive - throughout tour

All hotels minumim 3***

The return flight ticket to Krabi-Bangkok non inclusive

Supplement transfer for extra stay non inclusive (except Coral hotel and Golden beach)

Extensions are possible for several nights at:
- Ao Nang - Golden Beach Resort
- Bangsaphan - Coral Hotel

TOUR PRICES / PER PERSON (until 31/10/2007)

Minimum
2 persons: 38 000 baht
3 persons : 32 800 baht
4 - 6 persons : 28 400 baht
7 - 9 persons : 25 200 baht
These prices increase 15% during the period from 15/12 to 10/01.
One or more nights extensions are available at Coral Hotel (BANGSAPHAN) or at Golden Beach Resort (AO NANG ?Krabi)

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