Unearth the exquisite 'land of smiles' in comfort. Thailand conjures up images of spicy cuisine, majestic elephants, golden Buddhas, colourful hilltribe villages, fantastic shopping and exotic hideaways - this trip has it all. Discover the traditional way of life in a H'mong village, support the rehabilitation of the endangered Asian elephant, step back in time to imagine the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai's 'Dawn of Happiness' and try your hand at conjuring up some Thai gastronomic delights. Treasures of Thailand Classic 2009 GPA Max 15, Avg 10 Asia Thailand Bangkok Bangkok Thailand Thailand Culture/History, Wildlife/Nature 12 1 Comfort http://www.gapadventures.com/images/banners/thailand/thailand_kohphiphi.jpg Arrive in Bangkok at any time. The gleaming spires of the Grand Palace are magnificent in the morning sun. No visit to this city is complete without cruising the 'klong' waterways to observe canal life, passing the boathouse where the Royal Barges are housed. Discover some of the secrets of Thai cuisine by joining a cookery course in this northern city. Explore Chiang Mai by bike, pausing at your leisure to explore gilded Buddhist temples, temple ruins and vibrant local markets. The privilege of getting up close and personal with Asian elephants is not to be missed on a tour through the Elephant Conservation Centre. Head into the picturesque countryside to sit back, relax and enjoy a barbeque and a H'mong hilltribe cultural show. The city of Sukhothai, literally the 'Dawn of Happiness', was the original capital of Thailand's first kingdom and is considered representative of 'the Golden Age' of Thai civilisation. Explore the remains of the ancient royal realm, now one of Thailand's World Heritage sites and marvel at the evocative religious art and architecture of the classic Sukhothai era. Gain an insight into the lives of allied POWs during the war through a sobering trip to the War Museum and the infamous 'Bridge on the River Kwai'. Soak up the sun and relax in this royal resort town. Finish up the adventure with an atmospheric evening cruise and final night's dinner on the mighty Chao Phraya River. Arrive in Bangkok at any time on Day 1.
You will be met on arrival at Bangkok Airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. You are welcome to arrive at any time on day 1 but please note that hotel check-in time is 12 noon.

If this is your first visit to Thailand and you want some more time to explore Bangkok, we recommend booking a couple of nights' additional accommodation prior to your trip. There will be a group meeting at about 6pm, following which your leader will take you for your first experience of delicious Thai food.

We visit the magnificent Grand Palace with our local guide on the morning of day 2 as well as taking a boat trip along the canals (khlongs) where we can enjoy the natural scenery and observe the daily lives of the people who live along the canals. On our return to the pier we pass the boathouse where the Royal Barges are housed. You may wish to enjoy lunch in a local Thai restaurant before exploring Bangkok on your own or maybe take a swim in the hotel pool, some last minute shopping, or unwinding with a traditional Thai massage Early on day 3 we take a short flight to Chaing Mai. In the late afternoon we visit Doi Suthep, one of northern Thailand's most sacred temples. Our local guide explains the history of the temple to us. A naga (dragon) staircase of 300 steps leads to the temple at the top of the mountain from which there are wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Later we enjoy a traditional khantoke dinner whilst being entertained by traditional H'Mong culture show.

On day 4 we discover some of the secrets of Thai cuisine by joining a cookery course. We will learn about the main ingredients used in Thai cuisine, how they are used and stored and what alternatives you can substitute if you can't get them at home. Questions are welcomed and you are provided with a comprehensive book of recipes and ingredient details. For lunch, sit down and feast on the delicious results of your tuition! The day is usually rounded off with a tasting of seasonal Thai fruit. From Chiang Mai, we board our minivans for the 1-hour drive to the Lampang Elephant Conservation Centre where we tour the facilities of the elephant hospital and see how young elephants are weaned from their dependence. All the money raised by this centre goes towards the care of the elephants. We have the opportunity to take a ride on the back of these majestic animals, an experience which many find to be a highlight of their visit to this enchanting country. (**please note that we can not guarantee the opportunity to ride an elephant at the centre. Due to the availability of the elephants the centre is unable to accept reservations for elephant riding in advance.**)

We continue our journey to Lampang were we settle into our comfortable hotel. In the morning of day 6 we board a public bus and drive to Sukothai(around 4 hours). After checking into our hotel we drive for about an hour to one of Thailand's World Heritage sites, Sukhothai Historical Park, which we explore by bicycle with our local guide (other options will be available if you prefer not to cycle). The city of Sukhothai (literally 'Dawn of Happiness') was the original capital of Thailand's first kingdom and is viewed as representative of 'the Golden Age' of Thai civilisation. The religious art and architecture of the Sukhothai era are considered to be the most classic of Thai styles. The Sukhothai ruins contain the remains of 21 historical sites with awe-inspiring Buddha images and 4 large ponds often filled with stunning lotus flowers in full bloom. Explore the remains of the ancient royal realm, now one of Thailand's World Heritage sites and marvel at the evocative religious art and architecture of the classic Sukhothai era. Boarding a bus on day 7 we continue our journey to beautiful Kanchanaburi. On the morning of day 8 we set off to visit famous 'Bridge on the River Kwai', which is part of the 'Death Railway' constructed by allied prisoners of war. Later we stop at the Allied War Cemetary and Thai Burma Museum, built to honour the Allied POWs and Asian conscripts who died while constructing some of the most difficult stretches of the Burma-Thailand 'Death Railway'. Boarding at Kanchanaburi station we take a ride on the historic tracks, taking us through magnificent scenery along the Kwai Noi River and passing over the original wooden viaduct constructed by the allied POW's. In the evening we will spend the night at our comfortable hotel. On day 9 we say goodbye to Kanchanaburi and head south to Hua Hin. A beach town fit for royalty you can relax and soak up the sun or maybe have a massage before enjoying one of the many seafood restaurants and markets throughout town. In the morning of day 11 we head back to Bangkok (appox 3 hour drive), the City of Angels .There you have time to visit any number of sights, such as Jim Thompson's house, complete with antiques and a wonderful silk gift shop. The Baiyoke Sky Tower and its external observation deck at the 78th floor offers spectacular views of Bangkok and its surrounds. Pick all manner of electronics at Bangkok's premier IT superstore, Pantip Plaza. In the evening we go out in style, partaking in an evening river cruise and final night dinner on the mighty Chao Phraya River.You are free to depart at any time on day 12 after breakfast at the hotel. Please note that check-out time is 12 noon. 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD 1429 1379 859 709 1849 1299 1059 1599 399.00 359.00 229.00 189.00 489.00 339.00 229.00 339.00 Local Payment 300 USD Accommodation Superior hotels (11 nights) Brochure Notes Arrival airport transfer is included, so please advise flight details at time of booking. Departure Departs on selected Mondays, year round. DepEnd Mon-Fri Group Leader Tour leader throughout. Group Size Max 15, Avg 10 Highlights Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, River Kwai, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Lampang Meal Budget Allow USD140 for meals not included. For additional expenses, see trip details.
Meals Included 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners StartFinish ex Bangkok Testimonial Transport Private and Public bus and minivan, elephant, boat, train, plane What's Included - Arrival transfer
- Entrance and Guide Grand Palace
- Klong tour
- Cycling at Sukhothai Historical Park
- Entrance to Thai/ Burma War Museum
- Bridge over the River Kwai
- Train journey on Death Railway
- Elephant ride
- H'mong cultural show
- Entrance and Guide to Doi Suthep Monastery
- Thai cooking course
- Kantoke dinner in Chiang Mai
- Bangkok river cruise and dinner A Word of Warning Please do not buy gems in Bangkok unless you know what you are doing. Even if genuine you should not expect to be able to sell them at home. If you fall victim to a gem scam, we are unable to assist you.
Arrival Complications We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.
Brochure Intro Unearth the exquisite 'land of smiles' in style.Thailand conjures up images of spicy cuisine, majestic elephants, golden Buddhas, colourful hilltribe villages, fantastic shopping and exotic hideaways - this trip has it all. Discover the traditional way of life in a H'mong village, support the rehabilitation of the endangered Asian elephant, step back in time to imagine the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai's 'Dawn of Happiness' and try your hand at conjuring up some Thai gastronomic delights. Checklist Passport (with photocopies)
Travel insurance (with photocopies)
Airline tickets (with photocopies)
USD cash and travellers cheques
Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
G.A.P Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and dossier
Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
Alarm clock
Flashlight
Sun hat, Sunblock, Sungalsses
Insect Repellent
Water bottle
Small towel and swim wear
Toiletries (biodegradable)
Sturdy walking shoes/Sport sandals
Moneybelt
Shorts
Long trousers
Hiking pants/track pants
Shirts/T-shirts
Warm clothes for Nov-Feb for northern Thailand Fleece, Windproof/waterproof jacket
Waterproof clothes for wet season May-Oct. Umbrella or waterproof jacket.
Clothes for temples – long pants or sarongs.
Snorkel gear – optional (also available for hire)
Camera and film
Reading/writing material
Binoculars
Pocketknife
First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).
Continuing Point Graphic Continuing Point Instructions Departure Tax Departure Tax is Included in all International and Domestic tickets. Dossier Intro Temples of wood and Buddhas of stone, lotus ponds and glassy lakes, ancient cities and a culture that is as deep as it is pure. This concise trip of Thailand lets you experience first hand ancient ruins, seeing elephants at work,bargaining for treasures at the Chiang Mai night market and relaxing on golden beaches while staying in the comfort of superior hotels. Emergency Contact Should you need to contact G.A.P Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call our local office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

Bangkok Office (9am-5pm Local Time) : +66 81 8124458 Mrs.Kanjana OR +66 89 8104298 Mrs.Suchada

Emergency Out of Office Hours:
South East Asia Manager: +66-849 105 265 - Ailsa (Thailand)

OR Assistant Regional Manager SE.Asia: +66 8471 81004 - Matt (Thailand)

For Airport Transfers in Thailand: +66 83 8268484

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, we have a toll-free line for North America, which will connect you directly with our Toronto office. In the event that you cannot get through, you can reach a member of our Operations department at the mobile number below.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 800 465 5600.
Calls from the UK: 0870 999 0144.
Outside North America and the UK: +1 416 260 0999.
Mobile: + 1 647 504 6467 – Andrew/Linda
Feedback After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that you'll receive a special discount code for free online prints and we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G.A.P Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Please visit http://www.gapadventures.com/evaluations
Finishing Point Hotel Free Online Trip Journals An online Trip Journal is a great way to record stories and photos as you travel, not to mention sharing your experiences with friends. Encourage your family and friends to follow in your footsteps as you explore the world! With templates for over 300 G.A.P Adventures trips already online all you have to do to get started is log in, choose your trip and your departure date, it's quick and easy! Head to http://www.gapadventures.com/trip_journal. Group Leader Description All G.A.P Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds. Health You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In Asia pharmacies tend to stock the same western drugs as you get at home but they are usually produced locally so please bring the full drug name with you when trying to purchase a prescription drug. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. For travellers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is required. G.A.P Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group leader they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group. Itinerary Disclaimer While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit travel with G.A.P Adventures can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. Joining Hotel Bangkok - Grand China Princess Hotel
215 Yaowarat Road, Samphantawong
Bangkok, Thailand 10100
Phone: 66-2-2249977
Fax: 66-2-2247999
Email: gcp@grandchina.com
Website: www.grandchina.com Joining Hotel Image Joining Instructions An arrival transfer is included with all Comfort-Class tours when you arrive on Day 1, or when you arrive up to three days prior to the tour, provided that you have booked your pre-accommodation through G.A.P Adventures in our joining hotel. Please note that Day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned, so you may arrive at any time. Similarly the last day is a departure day in which no activities are planned.

Your Tour Leader will contact you at the hotel on Day 1 and make sure you are settled comfortably. If you arrive late, s/he will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning. Your Leader will organize a short meeting soon after arrival, during which you will meet other tour participants and receive information about general and specific aspects of the trip.

You driver will meet you after exiting Customs. Laundry Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap. Local Dress In Asia the dress standard is more conservative than it is back home. When packing try to pick loose, lightweight, long clothing that will keep you cool in the usually hot and humid climate of Asian summers. In predominately Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim countries we ask that you dress respectfully and avoid very short shorts/skirts and singlets/tanktops when visiting temples or mosques or other holy sites. In Pakistan we recommend a head scarf for women while walking around. Local Flights All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure. Meals Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G.A.P Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. Included breakfasts will usually be asian style consisting of noodles or congee (rice porridge) or bread and eggs. Vegetarians will be able to find a range of different foods, although in some areas the choice maybe limited. While trekking in remote regions food is included, plentiful and made of fresh local ingredients. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets. Medical Form Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility' is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.
Please note that all passengers traveling to Antarctica are required to fill out this questionnaire.

The medical questionnaire can be found online at:

www.gapadventures.com/online_medical_form.
Money Exchange As currency exchange rates in Asia fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com As of Sept 2008 the exchange rate for THAILAND was 1 USD = 33 THB (Thai Baht). There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and Mastercard but these are limited to major cities. We also recommend the use of cash and travellers cheques in USD currency. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops but they may charge a 2-4% transaction fee. Newsletter Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from G.A.P Adventures, subscribe at http://www.gapadventures.com/newsletter_signup
Optional Activities Optional Activities : USD100 for optional activities not included in the trip.
Thai massage (Bangkok) - USD6 per hour
Thai Cookery Course (Chiang Mai) - USD20
Kayaking (Kanchanaburi) - USD6-28
Bicycle tour (Chiang Mai) - USD15
Bamboo rafting (Chiang Mai) - USD10 plus transport
Elephant riding (Chiang Mai) - USD10 plus transport Our Commitment to Responsible Travel in Antarctica In April of 2006 G.A.P Adventures became one of four new full members in IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators). IAATO was founded in 1991 to advocate, promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic and now includes 80 members that carry about 95% of all annual tourists to Antarctica. In 1996 IAATO developed an independent Onboard Observer program to ensure that companies applying to become members meet their detailed and extensive regulations for visiting Anatarctica. This past Antarctic season Gap carried one such observer onboard the Explorer and we met IAATO standards. Subsequent to this, G.A.P Adventures was voted in as full member to IAATO at their 17th annual meeting.

IAATO developed a set of Guidelines for tourists to Antarctica, which were subsequently adopted by the Antarctic Treaty parties as part of their Environmental Protocol. It educates the passengers on how to approach, observe and relate to the Antarctic animals and their environment.

It is both G.A.P Adventures's and IAATO's hope that our passengers will return home with a basic understanding of the continent and will be ambassadors for the Great White Continent.

Due to its remote and isolated environment, Antarctica remains a pristine wilderness home to rare flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. As a responsible tour operator, G.A.P Adventures is committed to the conservation of Antarctica by minimizing the impact on the region’s wildlife and fragile environment. We follow all internationally agreed regulations of conduct onshore, and ensure that the ship and Zodiacs are operated in an environmentally responsible manner. Planeterra-The G.A.P Adventures Foundation Through G.A.P Adventures’ commitment to responsible tourism we have developed Planeterra – the G.A.P Adventures Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world through support of international charities, local organizations and community projects in the places that we visit on our tours. G.A.P Adventures matches all individual donations and pays all administration fees, which means that 100% of each donation is doubled and goes directly to support our projects. For more information about Planeterra and the projects we support, or to make a donation, please visit www.planeterra.org

Planeterra Dollar-A-Day Program
Our Dollar-A-Day Program provides travellers with the opportunity to help us give back to the people and places visited on our tours by donating one dollar per day for the duration of their tour. 100% of these proceeds will go directly to support our Planeterra projects.

To participate in this program please indicate at the time of booking that you would like to participate in G.A.P Adventures’ Dollar-A-Day program, either by clicking the check box online, or by advising your GA.P Adventures specialist or travel agent. (Note: Donation will be charged in the currency of your booking) Safety and Security Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Tipping It is customary in Asia to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected - though not compulsory - and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. You may do this individually, or your Tour Leader will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $1-$2 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G.A.P Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $10-15 USD per person, per week can be used. Travel Forum - The Watering Hole Be sure to stop by The Watering Hole, our adventure travel forum. If you're interested in meeting others booked on your upcoming trip, check out the Departure Lounge section of our forum and introduce yourself. Otherwise, just drop in at anytime to share some travel tips, ask questions, meet other travellers and quench your thirst for travel. Our forum is located at wateringhole.gapadventures.com. Travel Insurance Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Trip Specific Safety We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Validity Valid for all trips departing January 1, 2009 - December 31st 2009. Visas Please note that visas for Thailand are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. For the most up to date information please check your governments foreign ministry website or with you travel agent as rules do change. It is important that you check for yourself. For most travellers there will probably have an embassy and consulate in the country that you live in. THAILAND - Most nationalities do not need a visa for Thailand for stays of 30 days or less but if you do they are available on arrival at Bangkok Airport. We Want Your Photos If you've got some great photos form your G.A.P Adventures travels, then post them online in our community! You can share photos - and videos - with our travellers from around the world. Simply go online to www.gapadventures.com/community to check out what other people have shared! We often have photo and video contests running too, so be sure to check our website often!
What to Take What you need to bring depends on the trip you have chosen and the countries or regions you are planning to visit. We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 mintues with your bags which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10-15kg/22-30lb. Suitcases are not recommended for G.A.P Adventures trips! Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size (no XXL ones please!) as they need to fit under the beds when travelling on sleeper trains. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones. If your trip involves overnights in homestays, villages or camping then you usually have the opportunity to rent sleeping bags if need be instead of bringing them with you.