Tigers, Elephants and Beaches Get close to wildlife and take part in tiger and elephant conservation on this exciting holiday. A private family wildlife safari, you'll get away from the tourist trail, visit carefully hand-picked animal conservation centres, scrub elephants down, explore tropical jungles and learn about local cultures. This two-week trip includes plenty of time to relax on beautiful beaches. Your children will be bursting with stories to tell their friends about their wild animal experiences. Days 1-4 Bangkok and nearby After flying out from the UK on a direct flight with Thai Airways, you'll arrive in the tropical metropolis of Bangkok. One of our drivers will whisk you away from the hustle and bustle to your private two-storey house downtown. It's a perfect location in a peaceful suburb but in easy reach of all the city attractions. The people who own it live next door with their teenage children and will be pleased to give you an insider guide to getting around by river and canal boats. Your driver will also take you on a tour of the famous sights such as the Grand Palace and to climb the steps of Wat Pho. Then it's time for your first widlife encounter. You'll see tigers in the flesh as we take you on a private tour to Tiger Temple, a unique sanctuary for orphaned or injured tigers run by Buddhist monks. You'll the tiger cubs at bath time, learn about their special diet and see then roaming the canyon as you spend the day here with a tiger expert who'll tell you all about Indo-chinese tigers which are native to Thailand. There aren't many tigers left here in the wild so this is a brilliant opportunity to get up close to them. It's a long day but worth it for the experience of being near these big cats. Days 5-8 Northern Thailand Then it's time to head up north to Chiang Mai. This will be the base for you to explore the lush north, you'll visit the spectacular Mae Sa waterfalls, walk up through the forest of beautiful butterflies to explore all eight tiers. You'll have a once in a lifetime day is when you take part in elephant conservation when the whole family become 'trainee mahouts'. In other centres, the animals are not so lucky as they are used to entertain tourists with shows and rides. You'll watch them roam free at the conservation centre then get 'hands on' as you part in feeding, riding bareback and scrubbing them down during their daily wash in the river. Don't forget to take swim-wear as the elephants get very playful in the water! You can even take home a special souvenir to remember this experience. You'll be the 'Clay Palace', a rambling Alice in Wonderland of various buildings dedicated to pottery. You can ask the owner for a pottery lesson, she will teach how to make elephants out of clay then fire them for you in her kiln to take away with you. Whilst you are here, yoou'll also visit the famous night market in Chiang Mai where you can shop till you drop for anything from masses of clothes to locally-produced crafts. Days 9-14 Southern Beaches Then you're off to Krabi in the south (changing planes in Bangkok). Here you'll be staying in spacious bungalows on a small rubber plantation, Eh's Place, yet very close to the beach. Spend days on your own relaxing by the beach. You'll also have a day to explore small white-sand islands on a traditional longtail boat. You will also explore the last rainforest in southern Thailand, a wildlife sanctuary bursting with tropical birds. Every night, dine out under the stars and enjoy magnificent seafood feasts before heading back home via Bangkok Airport. This 14 day private tour costs from £1,500 per person. This includes scheduled flights from London, accommodation, activities, transport and most meals. Regional departures are available. For full details or to customise this itinerary, call us on 0800 011 2571 between 9am and 9pm, 7 days a week or email us at contact@telltaletravel.co.uk
|
|
