March-3 wks in Thailand
Jan 10th, 2004, 04:11 AM
#21
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3 nights there is prob sufficient unless u are really into temples and history and architecture. Flts are prob better out of Bkk then Cm so take a lok and see if scheudles work for a 3 night stay. You could also consider Luang Prabang in laos.
Jan 11th, 2004, 04:02 PM
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U can consider the Chiang Rai area about an hour out of Chiang Mai. Has plenty of trekking. If u like eco resorts (always bit basic) u could consider Lisu Lodge else the Anantara always receives rave reviews on this forum. You could also consider Laos. In reply to your earlier question, Luang Prabang is a pretty, chiled out town. You can traverse the whole town on cycle in half a day. From Laos you can go sea kayaking or to an eco lodge in the north in a beautiful setting, called The Boathouse Landing. LP is directly connected from both Bkk and Chiang Mai. Hotels and general living there is cheaper than Thailand.
Jan 12th, 2004, 12:04 AM
#26
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www.anantara.com. Do a search on the forum for Anantara as well and u can see other people and esp Kathie's rave reviews for the hotel.
Jan 12th, 2004, 02:05 PM
#27
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Dear James and Sameera-Thank you for all of your help.The boathouse and Anantara resort were great suggestions and I booked them in March.Here are a few questions:Are there any good treks or excursions from Anantara?How do we get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai? Cniang Mai to Anantara? Anantara in Golden triangle to Phuket? Do I need res in advance.I purchased roundtrip transportation between Chiang Rai and Anantara? Do we need visa for Burma and Laos? If this is too much, I will be glad to break it down.By the way, we are fit 40s and love excitement and adventure. Thank you.
Rick
Rick
Jan 12th, 2004, 03:23 PM
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Sorry I didn't see your posting earlier as i have some info for you. We recently (Dec 2003) did a trek 2 nights in Chaing Mai. This trek was booked through Destination Asia. Tel number in Bangkok (66-2- 272-1458)we had a fantastic experience and I highly recommend them. Our guides names were Moo and Chen. I think a direct number in Chaing Mai is 66-053-406327 or 66-053-224901.
We stayed at the sheraton/westin and were very disappointed. I would not recommend it to anyone. The rooms are in big need of refurbisment and the buffet, while it looks good the food doesn't taste good.
I think by now you have already booked your hotel in phuket - but if not too late i would recomment the chedi. It is beautiful, quiet, and tasteful - and the buffet breakfast is unbelievable. Good luck and enjoy your trip.
One more recommendation is a guide we used in Chaing Mai - his name is Nippon tel number is 66-09-855-3522
We stayed at the sheraton/westin and were very disappointed. I would not recommend it to anyone. The rooms are in big need of refurbisment and the buffet, while it looks good the food doesn't taste good.
I think by now you have already booked your hotel in phuket - but if not too late i would recomment the chedi. It is beautiful, quiet, and tasteful - and the buffet breakfast is unbelievable. Good luck and enjoy your trip.
One more recommendation is a guide we used in Chaing Mai - his name is Nippon tel number is 66-09-855-3522
Jan 12th, 2004, 03:28 PM
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Laos is visa on arrival (I think was US$30) unless the embassy is handy for u and u want to do it before u embark on your travels. Re Bkk-Chinag Mai Thai has an amazing e-ticket offer on for only 1500 baht until Mar 31 - they have just started electronic ticketing and this is a promo. Ask your travel agent to check. Thai also flies Chiang Mai to Phuket. Bkk Air and Orient Thai also fly Bkk-Chiang Mai. CM-Anantara suggest u check first with your hotel what is thrown into rates. Re treks near CM there are various tour cos that organize - suggest u post again with that in the heading so people who have done give u feedback- this one is now so long that people may miss that question!
Jan 13th, 2004, 02:25 PM
#30
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This is addressed to al of my friends.Here is the itinerary we worked out. The Marriott JW in BK to start.Then how do we transfer to Chiang Mai at the Sheraton. Next, we need to transfer to the Anantara in the Golden triangle. How do we make that transfer? Next, The anantatara to the Boathouse in Phuket, Then, Phuket to the Oiental in Bk. Do any hotels need changing? What about the transfers? Thank you again for your help.
Jan 13th, 2004, 04:02 PM
#31
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Change Sheraton, Chiang Mai to Tamarind Village IMO. Bkk-Chiang Mai is by air. Ask your agent to get you new Thai rates and also find out how much it costs if he adds it to your existing ticket. Chiang Mai-Anatara have u checked with hotel? Chiang Mai-Phuket there are flts. Check the cheap internal airlines JamesA has recoed in another post - shd come up in search if u type his name.
Jan 13th, 2004, 04:17 PM
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I have to agree with above posting - change Sheraton.
We flew from Bangkok to Chaing Mai, then from Chaing Mai to Phuket, then from Phuket to Bangkok. All flights were with Thai airways - all were very inexpensive (approx. $50 USD each leg).
Are you doing a trek? Our trek was the highlight of our trip to Thailand!
We flew from Bangkok to Chaing Mai, then from Chaing Mai to Phuket, then from Phuket to Bangkok. All flights were with Thai airways - all were very inexpensive (approx. $50 USD each leg).
Are you doing a trek? Our trek was the highlight of our trip to Thailand!
Jan 14th, 2004, 06:36 AM
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To get to the Anantara just ask the concierge to get you a car + driver, as a rough 'back of an enveope' math, a 2 hours trip of say 120-150km should be about B 1,500, a 3 hour journey B 2,000, so don't go for crazy hotel rate limos. I don't know the exact location or the km from CM there, but that is a guide.
Call Thai Airways for their Visit Thailand 3 sector fare BKK-CM-Phuket-BKK. Although new budget carriers you n3eed that 3 sector ticket deal beacause there is just 1 flight per day non-stop CM to Phuket and it's Thai, otherwise it is an expensive route, about $150 one way, so call Thai toll-free number and they will sort, you have to confirm your first sector but I believe you can then change the other servotrs if you wish, I think it's about $179 for 2 sectors.
Call Thai Airways for their Visit Thailand 3 sector fare BKK-CM-Phuket-BKK. Although new budget carriers you n3eed that 3 sector ticket deal beacause there is just 1 flight per day non-stop CM to Phuket and it's Thai, otherwise it is an expensive route, about $150 one way, so call Thai toll-free number and they will sort, you have to confirm your first sector but I believe you can then change the other servotrs if you wish, I think it's about $179 for 2 sectors.
Jan 14th, 2004, 07:23 AM
#36
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Dear Cityboy
We did a 2 day private trek (the itinerary is similar for non-privte) - it was booked through Destination Asia I gave you the phone numbers a few postings above. We started in Chaing Mai. We drove about 45 minutes out of town to a local food market where the quide & porter purchased the food that our group would consume over the 2 day period. Then we headed toward the samong area. we had a picnic lunch in a beautiful national park. then we visited a hmong village - interesting! then we began our trek through the hills toward the karen village that we slept in. I brought 3 tubes of heavy duty insect repellant - but didn't even spray ourselves once! This could have been due to the weather as it was considered cool (our trek was end november - 70 F). We even remarked on the absence of insects throughtout the trek (no spiders - beatles - no tropical bugs!) The only wild life we saw were water buffalo & cows - no snakes, nor the feeling that we would see any. The countrside was more of a walk in the woods on a well traveled path that a walk through the jungle! We got the our nighttime destination before dark - had the opportunity to bathe in the stream/river. Overnight facilities are rustic but adequate/clean. The next day consisted of breakfast with the hill tribe, another walk to get to elephant camp - an elephant ride for about 1 hour - another long walk to get to lunch spot - lunch - another walk to get to bamboo raft ride (1 hour) and then we were pretty much done. The trek was based on our requests although i think most are similar.
The trek was definatley one of the highlights of our trip. It is hard to book from here and feel like you will be safe and comfortable - but i think you will be happy if you do it! Also the trek breaks up the temple sightseeing which can become tiresome. Also it is a break form the shopping!
If you want more details perhaps we can use email. Let me know.
We did a 2 day private trek (the itinerary is similar for non-privte) - it was booked through Destination Asia I gave you the phone numbers a few postings above. We started in Chaing Mai. We drove about 45 minutes out of town to a local food market where the quide & porter purchased the food that our group would consume over the 2 day period. Then we headed toward the samong area. we had a picnic lunch in a beautiful national park. then we visited a hmong village - interesting! then we began our trek through the hills toward the karen village that we slept in. I brought 3 tubes of heavy duty insect repellant - but didn't even spray ourselves once! This could have been due to the weather as it was considered cool (our trek was end november - 70 F). We even remarked on the absence of insects throughtout the trek (no spiders - beatles - no tropical bugs!) The only wild life we saw were water buffalo & cows - no snakes, nor the feeling that we would see any. The countrside was more of a walk in the woods on a well traveled path that a walk through the jungle! We got the our nighttime destination before dark - had the opportunity to bathe in the stream/river. Overnight facilities are rustic but adequate/clean. The next day consisted of breakfast with the hill tribe, another walk to get to elephant camp - an elephant ride for about 1 hour - another long walk to get to lunch spot - lunch - another walk to get to bamboo raft ride (1 hour) and then we were pretty much done. The trek was based on our requests although i think most are similar.
The trek was definatley one of the highlights of our trip. It is hard to book from here and feel like you will be safe and comfortable - but i think you will be happy if you do it! Also the trek breaks up the temple sightseeing which can become tiresome. Also it is a break form the shopping!
If you want more details perhaps we can use email. Let me know.
Jan 14th, 2004, 11:55 AM
#37
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The trek sounds like a life experience.We would enjoy the private trek.Please send details by E-
[email protected]
Rick
[email protected]
Rick
Jan 15th, 2004, 01:50 PM
#38
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With air Thai, you pay $175 US per person for the 3 flights. You have to show an Intl tic.Now, that Air and Hotel are settled, lets talk food. We love fish including Whole Fish.Where do you suggest in BK, Chiang Mai and Phuket?What are some of the local non-red meat restaurants you suggest-we eat Chicken and Fish.
Mar 1st, 2004, 01:00 PM
#39
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Firsttime
could you email me details of trekking experience in Chiamg Mai to [email protected]
I don't know how many days I need to spend in CM and do I need to book a hotel at all
could you email me details of trekking experience in Chiamg Mai to [email protected]
I don't know how many days I need to spend in CM and do I need to book a hotel at all
