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Exploring Northern Thailand 2009

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Welcome to the “land of smiles”, as the Thai people call their homeland. This ancient culture is steeped in Buddhist tradition, wreathed in lush jungle canopies and ornamented by elaborate golden temples.   Detailed Itinerary

JOIN around the kitchen table for a hands-on course in Thai cuisine BE PAMPERED with a traditional Thai massage SOAK in the hot springs of San Khamphaeng LEARN about the history of the region during a visit to the Hall of Opium CYCLE along side the famous Mekong River SEEK the blessings of monks during an early morning alms giving RETREAT each evening at comfortable resorts and cozy lodges that feature delicious regional cuisine REVEL in lush landscapes and tropical jungle canopies

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Air-Inclusive Tour Roundtrip international airfare Thailand domestic flights: Bangkok to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai to Bangkok 12 nights: 10 nights in 3 and 4-star resorts, 1 night in a nature lodge and 1 night in flight 24 meals — 11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners Transfers AND the option to add our Low-Cost Trip Extensions: 2 nights Bangkok for only $345 Post-trip: Luang Prabang, Laos - 3 nights for only $595 Free use of our VBT bicycle and helmet Service of two bilingual VBT Trip Leaders FULL VAN SUPPORT Daily route directions and maps Sightseeing and cultural activities 5% Frequent Traveler Credit to use on your next VBT vacation Special Good Buy Discount Land-Only Tour 9 nights: 8 nights in 3 and 4-star resorts and 1 night in a nature lodge 22 meals — 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners Free use of our VBT bicycle and helmet Service of two bilingual VBT Trip Leaders FULL VAN SUPPORT Daily route directions and maps Sightseeing and cultural activities 5% Frequent Traveler Credit to use on your next VBT vacation Special Good Buy Discount

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Rating Level: Easy/Moderate This tour offers a combination of easy terrain mixed with moderate hills. Our VBT van support shuttle is always available. Roads are carefully selected, but in general are not of the same standard as in Europe or the USA. Suitable for beginning cyclists, and ideal for recreational cyclists who ride regularly. Full Van Support: Enjoy more flexibility and choice with full van support throughout your vacation. Group Size: 14-20 Daily Mileage: 13-25 Daily Cycling Times: 2-4 hours Avg. Daily High Temperature: Chiang Mai: Jan °84, Feb °89, Mar °94, Apr °97, Nov °85, Dec °82

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Angkhang Nature Resort Developed as part of the Royal Angkhang Research Station, the Angkhang Nature Resort offers 72 superior rooms. Each room is furnished in teakwood, decorated with local Thai fabrics and has a spacious private balcony from which to enjoy the view of the surrounding countryside. The resort recently won the Best Eco Resort award from Travel Asia magazine. The rooms offer modern facilities including a mini bar, television and IDD telephone. A full laundry service is available and each of the rooms has an en suite bathroom. The Camellia Restaurant in the resort serves delicious and nutritious Thai, Northern Thai and Western specialities using fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs from the Royal Project.The hotel also has a lobby bar and in the winter guests can sit and enjoy the warmth from an open wood fire. A Low Impact on the Natural Environment Angkhang Nature Resort aims to have as little effect as possible on the ecology of the surrounding environment, through strict control of pollution. Waste created by the resort is separated into "wet" and "dry" garbage. The wet garbage is processed into fertilizers by the Royal Project and used to assist in the agriculture of the region. The majority of the dry garbage can be sold to local companies and recycled. Waste water from the resort is piped through to the Royal Project for treatment and then use on the land. The cool climate means that no air-conditioning is required in the resort. Employment of the Local Hilltribes Approximately 50% of the staff who are employed by the Angkhang Nature Resort come from hilltribes in the surrounding villages. The resort hopes to have a positive impact on the local community by providing employment opportunities and job training. As a general guide, the weather in the Angkhang region is cool all year round. November to February is the cooler season and during these months it is comfortably warm during the day, with cool evenings. Temperatures generally range from 41-50 F degree at night and from 50-72 F degree during the day. The lowest temperatures are 30 F and 24 F during December to January. March to May is the summer season, with temperatures typically ranging from 50-82 F Imperial Golden Triangle Resort The resort has 73 well-appointed rooms each with traditional northern Thai décor including traditional teak furniture and private balconies to enjoy the views of the border. The rooms are equipped with satelite TV, minibar, and IDD telephone. Landscaped gardens, an outdoor swimming pool, and restaurant are all available for guest’s enjoyment. Khum Lanna This is country living, Thai style. Two beautiful traditional northern Thai teak houses joined to offer 10 double rooms. The home is situated in the middle of a garden and farming area, offering an open view of the surrounding mountains. A stay at Khum Lanna is an opportunity to discover the rural charms of traditional northern Thai life. website: www.hotelthailand.net Manathai Village Manathai Village is a small boutique hotel, located in the heart of traditional Chiang Mai. The hotel is positioned next to the famous night bazaar. Rooms are built around a central courtyard featuring a swimming pool and sundeck area. All rooms are air-conditioned. website: www.sawadee.com/hotel/chiangmai/manathaivillage/ Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport The Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport is a 4 star hotel located 10 min walk from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. Boasting 612 comfortable and contemporary rooms, the hotel also offers 2 bars and 4 restaurants. With a 24 hour airport shuttle every 10 minutes from Gate 4 Level 2, the hotel is ideally located for travelers making connections. website: www.novotel.com Triple Two Silom Triple Two Silom is an innovative and unique boutique hotel in Bangkok. There are 75 luxury rooms providing high quality, individual service in a relaxed atmosphere. More akin to a personal residence than a hotel, the Triple Two Silom has an exciting contemporary design, superb standards of comfort and service, and comes with all the latest safety, security and communications technology to make your stay enjoyable and worry free.

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Bangkok 2009 2 nights for only $ 345 Two additional nights of accommodations at the centrally located boutique hotel Triple Two Silom with breakfast • Guided visits to The Grand Palace including the temple of The Emerald Buddha (Wat Pra Kaew), followed by a long-tail boat trip to witness daily life along Bangkok’s famed Klongs • All transfers Take advantage of a centrally located hotel to shop the city’s famed bargains, sample the latest restaurants, rest and renew after the transpacific flight, perhaps by partaking in a traditional massage. Enjoy a guided visit to the Grand Palace, an elaborate ceremonial building capped with golden spires, followed by a visit to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, an important religious site located in the Palace compound. After your visit, embark on a long-tail boats ride through the Klongs neighborhood, and see why Bangkok has been called the “Venice of the East”. Note: Single supplement for this extension is $ 145. top Luang Prabang, Laos 2009 3 nights for only $ 595 Three nights at The Grand Hotel in Luang Prabang • Flights: Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang and Luang Prabang to Bangkok (replaces Chiang Mai to Bangkok) • Daily breakfast • Two and a half days of guided touring in and around Luang Prabang including entrance fees. • Full information packet • All transfers This introduction to Laos features daily touring with a local host. Surrounded by thickly forested mountains and situated at the confluence of the Khan and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang has a tranquil, old world charm rarely found in Asia today. The entire town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. See the region by minivan, riverboat, and on foot, accompanied by your guide. Come to know Laos, sample the local rice wine, see artists weave cotton and silk, witness the production of mulberry paper, explore caves and swim below waterfalls. Return each evening to the comfort and charm of The Grand Hotel. Note: Single supplement for this extension is $ 195.

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Group Discount Program: You can earn a FREE VBT tour with our generous group discount program. Click here for details. Refer a Friend and Earn $100 Travel Credit: If you refer a Friend to VBT and they choose to travel with us, you earn $100 travel credit toward your next trip and your friend gets $50 off their first VBT trip. Click here for details. Good Buy Plan: The earlier you pay, the more you save. If you book early and pay in full by check, you can lock in your trip cost plus earn up to a 10% discount. 5% Frequent Traveler Credit: You will automatically receive a 5% travel credit good for your next VBT trip. This credit is good for one full year. Savings for Single Travelers: If you are on a bicycle tour where sharing is possible and you would like to share a room, we will do our best to match you with a roommate. We will charge you only 50% of the single supplement; if a match is available, we will refund you the single supplement after you return. If requested and available, single supplement is $745 Best Value Guaranteed: Click here for details. We reserve the right to correct errors. top