We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Accordingly, you should allow approximately £35 for tips.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Thailand |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£0.50 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£0.50 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£0.50 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£1.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£1.50 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£4.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
|
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
£2.50 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Thailand: UK, USA, CAN. AUS & NZ citizens do not require a visa for a stay of less than 30 days. All passports must have at least six months validity remaining for entry to Thailand. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. Visas may be obtained personally or through Explores recommended visa service; Visa Swift www.explore.co.uk/visa.
Cambodia: An entry visa is required by all UK, USA, CAN, AUS &NZ nationals and can normally be obtained upon arrival at Phnom Penh airport at a cost of about US$20 (please also bring four passport sized photos).
Alternatively, you can now obtain an e-visa prior to departure from www.mfaic.gov.kh for US$25.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and infectious hepatitis. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Although not compulsory, travellers may also wish to immunise themselves against Japanese encephalitis.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Preparing for your Tour
Pack essentially for ‘All tours’ plus ‘Hot Conditions’. Lightweight rainwear is advisable all year. N.B. shorts, open backed sandals and bare shoulders are not permitted in the Grand Palace.
Footwear: Comfy shoes, trainers & sandals.
Equipment: Bring a torch and waterbottle.
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Climate
Thailand: is tropical with three main seasons, ‘cool’ from November to February (15°C to 27°C, cooler in Chiang Mai); ‘hot’ from March to May (approaching 38°C); ‘wet’ from June to October (rainy, hot and muggy – raingear essential). Bangkok lowland areas are humid all year round; northern highlands are more temperate with a drier heat.
Cambodia: has a very similar range of temperatures, being hottest in April and coolest in January (still high 20s). Although rainfall is at its maximum in October, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap receive very little rain compared to the coastal areas, and when it does rain it tends to be in the form of sporadic mid afternoon downpours. There is normally very little rain between December and March.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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Should consist of a main piece of baggage and a daypack large enough to carry clothes for an overnight stop. Max 44lbs/20kg.
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Clothing
Lightweight rainwear is advisable all year. N.B. shorts, open backed sandals and bare shoulders are not permitted in the Grand Palace.
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Footwear
Comfy shoes, trainers & sandals.
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Equipment
Bring a torch and waterbottle.
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Trip Summary
This varied tour combines all the great historic sights of northern Thailand and Kanchanaburi with an unusual journey on a converted Rice Barge down the mighty Chao Phraya River and takes in the splendour of Angkor Wat. On the River Kwai we stay overnight on raft houses and have the opportunity to ride elephants, walk through the jungle and do some bamboo rafting. We'll journey to one of the worlds most amazing sights; the magnificent Khmer temple complex of Angkor. We spend several days exploring this stunning and extensive site which sprawls through the dense jungle, over an area of 150 square kilometres. The intricately carved temples mostly date back to the 11th, 12thand 13thCenturies, although some are even older. Not far from the temples is Cambodia’s massive lake, Tonle Sap. Here we take an excursion by boat visiting some of the unspoilt floating villages along its shores. Time is also spent in the colonial capital city, Phnom Penh as well as Bangkok which acts as the gateway for this exciting South East Asian adventure.
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Please note:
Water-based activities: Participation in canoeing, kayaking, or rafting (including whitewater) requires that you are able to swim 25 metres unaided.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
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