Lemon Grass & Chillies Tour Itinerary

Lemon Grass & Chillies Tour Itinerary
REF: AST8
VERSION: 5

Duration:	4 days - Chiang Mai to Chiang Mai
Countries Visited:	Thailand
Age Guide:	18-65 years
Max Group Size:	20
Transport:	Transfer Vehicle from Hotel to School Daily
Accommodation:	Guest House (3 Nights)
What's Included:	3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches - 3 Day Cooking Course - Transfers to & from Cooking School - Overnight Train to Bangkok (if adding on to end of our AST1 or AST4R tours)
Local Payment:	NO LOCAL PAYMENT
Highlights:	Thailand - Thai Cooking Course - Chiang Mai
Optional Highlights:	No optional highlights
Meeting Point:	Suan Doi Guesthouse 38/3 Soi Charntrasup, Huay Kaew Road, Muang District, Chiangmai 50300, Thailand Tel: (66) 53 221869, 406091 Fax: (66) 53 221869
Introduction:	Thai food offers a variety of flavours and tastes. The subtle mixing of herbs and spices and market-fresh ingredients makes dining a special culinary experience. With Thai cuisine enjoying an outstanding worldwide reputation for its unique flavours and tastes, there's no better way to learn about this cooking style than in Thailand itself. So why not learn the techniques that create one of the world's most interesting cuisine's from local Thai chefs and culinary experts on our Thai Cooking School program?
Day 1:	Chiang Mai. Our first day is an arrival day, and is free at leisure for you to explore Chiang Mai. For those of you joining from our AST1 or AST4R tours, you will be dropped at the guesthouse on your return from your hilltribe trek, with the balance of the day free for you to rest and relax before your next adventure! There is no Pre Departure meeting for this tour, and so you are free to explore the famous night markets of Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is the capital of Northern Thailand. In recent years Chiang Mai has grown, although with a population of 200,000 it is still a comfortable size and you will find that people here are relaxed and easy going. If you arrive early, you may like to visit the famous Doi Suthep temple, a pilgrimage sight in Northern Thailand. From here you will see spectacular views down the mountain to Chiang Mai.
Days 2-4:	Chiang Mai Cooking School. After breakfast each day, you will be met and transfered to the cooking school. Please be in reception of the Guesthouse daily at 9.30am, ready to depart. The Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School was established in 1993 and is a family business run by Sompon and Elizabeth Nabnian. Daily courses are taught by Sompon and other experienced Thai chefs and who all speak excellent English. You will be taught the secrets of Thai cooking at their home or in their restuarant. The daily courses will be from a number that are run on a rotational basis. Each day you will be taught how to make a selection of Thai dishes, which you will then be able to eat for lunch and as a snack after the afternoon session. Your course may include a visit to the local market to learn about the various fresh ingredients and buy various foods, an introduction to Thai ingredients, or a lesson in the art of vegetable carving. The courses are hands-on and so you will be preparing and cooking the dishes yourselves. Some of the dishes that you may learn how to prepare, include the following: Green chicken curry, Thai style fish cakes, Phad Thai, Sweet & Sour Vegetables, Water chestnuts with sugar syrup & coconut milk, Panaeng curry with pork, Papaya salad with sticky rice, Steamed fish in banana leaves, Chicken with cashew nuts, Spring rolls and Spicy prawn salad. Lunch is included at the cooking school, and at the end of the days class, you will be transferred back to the guesthouse - this is usually around 3.00pm. The remainder of the day is free at leisure.
Day 4:	Chiang Mai. The tour ends on return to the guesthouse this afternoon - accommodation is not included, but we are more than happy to organise extra nights accommodation for you if you wish to extend your stay in Chiang Mai. If you have added this tour onto the end of our AST1 or AST4R tours, then this evening you will be transferred to the train station, for your overnight sleeper train back to Bangkok. The tour will then end on arrival back into Bangkok railway station the following morning. The train is scheduled to arrive into Bangkok at approximately 6.25am.
Finishing Hotel:	Suan Doi Guesthouse 38/3 Soi Charntrasup, Huay Kaew Road, Muang District, Chiangmai 50300, Thailand Tel: (66) 53 221869, 406091 Fax: (66) 53 221869
Please Note:	Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible. Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect. This itinerary will be followed as closely as possible. However there may be times when it is necessary to change the route according to local conditions. There will be times travelling long hours as there will be days where we have to cover great distances. Weather patterns can change dramatically - high altitudes tend to be a lot cooler. You are free not to participate in any of the included excursions. However, please note that there will be no refund for any excursions not taken. Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.
What's Not Included:	All optional excursions and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, drinks, visas, tipping, pre-tour and post-tour accommodation.

Pre Departure Information Follows


Pre Departure Meeting:	Please note that there is NO Pre-Departure meeting for this tour. You will be met at 9.30am on Days 2, 3 and 4 at the guesthouse, for your transfer to the Cooking School, where you will meet up with the rest of your cooking class. In each departure city we have named a joining hotel from where the tour will leave. It is your responsibility to make your way to this hotel. PLEASE ADVISE KUMUKA OR YOUR AGENT IF YOU WILL BE ARRIVING LATE TO THE JOINING HOTEL. Please ensure that you have the necessary travel documents, insurance and immunization certificates for the tour. All passengers MUST bring: 1. Passport. 2. Vaccination Certificate. 3. Travel Voucher. 4. Travel Insurance Policy. In most of the hotels in Asia you may be required to deposit your passport at Reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you retrieve it when you check out of the hotel.
Insurance:	Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office. Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.
Passport:	Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited.
Visa Requirements:	It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Asia trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides up-to-date visa information. Please consult your relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs. Certain visas cannot be obtained once you have started your tour, and during the peak summer months it can take longer than normal to get visas, please allow extra time to do this. EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR. Thailand: The following nationalities do not require a visa for a stay of 30 days or less. Aus, UK, Can, USA, and Europe. For stays of over 30 days a tourist visa is required. Please note that regulations and costs change frequently so it is advisable to check the current rules. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday and onward travel. Kumuka cannot accept responsibility for anyone who is refused entry to a country because they lack the correct documentation.
Departure Tax:	Thailand – Exit Tax, Bangkok International Airport - Please note that effective for all tickets issued on/after 06NOV06 and for travel on/after 01FEB07, the International and Domestic Passenger Service Charge (currently collected from passengers at the departure airport in Thailand) will be collected at point of sale and shown on the ticket. Please note that these taxes are subject to change.
Medical Information and Vaccination:	Vaccinations: No vaccinations are compulsory in Asia, but we do recommend you are covered for diphtheria & TB, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, malaria, typhoid, polio and tetanus. NB A Yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from infected areas. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. You may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information. Please consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst travelling in Asia. We also recommend: - A dental check-up prior to travelling. - That you know your blood group in case of emergency. - That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking. You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details. Medical Supplies: We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items: Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills. A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.
Climate Information:	For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com. Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!
Security:	Do not take unnecessary valuables with you. A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money. DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room in Asia, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Items are left at the individuals’ risk. Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care. Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.
Books and Reading Material:	You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.
Money:	We suggest passengers budget for between US$15-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evenings out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget. For security you are advised to carry most of your money in Traveller’s cheques - small denominations are preferable. It is often a good idea to have a small amount of the currency of the country you are visiting prior to arrival. This will cover you for any initial expenses at or from the airport. Banks are generally open Monday to Friday and some are open on Saturday morning. In the main cities travellers’ cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureaux, but this can be very difficult in small towns. Some Hotels will also change money.
Local Customs:	Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe. Dress discretely, especially if you are visiting religious sites. For women this means skirts or long pants with T-shirt. For men, this means long shorts or trousers with a T-shirt. Always take your shoes off when entering temples or any religious site. Care should be taken to respect the conventions of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and other religious and ethnic groups, particularly in respect of clothing and footwear.
Luggage and Personal Equipment:	How much should I take? Please bring lightweight walking shoes or sandals, and a day sac. Pack essentially for hot conditions: days are hot and humid. Lightweight rain gear is essential at all times. Because of limited luggage space on transport, we must limit each passenger to ONE main suitcase or frameless backpack and one day bag. Your main bag must not weigh more than 20 kg’s. A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers checks etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes. TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!
Personal Effects:	We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many hotels there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where laundry facilities are available. Personal Effects: Camera & film, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Torch, Sewing kit, Sunhat/ Sunglasses, Music cassettes /CDs, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, Contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen. NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.
Time:	For detailed information see www.timezoneconverter.com or www.timeanddate.com
Language:	The national language in Thailand is Thai. It has five different tones, which determine the meanings of words, which would otherwise be identical. It is a difficult language for most foreigners to grasp. The National language in Laos is Lao and Vietnam is Vietnamese. Cambodia is Khmer and unlike most other languages in South East Asia is not tonal. However, there are a number of sounds in Khmer, which are difficult for English speakers to pronounce. Nonetheless we encourage you try to speak a few words of Khmer as the locals will certainly appreciate your efforts! English will be spoken in the larger cities. You might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.
Photography:	Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission. It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installation
Food:	Thai food offers a variety of flavours and tastes. The subtle mixing of herbs and spices and market-fresh ingredients makes dining a special culinary experience. Thai cuisine is pungent and spicy, seasoned with heaps of garlic and chillies and a characteristic mix of lime juice, lemon grass and fresh coriander. Galangal root, basil, ground peanuts, tamarind juice, ginger and coconut milk are other common additions. Fish sauce or shrimp paste are mainstays of Thai dishes, and of course rice is eaten with most meals. Main dishes include hot and sour fish ragout, green and red curries, various soups and noodle dishes. Thai food is served with a variety of condiments and dipping sauces. Snacks and appetisers include fried peanuts, chicken, chopped ginger, peppers and slices of lime. There is an incredible variety of fruit available, either fresh or juiced. Sugar cane juice and, for something stronger, rice whisky are favourite local tipples. Eating ranks high on the Thai scale of pleasures, and meals are informal affairs. The staple is rice, either ordinary or glutinous, accompanied by a variety of dishes that can be eaten in almost any order, and seasoned to individual taste with several condiments such as fish sauce and chilli peppers. Most often there will be a soup of some kind, a curry, a steamed or fried dish, a salad, and one or more basic sauces. Desserts may consist of fresh fruit or one of the many traditional Thai sweets. Thai food differs from region to region. Unlike the North and Northeast, where glutinous rice is popular, Central Thais like the fragrant plain variety, most commonly steamed. In addition to fresh-water fish, there is seafood from the Gulf of Thailand, as well as a wide range of fresh vegetables. Chinese-Thai food is popular in cities like Bangkok, particularly in the form of numerous noodle dishes. The Central region also has what is called the Royal cuisine, a more sophisticated version of the regional cuisine. Influenced by the kitchens of the Royal Court, the dishes are elaborately put together, making it as much of an art form as a culinary masterpiece. The food of the North is as distinctive as its culture. Steamed glutinous rice is preferred, traditionally kneaded into small balls with the fingers. Northern curries are generally milder than those of central and northeastern Thailand. The influence of neighbouring Burma is evident is such popular dishes as Kaeng Hang Le, a pork curry that relies on ginger, tamarind, and turmeric for its flavour, and Khao Soy, a curry broth with egg noodles and meat, topped with spring onions, pickled cabbage, and slices of lime. In the South, the coconut plays a prominent role in many dishes; its milk tempers the heat of chilli-laced soups and curries, its oil used for frying, and its grated meat serves as a condiment. Fresh seafood from the surrounding waters is abundant: fish, prawns, lobsters, crab, squid, scallops, calms and mussels. Cashew nuts from local plantations are eaten as appetisers or stir-fried with chicken and dried chillies, while a pungent flat bean called sator adds an exotic, if somewhat bitter, flavour much admired by southern diners. Chinese-Thai food is popular in large cities as well. Other foreign influences can be found in such dishes as kaeng matsaman, a mild Indian-style curry seasoned with cardamon, cloves and cinnamon, and sate-skewered meat with a spicy peanut sauce that originally came from Indonesia.
Accommodation:	We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. It will always be clean, comfortable and of a high standard. Accommodation is mainly in comfortable tourist class accommodation. This ranges from overnight train sleeper or cruise boat through to delightful lodges and excellent hotels (generally 3 star plus). On the trek in North Thailand, we will be staying in Traditional Thai Minority village homes – these will be clean but basic. Mattresses will be provided as well as a sheet, blanket and mosquito net. Although there will be plenty of water for washing, facilities will be basic. If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. If you would like to book accommodation to stay additional nights after the tour ends, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. In most of the hotels in Asia you may be required to deposit your passport at Reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you retrieve it before checking out of the hotel.
Arriving in South East Asia:	Pre-booked transfers - If you have booked an arrival transfer, please look for our representative who will be holding a sign with your name or Kumuka once you have cleared Customs and Immigration. Making Your Own Way - The Meeting Point for your tour is advised at the beginning of this dossier. If you have not arranged for us to meet and transfer you on arrival and are therefore making your own way to the Meeting Point it is best upon arrival at to take a metered taxi. Drivers may want to negotiate a price before leaving the airport. Do not agree to this, insist that they switch on the meters and pay the amount that it displays when you arrive at your destination. There are three types of taxis: licensed metered, licensed un-metered, and unlicensed taxis. Travellers are advised to use licensed metered taxis. The cost of a journey in one of these will consist of the meter charge plus additional baht in tolls for expressways. The price of a journey in an un-metered taxi should be negotiated before the taxi sets off. It is not advisable to use unlicensed taxis. As with other cities around the world, newly arrived travellers may be seen as targets for unscrupulous practices and robbery.
Tipping and Bargaining:	Tipping is not expected in South East Asia, but salaries are very low and any gratuities for good service will be gratefully accepted. Bargaining is the rule in markets, when hiring vehicles and sometimes even when taking a room. It is recommended that you allow approximately US$10 for tips during the tour.
Optionals:	Kumuka endeavors to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Although Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka cannot be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by a third party. Details and prices of optional activities will be advised by your tour leader.
Drug Policy:	Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.
Travel Money:	Kumuka Travel Money The easiest way to buy currency and travellers cheques, without having to leave home. Easy to arrange either online or over the phone Great value - no commission, only a straightforward £5 fee Fast delivery direct to your home - next day if you order before 2pm Mon to Fri Choose from over 60 currencies or American Express Travellers Cheques www.kumuka.com/TravelMoney.aspx (UK customers only)
Staying in Touch:	Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this: Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad. Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use. Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!
Tour Feedback:	Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com
Contact Details:	KUMUKA WORLDWIDE UK OFFICE Hillswood Business Park 3000 Hillswood Drive Chertsey KT16 0RS Tel: +4420 7937 8855 Fax: +442075043782 Email: sales@kumuka.com www.kumuka.com AUSTRALIAN OFFICE Level 5, 387 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Tel: 02 9279 0491 Fax: 02 9279 0492 Email: sales@kumuka.com.au www.kumuka.com.au
Map:

This tour is operated by Kumuka Worldwide. Information given in all brochures, leaflets and dossiers is given in good faith by the company, and is based on the latest information available at the date of publication. The company reserves the right to change any of the facilities or vehicles described in the brochure without becoming liable for compensation or refund.

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