Royal Princess Hotel, Larn Luang

269 Larn Luang Road

Pomprab

Bangkok 10100

Thailand

Tel:   +66 02 2813088

Fax:  +66 02 2801314

Bangkok, The Bridge Over The River Kwai and Hintok River Camp.  After our pre departure meeting at 08.00am, we leave Bangkok at 08.30am and drive to Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi is a provincial capital city, rich in 20th century history and set in lush landscape on the banks of the river and framed with limestone hills. During the Second World War Kanchanaburi was the site of a massive prison camp, run by the Japanese. Allied prisoners were forced to build a railway over the River Kwai and into Burma. The story is told in one of cinema’s great classics. We take time to visit the JEATH Museum and the War Cemetery and visit the world famous Bridge over the River Kwai.

We take the local train along the Hellfire Railway to Nam Tok Station and have time for lunch at a local restaurant. We then drive to Tri Yok and Hintok River Camp, where we will be based for the next 2 nights.

Hintok River Camp at Hellfire Pass is a tented campsite with unique safari canvas tented accommodation. The campsite is nestled on a historical site near to Hell Fire Pass Memorial on the pinnacle of Hintok mountain overlooking the historic River Kwai. This tented camp is the closest accommodation to Hellfire Pass Museum and Hellfire Pass Historical Site. The camp is the perfect place to stay for ANZAC commemoration.  The spacious deluxe canvas tents feature in-room private bathrooms and outdoor showers with hot water, in-room adjustable air-conditioning, private verandas, and luxury wooden furniture. The restaurant and bar provide drinks and tasty and hygienic food arranged by a qualified chef. While you enjoy your food and drinks, you will find yourself sitting among the tropical trees where you can hear the sounds of nature. There is also a natural spring water pool just adjacent to the River Kwai Noi. You will have a magnificent sunset view while you are sitting in the spring pool.   (D) 

24 Apr 12 Dep:

Day 1 Itinerary: Join Bangkok, Drive Kanchanburi, Hellfire Pass - Museum & Memorial, Walk along Hellfire Railway Line, Drive to Felix Hotel

Please Note - We recommend that you take only a small day pack or back pack with you for this short trip, and leave all excess luggage stored at the hotel in Bangkok. Travel is easier with only a limited amount of luggage.

Anzac Day Services, Hellfire Pass & Kanchanaburi.  Today we attend the Anzac Day Services at Hellfire Pass and Kanchanaburi. The order of services is as follows, and is given as a guide for the timetable for the day.

04.00 - 05.15 Guests arrive at Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum. Walk down into Konyu Cutting. (Transport will be available to assist where necessary)

05.15 - 05.30 Official Party arrives and walks to Memorial Site.

05.30 - 06.00 Dawn Service

06.00 - 06.45 The Museum has a limited amount of light refreshments available in front of the Museum. The Museum will be open for guests to view.

07.45 - 08.00 Guests return to their accommodation and prepare to attend the Commemoration Service at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery

09.30 - 10.30 Travel to Kanchanaburi Cemetery

11.00 - 12.00 Commemoration Service at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery

Following the services, there will be some free time at the cemetery, and a visit to the Thailand Burma Railway Centre, before being taken to our hotel for check in. The remainder of the day is free at leisure for you to relax at the hotel or explore Kanchanaburi further.  (B)

24 Apr 12 Departure:

Day 3 Itinerary: Free day at leisure.  Optional Elephant Ride, Bamboo Rafting, Tri Yok National Park, Tiger Temple, Lava Cave, Mon Village Visit. Accommodation this evening will be at Jungle Raft Lodge

Royal Princess Hotel, Larn Luang 

269 Larn Luang Road

Pomprab

Bangkok 10100

Tel: +66 02 2813088

Fax: +66 02 2801314 

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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