Without doubt this wonderful tour enables you to take in a large part of South East Asia at a comfortable pace. Three countries in just over two weeks gives you the time to sample the spectacular cultures and the vivid contrasts between trekking and snorkelling one moment with the nightlife of the big cities the next. In Thailand we switch from the bustle of Bangkok to trek amongst the rich cultural heritage of the north and the rainforest and exotic beaches of the south. Crossing into Malaysia we drive to the scenic island state of Penang, the oldest British settlement but with its original Chinese atmosphere. Here we explore by rickshaws, travel on a funicular train, shop in the night bazaars, trek to a waterfall, swim and canoe. On to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital which has a curious blend of the old and the new. Its impressive colonial architecture still stands proudly among the gleaming high-rise office blocks and the worlds’ tallest building - The Petronas Towers. Finally, a night train brings us to the island of Singapore at the top of the Malay Peninsular. A walk through Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street is the best way to explore its delights.

Bangkok.  Today we start with a long-tail boat ride on the Chao Phraya river, which has been the lifeline of Thailand’s ancient kingdoms and agricultural sustainability. We see traditional houses still perched at the edge of the river and its’ canals and pass the Royal Barge Museum. We then visit one of Thailand’s greatest visual wonders, the Wat Phra Kaeo, the Grand Palace. This is Thailand’s holiest Buddhist Temple and because of that you must make sure you wear ankle length trousers or a long skirt, a top fully covering the shoulders and proper sandals or shoes (no flip-flops/thongs). The Wat Phra Kaeo Royal Chapel houses the Emerald Buddha, actually made of jade. The Thais believe that as long as they remain keepers of the Emerald Buddha, their country will be safe. A local guide will be with us to show us this and many other stunning buildings in the 61-acre site. Afterwards we visit Wat Pho - the oldest temple in Bangkok, older than the city itself where Buddhist monks live. Wat Pho houses the incredible reclining gilt Buddha, which is nearly 50 feet high and 151 feet long with ornately inlayed mother-of-pearl feet. And here’s a bonus: the compound houses the Traditional Massage School offering Thai Massage and Foot Reflexology –a good way to end the day. For lunch we head to the Khao San Road, also known as backpacker central in Bangkok and afterwards you are free to shop and explore the area before the next leg of the trip - an overnight train journey to Surat Thani in the south of the country. Our point of departure – Hualamphong Station and - is an exciting visit in itself. There are plenty of shops, so if you want to stock up on those snacks and supplies before you board the train, this is the place to do it. The overnight trains we reserve are in the air-conditioned berths, so you should arrive relaxed and refreshed in Southern Thailand.

Breakfast.

Beach Escape (Krabi or Koh Samui). After breakfast we travel further south to Krabi Province on the wonderful western Andaman Sea coast of Thailand. The Krabi area offers the beaches you have always dreamt of - white sand as far as the eye can see, beautiful blue iridescent water against a backdrop of stunning limestone cliffs.

On the first day you are free to do what you like – rest and relax on the beach in the sun or, if you feel a bit more active, do some snorkelling, diving, sea kayaking, or island tours. For the more adventurous, there is the option of experiencing some world-class rock climbing along the coast. The limestone cliffs are a treat – there are lots of pockets for grip and some interesting overhangs. Krabi has an excellent choice of restaurants and bars to spend the evenings.

On the second day we offer an optional* trip in a traditional long tailed boat for a trip out to four pretty islands that are dotted off the coast. If you fancy some snorkelling, this is the time to do it - the sea is home to some beautiful fish and there are some fascinating coral reefs here too.

On the last day in Krabi, you are free again to explore more of the islands off the coast such as James Bond Island, relax on the beach, get a Thai massage, or maybe take a Thai cooking course.

3 Breakfasts.

Note: Tours operating between May and October will stay in Koh Samui on days 13 – 15 due to climatic conditions. The optional Longtail boat trip will go out to Coral Island for snorkelling and swimming. On the free day you can take various excursions such as visits to coconut plantations, boat trip to Marine National Park, hiring mopeds to explore inland rainforest and waterfalls or visit Chawery beach.

Cameron Highlands. Leaving our hotel early we drive to the Cameron Highlands, with an optional stop at a tea estate. The scenery on route is amazing. On arrival, the remainder of the day is free. You may wish to opt for a relaxing afternoon, maybe wandering around the hotel area or taking a trek in the forest to Parit Falls.

Breakfast.

Kuala Lumpur - Overnight train to Singapore.  This morning after breakfast, we take the monorail to Chow Kit wet market, and then continue on to KL Tower for the best city views. The remainder of the day is free, until we transfer to the station for the overnight train to Singapore.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, has a lot to offer with a fascinating mix of the old and new. During the short-lived Malaysian economic boom of the 1990s, modern skyscrapers sprang up to change KL’s skyline – it boasts the two tallest buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers at 451m, and the Menara Tower, the world’s 4^th tallest telecommunications tower. But KL has also kept its historic past and lots of character. There are old colonial buildings, mosques and temples, Chinese, Indian and Malay quarters.  You have free time to shop in Chinatown for CDs, DVDs, or stock up on your fake watches and handbags or try making your own batik before we take an overnight train with air-con from Malaysia into Singapore - the thriving city/state island at the tip of the Malay Peninsular.

Breakfast.

Singapore.  The tour finishes after breakfast in Singapore.

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.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Asia trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com providesvisa 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.

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, evening 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.

Carry some 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. Local currencies will be needed throughout the tour, but it is easy to obtain local currencies at airports and major towns or cities.

ATM machines are widely available throughout this tour.

Banks are 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!

Malaysia is a multicultural society, with Malays, Chinese and Indians living side by side. The Malays are the largest community. They are Muslims, speak Bahasa and are largely responsible for the political fortunes of the country. The Chinese comprise about a third of the population. They are Buddhists and Taoists, speak Hokkein, Hakka and Cantonese, and are dominant in the business community. The Indians account for about 10% of the population and they are mainly Hindu Tamils from southern India, they speak Tamil, Malayalam, and some Hindi, and live mainly in the larger towns on the west coast of the peninsula. There is also a sizeable Sikh community. Eurasians and indigenous tribes make up the remaining population. Despite Bahasa Malaysia being the official language, when members of these different communities talk to each other, they generally speak English, which was recently reinstated as the language of instruction in higher education.

This language can be difficult for foreigners to grasp.  The same word can have 6 different meanings depending on the tone used to pronounce it.  However, we do try and encourage people to speak a few words of the local language, as the Malaysians will really appreciate the effort!  English is spoken in some of the places that we visit as is French, Russian and Chinese.

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.

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.

Food is one of the highlights of any trip.

It's not easy to find authentic Malay food in Malaysian restaurants, though you can take your pick of Chinese, Nyonya (a local variation on Chinese and Malay food - Chinese ingredients, local spices), Indian, Indonesian or (sometimes) Western cuisines. Satays (meat kebabs in spicy peanut sauce) are a Malaysian creation and they're found everywhere. Other dishes include fried soybean curd in peanut sauce, sour tamarind fish curry, fiery curry prawns and spiced curried meat in coconut marinade. Muslim Indian dishes have developed a distinctly Malaysian style. The variety of wonderful tropical fruits and fruit juices available is huge, and strange sweet concoctions include endol (sugar syrup, coconut milk and green noodles) and are kacang (beans and jellies topped with shaved ice, syrups and condensed milk).

Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs can also be catered for however in some countries the type of food may be limited. Please let the Reservations team know your special requirements as soon as possible so we can do all possible to assist your needs.

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 very high standard. All accommodation is in comfortable tourist class accommodation. Depending on the tour, this ranges from overnight sleeper train or cruise boat through to delightful lodges and excellent hotels (generally 3 star or above).

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 when you check out of the hotel.

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. Whereas, Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka can not be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by third party.

Below is a list of optional excursions available at your expense on your Asia tour. Please note that these are intended as a guide only and prices and availability cannot be guaranteed.

Your tour leader will be able to organise any optional excursions on your behalf.  The list below is by no means comprehensive. There will be many other optional activities available.  All activities are undertaken at passenger’s own risk.

All costs are in US$ and per person.

Thailand

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