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.
As we travel by rafts on several occasions with no other option for transport available, an ability to swim 25 metres unaided is essential.
Once on trek, it is not possible to opt out of the walking.
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.
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
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 Explore's recommended visa service; Visa Swift at www.explore.co.uk/visas.
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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
Walking Grades and Fitness
Walking Grades and Fitness:
Grading is a somewhat difficult topic as much depends on the individuals own perception of his or her abilities. The following is intended as a general guide to our walking grades.
Please note: although this trek does not involve high altitudes it does involve walking in very hot conditions and some long days walking, therefore we grade it Grade B.
Grade B walks (Moderate): will usually involve some longer walks (4-6 hours/day) at low altitudes (below 3000m). Some previous hill walking experience would be beneficial but these walks should be within the capabilities of those who lead a normal active life. Grade B walking tours may contain some optional strenuous days, and in order to get the best out of the trip we would advise that you tone up your fitness before you join.
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The walk in Umphang involves some fairly hilly terrain and rough forest/jungle paths. During the summer months the high humidity levels make this trek more demanding and tracks can be slippery.
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Altitude: On Trek
Gradient Chart
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Climate
Thailand is tropical with three main seasons – ‘relatively cooler’ from November to February (15°C to 27°C); ‘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. Nan and Umphang can be very cold at night in Nov/Feb. It is never ‘cold’ in the day.
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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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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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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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Daysac During the course of a trekking day, you will carry your own personal belongings in your daysac. You will not have to carry the tents, sleeping bags or mats if you use the ones provided. If you bring your own, you will have to carry them yourself. Your daysac should be large enough to carry everything you will need for 4 nights. Camera equipment can be heavy so think carefully when deciding what to take. Remember to carry spare film with you. Camping by rivers, there will be many opportunities to wash/rinse clothes so you will not need that much. A bin liner or good plastic bags to pack inside your daysac is also a good idea. If you have a dry sack, this is the best option, especially for the white water rafting sessions.
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Luggage: Should consist of a main piece of baggage (eg a holdall or rucksack), and a daysac. Suitcases are not suitable. Max 44lbs/20kg. You will have to carry your baggage so don’t overload yourself. On the trek you will carry a daysac with your personal belongings for 5 days/4 nights so make sure it is large enough. Before leaving Umphang there is time to re-sort luggage into what you need on trek and what can be left in the hotel. Advice on how to pack will be given at the trek briefing. You will leave your main piece of luggage behind and take only your daysac.
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
Pack essentially for ‘All tours’ plus ‘Hot Conditions’. Shorts (and open-backed sandals) are not permitted in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. When trekking it is best to have two sets of clothes, one to trek in (shorts, T shirt) – which will get wet due to the humidity – plus a dry set to change into at night, (long light trousers and shirt). There is year round humidity so light cotton clothing is best. Don’t forget your swimming costume and a sarong is useful.
Waterproofs Lightweight rainwear, a small umbrella or a poncho is useful all year. If it rains on trek, it will be hot!
Walking Boots Probably the trickiest part of all. We strongly recommend walking in good lightweight boots. Trainers, tennis shoes etc simply do not give the ankle support afforded by a decent pair of boots. Many people now trek in the lighter weight Goretex or leather boots. They have the advantage that they take little breaking in. Avoid the types often found in high street shoe shops which are simply cheap trainers with a higher canvas side sewn on – they give little support and will probably not last the trek. Above all, your boots must be well broken in and comfortable. We do not recommend borrowing or renting boots. It is a good idea to carry your boots in your hand luggage on international flights or wear them – should your luggage be delayed, your well broken in boots are the one thing which will be irreplaceable. For the Umphang trek, the chances are that your shoes will often get wet and we recommend a trekking shoe/boot that will dry quickly.
Trekking sandals Useful around camp, in town, when travelling or crossing streams.
Shorts Shorts can be very comfortable to walk in but you must carry long trousers with you in case you get either sunburned or cold!
Fleece jacket A fleece jacket is recommended for the winter season (Nov to Feb) as nights can be sometimes very cold in the Nan and Umphang areas. Make sure that your waterproof jacket is loose enough to wear over your fleece.
Socks It is best to wear a pair of liner socks under a pair of fairly thick loop stitch socks. This helps to protect your feet against blisters. Avoid nylon socks, they are abrasive, don’t breathe well and can cause blisters.
Long Trousers For everyday walking, light cotton trousers are the most suitable. Jeans are not recommended, as they are often difficult to walk in over longer distances and become cumbersome when wet.
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Equipment
Sleeping Bag A sleeping bag is provided locally but they are light cotton and may not be warm enough in cooler times, (Nov-Feb). We recommend bringing a silk sleeping sheet, which will be adequate to sleep in for most of the year, and could be put inside the sleeping bags for the cooler times. If you bring your own sleeping bag, please remember that you will have to carry it yourself.
Sleeping Mat A sleeping mat is provided locally. However, they are thin, the ‘karri mat/roll mat’ type. We suggest that you may like to bring your own, but will have to carry it yourself.
Mosquito Net A mosquito net is not needed as we sleep in tents. If you want to bring a hammock or sleep outside the tent, you may like to have a net as well and these can be purchased locally.
Water Bottle Water is provided along the trek but we still advise that you bring a 2 litre personal water bottle, and some water purifying tablets, just in case! If you dislike the taste of sterilised water, it is a good idea to add some powdered fruit juice.
Sunglasses A good pair of sunglasses are essential for protection against UV rays.
Swimsuit Necessary for that swim!
Sun Hat, High Factor Sun Cream/Block & Lip Salve Bring suncream (Factor 15 or more) to protect your skin against the sun. A combination sunblock/ lipsalve is ideal for facial protection.
Torch/Batteries/Bulb A small torch is essential for finding things at night etc. The ‘head torches’ are very practical. Remember to bring some spare batteries.
Toiletries Try to keep heavy cosmetics etc to a minimum. Essentials are toothbrush/paste, soap, small towel, small nail brush. `Wet Wipes’ are great for a quick clean up, so bring a pack of those (non-perfumed to avoid rashes!). Remember to bring bio-degradable products as you will wash on numerous occasions in rivers.
Personal First Aid Kit On each trek a first aid kit is carried by your tour leader but you should have your own blister kit, supply of plasters, aspirin etc. (Please do not give medicines to local people without consulting the trek leader.) See the list in our General Information Booklet.
Thai/English Phonetic Dictionary You may wish to take a dictionary with you for the homestay on days 4 and 5.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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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
A multi-active tour encompassing the more natural and undiscovered side of Thailand, from virgin forested jungles and waterfalls to the opportunity of participating in a homestay – a unique chance to join in a family’s daily routine. This is an adventurous, offbeat tour which sees us trekking, cycling through the countryside, rafting for 5 days through the jungle and camping wild. We see the most beautiful set of falls in Thailand, have the chance for white water rafting and riding through the jungle on elephant back. The last few day of the tour sees us relaxing on the beautiful beaches and enjoying island life in Koh Samet.
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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 USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
