Thailand A Life Changing Journey for Women

Price Per person

Double occupancy….. $6,995
Single supplement….. $1,375

Internal Air:
(Bangkok/Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai/Bangkok )
Economy class….. $350

Days 1-2: USA or Canada/Bangkok, Thailand:

Board an overnight flight to Bangkok.

Meals Served:

Day 3: Bangkok:

Today brings hands-on opportunities to learn about Thai culture. Discover some of the movements and gestures of traditional Thai dance, make traditional flower offerings by folding banana leaves, draw classical patterns using gold leaf or prepare classic Thai cuisine. Gather with fellow travellers this evening for a welcome dinner aboard a private rice barge as it cruises the Chao Phaya River.

Meals Served: B L D

Day 4: Bangkok:

Participate in a food offering to the Buddhist monks. Explore the magnificent Grand Palace, a complex of brightly colored buildings. See its Throne Hall, Coronation Hall, Reception Palace and the Funeral Palace. Continue to Wat Phra Kaeo (Emerald Buddha Temple), Thailand's most important and sacred wat, containing the revered Emerald Buddha.This afternoon, assist the program director of the Na Kittikoon Foundation that helps children with disabilities express themselves through art and music.

Meals Served: B L D

Day 5: Bangkok/Chiang Rai:

Fly to the remote village of Chiang Rai for a visit to the Hill Tribe Museum and Study Center, developed by the Population and Community Development, a nonprofit organization. This afternoon, travel to the Akha hill tribe village of Baan Huay, a project site for the Mirror Foundation. Its mission is to help the people of the area make a better life for themselves while still retaining their cultural identities. Meet the project manager, who gives you an overview of the foundation's work. Learn the skills of molding, firing, hand painting and glazing the local clay to produce pieces of art.

Meals Served: B L D

Day 6: Chiang Rai/Doi Tung/Chiang Rai:

The people of Doi Tung have lived mainly on the cultivation of poppies for the production of opium, resulting in a variety of problems. Visit the SOS Children's Village, a project launched to help children affected by poverty and malnutrition. This afternoon, stop at the Doi Tung Development Project that works to eradicate the opium supply, drug use and rural poverty. Explore the Princess Memorial Hall, Mae Fah Luang Garden and the Doi Tung Royal Villa. In the Golden Triangle area, wander through the Opium Museum.

Meals Served: B L D

Day 7: Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai:

Drive to Chiang Mai and after lunch, stroll through Waroros Market for a glimpse of the local way of life. From the market, take a trishaw ride along Tapae Road, through the City Walls to Wat Phra Singh, which houses a sacred old image of Buddha. Continue to the hilltop Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep. On the way back to Chiang Mai, visit Studio Naenna, founded by Patricia Cheesman, an expert in antique Lao and Thai textiles. After dinner, explore Chiang Mai's famous Night Market.

Meals Served: B L D

Day 8: Chiang Mai/Mae Kampong/Chiang Mai:

Stop at a local market to purchase ingredients for a meal you cook this afternoon. Meet a villager who shows you a glimpse of Mae Kampong's unique lifestyle that involves the production of tea and coffee. Pause for a relaxing picnic lunch by a waterfall and then return to the village for a comforting Thai massage.

Meals Served: B L D

Day 9: Chiang Mai:

Visit the baby elephant sanctuary of the Maesa Elephant Camp, hours before the camp is opened to the public. Complete a private mahout (elephant trainer) training course and lead your elephant calf to a jungle stream for its morning bath. Afterward, learn the basic commands required to guide it through its daily tasks. Then meet with Mr. Khun Peter to discover how his camp gives these elephants a better chance of survival.

Meals Served: B L D

Day 10: Chiang Mai:

Mae Pon Center was created to educate, develop and empower the hill tribe children intellectually, psychologically, socially and spiritually. Meet its director and, during lunchtime, help prepare the food and serve the children. Afterward, join the volunteers teaching English to the children with songs, games and stories. Attend a farewell dinner that includes a classical Thai dance performance.

Meals Served: B L D

Day 11: Chiang Mai/Bangkok/USA or Canada:

Board a morning flight to Bangkok and connect to your international departure flight.

Meals Served: B

Don't miss our current specials: Special Savings on Abercrombie and Kent European Canal & River Cruises A journey aboard one of the small boats that cruises rivers and rural canals is one of the most relaxing ways possible to enjoy Europe. Visit some of Europe’s most wondrous sights on excursions; stop in quaint riverside villages; and sample the region's finest cuisine and wines along the way. 'River Cloud II' Cruise Savings Reserve a 2010  MV 'River Cloud II' cruise and save significantly.     * Save 10% when reserved by January 31, 2010     * Save 50% on the child cruise rate for July and August departures when booked in a separate cabin and children also receive free shore excursions when reserved by August 31, 2010     * Save 10% on a second consecutive cruise or 20% on a third consecutive cruise when reserved by October 27, 2010     * Receive $300 onboard credit per person when booking separate cabins for yourself and a guest by October 21, 2010 Terms & Conditions For all Special Offers noted above, all prices are per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise stated. All prices are quoted in U.S. Dollars. Prices listed for each offer may pertain to specific departure dates. Restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Special Offers are for new bookings only, are not combinable with any other offer, discount or promotion and are based on availability. Reserve Early and Save $1,000 on Select 2010 Europe Journeys Reserve Early and Save $1,000 on Select 2010 Europe Journeys Reserve select 2010 escorted small group journeys to Europe by December 31, 2009, and save $1,000 per person. Journeys include:     * Cultural Capitals: Berlin, Prague & St. Petersburg     * Ancient Capitals: Rome, Athens & Istanbul     * A Journey Through Italy     * Images of Provence & the Basque Country     * A Tale of Three Cities: Budapest, Vienna & Prague     * Turkey: A Journey Through History     * Adriatic Gems: Slovenia & Croatia     * An Italian Adventure     * Flavors & Flair of Spain     * A Storybook Adventure For all Special Offers noted above, all prices are per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise stated. All prices are quoted in U.S. Dollars. Prices listed for each offer may pertain to specific departure dates. Restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Special Offers are for new bookings only, are not combinable with any other offer, discount or promotion and are based on availability.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
11/7/2010 - 11/17/2010	$6,995
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

 •  Meet members of Thailand's hill tribes and see the philanthropic endeavors aimed at improving their lives
 •  Participate in a solemn Buddhist food offering ceremony
 •  Attend a private mahout (elephant trainer) course at the Maesa Elephant Camp
 •  Tour the SOS children's village built to accommodate homeless children

Included in Marco Polo Programs: Prices are valid through December 2010 and include all accommodations as noted in the itinerary; meals as specified; arrival and departure transfers (regardless of arrival and departure days); fully guided sightseeing as noted in the itinerary (including park and entrance fees); bottled water supplied during sightseeing; selected beverages with group meals; services of an A&K Tour Director* (please see condition noted below); handling of two pieces of baggage per person for international flights (other conditions/restrictions may apply for internal routes; please refer to Baggage section); hotel taxes; gratuities throughout, except to your Tour Director, camp staff and tour guides on extensions (please note that all extensions and custom arrangements are locally guided).

PLEASE NOTE: If a minimum number of passengers is not reached, A&K may provide local guides in each location in place of an A&K Tour Director. Services may also be modified to accommodate a smaller group.

ON PROGRAM EXTENSIONS: All extensions are locally guided. *Gratuities on Escorted Programs: Gratuities are included for hotel/ restaurant staff, porterage and local guides/drivers (except for extensions). Gratuities are not included for the A&K Tour Director, which are at the traveller's discretion and should be based on the level of satisfaction with the service received. Recommended guidelines for each area visited are provided in A&K's pre-tour documentation.

Not Included in Marco Polo Club Programs: Passenger Travel Protection Program; international and internal airfares, unless otherwise noted; costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas; airport departure taxes, unless otherwise noted; excess baggage charges; gratuities as noted above; meals other than specified in the itinerary; beverages other than noted in your pre-tour documentation; sightseeing and game drives not included in the itinerary; personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges and optional activities (which are subject to availability).

Itineraries: Accommodations (hotel or vessel) and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond A&K's control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. A&K also reserves the right to withdraw a tour or any part of it, to make such alterations to the itinerary or the tour inclusions as it deems necessary or desirable, and to pass on to tour members any expenditures or losses caused by delays or events beyond its control.

Special Requests: Specific requests such as adjacent or connecting rooms, bedding requests, smoking or non-smoking rooms and special dietary needs should be advised at time of booking. Please note that every effort will be made to secure your special requests; however, they cannot be guaranteed.

Prices & Arrangements: Quoted program prices include planning, handling and operational charges, and are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of October 2009. A&K reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. A&K is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any Marco Polo Club program. Modification of tour content to accommodate a smaller group size will not affect published tour price.

Your Marco Polo Club discount is included in the advertised program price, inclusive of extra services.

Immediate Check-in: On programs where immediate check-in has not been included in the program price, A&K does request that hotels do their utmost to facilitate this service; however, it is not guaranteed. Most hotels allow check-in to take place during the mid-afternoon. Should you wish to have your room ready for immediate check-in upon arrival, A&K can arrange this for an additional charge. Please ask for details and prices.

Early Arrival: A&K recommends that you arrive a day or two before the start of your tour to allow time to relax and refresh after your journey and to prepare for the start of your program. A&K has negotiated special overnight rates at many hotels contained within this brochure. Please ask for details at time of booking. Departing early from the U.S. is also recommended in the winter months, due to possible flight disruptions and cancellations caused by inclement weather conditions.

Active Elements: On specified programs some active elements have been incorporated into the itinerary. To enjoy the program as intended, a minimum level of fitness is required. Some journeys require long drives over uneven terrain. A&K will require notice if any participant has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to himself or herself or to other members of the selected program. A&K reserves the right to decline to accept anyone that it considers unsuitable due to fitness level. A&K also reserves the right to remove from the trip, at the participant's own expense, anyone whose condition is such that it could create a hazard to himself or herself or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers on the trip. Should you have any questions or need any clarification about a specific program, please ask for details at time of booking.

Baggage: Tour prices include the handling of two pieces of baggage per person. Weight restrictions on some routes on internal air flights may apply; details will be provided with preliminary tour documentation. Baggage and personal effects are at owner's risk throughout the travel program. Please check with your international carrier for other baggage restrictions applicable to your international flights.

A&K's Passenger Travel Protection Program: Our specially designed travel protection program, which provides cancellation coverage, medical coverage and protection against lost or damaged luggage, is not included in the tour price; however, it is strongly recommended. Child Policy: Unless otherwise indicated on the individual tour page, a minimum age of 10 years is required. Some activities contained within a tour may have a different age restriction than the overall minimum age requirement. Details will be provided at the time of booking.

Passports & Visas: Valid passports are required for travel to the destinations in this brochure. Check with your travel agent or A&K for the latest visa requirements. Please note that non-U.S. passport holders are responsible for obtaining the required documentation applicable for entry. Please note also that passports must be valid for six (6) months after the return of your journey and should also have sufficient blank pages for visas and immigrations stamps. A&K cannot be held responsible should you be denied entry to a country due to non-compliance with these requirements. A copy of your valid passport must be submitted to A&K in order to confirm air reservations.

Registration & Payment Schedule: For all programs in this brochure a deposit of $1,250 per person is required. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made within 90 days of departure, the entire cost of the trip must be paid at the time of the request in order to secure confirmation.

Cancellation Charges: Cancellations received by A&K 90 days or more prior to departure will be subject to a $500 per person/per tour cancellation fee; 89-60 days, will be subject to 20% of the program price; 59-30 days will be 50% of program price and 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.

Cancellation Charges for Extra Services: Additional hotel nights and other extra services booked in connection with A&K programs are subject to the following: Cancellations received 31 or more days prior to the service will be refunded in full; cancellations received 30-15 days in advance will be charged 50% of the price; cancellations received less than 15 days in advance will be charged 100% of the price.

Air Transportation: International airfares are not included in tour cost. Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, has special agreements with many carriers and can offer quotations from any gateway. Please ask your tour consultant about our special fares. All international and internal air quotes are subject to change and can carry penalties and surcharges, until final payment has been received by A&K. Flight confirmation is based on availability. PLEASE NOTE THAT CERTAIN AIRFARES ARE SUBJECT TO A SERVICE FEE. Air reservations will not be confirmed until a passport copy is received by A&K.

Airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. These programs may use the services of any IATA carrier. International air carriers are subject to international air conventions limiting their liability. The limitations of liability are contained on the reverse side of the airline ticket or e-ticket receipt, or on the carrier's web site, and form part of the terms and conditions of this package. The passage contract in use by these companies, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the companies and the purchaser of these travel programs and/or passage.

Claims & Refunds: Refunds are not made for any missed services, except for verifiable extenuating circumstances. Please see our Limits on Abercrombie & Kent's Responsibility clause on this page. For verifiable claims to be considered, they must be received in writing within 30 days of the termination of the program and be accompanied by supporting documentation and/or a statement from the local destination company verifying the claim. Any adjustment considered will be based on the actual price of the services involved and not on a per diem basis. Adjustments will not be made for unused sightseeing trips or meals. A&K will not accept any liability for any claims that are not received within 30 days of the termination of your travel program. All claims for days missed while travelling should be made in writing within 30 days of the termination of the program.

Photography and Video During Travel: Abercrombie & Kent reserves the right to take photographs and take video during the operation of any program or part thereof and to use them for promotional purposes. By booking a program with A&K, program members agree to allow their images to be used in such photographs. Program members who prefer that their images not be used are asked to identify themselves to their Tour Director at the beginning of their program.

*Gratuities on Independent Programs (Custom Arrangements): Gratuities are not included in the program price and are at the discretion of the traveller. Recommended guidelines for each area visited are provided in A&K's pre-tour documentation.

Limits on Abercrombie & Kent's Responsibility: Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, its employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents and assigns (collectively A&K), does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip. It purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, train, vessel or otherwise), hotel and other lodging accommodations, restaurant, ground handling and other services from various independent suppliers (including from time to time other affiliated Abercrombie & Kent companies). All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, A&K is not liable for any negligent or willful act of any such person or entity or of any third person.

In addition and without limitation, A&K is not responsible for any injury, financial or physical loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time. There are many inherent risks in adventure travel of the type involved here, which can lead to illness, injury, or even death. These risks are increased by the fact that these trips take place in remote locations, far from medical facilities. Passenger assumes all such risks associated with participating in this trip.

Travel Advisories & Warnings: It is the responsibility of The Traveller to become informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to the U. S. State Department's travel web site at www.travel.state.gov/ or by phone at 888 407 4747. In the event of an active State Department Travel Warning against travel to the specific destination location(s) of the trip, should The Traveller still choose to travel, notwithstanding any travel advisory or warning, The Traveller assumes all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.

Arbitration Agreement: Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms and Conditions, to the Limits on Abercrombie & Kent's Responsibility clause, to the brochure, to any information relating in any way to the trip, to the trip itself, or to any products or services related to the trip, shall be settled solely and exclusively by binding arbitration in Chicago, Illinois in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, except that (a) in lieu of a personal appearance at arbitration, the arbitration may be conducted by telephonic means, (b) arbitration is the exclusive forum for dispute resolution (no court actions), and (c) except as otherwise provided by statute, each party shall bear its own costs and expenses and an equal share of the arbitrator and administrative fees.

Traveller's Representations: The Traveller represents that neither he nor she nor anyone travelling with him or her has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to himself or herself or other members of the tour. A&K reserves the right to decline to accept anyone on a trip. A&K reserves the right to remove from the trip, at his or her sole expense, anyone whose condition is such that he or she could create a hazard to himself or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers on the trip.

Any payment to Abercrombie & Kent constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out herein and in more specific pre-departure passenger documentation, including the personal information form. Abercrombie & Kent accepts all major credit cards.

Photography: Alamy, Getty Images, Alissa Everett, graficart.net, Adam Jones, Danita Delimont, travelib prime, Stock Connection Blue, Alain Le Garsmeur, Angelo Cavalli, Robert Harding, Redchopsticks.com, ja, Ron Yue, Inmagine, Wan Wi, Jon Arnold Images Ltd, Paul Kingsley, Stuart Forster, Golden Chariot, Massimo Pizzotti, Expuesto - Nicolas Randall, Fred Friberg, S. Friberg, Sindre Ellingsen, Blaine Harrington III, Stockfolio, Brian Lawrence, Hugh Sitton, Chris Favro, Gardel Bertrand/hemis.fr, George Morgan-Grenville, Marco Simoni, Kymri Wilt, World History Archive, Jean Dominique DALLET, Mare Australis, Patrick Bennett, Pat Koziar, Dallas Hetherington, Lawrence Smith, JTB Photo Communications, Inc.

Cover Image:
Perito Moreno Galcier, Argentina © Aldo Sessa/Getty Images © 2009 Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC • CST#2007274-20

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