Thursday, May 17, 2012

Tour to Mae Hong Son (Northern Thailand) & Dhammagiri Orphanage visit (17 - 21 Nov 2012)

****Limited to 16 seats only.Book your Air Asia seat early to enjoy cheaper fare****

Dhammagiri Foundation Orphanage
& SUNFLOWER season tour
NOV 17-21, 2012 MAE HONG SON, THAILAND
Remember the photo exhibitions showcasing the artistic output of Ajahn Cagino..?



Ajahn Cagino, a Malaysian born professional photographer turn Buddhist monk, is a founding member of Dhammagiri Foundation (www.dhammagiri.or.th), an NGO that seeks to improve the life of poor ethnic minorities in mountainous Mae Hong Son province of Thailand. The photo exhibitions were held to raise funds to build an orphanage.



This NOVEMBER 17-21, 2012, Ti-Ratana Penchala Community Centre invites you to visit Ajahn Cagino at the new orphanage near Mae Hong Son town and visit his temple located up in the mountain village of Muang Pam





At the same time, get lost in the bright yellow fields of Bua Tong Flowers (Mexican Sunflower), which blooms in Mae Hong Son province only in November!! Visit the Long Neck Karen village, go bamboo rafting into Tham Lod Cave and make a trip to scenic Mae Aw village, nicknamed “The Switzerland of Thailand” and home to descendants of former Chinese Kuomintang soldiers.

If you are going to Mae Hong Son, NOVEMBER is the best time!!




SAT NOV 17: CHIANG MAI - PAI – THAM LOD – MUANG PAM                       (L/D)
Arrival Air Asia flight AK 1914 8.40 am at Chiang Mai airport. Transfer to Pai town in Mae Hong Son province. Have lunch in Pai and take a walk around the shopping street of Pai. Then continue to Tham Lod Cave to take bamboo raft ride into the cave and visit the ancient wooden coffins. From Tham Lod Cave parking area, board pickup trucks for transfer up mountain to Muang Pam Village and visit Ajahn Cagino's temple. Overnight at Muang Pam’s home-stay houses, with dinner of home cooked Thai food.

LUNCH: Local Restaurant
DINNER: Home cooked meals (Muang Pam village home-stay program)
ACCOMMODATION: home-stay at Muang Pam village

SUN NOV 18: MUANG PAM - MAE HONG SON                                      (B/L/D)
After breakfast, board pickup trucks for transfer down to Tham Lod Cave area. Board tour vans and visit Fish Cave and Wat Pa Baan Mai temple. Proceed to Mae Hong Son town for lunch. Then go for Pai River long-tail boat ride to visit the Long Neck Karen village. Next is elephant ride across river and through forest & plantation. Return to Mae Hong Son town to visit hilltop Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu and 2 lakeside temples; Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang. Dinner and then visit night market at lakeside area. Transfer to Dhammagiri Foundation Orphanage to overnight.

BREAKFAST: local breakfast under home-stay program of Muang Pam village
LUNCH: Local Restaurant
DINNER: Local Restaurant
ACCOMMODATION: at Dhammagiri Foundation Orphanage
MON NOV 19: MAE HONG SON & MAE AW Day Trip                            (L/D)
Morning, transfer to Mae Aw with en-route stops at Pha Sua Waterfall, Pang Tong Summer Palace and Pang Ung Lake ("Switzerland of Thailand"). Visit Ban Pang Ung village where the local Shan villagers cultivate coffee bushes. Then finally arrive at Mae Aw village aka “Ban Ruk Thai” (Love Thai Village); a village established by descendants of former Kuomintang Chinese soldiers. Lunch and explore the village. Return to Mae Hong Son town. Dinner in town and overnight at Dhammagiri Foundation Orphanage.

BREAKFAST: at the orphanage
LUNCH: Local Restaurant
DINNER: Local Restaurant
ACCOMMODATION: at Dhammagiri Foundation Orphanage

TUE NOV 20: MAE HONG SON - KHUN YUAM - flight to CHIANG MAI          (L/D)
Morning, transfer to Microwave Tower hill to enjoy the scenery. Then to Khun Yuam to visit the Bua Tong flower (Mexican Sunflower) fields, with hill after hill carpeted with the yellow flowers. Lunch and transfer to Mae Hong Son airport to catch 16.10pm flight back to Chiang Mai, arrival 16.45pm. Dinner and overnight in Chiang Mai.

BREAKFAST: at the orphanage
LUNCH: Local Restaurant
DINNER: Local Restaurant in Chiang Mai city located beside Mae Ping River
ACCOMMODATION: Imm Hotel Tha Phae, Chiang Mai (3 star) or similar

WED NOV 21: CHIANG MAI departure                                                      (B)
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport for Air Asia 9.10am flight.

BREAKFAST: at hotel


RATES: based on twin sharing, for group size of 16 persons

a)    Ground Tour                                             RM 1200
b)    Chiang Mai–Mae Hong Son air ticket      RM   220 (subject to change by airline)

TOTAL  =       RM 1420 /person

Single supplement = RM 115

Rates & Itinerary subject to changes in FOREX rates, domestic Mae Hong Son – Chiang Mai air ticket price, unforeseen surcharges, weather, etc.

INCLUSIVE:
a)    Domestic 1 way air ticket Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai, based on approximate price RM220 and subject to change by the airline.
b)    Airport transfers and tour excursion on PRIVATE basis using 2 x Tour Vans
c)    Accommodation
NOV 17: Home-stay program at Muang Pam Village
NOV 20: Imm Hotel Tha Phae, Chiang Mai (3 star) or similar
d)    Meals as per itinerary above
e)    Guaranteed no compulsory shopping stops
f)     English speaking tour guide and entrance fees for attractions as per itinerary

EXCLUDING:
a) Return KL-Chiang Mai Air Asia airfare, airport taxes and fuel surcharges
b) Accommodation on Nov 18 & 19 nights (these are at Dhammagiri Orphanage)
c) 2 breakfasts: Nov 19 & 20 (while at Dhammagiri Orphanage)
d) Travel insurance – can be arranged separately – RM 32 per person (5 days coverage)
e) Guide & Driver Tipping – no compulsory amount set – amount is up to individual discretion
f) Personal expenses like optional activities not included in itinerary, soft drinks during meals, items of donations or dana, hotel bellboys/porter tipping, laundry charges, mini-bar charges, etc.


SIGNING UP:
To sign up, kindly contact Bro. David via:
·         email david@elsoltravel.com
·         h/p: 016-210 6951
·         tel. 603-79844560 (Mon–Fri, 10am-5pm, EL SOL Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd)


DEADLINE: sign up by MAY 31 with non-refundable deposit of RM 300 /person


DO NOTE that it is to your advantage if you purchase the Air Asia return
KL – Chiang Mai air tickets as early as possible.
Air Asia air ticket will go up in price as the date of departure approaches closer.

The flights to be used are:

SAT NOV 17 Air Asia AK 1914 KUL 0655 CNX 0840

WED NOV 21 Air Asia AK 1915 CNX 0910 KUL 1300

Alternatively, you can opt to arrive in Chiang Mai on your own before Nov 17 and/or to depart Chiang Mai on your own later than Nov 21.