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led by Kasma Loha-unchit

Trip Dates and Cost 2008 to 2009

For travelers seeking intimate experiences with the land, the culture and the people. Personal journeys specially designed for adventurous, active folk who love exotic cultures and spicy cuisines! Please don't think of these as standard tours. They are more along the lines of educational journeys exploring the food and culture of Thailand.

Food is an important part of the trip and participants must love spicy Thai food. We cannot accept anyone who has special dietary needs – including food allergies, strong food preferences or not eating a specific food be it animal (pork, chicken, fish, shellfish), vegetable (such as onions or peanuts) or grain (wheat, for example).

Trip A – Northern, Central & Southern Thailand – 28 Days
Departs Thursday, November 20, 2008; returns Thursday, December 18, 2008.
Price is $3,950 (subject to change). (For groups of 10 persons or fewer, add $225 per person.)
Spaces still available.

Journey through the rich cultural heartland of the Central region to the North, where colorful hill peoples and artisan villages thrive. Visit a misty valley in the foothills of the Himalayas bordering Myanmar (Burma); then travel south along the narrow peninsula to the beautiful Southwestern coast, where numerous enchanting islands await discovery.

Trip B – Northern & Central Thailand – 19 Days
Departs Friday January 2, 2009; returns Wednesday January 21, 2009.
Price is $3,350 (subject to change). (For groups of 10 persons or fewer, add $200 per person.) Note: The 19-day trip is somewhat higher in price relative to the longer trips due to higher air fare and room casts during the high season in Thailand.
Spaces still available.

For people with limited time to travel, this shortened version of Trip A covers the same destinations in the Central heartland and in the North while cutting out the Southern region.

Trip C – Southern Thailand – 28 Days
Departs Thursday, January 29, 2009; returns Thursday, February 26, 2009. Accepting deposits.
Price is $3,950 (subject to change). (For groups of 10 persons or fewer, add $250 per person.)
Spaces still available.

Special page on Southern trip

This special trip of the South explores rainforest preserves, hidden caves, ancient sites of the Srivijaya Buddhist empire and countless idyllic islands in the enchanting Andaman Sea. Includes visits to two remote marine national parks with exceptional and biologically diverse coral reefs. An excellent opportunity to explore many wonderful beaches and to see firsthand the culture of Southern Thailand.

To come on the Southern trip you need to be a good swimmer, know how to snorkel and love the sea. We spend much of the trip at marine national parks where the beauty is found largely under the water rather than above; we choose them largely because of their wonderful reefs for snorkeling. There are 8 days where there is some snorkeling and on many of those days we leave in the morning, snorkel all day and return in the evening: if you do not know how to snorkel, you may not enjoy these days. Because the parks are for their natural beauty, the accommodations may be rustic; there is no hot water, no air conditioning and electricity is available only during set hours in the evening night, and/or morning. For someone who loves nature and snorkeling, it is paradise.

Special page on Southern trip
Southern Trip Itinerary
Southern Trip Conditions/Contract (PDF format)
Southern Trip Photos
Food photos from the Southern Trip – goes offsite, opens new window
Snorkeling Photos
Further details below

In addition to our Southern Trip Photos, there are three sets of photos online from the January/February 2003 trip to Southern Thailand.

Trip Details

Above trip prices include – airfare to Thailand from San Francisco, lodging (double occupancy), all meals and local means of conveyance while in Thailand. They are subject to change as necessitated by unanticipated increases in airline and room rates.

Group size is limited to fourteen participants for each trip. The trip minimum is 10 participants.

More details found in Trip Conditions/contract.

All trip members must read the Frequently Asked Questions

We do interview all potential trip members to insure compatibility.

Trip Registration

If you are interested in the trips, please read all the information available online.

After you have read everything online, then contact Kasma. Do not send a deposit until we have talked with you – we can not accept your deposit until we have talked with you about the trip.

These trips are not for everyone! You must like spicy Thai food, rice and seafood, eat food of all kinds, be physically active, be open to new experiences, get along with people, be willing to get going early on some mornings, be open to new experiences, and be open to "roughing it" on occasion.

This Page: Trip dates, cost | Details | General description | Testimonials

Description

Thailand . . . an exotic land, of magnificent temples and ancient ruins, rich in culture, abundant natural beauty and warm, charming people.

Travel this beautiful country the "Thai Way," personally escorted by Kasma Loha-unchit, native of Thailand and for many years a San Francisco Bay Area resident and well-loved Thai cooking teacher. Kasma will give you a rare insider's view, take you to unusual off-the-beaten-path destinations, and open to you ample opportunities to observe and participate in the many facets of Thai life.

The in-depth, small-group trips are specially designed for travelers with a taste for adventure and a desire to experience intimately the land, her culture and people. It is a journey into a world rich in exotic sights, sounds, scents, tastes and textures, with an ambience distinctly its own. It is a chance to savor and experience delicious Thai food for the length of the trip.

The charm and warmth of the easy-going people . . . the glittering splendor of magnificent temples and royal palaces . . . the ancient ruins of glorious cities and civilizations of days long passed . . . the abundance of exotic tropical fruits and flowers . . . the exquisite flavors of the fine cuisine . . . the shimmering gold and saffron-robed monks, colorful spirit houses, and respect for the spiritual and mystical in everyday life . . . the excitement and bargains in countless open-air marketplaces . . . the verdant forests, lush hills and valleys, misty rice fields, graceful coconut groves, endless stretches of idyllic white-sand beaches, sleepy fishing villages, and enchanting islands bathing in gentle waters teeming with marine life – these and much more will captivate you and leave a lasting impression in your memory, as it has for previous trip members.

To preserve the quality of the individual experience, the size of the trip group will be kept small – fourteen maximum. We will travel light and leisurely by private van, hired boat, train, and other local means of transportation. We will dine where the locals dine and stay in small, comfortable hotels, near local marketplaces or residential communities while in cities and towns, and in bungalows or cabins in beautiful natural areas.

To enjoy Kasma's trips you must like spicy Thai food, rice and seafood, be open to new experiences, get along with people, be willing to get going early on some mornings,and be open to "roughing it" on occasion. We cannot accept anyone who has special dietary needs – including food allergies, strong food preferences or not eating a specific food be it animal (pork, chicken, fish, shellfish), vegetable (such as onions or peanuts) or grain (wheat, for example).

This Page: Trip dates, cost | Details | General description | Testimonials

Testimonials

Thank You For a Magical Trip: Now that I have been home from our trip to Thailand for a few weeks, I have been able to take some time to reflect on a beautiful experience. Thank you!

Everyday I think about what our experiences were and how my life was touched, from the amazing options of food, the historic Wats and heritage sites, to adventures such as riding bamboo rafts down a river then getting on elephants for a ride through the countryside and then hiking to the top of a mountain for a view of our surroundings. (And that was just in one day.)

Just before we landed in Eugene, both _____ and I looked at each other and said that we will never be able to explain in detail what we had just experienced. What I loved about this trip is that you had clearly described it and it was exactly what you had listed in your web FAQs - except I didn't think I would eat that much food! I still cannot go to a Thai restaurant yet. We have gotten together to cook Thai, but now I need my food Thai style (especially spicy). By the way, I didn't gain any weight either.

I also want to thank you for sharing your love for such a wonderful country and its people. You truly care for the people and want to make sure that they are treated with respect. Thank you for the discussions about Buddha, the visits to the Hmong hill villages and history lessons about our various locations. Because of you, I feel more connected with Thailand than I had ever hoped I would been able to experience.

Thank you for letting me be a part of such a special experience. I wish you well as you continue with your other tours and that you safely return home to Oakland.

– Kirk from Eugene, OR (2007 Trip A)

I'm continuing to revel in, sleep in and dream of our magnificent adventure. Being in a Buddhist country, meeting so many wonderful, gentle people and seeing so many new and exotic things has left its mark in my psyche is ways that I don't understand. You had a wonderful way of bringing us into the culture and people instead of being cut off as spectators. Thank you for that great opportunity.

– Fred Onufryk

We can't tell you enough how enjoyable you, personally, have made this trip for us. Your interest, consideration and compassion for our needs and desires has made this 2-1/2 weeks the most enjoyable trip abroad we have ever had.

You really have something unique and we now appreciate it much better.

We love you all and we will remember you and Thailand forever. Thank you for all you have done for the two of us.

– Barbara & Bill Warren

Thank you for the wonderful trip!! It was an epic adventure for me and I really appreciated your enthusiasm and conscientious efforts to put it all together!

– Janet Noble

This is the account of a trip that appeared in International Travel News in July 1999.

My husband and I, retired travel-loving seniors, went to Thailand with Kasma Loha-unchit of Thailand Travel Adventures in No ''98.

We discovered her little ad in International Travel News and called her. She said her trip was not plush and that some of the accommodations were rustic but that we- would see and get to know more than just the usual tourist sights of the country.

The 28-day trip was priced at $3, 200 per person and included airfare train travel hotels and all meals – everything except drinks, laundry and, personal items. The trip was all she said it 'would-be and more.

Kasma managed our diverse group with good-humored ease. She was very knowledgeable, efficient and, unflappable and answered all our questions with clarity and insight. It was a wonderful trip.

All the hotels were acceptable; some were deluxe resorts, and even the little cabins on Poda Island were fine, lacking only hot water.

We've never enjoyed food more. We ate at little noodle shops, outdoor markets and plush resort dining rooms.

We visited many temples and many tribal villages. We ended the trip with several days of swimming and snorkeling on small islands in the Andaman Sea.

Kasma is a terrific leader, but more than that she is an outstanding person. She and her wonderful country made the trip memorable and just what we'd been hoping for.

I had maag sanuk [Thai words for "a lot of fun"] on the holiday to Thailand. I was enthralled by the culture. Thank you for sharing, being patient and providing such good food. This trip was a rewarding experience as a student of The Thai culture, but it was also a time and intimacy to begin to know you. I suspected or understood from the cooking classes that Kasma was a composed, a harmonious, peaceful, beautiful, kind, wise and happy person, but this trip allowed me to realize how much you love your culture, people, country and how much you enjoy sharing them and just enjoy Life.

– John McHugh

One group wrote this song at the end of the trip. It is sung to the tune of "Hello Dolly."

Good bye, Kasma
Yes, so long, Kasma
We know this perfect
Trip will have to end.

We've eaten well, Kasma
You can tell, Kasma,
By our toasts and praises
Nightly going 'round the bend.

The people here, Kasma
Are so dear, Kasma
With their smiles and gentle
kindness shining through . . .

So . . . now we'll say so long . . .
To our drivers Ong and Thong
Jack and Buddhists and temples too
Boat trips, elephants and funny loos
And . . .
Hope that we will come this way again!

This Page: Trip dates, cost | Details | General description | Testimonials

About this site
Watercolor Copyright © 1995 Toby Goodenough. All rights reserved.
All material on this website is Copyright © 1995 to 2008 Kasma Loha-unchit. All rights reserved.
For comments, feedback or questions, contact Kasma.
Last Updated 20 January 2008.