Thailand
Thailand Trip – February 2027
From February 16th to the 25th, 2027, This program will be offering an amazing opportunity to experience several exotic destinations in southern Thailand. The flight touches down in Bangkok, known for its spicy food, ancient Buddhist temples, and revitalizing Thai messages. Immediately, this Cultural Experience is sure to challenges one’s senses and beliefs. The first adventure reaches the Krabi Providence on the western coast of Thailand. Such movies as “The Beach” and James Bond’s “Man with the Golden Gun” were filmed amongst limestone columns, jetting out of turquoise waters. There are many remote beaches, sunsets and national parks to be discovered. In addition, the itinerary presents multiple opportunities to learn about the spiritual traditions and practices of the Buddhist people. Each participant can embrace these spiritual teachings to the level at which they are comfortable; respect and open mindedness will always guide the learning process. Here is a list of scheduled adventures included.
- Explore significant Temples and Buddhist sites including:
Wat (Temple) Pho, Wat Arun, and Tiger Temple.
- Sightsee in Bangkok, the capital of “Siam”. Changed name to Thailand in 1939.
- Travel by domestic flight to the Southern Provence of Krabi. A local fishing town.
- Stroll some of the most scenic and beautiful beaches on earth.
- Shop and eat at local fresh markets. Take-in a Thai Traditional massage.
- Explore the lush jungle flora with hidden lagoons and waterfalls.
- Two night stay in Beach/Jungle Hut in Railey National Park.
- Ride an elephant to preserve the existence and habitat of these gentle creatures.
- Learn the fundamental beliefs of Buddhism and monastic life.
- Take a local longtail boat to uninhabited isles of the Andaman Sea.
- Travel international with a group of spiritually orientated, sober people.
Traveling Costs for Beaches and Temples
This all-inclusive program lasts 10 days and costs $3,100, which includes flights from NYC, SEA, SFO, or LAX, Included are all listed excursions and activities on the itinerary, lodging, daily breakfast, all ground transportation, domestic flights in Thailand, temple entrance fees, cultural and spiritual lectures, day-tours, boats and ferries, and licensed tour guides. Flights departing from alternative cities in the USA may vary the price.
*Participants can purchase their own flight reservations to Bangkok (BKK or DMK) and meet the group at the hotel in Bangkok when the group is scheduled to arrive. Transportation to and from the airport into town are not included when booking own flight. No portion of the tour is refundable should you flight not align with the group itinerary and dates. The cost of the trip without flight is $2,300 per person for double occupancy.
Traveling Abroad
It is a timely and tedious excursion traveling from the USA to Thailand but once you arrive, it will all be worth it. Each participant will need a passport, but not a Visa. The law does not require vaccinations, but those decisions are better to be consulted with your family’s physician. Most people living in the United States have already been immunized against various diseases found in Thailand. Booster shots against tetanus, measles, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and polio are common recommendations. “Traveler’s Flu” and diarrhea are common occurrences with any foreign travel. Antibiotics can greatly improve a possibly miserable situation (like a bus ride). We strongly recommend having your physician prescribe an antibiotic to help. The prescriptions need to be filled-in the United States prior to departure.
Lodging
The group will be staying in hotels during the trip. Throughout the program, many hotels will also provide group meals and serve as a place to host group activities, and cultural lectures. All hotels have air conditioning except two nights in bungalows on Tonsai Beach which provide fans. Throughout the entire visit, there are restaurants, Wi-Fi hotspots, hospitals, 24- hour pharmacies, bus transportation, and cellular service. Krabi-Town is known to be safe for foreign travelers while still possessing a local feel. All lodging is based on double occupancy rooms. Single hotel occupancy requests will require an additional $250 fee.
Additional Costs Not Included
Additional costs NOT included in the program are bottled water, personal gear expenses, gifts and souvenirs, personal snacks, any medical or emergency needs, Covid or any Medical Action Plan expenses, traveler’s insurance, tips for local guides and staff, hotel upgrades, single lodging occupancy, airline meals and layovers, transportation to and from international flight, extra massages other than first complimentary, Add-On Trip, and all lunches and dinners throughout the trip. Food is very affordable in Thailand and these meals allow participants to get some free-time and explore on their own.
Traveling in Southeast Asia
The itinerary entails walking tours, boat and ferry rides, bus/van transports, and domestic flights that cover ground across Thailand. Casual walking tours will require a moderate level of walking (3-4 hours) with multiple steps and stairs. There will be no trekking or camping involved on the Thailand Tour. There will always be times to rest, hydrate, and eat during the tours. If anyone is feeling sick or fatigued, Peru Alive will plan to safely assist each participant through the itinerary or escort them back to their lodging. Thailand is located between vast areas of sea water, so it is impacted by both the summer and the winter monsoons. As a result, Thailand weather consists of heavy rainfall during the wet season (June to October), three months of dry and cooling breezes during the winter season (November to February), and three months of heat during the summer (March to May). The average temperature of Thailand ranges from 64 to 100°F. Humidity is always high. There are certain disabilities and medical conditions that would make Thailand an unsafe travel destination. Please complete the application packet accurately and discuss any physical or mental concerns directly with Mick Stemborski. Peru Alive reserves the right to refuse services to any applicant who presents medical or mental issues that would deem this program unsafe or inappropriate to the individual or group as a whole.
Add-On Trip: Ayutthaya and Alcoholics Anonymous National Round Up
Prior to the AA Conference on February 25th, the group will travel for a day tour of Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok. The Historic City of Ayutthaya, founded in 1350, was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom. It flourished from the 14th to the 18th centuries, during which time it grew to be one of the world’s largest and most cosmopolitan urban areas and a center of global diplomacy and commerce. Ayutthaya is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site, characterized by the remains of tall prang (reliquary towers) and Buddhist monasteries of monumental proportions, which give an idea of the city’s past size and the splendor of its architecture.
From February 25th to the 29th, the remaining group will travel to Pattaya, Thailand, to attend the AA Thailand Round Up. This will be held at the Royal Cliff Conference Center. A private van will transport the group from Bangkok for a 2 hour ride to Pattaya where accommodations will be provided within walking distance of the conference center. The hotel has a complimentary breakfast and a pool. There is also a beach at the conference resort. available for attendees. Each participant is responsible for registering for the conference to attend, this and the Saturday Night Banquet are not included. After the weekend long conference, the group will drive back to Bangkok to transfer to their international flight back to the USA. This Add-On Trip costs $500, not including lunch, dinners, and conference registration and banquet.
Non-Alcohol Policy
Due to the spiritual nature of the program, cultural sensitivity, risks of sickness, and spiritual focus, alcohol and other substance-use is discouraged. This has caused multiple problems in the past and never seems to enhance the experience our travelers are seeking.
Trip Payment
Contact Peru Alive or download an application packet at www.peru-alive.com. Return the completed packet and an invoice for total cost will be sent to your email address. Please, include single occupancy and/or AA Round Up options on your application. Once the payment is received in full, Peru Alive will purchase your flights and transportation needs for the trip. An initial sum of $1,600 is immediately used for trip transportation and logistical costs and is non-refundable. However, your flights will be purchased in your name with your own confirmation numbers. If you cancel or are unable to attend, the international airline ticket remains in your name and is yours to manage for seating, upgrades, meals, etc. You will be subject to the specific airline’s refund policy, change fees, and ticket credit, should you modify or cancel.
The remaining balance of your full payment (depending on options) is 100% refundable before November 15th; 50% refundable before January 1st; and 0% refundable after January 1st, 2027.
The only guarantee for full or partial reimbursement outside the Peru Alive refund policy listed above is to purchase your own traveler’s insurance policy. This is not required but certainly suggested due to trip cancellation, unforeseeable catastrophic events, natural disaster, elevated travel risk advisories or any unforeseeable circumstance presenting real threat to the safety of the group.
You can make payments to Peru Alive by PayPal or Venmo. (3day+ to avoid fees). All payment information will be sent directly to your e-mail when we receive and approve your application packet. If you are choosing to include the AA Round Up Add-On, your invoice will include an additional $500. Single occupancy will include an additional $250.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance policies vary depending on the price of the trip, and the tier-level of coverage you want, from basic, to premier. Any policy you review will offer some form of emergency medical reimbursement, emergency evacuation reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, trip interruption stipends, and trip refunds for various pre-approved reasons depending on the tier. Only the highest tier and most expensive policies will offer a 100% cancelation refund for any reason.
Every travel insurance website will ask the same basic questions; destination(s), travel dates, and age. These answers are set according to our itinerary. Next, they will ask how much your trip costs. This is the amount they will use to determine what percentage of trip refund you can collect, should you cancel the trip (for the pre-approved reasons). You do not have to list the actual price of the trip. You can start as low as $50 trip cost, which allows you to receive medical coverage and other benefits for the lowest cost without any type of refund for cancellation. If you are seeking trip reimbursement for cancelation, you need to list the actual amount of $3,100 to assure the higher refund amounts and reimbursement rates. Once you have entered this information, you will get multiple quotes for various tiers of coverage.
Any emergency medical cost you accrue abroad needs to be paid out-of-pocket before you leave the medical provider’s facility. This is why a credit card is essential for travel emergencies. When you return home, you submit a claim for your medical and emergency bills to the travel insurance claims department. Reading the fine print of any insurance policy will inform the holder of what services are covered. Peru Alive cannot assist with this process and make no guarantee of refund. Peru Alive cannot assist with claims and have influence in refund amounts.
Health Issues and Covid Concerns
The tourism industry has certainly changed since the pandemic. Peru Alive has made some adjustments to best accommodate unknown future factors of living in a post-pandemic era. If any member is to encounter a health ailment in which they cannot continue or contract Covid, they will be provided a personal hotel room, close to adequate medical facilities, to quarantine and recover. A staff member will be assigned to help you through the healing. However, the traveler will assume all additional costs needed to stay safe. Reported on July 24, 2023, Thailand remains on a Level I Travel Advisory: Exercise Normal Precautions. You can follow more safety information and alerts for Thailand at www.travel/state.gov.
How to Apply
Step 1: Once you receive the application packet, please complete and sign with all the information requested. Peru Alive can email an application to you, or you can find it at www.peru-alive.com. Enrollment is now open and there are limited seats. All information provided is kept in privacy and is relevant to your safety and well-being while traveling abroad. You can submit your application by email to mickstem@hotmail.com or by text if you don’t have access to a computer. When your application is reviewed and approved, Peru Alive will send you an invoice and payment information for a direct bank transfer (free) or by PayPal (3+ day transfer.
Step 2: Flight confirmation and itinerary, trip updates, travel tips, gear list, and useful information will be distributed by e-mail to help prepare for the adventure. Group participants will be invited to an informal meet-and-greet sometime in August (TBA). This meeting is highly encouraged but NOT mandatory.
Trip Facilitator and Lead Guide
Mick Stemborski discovered the wonders of Thailand on a personal trip in 2000. Mick is lead guide for Peru Alive, a Cultural Immersion Traveling Program and Study Abroad Program for higher education. He holds a master’s degree in professional counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. His under-graduate Degree is in Business Recreation and Leisure. Mick has been developing unique programs that introduces various groups and students to the cultural wonders of the world. He has the honor of working with many amazing people around the world and cherishes these friendships.
Money Abroad
Probably the most common question when traveling to developing countries. Here is a basic suggestion. Bring 3 forms of money. Start with a Visa or Mastercard. This can be used for bigger purchases or emergencies. Second, bring an ATM card. This will provide the best exchange rates and can be replaced if lost. Lastly, bring a few hundred US dollars in cash and keep for back-up when there are no ATMs or power outages. You can put this away for unexpected situations. Please: keep your passport and major means of currency on your person.
Final Thoughts
The program requires extensive traveling by plane, train, and van. The lighter the pack, the easier the traveling can be. Please, do not exceed the gear list recommendations unless you have special needs. If you require additional supplies or clothing, local merchants sell all goods at extremely low prices compared to the United States. A mild to moderate degree of physical activity is required to participate in the itinerary. Please, remember life is different outside the United States. The level of services, degree of modern infrastructure, time management and local cuisine may not be what Americans are accustomed to. This is all part of the “international experience.” All program meals, transports and sleeping accommodations will be safe, adequate, and reflect the cost of the program. Daily Itinerary provided below. Thank You.
DATE ACTIVITY
Feb 16, Tue Destination to Bangkok – International Flights TBA
Night Flight, Loose a Day
Feb 17, Wed Bangkok – Rest and City Tour
Orientation and Massage
Feb 18, Thurs Bangkok Temples – Wat Arun, Wat Pho
Walking and River Boat Tour
Feb 19, Fri Bangkok to Krabi – Domestic Flight
Check-in Hotel, Orientation, Night Markets
Feb 20, Sat Krabi – Longtail Boat Tour
Remote Islands and Beaches
Feb 21, Sun Krabi – Tiger Temple and Emeral Pool
Climb to Buddha Stupa, Monk Caves, Monkeys, & Swimming
Feb 22, Mon Krabi to Tonsai Beach in Railey National Park
Boat Access Only into Park, Check-in Bungalows
Feb 23, Tues Tonsai Beach – Day Off
Optional Rock Climbing and Jungle Hikes
Feb 24, Wed Tonsai Beach to Krabi to Bangkok – Domestic Flight
Travel Day, Final time in Bangkok
Feb 25, Thurs Group Splits – Beaches Group Departs to USA
Round Up Group on Ayutthaya Day Trip
———————– Add-On Group to AA Roundup
Feb 26, Fri AA Round Up – Registration
Drive to Pattaya, Register and Attend Meetings / Sessions
Feb 27, Sat AA Round Up – Continues
Keynote Speaker, Optional Banquet
Feb 28, Sun AA Round Up – Wrap Up
Drive to Bangkok
Feb 29, Mon AA Round Up Group – Departs to USA
International Flights TBD
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