Thailand Trip - March 2015 - Companions needed (1 Viewer)

[greyfantail]

Hi

I am planning a trip to Thailand in March 2015, and would like to find a few other people to go with me to share costs.

My main priority is to see Spoon-billed Sandpiper.

I have tentative itinerary for the rest of the trip (visiting some of the main birding sites in central, northern, and southern Thailand).
But I would be happy to modify it to suit anyone else who wants to travel with me.


Tentative itinerary:

Sat 28th February: flight into Bangkok from Australia, arrive evening.
March 1-2: Pak Thale
March 3-5: Kaeng Krachan NP
March 6: Flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
March 6-14: Doi Inthanon NP and Doi Lang/Doi Ang Khang/Doi Chiang Dao/Thaton (haven't decided which to visit yet)
March 15: flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
March 15-18: Khao Yai NP
March 19: flight from Bangkok to Krabi
March 19-21: Krabi and Similian Islands
March 22-24: Khao Nor Chuchi
March 25-27: Krung Ching Waterfall*
March 28: flight from Krabi to Bangkok, evening flight from Bangkok to Australia

*or possibly a hike up Khao Luang mountain instead to look for newly split (by Clements and Birdlife International) Thai endemic Turquoise-throated Barbet.


Expected costs (in AU$):
Internal flights: 120-180
National Park entrance fees: 200
Boat Trips: 200
Food: 300-400
Car Hire: 1000-1500
Fuel: 200-400?
Accommodation/camping equipment hire: 700 (or 350 if 2 people splitting cost of a room).

In total, per person:
Just me: 2720 - 3580
2 people: 1770 - 2280
3 people: 1685 - 2080
4 people: 1470 - 1805

I want to get cheap food/accommodation if possible so maybe food and accommodation will be less than the guesstimate above.

However, I wouldn't mind getting more comfortable accommodation if that's what someone travelling with me wants.

I am going to use the information on www.thaibirding.com, souththailandbirding.com, and www.norththailandbirding.com to plan
the trip in more detail later on.


Also:

I haven't birded (or traveled) outside of Australia before, and if anyone has any good advice (or can point me to websites with good advice) it would be much appreciated.

 

[AJo]

Hi greyfantail

Currently planning a 3 weeks trip to Thailand for Spoon bill sandpiper, Kaeng Krachan, Khao Yai and the north, not bery different from your first 3 weeks. Will begin 1 week earlier. Seems usefull that we discuss and exchange information.

 

[viator]

Hi Greyfantail,

It really comes down to your confidence of doing things yourself - I'd have no problem doing the month for a fraction of your price incl. driving the whole thing with/without out flights but it would need a few long days! In reality driving the length will get you birds by default you are giving significant time to you could skip.

Very little the 3 days in Khao Yai you won;t see elsewhere - don't get me wrong love the place but not weekends and get to see everything elsewhere so why dedicate the time if once off (and camp in the park if you do it with the hassles that means).

Up to you when it comes to the Pitta as could be quick or a week or more...don;t believe anything you are told and then you won;t be disappointed if doing solo. Disclaimer not seen the pitta so can't give reliable advice!