Northern Thailand: Hilltribes & Villages
8 days
From
$ 619
Duration8 days
Now's the time to explore northern Thailand on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Take in the gleaming high-rises and bustling pace of Bangkok, go face-to-face with the colourful cultures of hilltribe communities, and keep up with the night markets and cuisine of Chiang Mai. Take on Southeast Asia with us, and you'll find the perfect balance of fun and flexibility to help you make the most of it all.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 8 daysService level: Basic
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Physical Grading: Average
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Ages: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned today, so take this free time to relax, explore the city, and adjust to the heat and pace of Bangkok.
After meeting your group and CEO, head out for an optional dinner to get to know everybody better. Please arrive at our start point hotel before 18:00 for an important group meeting where you will meet your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members. Please look for a sign on the hotel's notice board for the time and location of your group meeting.
There are no activities planned today, so take this free time to relax, explore the city, and adjust to the heat and pace of Bangkok.
After meeting your group and CEO, head out for an optional dinner to get to know everybody better. Please arrive at our start point hotel before 18:00 for an important group meeting where you will meet your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members. Please look for a sign on the hotel's notice board for the time and location of your group meeting.
Day 2: Bangkok/Chiang Mai
Opt to visit Wat Po and the Grand Palace, or check out the city's klongs by boat. Board an overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Due to disruptions of Thai trains in the north during the monsoon season, trips running July through October may use alternative transport.
Meals: B
Day 3: Chiang Mai
Enjoy one of two street food crawls with the group and CEO. Opt to visit Doi Suthep temple, comb the night markets for souvenirs, or participate in a Thai cooking class.
Explore rural lanes of Chiang Mai in a tuk-tuk by pre-booking the Full Day Tuk-Tuk Adventure or experience the flavours and scents of traditional northern Thai cuisine by pre-booking the Northern Thai Cooking Class.
Day 4: Chiang Mai/Ban Mae Jok
We might have time to visit a local market before stopping for lunch and starting our trek.
Tucked away in the hills of northern Thailand is where the most colourful and unchanged traditional communities can be found. Trek through forests and rural terrains to visit some of these diverse hilltribe villages; often, each will have their own unique language, clothing style, and belief system that differs significantly from those of neighbouring tribes. You are well looked after by your local guides, who take the responsibility of preparing all meals and carrying food supplies.
Tucked away in the hills of northern Thailand is where the most colourful and unchanged traditional communities can be found. Trek through forests and rural terrains to visit some of these diverse hilltribe villages; often, each will have their own unique language, clothing style, and belief system that differs significantly from those of neighbouring tribes. You are well looked after by your local guides, who take the responsibility of preparing all meals and carrying food supplies.
Trek through rugged forests and experience the wonderful diversity of this region: each village has its own language, belief system, style of dress, and traditions. Drive from Chiang Mai to Mae Malai village, where the trek will begin. After a few hours of hiking, reach the first village.
The exact itinerary of the walking on this trip may change from time to time, taking into account the weather and local conditions. Also, please note there may be times when the use of video and/or still cameras may be inappropriate -- your CEO and guides will be able to advise you. Be prepared for the accommodation to be basic; remember, it's all about an authentic and unique experience!
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Ban Mae Jok/Pa Khao Lam
You will also have the chance to fish at Mae Tang River using local tools; learn how to construct a bamboo raft.
Trek 2-3 hrs and, after lunch, head to a Karen village to see how to make traditional baskets and scarves. Continue trekking another few hours to the next village for the night.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Pa Khao Lam/Chiang Mai
After breakfast, leave the village by bamboo raft, stopping at other villages along the way. Meet the van after lunch and head back to Chiang Mai for some free time to explore.
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Chiang Mai/Bangkok
Opt to go shopping, enjoy a Thai massage, or explore Chiang Mai's many temples. Board an overnight train to Bangkok.
Due to disruptions of Thai trains in the north during the monsoon season, trips running July through October may use alternative transport.
Meals: B
Day 8: Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok at approximately 8am. Tour finishes on arrival at the train station.
The trip ends on arrival at the Bangkok train station.
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Bangkok Your Discover Moment: Chiang Mai
- Hilltribe trek
- Bamboo rafting
- Street food crawl
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Local bus, Songthaew, Train, Walking, River raft -
Accommodation
Simple hotels (twin-share) or hostels (multi-share) (3 nts), Basic hilltribe huts (2 nts, multi-share), Sleeper trains (2 nts)