Northern Thailand Encompassed
17 days
Duration17 days
This is the ultimate, comprehensive Northern Thailand experience. Spend 17 days discovering the best of Thai culture. From big-city life in Bangkok to historic Ayutthaya and a hilltribe trek outside of Chiang Mai to meet the locals, this tour takes you to all the places on your must-see list, and some you didn't know to add. Perfect for first-timers or travellers that have seen it all.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 17 daysService level: Standard
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Physical Grading: Average
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Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Bangkok/Kanchanaburi
Enjoy a klong boat tour of Bangkok including a visit to Wat Pho. Travel to Kanchanaburi and head to your floating rafthouse accommodation. Enjoy free time to explore.
Meals: B, D
Day 3: Kanchanaburi
Enjoy a day of sightseeing at Erawan Falls and the Bridge on the River Kwai.
Meals: B
Day 4: Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya
Explore the Allied War Cemetery and the Thai-Burmese Railway Centre to learn more about the area's history. Travel to Ayutthaya and visit the historical sites of the old capital city. Opt to visit Chan Kasem National Museum and Chao Sam Phraya Museum.
Meals: B
Day 5: Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai
Spend a full day exploring Ayutthaya before boarding an overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Meals: B
Day 6: Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a vibrant city with heaps to see and do. Famous for its night market, cooking classes, and Muay Thai, it's a feat to fit it all in.
Arrive in Chiang Mai and explore the city. Visit Doi Suthep in the afternoon.
Day 7: Chiang Mai/Ban Pha Mon
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 CEO and local guides, who take the responsibility of preparing all meals and carrying food supplies.
Drive from Chiang Mai to the trailhead. Trek through farmland and bamboo and teak forests. Learn about bush food and medicinal plants. Enjoy lunch en route before continuing through rice fields and valleys to reach the first village of a Lahu tribe. Assist with food prep and cooking, learn about weaving and embroidery or check out a local Lahu massage.
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!
End place: Ban Pha Mon
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Ban Pha Mon/Ban Muang Pam
Start place: Ban Pha Mon
Trek for about six hours and between villages, over farmlands and grasslands and acend to the ridgeline. Learn about bush medicine, seasonal fruits and plants and seeds. Slip on your wet shoes and descend to the Huew Hin Poon Creek for lunch.
Here, go for a swim and help the local guides make a friction fire and prepare lunch. Continue another hour and a half to the jungle Buddhist temple outside the second village. Spend the night in the Karen village learn about wood carving, weaving and cooking. Opt to learn about medicine from a shaman or play football with the locals.
Here, go for a swim and help the local guides make a friction fire and prepare lunch. Continue another hour and a half to the jungle Buddhist temple outside the second village. Spend the night in the Karen village learn about wood carving, weaving and cooking. Opt to learn about medicine from a shaman or play football with the locals.
Trek between villages, over farmlands and grasslands, and ascend to the ridge line. Learn about bush medicine and seasonal fruits as you make your way to the lunch stop. Go for a swim and help the local guides prepare lunch. Continue on to the Karen village and spend the night. Opt to learn about medicine from a shaman or play football with the locals.
End place: Ban Musoe
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: Ban Muang Pam/Chiang Mai
Start place: Ban Musoe
After breakfast, leave the village and continue on, stopping at other villages along the way. Arrive at Tham Lod, a 1666m deep cave. Enter by bamboo raft and move to different chambers - a truly unique experience. After lunch, drive back to Chiang Mai for some free time to explore.
Meals: B, L
Day 10: Chiang Mai
Enjoy free time to explore Chiang Mai. Opt for a bicycle tour, a visit the Mae Sai waterfall, shopping at the night market, or getting a traditional Thai massage. Enjoy a local cooking class with dinner.
Enjoy a local cooking class and meal.
Meals: B, D
Day 11: Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai
Travel to Chiang Rai and start exploring.
Meals: B
Day 12: Chiang Rai
Visit the town of Mae Sai and the Opium Museum.
Meals: B
Day 13: Chiang Rai/Lampang
Continue on to Lampang and enjoy a homestay in a traditional Lanna village. Participate in craft demonstrations and opt to help prepare a local meal.
Meals: B, D
Day 14: Lampang/Sukhothai
Take in traditional morning activities, followed by lunch in the village. Travel to Sukhothai and enjoy a free afternoon.
Meals: B, L
Day 15: Sukhothai
Take a half-day guided bike tour of Sukhothai Historical Park and explore the area with some free time.
Meals: B
Day 16: Sukhothai/Bangkok
Travel to Bangkok and enjoy some time for last minute shopping.
Meals: B
Day 17: Bangkok
Depart at any time.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Overnight Rafthouse Excursion, Kanchanaburi Your Discover Moment: Chiang Mai Your Foodie Moment: Cooking Class, Chiang Mai Your Local Living Moment: Village Homestay, Lampang
- Klong boat tour (Bangkok)
- Wat Po guided visit
- Erawan Falls and Bridge on the River Kwai visit (Kanchanaburi)
- Temple ruins tour (Ayutthaya)
- Thai Burma Railway Centre visit
- Doi Suthep temple visit (Chiang Mai)
- Trek to remote hilltribe villages (3 days)
- Lod Cave visit and bamboo rafting
- Free time to explore Chiang Mai
- Mae Sa visit (Chiang Rai)
- Opium Museum visit
- Bicycle tour (half-day, Sukhothai)
- All transport to/from included activities and between all destinations
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Transport
Train, Private vehicle, Open pickup truck, Trekking, Bicycle, Longtail boat, Bamboo raft -
Accommodation
Hotels/guesthouses (12 nts), Rafthouse (1 nt), Basic huts (2 nts, multi-share), Sleeper train (1 nt), Homestay (1 nt)