Thailand: Forest Treks & Full Moon Party
15 days from Bangkok to Ko Pha Ngan
From $ 1439
Duration15 days

Now's the time for experiencing Thailand (and the famous Full Moon Party!) on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. See a different side of the country on a northern hilltribes trek, eat your way through Chiang Mai's street food scene, and take on one of the world's most famous celebrations — the Full Moon Party in Ko Pha-Ngan. Make the most of this side of Southeast Asia with free time and highlights everywhere you go. Because when it comes to Thailand, you really can have it all.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 15 days
    Service level: Basic
  • Starts in: Bangkok
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Ko Pha Ngan
    Ages: 18+
Thailand on a Shoestring & Full Moon Party - Tour Map

Itinerary

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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.
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.
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
Get out and explore this fantastic city where there is endless sightseeing to be done. As this longer tour is comprised of two shorter tours, there is the possibility that you will need to change hotels on this day. Check in with your CEO about this while on tour. The two hotels we generally use are within walking distance.
Day 9: Bangkok/Surat Thani
Get to know Thailand's capital. Check out Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, get a Thai massage, or explore the klongs on a boat tour before an overnight train. Enjoy a street food crawl with the group and CEO either today or another day on tour.
Meals: B
Day 10: Surat Thani/Khao Sok
Khao Sok is a diverse area of natural beauty, a perfect place for people who want to hike and get out there in nature or those that just want to chill out in a hammock by the riverside watching monkeys take their afternoon bath.

As entry to Khao Sok NP is included for the day, you can opt for a trek in the park after checking in this afternoon. The park entrance is a short walk from the hotel, as is the main stretch of restaurants and bars in town.
Enjoy an included breakfast at G Adventures supported Khao Thep Pitak Community-Owned Farm & Restaurant. Continue on and discover the natural beauty of the area with an excursion to Lake Cheow Lan. Opt to go hiking or swimming in Khao Sok National Park.

End place: Khao Nom Sao

Meals: B, L
Day 11: Khao Sok/Ko Pha Ngan

Start place: Khao Nom Sao

Travel to Ko Pha-Ngan, known for its epic parties. Explore the island and its beaches by day and dive into the nightlife when the sun goes down.
Travel across southern Thailand to Ko Pha-Ngan in the Gulf of Thailand. Settle in and get ready to celebrate the full moon at one of the world's most famous parties. Pre-book the Full Moon Party Pack extra to get in on all of the action.
Meals: B
Day 12: Ko Pha Ngan
Experience some of the best Ko Pha-Ngan has to offer on a full day excursion to idyllic Bottle Beach. After a guided trek through the jungle, savour a Thai lunch on the beach and soak up the sun and laid back vibes. This evening, head out for a party you won't soon forget. Depending on departure date the Full Moon Party will fall on Day 5 or 6 of your tour.
Meals: L
Day 13: Ko Pha Ngan
Spend the day exploring the island. Depending on departure date the Full Moon Party will fall on Day 5 or 6 of your tour.
Day 14: Ko Pha Ngan

Start place: Ko Pha Ngan

Spend the day exploring the island.

End place: Ko Pha Ngan

Day 15: Ko Pha Ngan

Start place: Ko Pha Ngan

Depart at any time.

Want to take the hassle out of getting back to Bangkok? Book the Bangkok Express, a two-day post-tour Extra. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.
Add the “Bangkok Express: Koh Phangan to Bangkok” to your adventure and make your way back to bustling Bangkok with the guidance of a CEO. This nifty post-tour Extra includes a ferry to the mainland where you’ll board an overnight train to Bangkok arriving in the city early the next morning. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.

End place: Ko Pha Ngan

Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Kao Thep Pitak Community-Owned Farm & Meal, Ban Ta Khun Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Bangkok Your Discover Moment: Chiang Mai
  • Visit to Chiang Mai night market
  • Hilltribe trek
  • Bamboo rafting
  • Street food crawl
  • Lake Cheow Larn excursion
  • Full Moon Party
  • Bottle Beach full-day excursion
  • Beach time on Ko Pha-Ngan
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Local bus, Train, Private vehicle, Walking, Boat, Ferry
  • Accommodation

    Simple hotels (twin-share) or hostels (multi-share) (9 nts), Basic hilltribe huts (2 nts, multi-share), Sleeper trains (3 nts)

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