Northern Thailand: Hilltribes & Villages
Experience Overview
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.
Highlights
- Experience the bustle of Bangkok
- Explore the vibrancy of Chiang Mai
- Trek through northern hilltribes and meet the locals
- Float downstream on a bamboo raft.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1576
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Local bus, songthaew, train, walking, river raft.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
18 - 35 Year Olds Only
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: ATHV
Starts: Bangkok, Thailand
Finishes: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Discover Moment: Bangkok Your Discover Moment: Chiang Mai Your Big Night Out Moment: Chiang Mai Celebration, Chiang Mai
- Hilltribe trek
- Bamboo rafting
- Street food crawl
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Simple hotels (twin-share) (3 nts), basic hilltribe huts (2 nts, multi-share), sleeper trains (2 nts).
- 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
- Local bus, songthaew, train, walking, river raft.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, trekking staff.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $575 ($72 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok
Arrive at any time and welcome to Bangkok - Thailand's bustling capital!
This evening, the famous Khao San Road is on the itinerary for your first night out. Explore this buzzing traveller hub with your CEO and check out the lively bars and dance parties that line the street. Grab a Thai beer or tea and connect with your fellow travellers. Don't forget to sample local delicacies, and try a deep fried scorpion if you dare!
Day 2: Bangkok/Chiang Mai
This tour is off to a colourful start with a day to freely explore Bangkok. Visit Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, National Museum, or Jim Thompson's House. Try a riverboat trip along the Chao Phraya River and through the canals (or klongs) for a different perspective of daily life in this busy city. Tonight, you'll take the overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Day 3: Chiang Mai
Make sure you've got room for more than three meals today, because you're heading to the best street food spots in Chiang Mai. Besides eating, there's lots to do here — like a visit to Doi Suthep temple or taking it easy with a soak in the Sankampang Hot Springs.
Day 4: Chiang Mai/Ban Mae Jok
It's time for a change of pace. Today, drive from Chiang Mai to Mae Malai village, where you'll set off on a trek through rugged forests to see how diverse this region of hilltribe communities really is. Every village you'll see has its own language, belief system, style of dress, and traditions. It's a few hours to the first village of hilltribe thatch bungalows, but every step is worth it as you get to know the lay of the land.
Day 5: Ban Mae Jok/Pa Khao Lam
Trek for 2–3 hours before stopping for lunch. Then head to a Karen village to see how traditional blankets and scarves are made. Keep trekking for a few more hours (you've got this!) before stopping in the next village for the night.
Along the way, you might get the chance to stop at Mae Tang River to learn to fish using local tools or build a raft using bamboo.
Day 6: Pa Khao Lam/Chiang Mai
After breakfast, leave the village by bamboo raft and get a closer look at other villages along the way. Meet the van after lunch and head back to Chiang Mai, a foodie's paradise. Try the city's most famous dishes like khao soi (noodles in curry broth) and sai oua (northern Thai sausage) and get ready for your big night out. Venture to the best bar in town and grab a drink on our tab to cheers to a completed trek and life-changing adventures!
Day 7: Chiang Mai/Bangkok
Make the most of Chiang Mai with more free time, where you can go shopping in the market, get a Thai massage, or explore any of the many temples. Or, hey, you could always go back for another taste of khao soi curry. Tonight, catch up on sleep during an overnight train and wake up in Bangkok.
Day 8: Bangkok
Today is departure day, but do not fret! There is no such thing as goodbye, only until next time. Be sure to sneak in some last-minute photos with your newfound friends and exchange social medias before you head on your way. This adventure ends in Bangkok, on arrival at the train station (approximately 8am).
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Zeeshan R - Traveled, November 2023
I enjoyed my time in this trip. It was the right amount of fun and adventure,
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/02/2023
Samuel H - Traveled, October 2023
Well organised. Good balance between free time, activities and optional activities. Great group to travel with and amazing CEO.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
Anna B - Traveled, October 2023
I had a fantastic time in Thailand with G Adventures! The tour brought me to places I never would have seen on my own and gave me a chance to meet people from around the world. I really appreciated G Adventures approach rooted in understanding and respecting the culture of the places we went.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
Amariyah A - Traveled, October 2023
I had an amazing time
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
Jack G - Traveled, October 2023
The trip is nothing like I ever expected it to be like and I can't even compare anything to it. it's been an amazing experience with amazing people with so many activities to do!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
Michael A - Traveled, October 2023
It was well organised. A mix of nature and city life experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Steffen R - Traveled, October 2023
Great CEO, great hiling Trip, easy to get connected with new people
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/26/2023
Brady C - Traveled, October 2023
I just really had great time and made a lot of amazing memories
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/26/2023
Marius W - Traveled, October 2023
We were doing so many great activities in great places. Perfect Mix between free time and having activities with the Group. For every day it was perfectly explained when to Show up at what place.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/26/2023
Jessica C - Traveled, September 2023
Our CEO Nui was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable throughout our entire journey in Thailand. It made it a very special experience for my first trip to Asia.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2023
Magdalena K - Traveled, August 2023
You would never see all these places without the group
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/24/2023
Meagan A - Traveled, August 2023
With G Adventures tour you got to see parts of Thailand that if you travelled without the tour you would not see alone! The guide also had many good recommendations for each and everyday
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/14/2023
Gil Anne-Cyrille D - Traveled, August 2023
I had a good time. I liked how things were organized.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/14/2023
Aleah K - Traveled, August 2023
It was an experience that you wouldn't get travelling on your own and the tour guide was very helpful with any concerns or problem or seperate planning
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/14/2023
Kruti S - Traveled, August 2023
Easy to do, good for solo travel
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/14/2023
Isaiah A - Traveled, August 2023
The trip was well organized and it was a great way to meet people
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/31/2023
Orla M - Traveled, June 2023
I really enjoyed this trip for solo travel, I would go again and if asked, I would recommend G Adventures.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/20/2023
Yonina J - Traveled, June 2023
I think it was great to have everything organised for you but I think there was a bit too much free time and things we needed to pay for on the trip so it ended up being a much more expensive way to travel than planning it yourself
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/24/2023
Jarrod T - Traveled, May 2023
Proven track record in delivering a great service with high quality tour guides
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/24/2023
Navania G - Traveled, May 2023
Well structured tour, great local tour guide (MARKIE) & responsible tourism!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/24/2023
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