Experience Overview
Head into the hills and get sky-high on this eight-day northern Thailand adventure. Pass through the bustling hub of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, and take the time to check out the night markets and bars well worth hopping. Trek the hillside villages outside of Chiang Mai, before exploring the city and its colourful nightlife. Find waterfalls, elephants and your new fave activity (kayaking, anyone?) and soak in some gorgeous natural scenery that you’d only see from local hilltribes. This journey will take you through temples, jungles, markets and mountains, sure to get your heart pumping and your tastebuds singing.
Highlights
- Trek deep – super deep – into the northern Thai hinterland with two days of trekking and two nights staying in a traditional hilltribe village, laughing with the locals and learning about their lifestyle.
- Immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Thailand, from cascading waterfalls and mountainside views to a kayaking adventure on Mae Taeng River (followed by a spot of white-water rafting if you dare) to get a new perspective.
- Get your street food fix in bustling Bangkok and cool Chiang Mai and tuck into some of the tastiest eats in all of Asia. When you’ve had your fill (is that even possible?), be treated to traditional homecooked dinners during your hilltribe village homestays.
- Hit the nightlife in cruisy Chiang Mai, in the Nimman area that’s swarming with hipster bars and uber-cool lounges. Bar hop, hit the night markets and find all the best spots from a local leader with all the insights.
- Enjoy loads of free time to choose your own adventure, whether that’s a bit of rest and relaxation at the local Thai massage place or discovering new friends at the Chiang Chill Elephant Sanctuary.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Animal Protection. Donations support them to promote better living conditions for elephants in captivity and help rescue elephants from inhumane conditions. Intrepid will double your impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2809
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Overnight sleeper train,Songthaew,Tuk-tuk
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: TTYN
Starts: Bangkok, Thailand
Finishes: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (4), Lunch (3), Dinner (2)Accommodation: Hotel (3 nights),Overnight sleeper train (2 nights),Hilltribe Village House (multi-share) (2 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) $608 ($76 /day)
Itinerary
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand. Your adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, there's plenty to keep you occupied – maybe take a walk around Chinatown and explore the vibrant streets or head to the magnificent Grand Palace. Tonight, it’s time to dig into some traditional tastes of Thailand. Bangkok is known for its street food, so maybe head out with your leader and check out some roadside stalls around the Sukhumvit area. Later, maybe discover Bangkok’s nightlife and head out to one (or more) of the best local bars. Ask your guide for directions or grab your new travel mates and attempt to navigate the BTS skytrain and MRT subway.
Included Activities:
- Bangkok - Orientation Walk
Optional Activities:
- Bangkok - Thai Massage (250 THB)
- Bangkok - Grand Palace (500 THB)
- Bangkok - Temple & River of Kings Urban Adventure (2900 THB)
- Bangkok - Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure (2500 THB)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you have a free day in Bangkok before your overnight train this morning. Maybe start off with a relaxing Thai massage – the perfect way to limber up and start your day. Then, maybe check out Talad Noi by bike, take on the Bangkok Temples or book yourself on the River of Kings Urban Adventure (just see urbanadventures.com). After your day exploring, hop on an overnight train up to Chiang Mai.
Optional Activities:
- Bangkok - Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure (2500 THB)
- Bangkok - Temple & River of Kings Urban Adventure (2900 THB)
- Bangkok - Thai Massage (250 THB)
- Bangkok - Grand Palace (500 THB)
Accommodation:
- Overnight Sleeper Train (Number of Nights: 1)
Arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning and transfer to your guesthouse. Then, you’ll head out on an orientation walk to get your bearings. Chiang Mai is the perfect entrance to the Thai highlands, with misty mountains and colourful hillside villages waiting to be explored. This will be your base for the next few days, as you’ll return here after your hillside trek. Today, you’re free to relax or explore the city. Maybe get active and go ziplining or cycle around the city. Take on a cooking class to learn some local flavours (and pick up some mad skills to take home) or just wander around on foot and visit Doi Sethep Temple and a couple of the cool cafes around the area. Tonight, why not get your group together to go bar hopping or explore the night markets in the happening Nimman area?
Included Activities:
- Chiang Mai - Night Bazaar & Anusarn Market
- Chiang Mai - Orientation Walk
Optional Activities:
- Chiang Mai - Thai massage (200 THB)
- Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Complex (Entrance) (50 THB)
- Chiang Mai - Bicycle tour (990 THB)
- Chaing Mai - Cooking at Home Cookery School (1400 THB)
- Chiang Mai – Zipline (from) (1900 THB)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning at around 8 am, leave Chiang Mai and head to Mae Malai Market to stock up on some delicious fresh snacks for your trek. Then, visit Mok Fah Waterfall for a cheeky dose of natural beauty. Sit down for some lunch to refuel with your group at a local restaurant, then continue to the starting point of today’s hike. Your destination for this evening is the Mae Ma Nai Hilltribe Village. Walk along the mountain ridge and take in the views of the natural forest and remote scenery. When you arrive, enjoy a local home-cooked dinner by the campfire to celebrate a successful day. Later, take a walk around the village and chat with the locals. This is a really special opportunity to experience rural Thai life first-hand!
Included Activities:
- Huey Nam Dang - Hilltribe Trek – 2 Days
- Hilltribe Trek - Mae Malai Market Visit
- Hilltribe Village - Home-cooked Dinner
- Hilltribe Trek – Mok Fah Waterfall
Accommodation:
- Hilltribe Village House (multi-share) (Number of Nights: 1)
The best thing about being deep in the jungle in the morning is waking up to the natural sounds of wildlife calls. After breakfast, begin today’s trek through the storybook landscape of farmland and jungle, exploring other hilltribe villages and seeing how life differs between them. Your whole trek is the perfect nature photo op, so make sure you’ve got your camera handy! Enjoy lunch along the way and reach Pong Ngan Lahu Village this afternoon. After two long days of hiking, relax your legs and soak in some natural scenery before an included home-cooked dinner tonight.
Included Activities:
- Huey Nam Dang - Hilltribe Trek – 2 Days
Accommodation:
- Hilltribe Village House (multi-share) (Number of Nights: 1)
The Mae Taeng River awaits you this morning, as you head off on a kayaking adventure towards Sop Kai Village. Paddle downstream as you're immersed by gorgeous surroundings for 2 to 3 hours, taking in the lush green scenery. From here, you can choose to head back to Chiang Mai via private transfer and enjoy a leisurely evening or opt to take to the rapids for some whitewater rafting. Paddle further down the river and get the adrenaline pumping before you head back to Chiang Mai for the night. When you arrive, maybe refresh and recharge or head out to explore the Wat Prasingh and Wat Chedi Luang temples in your free time. Tonight, ask your leader for the best spots for a pad thai or a khao soi.
Included Activities:
- Sop Kai Village - River Kayaking
Optional Activities:
- Chiang Mai - Thai massage (200 THB)
- Mae Taeng - Whitewater Rafting (1800 THB)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today is a free day to explore Chiang Mai and you’re spoilt for options. Maybe take the chance to learn one of the world’s legendary martial arts, Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) this morning. Spend 1.5 hours learning the basics of Muay Thai with the pros, plus how to adapt yourselves to be the weapons and the guard. You could also visit the Chiang Chill Elephant Sanctuary and witness these majestic animals roaming the valley and chilling in nature. Or maybe stop by Chuan Chom Vocational Training Center for lunch or a massage. Here, you'll learn about the work that they do to train the women from the correctional institution with skills to go back to society. Later, board an overnight train for Bangkok.
Optional Activities:
- Chiang Mai - Muay Thai Class (Thai boxing) (460 THB)
- Chaing Mai - Cooking at Home Cookery School (1400 THB)
- Chiang Mai - Chuan Chom Vocational Training Centre - Massage (from) (250 THB)
- Chiang Mai - Wat Chedi Luang Temple (40 THB)
- Chiang Mai - Bicycle tour (990 THB)
- Chiang Mai – Zipline (from) (1900 THB)
- Chiang Mai - ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary (1900 THB)
- Chiang Mai – Whitewater Rafting (1800 THB)
- Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon (Entrance) (300 THB)
- Chiang Mai - Wat Prasingh Temple (40 THB)
- Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Complex (Entrance) (50 THB)
Accommodation:
- Overnight sleeper train (Number of Nights: 1)
Your train is scheduled to arrive in Bangkok early this morning. When you arrive at the station, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to stay in Thailand for longer, and we wouldn’t blame you, just speak to your booking agent.
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Gregory - Traveled, March 2024
Incredible trip, full of so many amazing experiences, the trek, the kayaking, so many things that I wouldn’t not have done if I had been travelling on my own. Our guide Maled was excellent, really friendly knowledgeable and great recommendations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/04/2024
Charlee - Traveled, January 2024
This was the best Intrepid trip I have been on so far (out of three). The trekking makes this trip - you get to see very remote villages, stay in two villages (home stays) and see some pretty extraordinary sights on top of the mountains. Highly recommended and would be fine for the beginner trekkers.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/19/2024
Kate - Traveled, March 2023
The best way to travel Thailand! A perfect combo of free time and cultural activities. The Hillside trek was a highlight - hard work but so rewarding. Great way to make new lifelong friends
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/20/2023
Kelly - Traveled, March 2023
We had so much fun.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/20/2023
Melanie - Traveled, January 2023
Loved my tour leader Nok! She was beyond amazing in every aspect and makes me want to go on another Thailand trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/14/2023
Tushar - Traveled, January 2023
Such a great trip if you want to see temples but also have the occasional drink/late night! Amazing amounts of shopping available and a lot to learn about the culture. Our leader Nok was so sweet and extremely knowledgeable! Loved it
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/14/2023
Zoe - Traveled, January 2023
Amazing trip, you get so much time to explore the cities and experience the local area. The hill tribe trek was definitely a highlight, so incredible being able to see how they live there and the walk there through the forest was beautiful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/14/2023
Grant - Traveled, October 2022
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Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/28/2022
Alice - Traveled, September 2022
I cannot recommend this trip highly enough! The village home stay is something I will never forget.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/21/2022
William - Traveled, September 2022
I’ve done 4 Intrepid trips in 4 months and this trip has been my favourite by far! Hiking through the jungle to the hill tribe village and the elephant reserve are amazing experiences and would highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2022
Jordan - Traveled, July 2022
It had the perfect balance of activities and experiences, but also allowed time to explore by yourself or with the group. My favourite part of the trip was the cooking class, closely followed by the hike and dinner at the local village. Ning was a great group leader - she was helpful in showing us places to go, explained the significance of the areas and experiences we were in. She always made herself available, but also gave us enough space to explore
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/31/2022
Helen - Traveled, June 2022
Brilliant tour, Sasha was amazing a great way to see northern Thailand in a quick time frame. Would recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/04/2022
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