Northern Thailand Adventure
10 days, Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Itinerary Notes
Please be advised that a 2-week period of traditional slash and burn farming occurs in this region between March and April (start date varies). During this time your trek may follow an alternate route to avoid uncomfortably smoky areas.
Effective May 1, 2025, all travelers entering Thailand through air, land, or sea must complete the Thailand E-Arrival form. You must register at least 3 days before arrival. Please see Trip Details for more information.
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1Bangkok
Arrive at any time.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel Royal Bangkok @ Chinatown (or similar)
The hotel is in a city centre neighbourhood and benefits from a rooftop pool with great views over the city. Facilities also include a restaurant, bar, sun terrace and fitness centre.
Day 2Bangkok/Kanchanaburi
Enjoy a klong boat tour of Bangkok including a visit to Wat Pho. Travel to Kanchanaburi and head to your floating rafthouse accommodation.
Klong Riverboat Tour
Travel by longtail boat on the busy Chao Phraya River and through the small canals of western Bangkok's Thonburi district. Observe colourful scenes of everyday life along the river banks.
Wat Po Visit
This temple is known for its reclining Buddha, its feet covered with mother-of-pearl engravings of Buddhist symbols. Explore the large grounds and other compounds to see other Buddha figures, murals and the chedis that contain the ashes of Buddha. This is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Overnight Rafthouse Excursion
Enjoy a unique experience aboard a floating rafthouse on the famous River Kwai.
Accommodation
Pung-Waan Resort (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 3Kanchanaburi
Enjoy a day of sightseeing at Erawan Falls and the Bridge on the River Kwai.
Private Vehicle
Enjoy a short drive to view the beautiful Erawan Waterfalls. (1-2 hours per direction)
Erawan Waterfalls
Visit one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls. Its seven tiers offer a unique experience at every climb, reaching up to 1,500m (4921 ft). Swim in the turquoise pools, snap photos from the top tier, and opt to hike in the jungle to spot monkeys.
Bridge on the River Kwai Visit
Take in a piece of World War II history on this visit. We're sure you've seen or at least heard of the famous movie "Bridge on the River Kwai." Well, now you can tour the real thing. It's massive, majestic, and imposing, offering fabulous views of the river below.
Accommodation
Good Times Resort (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai
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. In the evening board an overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Thai/Burma Railway Centre and Allied War Cemetery Visit
Visit the Thai-Burmese Railway Museum to learn about the Death Railway's dark history, and the Allied War Cemetery where more than 6,000 prisoners are buried.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Temple Ruins Tour
Visit the ruins of Ayutthaya, which served as Thailand’s capital from the 14th to 18th centuries, when it ranked as one of the most magnificent cities in the world. Located 86km (53 mi) north of Bangkok, the ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site include stunning pagodas and Buddha images.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Chiang Mai
Arrive in Chiang Mai and explore the city. Visit Doi Suthep in the afternoon.
Chiang Mai is a vibrant city with heaps to see and do. Famous for its night market and cooking classes, it's a feat to fit it all in. Experience the flavours and scents of traditional northern Thai cuisine by pre-booking the Northern Thai Cooking Class.
Chiang Mai Old Town Orientation Walk
Walk the inner Old Town of Chiang Mai with your CEO who will point out the basic landmarks and points of interest.
Chiang Mai Street Food Crawl
Bring your appetite and your wallet. The CEO will bring the group to the best spots to eat and teach everyone about the local street food. Yum!
Free Time
Use free time here to make the most of your time in Chiang Mai.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Doi Suthep Temple Visit
Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a golden Buddhist temple outside of Chiang Mai on the Mt Doi Suthep. Climb 300 steps to reach the temple and be rewarded with an unforgettable view. Admire the many Buddhist relics at this sacred temple and visit the white elephant shrine. Legend has it that the location of the temple was chosen after a white elephant carried a relic to the mountain and trumpeted three times before dying on the spot. Also, with a little luck, you may witness the chanting of the monks.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Half-Day Chiang Mai Cycling Tour
1300THB per personThis half-day ride takes you on a memorable tour of the countryside's most interesting sights. Go beyond the city to see Buddhist temples, local markets and organic farms. Just off the beaten track, you'll get a sense of how the locals live and see Chiang Mai from a totally different view.
Street Food Walk at Chiang Mai Night Market
Pick up a a souvenir at this shopper's paradise. Wander through the market to find music, food, and local artists selling handmade crafts.
Accommodation
Chiang Mai Gate Hotel (or similar)
Day 6Chiang Mai
Take a full free day to relax or explore the countryside of northern Thailand.
Chiang Mai is a vibrant city with heaps to see and do. Famous for its night market, it's a feat to fit it all in. Experience the flavours and scents of traditional northern Thai cuisine by pre-booking the Northern Thai Cooking Class.
Free Time
Use free time here to make the most of your time in Chiang Mai.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Street Food Walk at Chiang Mai Night Market
Pick up a a souvenir at this shopper's paradise. Wander through the market to find music, food, and local artists selling handmade crafts.
Northern Thai Cooking Class
Channel your inner chef with a home-style Thai cooking class. Take a trip to the market with your teacher and learn about regional flavours as you pick out fresh ingredients. Head back to the cozy kitchen for a hands-on lesson in whipping up delicious local favourites like hot and sour soup, green curry, and sticky rice.
Half-Day Chiang Mai Cycling Tour
1300THB per personThis half-day ride takes you on a memorable tour of the countryside's most interesting sights. Go beyond the city to see Buddhist temples, local markets and organic farms. Just off the beaten track, you'll get a sense of how the locals live and see Chiang Mai from a totally different view.
Accommodation
Chiang Mai Gate Hotel (or similar)
Day 7Chiang Mai/Ban Pha Mon
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, or check out a local Lahu massage.
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.
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!
Hilltribe Trek Day 1
Hit the road early in the morning to head to the trailhead. Start the trek through forests and rugged terrain that winds itself around various hilltop villages. Trek from Huay Nam Dung National Park to Ban Pha Mon, a Lahu village.
Your G for Good Moment: Ban Pha Mon Homestay
These agricultural communities support themselves with farming and hunting but typically struggled to survive financially outside of growing seasons. To prevent families from leaving and the gradual loss of culture and history, we worked with a local NGO to help sustainably build tourism opportunities through a year-long training program, including this overnight stay.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 8Ban Pha Mon/Ban Muang Pam
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.
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 your wet shoes on 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.
Hilltribe Trek Day 2
Trek to reach the lunch stop, taking in the beautiful scenery along the way. Enjoy lunch before carrying on to the Karen village of Ban Muang Pam. Here, discover more about local life, help prepare dinner, or learn about weaving and wood carving.
Your G for Good Moment: Ban Muang Pam Homestay
Experience traditional White Karen culture in a mountain valley when you’ll explore how to live a self-sufficient life. Trek the conservation forest area and rice fields with trained local guides, observe traditional weaving by the Women’s Textiles Group, and learn how to make a bamboo souvenir. By staying in a traditional Karen home with host families, you’re supporting community efforts to preserve White Karen culture.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 9Ban Muang Pam/Ban Jabo
After breakfast, leave the village and continue on, trekking beside the Pam River through lush jungle. Arrive at Tham Lod, a 1666m deep cave. Enter by bamboo raft and move to different chambers - a truly unique experience. Following the cave visit and lunch travel to Ban Jabo, a Black Lahu village. Learn about the Lahu culture, try out some traditional activities, and lend a hand making dinner using regional products and cooking methods.
Hilltribe Trek Day 3
After breakfast, leave the village and continue on, trekking beside the Pam River through lush jungle. Arrive at Tham Lod, a 1666m deep cave. Bamboo rafts are required to enter the cave and move to different chambers - a truly unique experience.
Your G for Good Moment: Ban Jabo Homestay
Experience an unforgettable stay in this highland village. Connect with a Black Lahu family and learn about daily life for this hilltribe. Try your hand at bamboo weaving or playing a Lahu instrument, and help your host family prepare a traditional meal.
Accommodation
Ban Jabo Homestay (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10Ban Jabo/Chiang Mai
Following breakfast, bid farewell to your hosts and return by private van to Chiang Mai, arriving at approximately 3pm. Tour ends on arrival.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.