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Northern Thailand Hilltribes Trek
5 days, Chiang Mai to Chiang Mai
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The itinerary on this trip has been improved! View the new itinerary.
Once upon a time, Northern Thailand was off-the-radar; the sort of place only true-blue adventurers knew about. But now that the secret is out, its once-isolated hilltribe villages are swamped with tourists. For the real thing, though, you’ve gotta go deeper. Join us as we trek further into the hills to rice fields and lush valleys far from the crowds, learn about traditional medicine from a village shaman, and explore the deep cave of Tham Lod by bamboo raft. The magic of Northern Thailand is still out there; you just have to know where to find it. Now, you do.
This specific trip is no longer running.
Trip Code: ATHH
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: Classic
All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
Service Level: Basic
Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.
Physical Rating: 3 - Average
Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 15, avg 5. Please note this trip runs often in order to provide maximum flexibility when choosing dates. It's possible your group size will be fairly small.
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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View our Entry Requirements toolSee how your trip uplifts communities
In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.
100
Ripple Score
Create ripples that change lives. The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.
Ripple Score for this trip: 100
More from Northern Thailand Hilltribes Trek
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.
Itinerary
Day 1Chiang Mai
Arrive at any time.
Day 2Chiang 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, learn about weaving and embroidery or check out a local Lahu massage.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Ban 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. Opt to learn about medicine from a shaman or play football with the locals.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Ban Muang Pam/Chiang Mai
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. After lunch, drive back to Chiang Mai for some free time to explore.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 5Chiang Mai
Depart at any time.
Meals included:
BreakfastWhat's Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Trek to remote hilltribe villages (3 days)
- G Adventures-supported community stays
- Lod Cave visit and bamboo rafting
- Free time to explore Chiang Mai
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Hotels (2 nts), basic huts (2 nts, multi-share).
Meals
4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Allow USD30-40 for meals not included.
Transportation
Open pickup truck, van, trekking, raft
Staff & experts
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, specialist trekking guides.
Departures
Make it a private tour
Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.