Northern Thailand: Hilltribes & Villages
8 days, Bangkok to Bangkok
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 1Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok at any time.
Today is arrival day, so there are no activities planned. Enjoy free time to relax, explore the city, and adjust to the frantic pace and humid heat of Bangkok.
After your meeting, head out for an optional dinner to get to know your CEO and fellow group members 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.
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.
Day 2Bangkok/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 (potential for alternative transport during monsoon season, depending on conditions).
Due to disruptions of Thai trains in the north during the monsoon season, trips running July through October may use alternative transport.
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.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Bangkok, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like visiting the Grand Palace, hopping on a cycle tour of the city, and visiting the National Museum. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Klong Riverboat Tour
30USD per personTravel 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.
Grand Palace Visit
15USD per personVisit the King’s official residence (made up of many buildings, halls, lawns, gardens, and courtyards) on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and see the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Please note the cost of this optional activity does not include the entrance fee.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Chiang 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.
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!
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Chiang Mai, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like a visit to the Mae Sa Waterfall, or learning about Thai cuisine with a cooking class. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Doi Suthep Temple Visit
2USD per personVisit 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.
Cooking Class
Pick out the best ingredients at a local market and learn how to make delicious Thai dishes.
Yoga Class
Stretch and hold poses in this gentle but effective form of exercise.
Massage
Lay back and soothe aching muscles with a famous local massage. Affordable and amazing, don't miss out.
Day 4Chiang Mai/Ban Mae Jok
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.
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.
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!
Pickup Truck
Hop into the back and ride along to the next destination.
After being picked up at the hotel, quickly stop at the local tourist police station to stamp the document required for trekking in the area before transferring to Mae Malai.
Hilltribe Trek Day 1
Hit the road in an open pickup truck for Mae Malai where there is time to visit a local market to purchase food and snacks. Start the trek through forests and rugged terrain to Baan Mae Jok, a Karen village.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Ban Mae Jok/Pa Khao Lam
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.
You will also have the chance to fish at Mae Tang River using local tools; learn how to construct a bamboo raft.
Hilltribe Trek Day 2
After breakfast, trek 3.5-4 hrs to reach the lunch stop. Take in the beautiful scenery along the way. Enjoy lunch before carrying on another hour or so to the Karen village of Ban Pa Khao Lam.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Pa 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.
Bamboo Rafting to Lahu Village
Board the traditional bamboo raft for a leisurely ride down the Mae Tang River. Reach the Lahu hill tribe village near Ban Pong Ngan. Enjoy a visit with the locals here and learn about the life and unique culture of the Lahu tribe.
Lahu Village Visit
Take a bamboo raft down the Mae Tan River for one hour journey to a Lahu village to witness a lifestyle that dates hundreds of years.
Bamboo Rafting to Shan Village
Board a traditional bamboo raft and enjoy a ride through some small rapids on the Mae Tang River.
Pickup Truck
Hop into the back and ride along to the next destination.
Free Time
Check out more of Chiang Mai.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 7Chiang Mai/Bangkok
Opt to go shopping, enjoy a Thai massage, or explore Chiang Mai's many temples. Board an overnight train to Bangkok (potential for alternative transport during monsoon season, depending on conditions).
Due to disruptions of Thai trains in the north during the monsoon season, trips running July through October may use alternative transport.
Free Time
Enjoy a final day to check out Chiang Mai.
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.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Doi Suthep Temple Visit
2USD per personVisit 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.
Cooking Class
Pick out the best ingredients at a local market and learn how to make delicious Thai dishes.
Chiang Mai City Tour
Enjoy a tour of spectacular Chiang Mai, a delightful city surrounded by rolling hills and filled with impressive architecture. Explore the great cafes, shops and accommodations of the old city; an important Buddhist centre since the 14th century, it is home to more than 300 temples. Many visitors come here to attend meditation retreats, massage classes or yoga lessons.
Chiang Mai Cycling Tour
1500THB per personThis Chiang Mai half-day ride takes you on a memorable tour of the countryside's most interesting sights. You'll go beyond the city to see local Buddhist temples, markets, organic farms, rice paddy fields and more. Get a sense of how the locals live, stop when you want for photos, and check out the nature along the city's main river, the Ping.
Massage
Lay back and soothe aching muscles with a famous local massage. Affordable and amazing, don't miss out.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Bangkok
The trip ends on arrival at the Bangkok train station (or airport, depending on the season).
Arrive back into Bangkok at about 8am, where the trip finishes and everyone is free to depart from the train station (or airport, depending on the season).
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.