North Thailand Adventure Insights
8 Days/7 Nights

Explore Thailand away from the cacophony of Bangkok. Trek through the hills of Northern Thailand and experience jungle life. Ride on the back of an elephant and sail in bamboo rafts. In your free time, enjoy the warm hospitality of the villagers and discover the very affable local culture.

Proposed Itinerary

Day 1 - Bangkok (-/-/-)

Welcome to Bangkok! Free to arrive anytime until evening. The local group leader will explain the itinerary in the evening and give an idea of what to expect during the tour. Sleep in a simple and small but clean hotel in a good location.

Day 2: Tour Bangkok and Depart for Chiang Mai (B/-/-)

Walking tour of Bangkok, train to Chiang Mai
Tour Bangkok on foot. Witness everyday life of Bangkok and see how people go about living their lives. Use public transport if desired and visit interesting temples, flower market, Chinatown and Little India. Take an overnight train to Chiang Mai in air-conditioned sleeping berths.

Day 3 - Tour Chiang Mai on foot (-/-/-)

Settle in a cozy hotel. Enjoy a lively and bustling Chiang Mai with its charming people. Walk through the old city and enjoy temples, the Warorot Market, or visit a meditation temple. A group orientation late afternoon will be held to help prepare for the journey ahead. Overnight halt.

Day 4 - Karen Village (B/D/L)

Leave in the morning by a pick-up truck north to Huay Nam Dang National Park. In the afternoon, trek through forested, hilly terrain for about 90 to 120 minutes, covering about 5 to 6 kms. Arrive at Karen hill-tribe village and explore and learn about the village. Enjoy a simple dinner and sleep in bamboo huts in Karen village.

Day 5 - Trekking, Elephant Ride (B/D/L)

Enjoy simple but highly energetic breakfast and start trek for 3 hours. Enjoy the villages and the scenery. Arrive at an elephant camp around lunch. Enjoy elephant ride after that for about an hour or little more to a rafting camp near a Karen village. Swim in a stream. Dinner and stay in a bamboo hut second night running.

Day 6 - Bamboo rafting - Chiang Mai (B/D/-)

Sail on a bamboo raft downstream for 20 to 25 kms. The journey will halt at local hill-tribe villages to meet local people and to enjoy the scenery. The whole journey takes 3 to 4 hours in rainy season and up to 6 hours in summer when rapids are slow. After lunch, depart for Chiang Mai in a pick-up truck.

Day 7 - Train to Bangkok (B/-/-)

Free to enjoy the whole day in Chiang Mai. The group leader will explain activities like Thai cooking, a visit to Doi Suthep, or traditional Thai message. Feel free to enjoy any at your own expense. In the evening, board an overnight train to Bangkok in comfortable air-conditioned sleeping berths.

Day 8: Bangkok (-/-/-)

The end of program.

Other journeys south are available in Southern program. Any extension of stay desired in Bangkok can be swiftly organized.

Remark:
We reserve the right to adjust the program without prior notice according to local conditions; however the essential concept of the tour will always be maintained.

Price: $653

Date: To be determined by Thailand coordinator

Thailand Travel program begins from a designated place. Your volunteer and travel program fee does not cover the transportation from your project/hostel/host family to the travel start point. Thus, it is your responsibility to arrive at the right place at the right time and to return to your project. The exact address of your travel starting point will be given to you in Thailand.

Services included in the price:

• Travel by public transportation.
• Hotel accommodation throughout the tour based on shared twin/triple occupancy with breakfast in budget-/tourist-class or superior-/first-class hotels.
• Sleeping facilities during trekking consist of a mat on the floor and sheet. Rucksack, water canteen and lifejacket are provided.
• Full board provided during trekking (boiled drinking water included).
• Trekking park entrance fee
• 2nd-class air-conditioned train with sleeping berth Bangkok/Chiang Mai/Bangkok.
• The services of a local English-speaking guide.
  

Services not included in the price:

• Drinks & meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Costs of optional excursions.
• Admission fees (except park entrance fee for trekking).
• Sleeping bag
• Tips for guide & drivers.
• Personal expenses.