Day 1: Chiang Mai
After the transfer from the airport, train or bus station to your hotel, there will be a short meeting to explain about the tour, followed by some free time to explore the night market.
Day 2: Chiang Rai
We will pick you up from your place at 08.00 am. After a 3-hour journey to the White Temple (private transport) in Chiang Rai, we will see one of the best known temples with the amazing architecture by the most famous Northern Thai artist. We will continue to Mae Sai at the very north of Thailand, have lunch and then cross the Burmese border to explore our neighbouring country and visit the ethnic minorities, local temples and the market. We will cross the border back to Thailand (you will have a Burmese stamp in your passport), which will be followed by a 40-minute drive to the Golden Triangle (Thailand – Burma – Laos). We will visit a local temple on the hills, from where you will have the best view to see the three countries. Then we will visit open museums and take the long-tail boat to the Laos border. There you can see the local market with the famous local herbal medicine (with snakes inside the bottles)! Finally we will go back to Chiang Rai city and explore the night market.
Day 3: Chiang Dao
After breakfast, we will go on a scenic 3-hour long-tail boat trip from Chiang Rai up the Mae Gog river. You will see many ethnic minority villages and nice views, and we will stop by the hot springs on the way to the town of Taton at the Thai-Burmese border, where we will have lunch and relax by the river. After a two-hour drive to Chang Dao, we will stay at the local homestay bungalow. In the evening, we will visit a hot spring and a waterfall. Enjoy your Thai massage after dinner!
Day 4: Pai
We will leave when you are ready. After a 1.5-hour drive we will have a break at the very tall and beautiful waterfall. Then we will continue our journey to Pai city where we will have a rest after checking in. In the afternoon we will explore the town and see its Chinese community, its waterfall, and at the end of the afternoon the Pai canyon where we will see the beautiful sunset.
Day 5: Pai
You will have the day off to relax and read in the hammock, or cycle around. Pai is a small town with a laid-back atmosphere, surrounded by paddy fields and farms, and with an interesting local market.
Included: dinner.
Day 6: Mae Hong Son
We will leave after breakfast. After a one-hour drive to Pang Maepla, we will explore the cave there for two hours by bamboo rafting and on foot. After lunch, there will be a 2-hour drive to Maehongson, which is the smallest city in Thailand. Most of the population is composed of ethnic minorities. Enjoy the local night market.
Day 7: Inthanon National Park
After breakfast, we will visit the most famous local temple on the hills, where you will have the best view of the city and see the beautiful local surroundings. Then there will be a 40-minute drive to visit Padong village (long-neck Karen people), where you will know the main reason why those ethnic minorities cross the border to Thailand. After that, there will be a 2.5 hour-drive to Maechaem (my home town). Lunch is my shout. After a 1.5-hour drive, we will arrive at the Inthanon National Park (Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand, approximately 2565 metres above sea level). There are many waterfalls and royal projects to help the ethnic minorities who live in the national park. The park is also famous for bird watching, as there are at least 999 species. Moreover, there are also many rare local plants. We will end our day by camping there.
Day 8: Hill tribe trek
After breakfast and a 30 minute-drive, we will arrive at the place where you will start the 3-hour trek and visit the hill tribe Karen village on the way. We will stay overnight at the waterfall camp (bamboo bungalow). In the evening, you will learn how to cook Thai food by actively taking part in the cooking.
Included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 9: Spicy Villa Ecolodge and Organic Farm
Breakfast will be followed by a 3-hour trek along the river through the paddy fields and jungle to the bungalow. Spicy Villa is a small eco-lodge with an organic farm. Here you will also learn Thai cooking from your leader. Enjoy your Thai massage and camp fire after dinner. Tonight might be your early night.
Day 10: Chiang Mai
We will get up early in the morning after a short snack to go to the elephant camp, where you will collect the elephant from the jungle and ride on its neck down to the river and bathe with it. During this, we will teach you basic elephant training. Then you will ride your elephant for one hour through the jungle. After a good time with the elephant, we will go back to the bungalow for breakfast, then relax at the stunning bungalow with the lovely view. You will have your last Thai cooking class for lunch, then we will go bamboo rafting. After that, you will have the option to go river tubing (free of charge). Finally, there will be a 1.5-hour drive back to Chiang Mai, after which the tour will be concluded.
Remark: If you have time and like our bungalows, you can stay there as long as you like free of charge.
$2,099 per couple
Includes: Accommodation, Local Guide, Transport from Chiang Mai, 4 Breakfasts & Dinners, All Admission Tickets, All Activities. 