12 Days Thailand Adventure Experience Tour Package

What’s included

Tours and transfers by air-conditioned coach. Non air-conditioned transportation may be used in remote areas. Except when trekking, accommodation is in medium class tourist or first class hotels based on two persons in twin / double room.

Sleeping facilities consists of mat / sleeping bag on floor with sheets during trekking with rucksack and water canteen provided. An American or continental breakfast daily during trekking, lunches and dinners are provided. 2nd class train with sleeper from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai and Chiang Mai to Bangkok [Can upgrade where applicable]. Services of a local English speaking guide [when required].

Trekking Information

In general the trekking on this tour will not be too hard for anybody who is reasonably physically fit. The precise itinerary of the trekking may have to be changed from time to time to take into account the weather and local conditions. The trek will be in a group of 6-12 people.

While trekking participants will sleep in village huts. As the huts consist of a single all-purpose room in which the villagers live and sleep, participants will sleep on the covered balcony or bamboo bed inside the hut. A mat, a sheet and a blanket will be provided but for additional comfort participants may wish to bring a sleeping bag as in mountain areas it can be quite cool at night, especially in December and January.

Additional equipment such as a rucksack, water canteen, life jacket is available from the operator in Chiang Mai. In addition, participants will require: Good trekking shoes [if not possible, good sports shoes are acceptable], rubber sandals for when not trekking, light warm clothing and rainwear during July-October and heavier warm clothing November -February. March-June will be a little cool in the evenings. A sun hat, torch, small first-aid kit (plasters, foot powder etc.), insect repellent, toilet articles and toilet paper.

As participants are required to carry their own kit, unnecessary items should be avoided. Meals while trekking will be prepared by the porter. During the day a stop will be made by a stream, in a hilltribe village or at some other suitable spot, allowing time for relaxation and for cooking a simple meal of noodles. In the evening dinner will be prepared in one of the huts by a porter. Similarly with breakfast the following day.

Rafting Information

The rafts are about 2m X 15-18m and can carry approximately 7-8 persons. The rafting can take up to 6 hours in the summer when the level of water is shallow and current is slow. During the rainy season it might take 4-5 hours. Along some parts of the river there are many snags (dead trees, big rocks, broken wood, etc) which can sometimes be tricky. A life jacket is essential [Can be purchased on arrival in Bangkok] if you cannot swim as it will keep you afloat if, by chance, you should fall off the raft.

During the rainy season (or the dry season following heavy rainfall) the current will be quite strong and the guide will decide if the rafting should proceed or not. His advice on this matter should be strictly followed.

Sample Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Depart UK

Day 2

Arrive Bangkok

The capital of the Royal Kingdom of Thailand. You are welcomed on arrival and escorted to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight.

[Choice of hotel]

Day 3

Bangkok

Today we take an early morning excursion to visit a floating market. In the afternoon visit three of the most famous monasteries in Thailand and experience the beauty of these spectacular yet delicate Thai architectural works of art: the Marble Temple, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Golden Buddha Temple. Overnight..

Choice of Hotel

Day 4

Bangkok/Phitsanulok

After a hearty breakfast you depart for Phitsanulok, a principal city of northern Thailand for more than 500 years. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight

Choice of Hotel

Day 5

Phitsanulok / Sukhothai / Chiang Mai

A tour to Sukhothai, the oldest of Thailand’s former capitals, where the recently restored ruins of the Grand Palace and many temples dating back to the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great (AD 1277-1317) are preserved as historically valuable monuments and essential elements of Thailand’s cultural heritage. Take the train this afternoon to Chiang Mai. Day at leisure. Overnight. [Choice of hotel]
Choice of Hotels

Day 6

Chiang Mai

Today you tour Doi Suthep Monastery, spectacularly located on a mountain top at an altitude of 3,520 feet with splendid views of the surrounding countryside. This is followed by a visit to a centre for local handicrafts, such as paper umbrellas, silk, silverware and lacquer-ware. Overnight.
Choice of Hotels

Day 7

Chiang Mai

Depart Chiang Mai by 4×4 pick-up, heading north for about 40 minutes to Mae Malai. Visit the local market and then continue for 40-50 minutes to Pang Lan Waterfall for relaxation and lunch before continuing by road for about 1 1/2 hours to Huay Nam Dang National Park. Trek for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to a Karen village.
Dinner and overnight in the village

Day 8

Chiang Mai – Trekking

After a splendid village cooked breakfast [continental] trek for 3 hours to an elephant camp and after lunch take an elephant-back ride for 1 1/2 – 2 hours to a rafting camp nearby to Karen village. The Karen originates in Myanmar.
Dinner and overnight at the rafting camp

Day 9

Chiang Mai – Rafting

After breakfast take a bamboo raft (20-25 Km. in total) down river for 1½ hour to the small Lahu village of Ban Pong Ngan. The Lahu are related to the Lolo of Tibet who migrated through China and Myanmar to settle in Thailand more than 50 years ago. Continue rafting for about 2 – 2 1/2 hours to a Shan village for lunch. The Shans are considered among the earliest inhabitants of this region of Thailand and so their way of living is much like northern local Thais’. The rafting can take up to 6 hours in the summer when the water level is shallow and the current is slow. After lunch we return to Chiang Mai by 4×4 and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Choice of Hotel

Day 10

Chiang Mai

Day spent at leisure. Overnight stay
Choice of Hotel

Day 11

Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai

Early departure from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by mini coach. We make a short stop at a hot spring and then continue to the famous Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. We visit Yao and Akha hill-tribe villages and then continue to the border town of Mai Sai with a stop for lunch along the way. Located just across the Sai River from Myanmar the town has a thriving market based on cross-border trade. After exploring Mai Sai we set off to overnight in Chiang Rai.
Choice of Hotel

Day 12

Chiang Mai/Bangkok

Return to Chiang Mai by local air-con bus. Own transfer from Chiang Mai bus station to train station in connecting with night train to Bangkok.
Overnight on train

Day 13

Bangkok

Arrive Bangkok in the morning. Depending on your departure flight time, you will have the choice to transfer straight to the airport or do your own thing until it’s time.

End of a memorable tour…Bon Voyage!

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