Bangkok - Chiang Mai - hill-tribe trek - elephant ride - bamboo rafting
Your itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok (-/-/-)
Group meeting
Welcome to Bangkok! Today is free as group members will arrive individually. We will though provide you with some useful tips for exploring the city until it is time for the group meeting in the evening where we would like you to give your local leader an idea of some of the things you would like to see and do on your tour. Tonight you are in a simple, small hotel; basic but clean and in a good location.
Day 2: Bangkok - train to Chiang Mai (B/-/-)
A walking tour to explore Bangkok
Today is a tour on foot! The aim is to ensure that you see as much as possible of the everyday life of Bangkok and its people, by various means, and what better way to combine your walk with as many different modes of public transport as possible. Stops on the tour will normally include some interesting temples, a flower market, Chinatown and Little India. As it is you who will choose where to go no entrance fees are included in the program. Your journey tonight is by second-class train to Chiang Mai with air-conditioned sleeping berths. Quite comfortable enough and with all necessary amenities, so nothing to worry about.
Day 3: Chiang Mai (-/-/-)
Chiang Mai is a lively, bustling city and its charming character makes the province a must to visit. Today we will have a walking tour of the city after you settle into your cozy local hotel. Walk through the old city to see charming temples, the Warorot Market or visit a meditation temple. In the late afternoon is the group trekking orientation so that you will be prepared and know what to expect while trekking.
Day 4: Adventure trekking - hill tribe village (B/L/D)
In the morning leave Chiang Mai by a pick-up truck, heading north to Huay Nam Dang National Park. The trekking starts in the afternoon through forested, hilly terrain for about 1½ - 2 hours (5-6 Kms.), to a Karen hill-tribe village. Learn something of their way of life while exploring the village then enjoy a simple dinner. Tonight you are sharing small bamboo huts in the Karen village.
Day 5: Trekking - elephant riding (B/L/D)
Breakfast is quite simple but sufficient to give you energy for a further 3 hours (7-8 Kms.) of trekking. You will arrive at an elephant camp around lunch time. Then be prepared to take an elephant ride for 1-1.5 hours (3-3.5 Kms.) to a rafting camp nearby a Karen village. You can enjoy swimming in the stream that passes the village and after dinner your second night is in a bamboo hut.
Day 6: Bamboo rafting Chiang Mai (B/L/-)
You should eat as much breakfast as you can to have enough energy for the bamboo rafting, 20-25 Kms down river. There will be some stops made at local hill-tribe villages along the way. The thrilling trip ends at a second rafting camp. The rafting can take about 3-4 hours with fast rapids in the rainy season and up to 6 hours in the summer when the water level is shallow and the current is slow. After lunch return to Chiang Mai by pick-up truck and back to your hotel
Day 7: Chiang Mai train to Bangkok (B/-/-)
Today is a free day but there are still lots of options for you to choose from in this exciting city. Your leader will give you good information on what to do, such as Thai cooking, a visit to Doi Suthep or relaxing with a traditional Thai massage. No activities this day are included in the tour price. In the evening board the overnight train to Bangkok with comfortable 2nd-class air-conditioned sleeping berths.
Day 8: Bangkok (-/-/-)
The program ends when you arrive in Bangkok. If you plan to continue your journey to the south, please look into our Southern programs. Please also let us know if you need any extension nights in Bangkok, we can help you arrange these too.
Services included in the tour price:
Travel by public transportation.
Hotel accommodation throughout the tour is B&B in budget-/tourist-class hotels based on 2, 3 or multi-share occupancy.
Sleeping facilities during trekking consists of mat for the floor, sheet and mosquito-net. Rucksack, water canteen and lifejacket are also provided.
Full board will be 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.
Not included:
Drinks & meals not mentioned in the above itinerary.
Cost of optional excursions
Admission fees (except park entrance fee for trekking).
Sleeping bag
Tips for guide & drivers.
Personal expenses.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
USD 342 per person (minimum 2 person)
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Thailand
Cultural Journey
Hiking & Trekking
|
