Thailand has so much to offer the active, adventure-seeking traveller. Suited to the budget travellers’ pocket with plenty of free time and guided tours as optional extras, this tour offers fantastic value for money and the peace of mind of a well organised tour.
We start in the vibrant, colourful capital of Bangkok, with its majestic monuments where we take a walking tour of the important temples and markets before heading to Kanchanaburi, home of the 'Bridge on the River Kwai', where we spend the night in a traditional rafthouse. After time to visit the local sites we head to Ayutthaya and explore the historic temples at this World Heritage Site before hopping aboard the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai.
Once in Chiang Mai we take you can enjoy an optional walking tour of this charming and bustling city before making our way out to the Huay Nam Dang National Park to begin your jungle adventure. En-route we will visit a local village market to pick up supplies, and have a refreshing stop at a local waterfall. After an easy first afternoon's walk through the forest, we visit a Karen village to sample their simple way of life and to learn a bit more about the local customs – including a basic dinner and overnight in a bamboo hut.
The next day features a couple of longer walks in the morning and afternoon (around 2-3 hours each) through the forest and jungle.
After spending the night in another hill-tribe village, we spend the next day enjoying a bamboo rafting trip back (approx. 3-4 hours) before returning to Chiang Mai. In Chiang Mai there is time for more sightseeing after which we catch the overnight sleeper train back to Bangkok
The tour ends with some free time in Bangkok before we transfer you back to the airport for your flight home.
Arrival location:
TH Bangkok Kanchanaburi Erawan Falls NP
Departure Location:
TH Bangkok Kanchanaburi Erawan Falls NP
Included in your experience:
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- All transport and transfers
- 24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
- Services of a local tour guide during sightseeing and activities
- Admission fees, rucksack, water canteen and lifejacket are supplied for trekking
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Not included in your experience:
- International Flights
- Visa fees
- Travel Insurance (compulsory)
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
- Tips for tour leader, rafting guide and park guide
- Any other items not mentioned above
DAY 1 Arrive into BangkokUpon arrival at Bangkok airport we meet & greet and transfer to your hotel in Bangkok. The rest of the day is free for you to settle into your hotel and relax, or start exploring the local area.
OVERNIGHTBangkok Hotel
DAY 2 Bangkok. City tourOur tour begins with a a fun way to discover Bangkok’s unmistakable ‘Kwam-Pen-Thai’ (Thai-ness) as we take to tuk tuks and long-tailed boats for tours of the Grand Palace, Buddhist temples including Wat Po, the old canals of Thonburi and the iconic temple of dawn, Wat Arun. Local legend has it that the shards of pottery decorating its 79m tall spire came from a nearby shipwreck 100 years ago. Overall we aim to make sure the true Bangkok is uncovered.
OVERNIGHTBangkok Hotel
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 3 Bangkok to KanchanaburiLeaving Bangkok this morning we travel to the historic town of Kanchanaburi. Originally founded to protect Thailand from the Burmese the area is known today for being the site of the famous Bridge Over the River Kwai. Occupied by Japanese troops during WWII the bridge and subsequent railway line was built by allied prisoners of war. Travelling by train along the bridge we will also visit the Allied War Cemetery and the local museum. Then we take to the river to our overnight floating raft-house accommodation.
OVERNIGHTHomestay
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 4 Kanchanaburi. Visit to Erawan Falls National ParkAfter breakfast we head for the beautiful Erawan Falls National Park. This huge park is home to ancient caves and the spectacular waterfalls named after the 3 headed white elephant found in Hindu mythology.
OVERNIGHTKanchanaburi Hotel
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 5 Kanchanaburi. Ayutthaya tour. Train to Chiang MaiWe depart Kanchanaburi this morning for the short trip to the former Siam capital of Ayutthaya. Now a UNESCO world heritage site the city flourished between the 14th and 18th centuries and is home to many ancient temples and Palaces. This evening we board the overnight train to Chiang Mai.
OVERNIGHTOvernight train
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 6 Arrive in Chiang Mai. Free dayWe arrive into Chiang Mai this morning where the rest of the day is free to explore the city. Nestled amongst some of the highest mountains in Thailand, Chiang Mai retains a relaxed feel to it. Head to the impressive local zoo or visit one of the nearby Buddhist temples before dining out in one of the city’s many restaurants.
OVERNIGHTChiang Mai Hotel
DAY 7 Chiang Mai. Begin TrekkingLeaving Chiang Mai this morning we travel to the colourful market at Mae Malai before carrying on to the lush Pang Lan Waterfalls. After lunch we begin our trek into the Huay Nam Dang National Park and walk on to the traditional Karen village of Baan Mae Jok where we stop for the night in order to learn more about the culture of the local hill-tribes.
OVERNIGHTVillage Huts
MEALSBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 Trekking and Tribal VillagesAwakening to cool mountain breezes we enjoy breakfast this morning before we trek on through the tropical jungle to the village of Baan Pa Khao Lam. After a leisurely lunch and exploration around the village we walk on through the forest in the afternoon for a couple more hours until we reach the village home to our rafting camp.
OVERNIGHT
Village Huts
MEALS
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9 Bamboo Rafting
On our final day in the jungle we experience a fun bamboo rafting trip along the Mae Tang river. Cruising along the tropical riverbanks on our bamboo rafts we make stops at small tribal settlements before finally arriving into Shan village where we transfer back to Chiang Mai.
OVERNIGHT
Chiang Mai Hotel
MEALS
Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 10 Chiang Mai. Free day. Overnight train to Bangkok
Today is kept free to relax after the trek. You could take in a local Thai cooking course, explore the markets and alleyways of Chiang Mai on foot or relieve any tired muscles with a relaxing local massage. Transfer to the train station for the overnight train to Bangkok.
OVERNIGHT
Overnight train
MEALS
Breakfast
DAY 11 Arrive in Bangkok. Free day
We arrive back into the Thai capital this morning and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore Bangkok at your leisure. Visit the lively area around Patpong, drop in on a snake farm or browse round Bangkok’s many modern shopping centres.
OVERNIGHT
Bangkok Hotel
DAY 12 Bangkok. Departure transfer to the airport
Free day. Transfer to the airport for departure flight.
OVERNIGHT
None
MEALS
Breakfast