|
|
Elephants, hiking, rafting - Modules in Northern Thailand
Thailand Travel Plan offers six modules (short travel programmes) in Northern Thailand. Each will give you a thrilling glimpse of this enchanting region in just a few days. There are 3 trekking trips available, enabling you to explore the jungles of Northern Thailand on foot, by bamboo raft, and even by elephant. You'll sleep in remote mountain villages amongst local hilltribes, giving you a truly authentic travel experience. For those who would prefer a less active trip, we offer a gentle 2 day soft-trek. This still features the all-important elephant trek and the bamboo rafting, but there is far less hiking involved. You can combine these treks in northern Thailand with a trip to the fascinating Golden Triangle in the Mekong Delta or with an intrepid self drive the area by rental car. Before and after these modules, you'll stay in wonderful Chiang Mai for at least one night.
|
|
Duration:
|
2 days / 1 night
|
|
Price:
|
£61 per person
|
|
Departure:
|
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from Chiang Mai
|
This two day soft trek is a shortened version of our popular 3-day trek. This features all of the highlights of the longer trek, but less of the actual hiking. You'll cover longer distances by săwngthăew (converted pickup truck taxi), and you'll be on foot for no longer than three hours at a time. You'll visit a forestry elephant training centre, and later take a ride on one of these majestic animals. You'll stay overnight in simple accommodation, where you can wake up to the sounds of the jungle. During the last part of the journey, you'll drift peacefully downstream in a bamboo raft, taking in the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you.
Click here for the daily itinerary
|
|
|
|
|
Duration:
|
3 days / 2 nights
|
|
Price:
|
£65 per person
|
|
Departure:
|
Every Tuesday and Saturday from Chiang Mai
|
During this module, you will trek through the tropical wilderness of the North with a small group of fellow travellers. You'll stay overnight with colourful hill tribes, such as the Karen and Akha, whose villages you will visit in the course of the trek. You'll hike along paddy fields, and encounter amazing jungle scenery. Part of the trek is made on the back of an elephant, from where you'll get a totally different view of the jungle, with its waterfalls and rapids. Finally, you'll meander peacefully downstream on a bamboo raft , watching the children from an Akha village playing on the shores of the river.
Click here for the daily itinerary
|
|
Duration:
|
4 days / 3 nights
|
|
Price:
|
£155 per person - based on two people
|
|
Departure:
|
Daily from Chiang Mai
|
On this challenging individual hike, you'll travel with your personal guide to visit mountain tribes in remote areas. The people here still lead very traditional lives, and you'll get an authentic glimpse of Thai culture. You’ll be taken by elephant through the tropical forest down to the river. Then, you'll glide downstream on a bamboo raft, deeper and deeper into the heart of the jungle. As this module is completely independent, you’ll have plenty of one-on-one contact with your guide and the friendly locals.
Click here for the daily itinerary
|
|
|
|
|
Duration:
|
3 days / 2 nights
|
|
Price:
|
£58 per person - based on two people
|
|
Departure:
|
Daily from Chiang Mai
|
This module combines an excursion to the northernmost point of Thailand with an overnight stay on the Mekong River. You’ll begin in Chiang Mai and travel via the Mesai Market to the amazing Golden Triangle. This is the point at which Burma, Laos and Thailand meet, separated only by the wide trading river - the Mekong. In the past this was the opium route of Asia. Nowadays, however, you’ll find interesting mountain people with Burmese and Laotian influences living in the area. You'll stay one night in Chiang Saen, and also one night in Chiang Rai.
Click here for the daily itinerary
|
|
Duration:
|
6 days / 5 nights
|
|
Price:
|
£163 per person - based on two people
|
|
Departure:
|
Thursday, from Mae Sot (on the Burmese border between Bangkok and Chiang Mai).
|
The Mae Sot nature trail lies slightly further south than our other hiking routes. You'll trek through the unspoilt Umphang region that lies between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, along the border of Thailand and Burma. The spellbinding area is known for its waterfalls, hot springs, and thick tropical rainforest. You'll spot exotic wildlife and maybe bump into the people of the ethnic minority tribes that live here. After hiking through the jungle, you can enjoy the evening’s peace in an atmospheric tented camp deep within the forest.
Click here for the daily itinerary
|
|
|
|
|
Duration:
|
4 days / 3 nights
|
|
Price:
|
From £125 per person - based on two people
|
|
Departure:
|
Daily from Chiang Mai
|
Hiring and driving a car in Northern Thailand is extremely easy. The roads are well maintained, the rental service is reliable, and you’ll be provided with very clear directions. This self-drive module takes you into the extensive mountain range of the Golden Triangle. You'll travel along the border between Laos and Burma, a region that is home to a variety of ethnic minority groups, each with their own particular culture and traditions. As you have your own transport, you can enjoy the freedom of stopping wherever and whenever you choose. You’ll sleep in comfortable hotels along your route and we will give you an information pack crammed with ideas for side excursions and stopping points.
Click here for the daily itinerary
|
When you're planning your trip, don't forget to take into account the time that it takes to travel between modules. For example, you will need at least one night's stay in Chiang Mai between the modules above. We also recommend that you take rest days between modules. For example, if your module finishes on Wednesday, we would suggest taking a rest day in Chiang Mai on Thursday before starting your next trip on Friday. In our planning, we always take into account the best link between modules. See our suggested itineraries for more details.
We have a separate information page about treks. The prices given are per person based on a minimum of two people booking together. We can also arrange transportation to the various cities and from the airport to your hotel. Just ask our travel specialists from more information. In the cities, you can easily arrange your own transport- there will be plenty of taxis and tuk-tuks clamouring for your business. Breakfast is included in all hotels, as well as any other meals stated in the module description. We use comfortable 2nd class air-conditioned sleeper trains for overnight travel.
