This adventure offers you the very best of Central and Northern Thailand. We start in the moated city of Chiang Mai and head off into the countryside around Mae Taeng for a challenging three trek. A chance to see lush farmlands, meet local ethnic minorities and try your hand at bamboo rafting and elephant riding. After trekking we return to Chiang Mai and you get to perfect your Thai cooking at cooking school. Then we head into the far North, taking in Chiang Rai, Mae Sai and the golden triangle and then head to the royal patronaged Thai Elephant Conversation Centre in Lampamg. A hop on the overnight train takes us to the World Heritage sites of Ayyauthya. Finally we visit Kanchanaburi, home to the famous Bridge on the River Kwai, before returning to Bangkok.
Trip Summary:
Area: Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Lampang, Chiang Mai, Mae Wang, Chiang Mai|Fitness level *
Day 1: Chiang Mai
After transferring from the airport to the hotel, Chiang Mai is yours to explore, just ask me for advice. We will have a meeting at the hotel in the evening to discuss our plans for the rest of the trip.
Day 2: Chiang Mai
After breakfast we head to the famous Wat Phra Singh (containing a 600 year old mural), Hilltribe Museum and Doi Suthep Temple which is on the mountain and is the most spectacular temple in the city. A must see but there are 306 steps up to the peak! And the evening is free to enjoy shopping at the night market.
Day 3: Trekking
For the early risers there is an opportunity to experience something truly Thai, offering food the monks. Then we head out to the countryside. We stop off at the local market for supplies (here you can try fried bamboo worm, grasshoppers and bugs) then enjoy swimming at the waterfall before will have lunch. After that we drive a little bit more to a hotspring where we can have a mineral water sauna. Finally we trek up and down a local trail leading to our home for the night, a Karen hill tribe village.
Day 4: Trekking
Today is a challenging walk because we have to trek up and down hills for approximately 4 hours but all your exhaustion will disappear when everyone sees the elephants! Have some lunch and enjoy swimming. Then the trip highlight is coming. The elephants are ready to take you across and along the river until we reach a Lahu hill tribe village. Settle overnight at your homestay with the villagers and enjoy their local tea/ moonshine or learn how to fish, local style!
Day 5: Trekking
Great chance to learn how to make a bamboo raft! Another jungle survival skill. Jump on the raft when everyone is ready, two hours of teamwork ahead!! Then back to Chiang Mai where there is time for you to explore or your guide will gladly take you to some local bars with cold beers, nice cocktails and live music.
Day 6: Chiang Mai
It’s a free day for everyone. There are several things to do such as Bungy jumping, ATV mountain biking, Zip lining, Paintballing, Cooking or walking/cycling around Chiangmai’s ancient sites, just ask your guide for advice and options.
Day 7: Chiang Rai
We leave early morning to catch the local bus to Thaton approx 4 hours (Thai – Burmese border ) then have lunch before we take a longtail boat along the Maekok river through fantastic scenery down to Chiang Rai (approx 2 and half hours) Enjoy the night market and cool air of this small city.
Day 8: Golden Triangle
Wake up to fresh air and a good breakfast. Then we jump on a Songthaew (local taxi) to Maesai (Thai -Burmese Border). Great fun, great shopping and a chance to extend your visa. Then after lunch we head to Golden triangle to visit the opium museum and we can cross the border to Laos. Finally drive an hour and half back to hotel and enjoy a free evening exploring Chiang Rai or simply chill out in our cozy Lanna style guesthouse.
Day 9: Chiang Mai
We take a local bus back to our hotel in Chiang Mai. This afternoon you go back to school- well cookery school! A chance to perfect those skills and impress your friends and family when you return!
Day 10: Lampang
Take a songtaew to the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang, about 90 minutes outside Chiang Mai. A small centre focused on the rehabilitating and conversation of these gracious animals. It was the first elephant hospital in the world and receives royal patronage. There’s a chance to shower before, we take an overnight train to Ayutthaya.
Day 11: Ayutthaya
Arrive early morning in Ayutthaya (13th-17th century, the first capital of Thailand) Transfer to the hotel where there is a day room for leaving your things and having a shower. Atfer lunch we will cycle around the ancient town for a few hours checking out various Buddhist temples such as the Reclining buddha temple. In the afternoon take a private transfer to Kanchanaburi. Arrive early evening at our riverside guesthouse
Day 12: Kanchanaburi
In the morning we will transfer by taxi to take a two-hour public bus to Kanchanaburi. We drop our things at the riverside guesthouse and chill out. In the afternoon we cycle to the bridge over the River Kwai, visit the local caves and brush up your history at the War Museum and the cemetery.
Day 13: Kanchanaburi
Today we will take a full day trip. We start by visiting Hellfire Pass, which is the part of the railway that cost hundreds of lives. Then we move on to Erawan National Park with its famous seven tier waterfall and stunning turquoise water. A great chance to swim and let the fish nibble your toes! The evening is free to chill out in the riverside guesthouse.
Day 14: Bangkok
We take the afternoon bus back to Bangkok and transfer to our hotel. Head out to Kaosan road (backpackers street) for good shopping, a last supper and buckets!
Day 15: Bangkok
The trip finishes this morning.If you would like to go to Reclining Buddha Temple and Grand Palace just let your guide know. There’s heaps of local shopping centers and historical sites and modern museums and galleries to visit.
*It is possible to reverse this trip, starting in Bangkok, finishing in Chiang Mai. This is a better option for those of you travelling onto Laos.
*It is possible on this trip to go whitewater rafting on request ($60) depending on the season (scale 3-4), however additional insurance is essential.
4 pers $1,200 pp | 3 pers $1,500 pp | 2 pers $1,800 pp | 1 per $2,700
Includes: Accommodation (ecolodge) Local Guide, Transport, 3-Day’s meals, All Admission Tickets, All Activities, Insurance. 
