Thailand Hilltribe Trek

Trip Type: Short Breaks|Walking & Trekking|

Thailand | 5 Days | 1 - 12 People

Pull on your walking boots, stretch those leg muscles and take to the hills on a classic Intrepid trek through Thailand’s hilltribe country. Walk a...

Thailand Hilltribe Trek

Pull on your walking boots, stretch those leg muscles and take to the hills on a classic Intrepid trek through Thailand’s hilltribe country. Walk along winding jungle tracks and through green fields, observing what life is really like for villagers in this remote area, and sleep in traditional bamboo huts at night. Make friends with welcoming tribespeople as you hike through this remote region where each tribe has its own distinct language, style of dress and religion and learn the secrets to jungle survival from those who know best. Stay on a few extra days to explore ancient temples in Chiang Mai - there are over 300! If you’re after a short city escape and the chance to experience the real Thailand away from the tourist crowds, then this trip is just the ticket.

Itinerary

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. The most vibrant city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has many famous temples and an interesting old city area. Renowned for dazzling beauty and extremely welcoming locals, the ‘Rose of the North’ will leave you spellbound. Chances are, you won’t want to leave. Today is an arrival day and you can arrive at any time before the welcome meeting tonight at 6.30pm. An airport arrival transfer is included. This transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your arrival details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel to organise this. There are so many things to do here – spectacular temples, delicious food, an enormous night market, a picturesque river-front and fantastic shopping, so perhaps arrive a few days early. Chiang Mai is a great place to hire a bicycle, sign up for a Thai cooking class, or loosen those muscles with some traditional Thai massage. After the welcome meeting your evening is free to explore the city as you please. Your local guide will meet you again tomorrow morning. Notes: The trekking route is not fixed and may change due to weather and local conditions. Please bear this is mind.

Check into day rooms this morning to gear up for your trek into the remote surrounding regions. Your first destination is the Karen village of Ban Pong Noi, with a lunch stop at the magnificent Mok Fah Waterfall. On the way, take a detour to Mae Malai local market to pick up fresh food for your trip. After a 1-hour drive, enjoy a relaxing lunch break by the waters of Mok Fah Waterfall, and take a refreshing swim if you desire. The starting point of the 2.8 km, 2-hour trek is Baan Mae Sae, which you'll reach after your break. The trek to Ban Pong Noi is relatively simple, and you'll arrive in the village in the late afternoon. This homestay experience will give you unique insight into life in this rural part of Thailand.

Rise early this morning to take a tour of the village before sitting down to breakfast. Once you’ve fueled up, begin today’s trek and follow a trail through jungle, rice paddies, rotation dry farms, streams, rivers and waterfalls, passing by more Karen villages as you go. The first leg of the trek is steep up and downhill through bamboo forest, with a total walking time of around 3 hours. Make a stop to rest your legs and enjoy a picnic lunch, then carry on for another 2-3 hours until you arrive at a Lahu village, your base for the night. Today’s total walking distance is approximately 11 kilometres.

Start the day with breakfast then take a walk around the village to see the locals going about their morning routines. You’ll have the chance to buy some local handicrafts – spending your money on community enterprises directly can help support community development. Begin today’s trek through a picturesque landscape of farmland and jungle (approximately 3-4 hours) to a Thai village for lunch, where you’ll link up with your transport. From here you’ll return to Chiang Mai (approximately 2 hours). This afternoon you may like to treat yourself to a well-deserved Thai massage. This evening, perhaps head down to the buzzing Chiang Mai Night Bazaar – we suggest getting your hands on some kao soy, yellow wheat noodles in a curry broth, traditionally served with chicken or beef.

This adventure comes to an end today. There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. A transfer to the airport for your departure flight from Chiang Mai is included.

Trip Inclusions

Meals
4 Breakfast(s), 3 Lunch(s), 2 Dinner(s)

Transport
Songthaew , Private vehicle

Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights), homestay (2 nights)

Included Activities

Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Hilltribe village visit
Hilltribe - 3 days trek
Hilltribe Cultural show
Complimentary Airport Departure Transfer

Trip Highlights

Discover real Thai countryside and its people with a 3-day trek into the hills of Northern Thailand
Local guides deepen the learning and appreciation of different villages, each with their own language, clothing style and belief systems
Meet and chat with friendly villagers and discover more about their unique cultures
Stay in atmospheric wooden houses in different hilltribe villages each night
Explore remote villages, help prepare evening meals, and feast on traditional hilltribe cuisine
Start and finish in the temple-studded city of Chiang Mai, making this short break adventure an easy add-on to a Northern Thailand journey
By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Animal Protection. Donations support them to promote better living conditions for elephants in captivity and help rescue elephants from inhumane conditions. Intrepid will double your impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Trip Notes

On Short Breaks, you maintain a good level of independence and freedom, with the added bonus of having the details sorted out for you. You’ll have lots of free time and you won’t be accompanied by a Trip Leader. This means that all included activities and tours will be run by different local Intrepid partners, and these may operate independently from each other. The included activities and transfers will operate on a join-in basis, which means that you could have your Adventure all to yourself, or others may join you along the way. If you would prefer to travel in a group with a dedicated Trip Leader, just get in touch with your booking agent and they will take you through some alternatives. This trip is lead by our local representative – they will meet you on Day 1 at the group meeting, then meet you again on the morning of Day 2 to begin the Hilltribe trek. They will not stay in the hotel in Chiang Mai. This trip includes treks of moderate difficulty of 4-5 hours on Days 2 and 3, and requires you to carry your trek pack and any additional personal items required for two nights. Therefore a good level of fitness is required to maximise your enjoyment of this trip. There is 2 nights spent in hilltribe villages in traditional wooden houses on this trip. Conditions are basic with share facilities, but this is a truly unforgettable Intrepid experience!

Dates & Availability

Departing

Finishing

Availability

This Trip Currently has no Dates & Availability

Provided by

Intrepid Travel

Reference Code:
TTAX

Trip Location

Trip Starts:
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Trip Finishes:
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Countries Visited:
Thailand

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