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HIGHLIGHTS
A quick look about this trip!
DURATION
8 DAYS
COMFORT
STYLE
LANGUAGE
RATING
  • Bustling Bangkok, vibrant Chiang Mai
  • Hill-tribe trek
  • Remote ethnic minorities
  • Elephant trekking
  • Bamboo river rafting
$649USD
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ONGOING PROMOTIONS
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Applies to Departures Between:
4/25/2012 and 1/1/2013
Promotion lasts :
From 4/25/2012 To 6/1/2012
TRIP MAP
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Thailand Northern Hilltribes & Villages

From the luxury of Bangkok's malls and gleaming highrises head north to Thailand's hills.
From the luxury of Bangkok's malls and gleaming highrises head north to Thailand's hills. Eating and sleeping in the hilltribes will bring you face to face with these colourful cultures. We’ll leave plenty of time for fun in historic Chiang Mai, with its night market and delicious cuisine. Our CEOs will help you get off the beaten path—but you'll stay flexible by being able to choose the activities you really want.
Days: 1-2 Bangkok (1B)
Bangkok has plenty of appeal. With towering skyscrapers pressed up against Chinese shop-houses and brand-new Mercedes squeezing past vendors with pushcarts, this is a city of distinct contrasts. Culture fiends will delight in the dazzling Grand Palace and the city’s countless pagodas, while shoppers could spend weeks sifting through Bangkok’s malls and open-air markets. Dining options are equally varied. Whether you’re eating cuisine in a plush 5 star hotel or sampling fried crickets on the side of the road, prepare to have all of your senses engaged. This is the place to eat, drink and be merry. 

Travelers will be arriving at all times today so there are no activities arranged. Please try to arrive by 6pm for an important group meeting where you can meet the Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members. You have the day free to relax and adjust to the frenetic pace and humid heat of Bangkok. 

On Day 2 we can have an optional visit to Wat Po, home of the giant reclining Buddha or your tour leader can arrange a long-tail boat to explore the canals of Bangkok. You have free time after until we head off to the railway station in the afternoon to board our sleeper train to Chiang Mai. This train journey is 13.5 hours
Lodging Bangkok Centre Hotel
Description Bangkok Centre Hotel is located in the heart of Bangkok and close to transportation hub.
Day 3: Chiang Mai
We arrive in the early morning and have free time to explore for the rest of the day. In the early evening, we can arrange an optional visit to the famous temple complex of Doi Suthep, about a 45 minute drive from the center of the city. 

Surrounded by rolling hills, Chiang Mai offers both natural ambience and old style architecture. Enclosed by a moat and crumbling walls, the old city features great cafes, shops and accommodations. An important Buddhist centre since the 14th century, Chiang Mai is home to more than 300 temples. Many visitors come here to attend meditation retreats, massage classes or yoga lessons. It is also a centre of handicraft production, with a long history of silverwork, woodcarving, pottery-making and weaving. Not to be missed is the Night Bazaar, a series of covered markets, shops and stalls that offer the best selection of handicrafts in Thailand.
Days 4-6: Hilltribe Trek (3B,3L,2D)
From Chiang Mai, we start a 3 day hilltribe trek where we visit various hilltribe minority groups, each with their own language, clothing and religion. Enroute we stop for a local market tour for last minute supplies and your CEO will explain fruits and quirky market food. We also have the opportunity to stop at the stunning Mork Fa Waterfall for a refresh before for lunch then trekking. 

Over the 3 days we will get the chance to ride an elephant (approx 45mins) and test our rafting skills while bamboo rafting*. We walk approximately 4-5 hours each day along sloping hills and valleys. We leave our big packs in storage and take an overnight bag. Each person is required to be able to carry their own pack as our porters will be carrying food and water supplies. Accommodation is group share, where you will be sleeping on the floor of the village huts. Toilet and washing facilities are very basic in most of the villages so be prepared to rough it for a few days. During the trek simple food is provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It can be cold during the evenings so make sure you have some lightweight warm clothes with you. It is possible to rent trekking gear in Chiang Mai before the trek in case you have forgotten to pack something vital. We return back to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon of Day 6. 

*During the rainy season we may not be able to Bamboo raft because of high and dangerous water levels.
Day 7: Chiang Mai (1B)
Free time in Chiang Mai to do any last minute shopping or sightseeing before boarding an overnight train back to Bangkok. This train journey is approximately 13.5 hours.
Day 8: Bangkok
Arrive back into Bangkok at about 8am where the trip finishes and everyone is free to depart from the train station. If you are departing Bangkok today please do not book any onward travel until after 1pm.
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Angela G
Not only was the trip amazing...our guide and the people we traveled with made it even more unforgettable! It did not feel like we were on a tour...even the food prepared by our guides was top notch.
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Jaclyn A
Overall, the tour was one of my highlights of my stay in Thailand. Tui was excellent! And really made it a very good experience for everyone.
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Sandra F
The tour was excellent! I was a little apprehensive about embarking on a tour, but this type of tour enabled lots of freedom to do what I wanted, but with the convenience of a guide to helpfully offer advice and make arrangements.
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Stella L
I had a wonderful time! I learned so much about the area I traveled, the people, the culture and the food. The hotels were clean and welcoming. The various forms of transportation an experience and the Thai people wonderfully friendly! This Northern trip had a lot to offer in such a short amount of time. It was awesome!
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Ellen B
This trip exceeded all expectations in every way. You simply cannot anticipate the feelings that this area of Thailand conjurs up within you. I am happy with every aspect of this trip. The elephant ride and bamboo rafting had to be two of the many highlights for me, as well as meeting the hill tribes, who are unbelievably accommodating, and experiencing multiple forms of local transport, including tuk tuks! Using local guides for the trekking was fantastic - it gave us a real insight into how things really are in these remote places and the area itself is a stunning environment to be in.
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Shaun T
Our local G Adventures tour leader, Simon, did a great job teaching us about the Thai culture, how to be respectful and prepared us for what to expect by using photos, maps and talks. We had an amazing time hiking in the jungle, exploring Bangkok and cooking in Chiang Mai! We were even blessed by the monks!
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John T
We really enjoyed the adventure. It will be one of the great highlights in our lives.
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Craig H
Great staff, very helpful, well planned.
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Michael G
Overall this trip was excellent, could not have asked for a better leader or group of people.
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Geoff B
I went into this trip having never done a travel tour before. I was nervous because I generally like to move at my own pace and without restrictions.... This tour was amazing because it allowed flexibility, ,but was structured enough to keep everyone moving in the right direction at the proper time.
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TRIP INCLUDES
  • Hilltribe trek, Remote ethnic minorities, Elephant ride, River rafting
  • 5 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners
  • Simple fan-cooled hotel/guesthouses (3nts), Basic hilltribe villages (2nts, multishare), Sleeper trains (2nts)
  • Local bus, Songthaew, Train, Elephant, Walking, River raft
  • Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, trekking staff
  • Small group experience; Max 15, Avg 10
  • All local flights included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • Allow USD80-105 for meals
  • Visas
  • Emergency fund
  • Departure tax
  • Travel insurance
  • Tipping
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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