Thailand trekking & discovery tour

Sa-wat-dee! Welcome to Bangkok, the “City of Angels"!
The capital and the largest city of the Kingdom of Thailand is one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities with magnificent temples and palaces, authentic canals, busy markets and a vibrant nightlife that has something for everyone.  
Pick up from the airport and transfer to hotel (check in time is 14.00)
The remainder of the day is at your leisure.  Depending on your arrival time, you may like to take a riverboat taxi to Chinatown and explore the busy, colorful streets or just roaming around, soaking up the sights, smells and sounds of the thriving metropolis or set out on a shopping spree.
In the evening, why not get out to the colorful the Khao San Road – the Bangkok’s tourist mecca to join in exciting nightlife atmosphere and enjoy a street food crawl.

Summary of inclusions

Start the day with visit to the Wat Pho, the first class Royal pagoda with the incredible 46 meter long reclining Buddha. Enjoy the morning chanting and the fascinating ground of the temple. Following is the The Royal Grand Palace which used to be the residence of the Kings of Thailand and is one of the most beautiful samples of an ancient Siamese court. The complex consists of different majestic halls and impressive surroundings. Within the vicinity of the Royal place is the holy Wat Phra Kaew which houses the mysterious Emerald Buddha that is meticulously carved from a single block of jade and deeply venerated as the country's palladium.

Later you will take a long-tail cruise along the winding ‘khlongs’ (canals) of Thonburi, another world away from the chaotic streets of the capital, passing lush green dotted with gilded temples on both banks, wooden stilts houses right on water, charming local markets and vendor boats serving up Thai delicacies. Life along these ‘khlongs’ has long been an inseparable part of the Thai lifestyle and has hardly changed over the years.

Enjoy the afternoon free at your own pace you to discover more of the city or just indulge yourself with a Thai massage. In the evening, get transferred to the station and hop on an overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Summary of inclusions

Get to Chiang Mai early in the morning. Transfer to the hotel and take an orientation walk of the town center before a local breakfast in local restaurant.
Being the most vibrant city in the northern Thailand, ‘the Rose of the North’ Chiang Mai is known for its dazzling temples, interesting old city area with colorful street life, friendly locals, excellent foods, exciting night markets, and fascinating surrounding landscapes.
Sightseeing today includes the temple complex of Wat Doi Suthep, the most remarkable Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai. Walk around and ring every bell around temple and enjoy the marvelous panoramic view of the city from here. Remainder of the day is at your leisure.
During your free time you may to pick up a Thai cooking class for firsthand experience with wonderful Chiang Mai’s cuisine.
This evening, why not head out and join in the exciting atmosphere at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, leave Chiang Mai for an exciting drive of more than 2 hour along winding road through spectacular landscapes of mountains and greens to Pai, a small town sets in a particularly picturesque valley north of Chiang Mai along the Pai River in Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border.
From here you will take a 3 hour trek along hill slopes through farmlands and charming villages, bamboo forests, beautiful valley and amazing rocky outcrops covered with lush jungle to a Lahu hill tribe village where you will spend the night.
Upon arrival, check in to a local house and enjoy the welcome tea from your host then spend time to wander around the village for sightseeing, local interaction and to join with local at their daily activities. The Lahu is one of many hill-tribe groups in Thailand and itself form several sub-groups which differ in costume, language and traditions.
Join in with your host for dinner preparation and enjoy the feast of local tastes in a very cozy atmosphere. Overnight in the local house.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, say goodbye to your host and start a trek of approximately 4 hours to a White Karen village passing great natural landscapes of amazing valleys, lush jungles, stream, waterfalls, and impressive mountain background. Along the way you will make several stops for photos and to discover a fascinating natural cave. A picnic lunch is served en route.
Upon arrival, check in to local Karen house and spend your time to explore the village. The Karen people in Thailand belong to Sino-Tibetan linguistic group and form the largest hill-tribe group in the country. The Karen consists of some sub groups each can be distinguished by not only their dialect but also costume designs. In Burma, the Karen have their own state and often at conflict with the central Burmese government for their independence and later, autonomy. These people are famous for their relationships with elephants and are often seen as the mahouts and elephant trainers. The Karen people practice animistic religious tradition. For them, plants and animals are believed to possess a vital spirit essence.

Dinner with local tastes and enjoy our second night at a home stay.

Summary of inclusions

Today, after breakfast, you will trek further for more than 2 hours to a village of Shan people who reside mainly in the southeast of Myanmar and scattered along the border between the two countries. Enjoy your visit to the village and learn something about the locals before embarking on a drive away then take a bamboo raft on Pai River floating towards Mae Hong Son.
Surrounded by mountains and forest, punctuated by small but picturesque Jong Kham Lake, this provincial capital of the Mae Hong Son province is a small, pleasant town with its distinct feel and culture. The town is home of Burmese, Thai, Shan, Muslims and other hill tribe minorities, all live together harmoniously creating an interesting blend of cultures evident in the architecture, food and way people dress. This quaint little town retains much of their charm and character remaining relatively unchanged due to their remote location.
Overnight in hotel in Mae Hong Son.

Summary of inclusions

Today you spend time to explore Mae Hong Son with visit to Padong village of the Long neck Karen people. Women here wear numerous brass rings around their elongated necks, which gained them the nickname "Giraffe Women." You will have chance to contact with them and learn about their distinctive culture and life style. This afternoon you will have walking tour for sightseeing of local temples include the Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang built by Shan people who make up about 50% of population here, Wat Phra Thad Doi Kong Mu, know as the "Temple on the hill that contain relics of the Lord Buddha. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure for relax.

Summary of inclusions

Leave Mae Hong Son to Doi Inthanont National Park. Visit the Royal Twin Pagodas on the top of the mountain at level of 2,565 meters above the sea level, known as Naphamethinidon and Naphaphonphumisiri, built to honor Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand.  
Following, take a 2 hour hike on the Pha Dok Sieo Trail along wilderness of the jungle and the cloud forest. On the hike we will have chance to see waterfalls, birds, flowers, rice fields and scenic views. Later, visit the Wachirathan Waterfall, a spectacular nature highlight in the national park area which has the water runs all year round.
Drive further to get back to Chiang Mai. Check in hotel and remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Today you will have a bicycle ride to explore the Chiang Mai and its vicinities, a great way to enjoy this land. You will take a visit to the temple ruins of the former capital of Lanna, visiting local villages and ride along the Ping River to breathe the local atmosphere and soak in the country scenery. Back to hotel at noon and have some time to rest before taking an overnight sleeper train to Bangkok.

Summary of inclusions

Arrive in Bangkok in the morning. Get pick up and transfer down south to Kaeng Krachan National Park. Located in the southwestern part of Thailand in Petchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, bounded by the border with Myanmar to the west, with a total area of nearly three thousand square kilometers, this is the largest national park and one of oldest tropical forest in Thailand. The park is home to very rich flora system, great variety of wildlife and is a wonderful place for hiking, camping, and wildlife watching.
Check in hotel upon arrival and this afternoon you get transferred to Baan Krang and take your trek on the langur & elephant trail where you will find some langur families and sometimes, if you are lucky, big mammals such as deer and elephants.
Later, get on a different trail to visit some mineral licks before getting around the birding trail.
Drive back to the resort with some stops at different spots to watch large mammals.

Overnight in hotel/resort Kaeng Krachan National Park

Summary of inclusions

Get up to the call of the nature with sounds of birds and gibbons singing around here and there. Enjoy the morning pure and fresh air and take a morning bird watching around spotting different species of birds in the national park.
After breakfast, we head back into the national park again along the dusty road. Drive up towards the mountain to see the mist in the Phanenthung area.
We then take our trek down Thor Thip Waterfall which is the most beautiful waterfall in Kaeng Krachan.
After a picnic lunch, take another trekking for the rest of the day.
Get out of the forest in the late afternoon and drive back to the hotel.
Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, check out hotel and get transferred to Hua Hin.
Literally means stone head in Thai, Hua Hin with white sand, crystal clear water and a tranquil atmosphere is known as a popular beach resort in Thailand.  

Upon arrive there we will spend time to visit the Klai Kangwon Palace, the Royal summer palace built in Spanish style with three mansions facing the sea.
Following, we continue to Khao Takiap Vantage Point where we can go up the hilltop to enjoy a delightful bird's eye view of Hua Hin and visit to the Wat Khao Takiap temple with a giant golden Buddha statue standing against the cliff.  

Check in hotel and the remainder of the day is free at your leisure for sun, sea and sand of Hua Hin.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy time at leisure for beach relax and hotel facilities.  
Overnight hotel in Hua Hin     

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy your time at leisure until check out time and get a private transfer to the Bangkok airport for your departure flight to onward destination.  
Safe travel and see you again!

Summary of inclusions