Wilderness Adventure

from USD 1295 for 15 days

An exciting trip packed with activity and variety...Experience the warm hospitality of Thailand’s colourful hilltribe people. We go elephant riding, bamboo rafting, canoeing, tubing and jungle walking, before rounding off the adventure with time to chill out amidst the spectacular limestone karsts, sandy beaches and secluded bays of Krabi.

Detailed Description Show brief

Day 1 - BANGKOK

Arrive in this vibrant exciting city. Check into your hotel, relax before meeting up with your Tour Leader this evening. (No meals)

Bangkok
A city of contrasts, Bangkok is a both a modern urban sprawl and a series of small side streets known as sois where the shopkeepers and restaurant owners know as much about the gossip of the street as rice farmers or elephant keepers in rural villages. It’s a hugely cosmopolitan city, with Arab, Indian and Chinese areas where you can be fitted for a linen suit by an Indian tailor, hear the call to prayer from a mosque or dine out in restaurants serving every conceivable kind of cuisine. The public ferryboats that cruise up and down the Chao Phraya River offer a good way to get around the city, and smaller longtail boats travel along the city’s many klongs, or canals. For a view across the city, the Golden Mount is a temple on top of a hill which looks out across Bangkok. The spectacular Grand Palace is a must-see, as is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha nearby. Head into the markets to pick up some bargains, dine out in the countless cafes and restaurants in every neighbourhood and just lose yourself in this remarkable city.

Day 2 - BANGKOK

A full day to explore the city before taking the overnight train to Chiang Mai. (B) Approx. 14½ hrs train journey

Day 3 - CHIANG MAI

Arrive Chiang Mai and transfer to our guesthouse. Later this morning we’ll meet with our trekking guide for a briefing about the exciting days ahead with the hilltribes of the north. Free afternoon. (B)

Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, home of the Lanna kingdom is often referred to as the ‘Rose of the North’, and you’ll see why after just a few hours in this charming city. You’ll awake on the train to the spectacular scenery of the Ping valley which will be home for the next few days. Chiang Mai is only a fraction the size of Bangkok so it’s easily accessible both on foot and by songthaew. The cooler temperatures also make it a good place to wile away hours just strolling from Wat to café to craft shop to massage centre in the old walled city. The night bazaar is another ‘must’ while in the North, but if you’re sick of shopping there’s lots of excellent bars, restaurants, live music, Thai boxing and ladyboy cabaret shows to keep you entertained.

Chiang Mai orphanage
Chiang Mai orphanage is an official Imaginative Traveller responsible travel project. You can visit the orphanage and use your free time to make the children smile by playing with them. By donating to the orphanage we can help them to initiate their own projects such as growing their own food and have a pig breeding programme (P.I.G.). Other donations such as washing products, toys and other equipment are always welcome and are a big help.

Day 4 - HILLTRIBE TREK

Drive by pickup truck to Mok Fah Waterfall via a local market. Swim at the falls and continue to a Shan village for lunch. After lunch trek to a Lisu village – dinner and overnight in the village. (BLD) Approx. 2 hrs driving, 1 ½ hours trekking.

Hilltribes
Not many people are lucky (or adventurous) enough to trek right into the heart of Northern Thailand and visit remote hilltribe villages where the lifestyle has changed little in hundreds of years. The Karen, Lahu and Lisu semi-nomadic peoples began arriving in Thailand at the end of the 19th century after being pushed out of their native Tibet, Myanmar and China by civil war and political pressures. The hilltribes are truly unique, differing linguistically, ethnically, culturally and religiously from each other as much as they do from the Thais. It is often mistakenly believed that the hilltribes lead simple yet idyllic lives, unaffected by modern advances and global or even national concerns. In fact, they suffer from a lack of education and healthcare while competing pressure on land is drawing them into the Thai market economy. Our visits to these villages provides some measure of support to the hilltribes, both financially and practically, whilst affording us the opportunity to witness and learn about a fascinating culture first hand.

In recent years, the area around the Mae Taeng valley has been terraced and irrigated to improve agricultural production, creating an attractive contrast of landscapes. Towering mountains slope down to green valleys where rivers and paths lace through the rice fields and water buffalo peacefully graze. The telltale ‘thwack’ of the women pounding rice and chickens scratching in the dirt lets you know a village is near. Imagine sitting outside a hut, weary after a good trek, the river burbling away beneath you, local children playing on bikes made of bamboo, old women smoking pipes, pigs squealing in the mud and everywhere the beautiful aroma of wood smoke and vegetation. As night falls the village grows quiet and a dazzling canopy of stars unfolds overhead.

Trekking
The trek included in this trip is graded A/B – Easy/Moderate. It consists of a combination of walking and moderate hiking and can be enjoyed by anyone who leads a reasonably active life as everyone can walk at his/her own pace. For the most part, we walk along established tracks used by local people as trade routes and the trek is led throughout by a qualified guide. Porters carry all equipment leaving you with only a small day pack to carry (if you don’t have your own, one will be provided). You will only require a small amount of luggage during the trek, and you can leave the vast majority of your belongings in storage at our guesthouse in Chiang Mai. Our porters will also take care of other necessary tasks, such as preparation of simple meals. Most food is fresh and we try to limit tinned or dehydrated food.

Our accommodation will be a combination of village houses and camping. Basic bedding will be provided (a sleeping mat and sheet to cover it), but we recommend you bring your own sleep-sheet and/or sleeping bag. In most cases rooms will be multi-share. As we are trekking through some of Thailand’s most remote regions, please be prepared for very basic washing facilities. Our tour leader will carry a comprehensive first-aid kit throughout the duration of the trek. Please see the Trek Grades page for more details.

P.I.G.
P.I.G. Positive Indigenous Growth was set up by Imaginative Traveller's Responsible Travel fund. We have donated pigs to an orphanage in Chiang Mai and families in hilltribes in northern Thailand. You can get involved by donating pigs to hilltribe families and create them a self sustaining business and income. The project buys pigs from other hilltribe communities benefiting the pig farmers. You can become hands on by helping to build pig pens and shelters. The project has been extremely successful with the local people and we want it to continue.

Day 5 - HILLTRIBE & ELEPHANT TREK

In the morning we continue our trek. After lunch we enjoy an elephant ride to the rafting camp where we have dinner and spend the night (BLD). Approx. 4-6 hours trekking and 1 hour elephant ride

Day 6 - BAMBOO RAFTING - CHIANG MAI

We spend much of today bamboo rafting, visiting Karen, Lahu and Shan villages along the way. Return to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon. Treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage or simply relax by the guesthouse pool. Chiang Mai also has wonderful night markets – a great place to pick up souvenirs. (BL) Approx. 1-2 hours trekking and 2 hours rafting (depending on the speed and depth of the river. Approx. 2 hours driving

Bamboo Rafting
Depending on water levels the rafting can range from a relaxing float taking in the sounds and sights of the jungle to an exhilarating ride negotiating boulders and rapids as you dodge the overhanging trees. Your guides/tour leader will advise you on the best spots to jump in the river for a quick cool off. If you’re lucky you may see elephants wading through the water, water buffalo submerged in the mud holes and local people fishing as you glide past. Waterproof cameras recommended!

Day 7 - CHIANG MAI

Today is free for further exploration. In the late afternoon we board the overnight train and head south. (B) Approx. 14½ hrs train journey

Day 8 - BANGKOK

Transfer to hotel, where the rest of the day is free. You might like to visit the River Kwai or explore this amazing city further.

Day 9 - BANGKOK

A full free day to explore. Overnight train to Surat Thani. (B) (B) Approx. 12 ½ hrs train journey

Day 10 - KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK

Transfer to Khao Sok National Park. Afternoon nature walk & wildlife spotting, or if the river is high we can shoot rapids on inner tubes. Overnight in jungle houses. (LD) Approx. 2½ hrs driving

Khao Sok National Park
This area of Thailand comprises some of the most dramatic scenery you’ll see during your time here. Regimented rows of rubber trees and mangosteen orchards are set against the wildness of vegetation growing from the sheer cliff faces of the limestone karsts. It is a region of waterfalls, wildlife, temple caves, tree houses and thick jungle. Covering 656 km², Khao Sok National Park is an area dominated by spectacular forest-covered limestone crags rising as high as 1,000 metres. Here we’ll explore virgin rainforest and learn about its wonderful wildlife from our local guides. Where the forest is most dense a few tigers still roam and the park is also home to leopard, golden cat and clouded leopard, though they usually stay well hidden. Elephant, Malay sun-bear, tapir and wild pig roam the forest floor while gibbon, langur, macaque and over 180 species of bird live in the canopy above. Khao Sok is also the place to find the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia. Our first night will be spent on the edge of the National Park in fantastic jungle houses. Each jungle house sleeps 2 people – there is a double mattress and private toilet/washing facilities. The following two nights will be spent inside the Park in simple floating rafthouses. Bathroom facilities here are shared.

Day 11 to Day 12 - KHAO SOK - RAJA PHRABA LAKE

Boat ride along Raja Phraba Lake. We spend 2 nights in this beautiful setting staying in rafthouses. We spend our time here exploring caves & waterfalls of the National Park, going canoeing, or if the river is high we can shoot the rapids on inner tubes. We also take a night walk in search of the nocturnal animals of the jungle. (BLD)

Day 13 - KRABI

Transfer to Krabi Province - famous for its magnificent limestone karst scenery. We stay away from the main town of Krabi in an area called Ao Nang, from where it is possible to take a long tail boat to many beautiful islands or just simply relax on the beach. Free afternoon. (B) Approx 2 hrs driving

Krabi Province
Set on the banks of the Krabi Estuary, this small fishing town takes its name from the sword, or krabi, allegedly discovered nearby. Surrounded by limestone outcrops and mangrove shorelines it serves an important role as the embarkation point for some of Thailand’s most well known islands. It’s also a world famous spot for the challenging climbing that can be done on nearby cliffs, not to mention the beautiful white sand beaches, emerald sea, lagoons, kayaking, snorkelling and stunning views that are to be found here too.

Day 14 - KRABI PROVINCE

A full day to take advantage of all Krabi has to offer.

Day 15 - KRABI PROVINCE

Tour ends. Your tour leader can advise you of your best onward travel options.

Itinerary Notes

Note This tour finishes in Krabi to enable you to extend your time on the beach or
continue on to Malaysia. However we can also arrange an overnight bus and train transfer back to Bangkok. Please ask us for further details.