Explore Northern Thailand | Intrepid Travel AU

Travel from Bangkok to Sukhothai, Lampang and Chiang Mai

Northern Thailand is a treasure-trove filled with glittering temples, ancient ruins, exotic markets and sumptuous foods. Explore the capital of Siam's golden age at Sukhothai, visit the bustling markets of Chiang Mai, stay at a special homestay with local friends and enjoy a traditional khantohk dinner - there's so much to discover on this tour through Thailand's northern kingdom.

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Terms & Conditions

Start: Bangkok, Thailand
Finish: Bangkok, Thailand
Destination: Thailand
Style: Original
Theme: Explorer

Code: TTSK
Physical rating
Ages: Min 15
Group size: Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

Work up an appetite with a leisurely cycle through the ancient Buddhas and ruined temples of Heritage-listed Sukothai Park, then feast on a home-cooked picnic lunch
Experience daily rural life firsthand when staying with long-time Intrepid friends in a small Thai village
Support an important animal welfare initiative and get close to incredible creatures at the Hospital of the Friends of the Asian Elephant
Pick up some impressive new culinary skills and taste delicious local dishes in a Thai cooking class
Travel like the locals on an overnight sleeper train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok

Is this trip right for you?

This trip includes a night on an overnight train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Accommodation is simple but comfortable – soft sleeper class multishare compartments with air-conditioning and bunk beds, with sheets and a pillow provided. Overnight trains are a real Intrepid experience and one of the best ways to come face-to-face with the country and its people.
There is a night at a homestay on this trip, a wonderful opportunity to witness everyday Thai life. Facilities are basic and multishare, with fold-out mattresses on the floor and shared bathrooms. The rewards of such an authentic local experience are immeasurable.
There is an included bicycle ride around Sukhothai Heritage Park on this trip. It’s a leisurely cycle though, and one of the best ways to see the park.

Gallery

Map of Explore Northern Thailand including Thailand

Itinerary
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Day 1: Bangkok

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Thailand's bustling capital, Bangkok is famous for its tuk tuks, khlong boats and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place, and have your insurance details and next of kin information ready for collection. Bangkok has so much to offer those with time to explore, so perhaps arrive a day or so early. You could take a riverboat to Chinatown and explore the crowded streets, uncover the magnificent Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road, or indulge in some Thai massage. After the meeting tonight, perhaps gather your fellow travellers together and tuck into some into world famous street food.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Bangkok - Grand Palace - THB500
Bangkok - Thai Massage - THB250
Bangkok - Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure - THB1790
Bangkok - Bangkok by Bike Urban Adventure - THB1904

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Day 2: Sukhothai

This morning, leave the current capital of Thailand and head north by local bus to one of the first ancient capitals of Siam, Sukhothai (approximately 6 hours). You’ll make a short stop midway through for a chance to stretch the legs and buy some lunch. Located on a fertile plain, Sukhothai was established in the 13th century, and the name means the 'Dawn of Happiness'. It’s now famous for its World Heritage-listed historic park that celebrates the Golden Age of Thai civilisation. Tonight, be sure to head to the fascinating local night market and try the local dishes, like Sukhothai noodles.

Accommodation

Resort (1 night)

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Day 3: Sukhothai

Head out to the historical ruins of Old Sukhothai, set amid beautiful lakes and gardens. The religious art and architecture of the Sukhothai era are considered to be the most classic of Thai styles, and the Sukhothai Historical Park contains the remains of 21 historic sites, with awe-inspiring Buddha images and four large ponds often filled with stunning lotus flowers in full bloom. Upon arrival at the park, hire bicycles and enjoy a few leisurely hours feeling the breeze in your hair and learning about the history of this fascinating place. Enjoy a home-cooked picnic lunch somewhere along the way, and if you have enough free time, visit a local ceramics factory.

Accommodation

Resort (1 night)

Included Activities

Sukhothai - Historical Park Bike Tour & Picnic Lunch

Meals Included

Breakfast
Lunch

Day 4: Homestay

Travel by private minivan from Sukothai to your overnight homestay (approximately 4-5 hours). On the way, stop off at the Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital located in Lampang. This is the first elephant hospital in the world established to care for sick and abused elephants, with the aim of preserving the animals' natural habitat and lifestyle. You’ll learn more about this important initiative and perhaps become acquainted with some of its resident pachyderm patients. Continue 1.5 hours to the warm and welcoming home of Intrepid's long-time friends in a small Thai village. Accommodation is multishare and basic (there will be fold-out mattresses on the floor and shared bathrooms), but there is no better way to better understand a country and its people. In the evening, you’ll be treated to a traditional northern Thai khantohk dinner, accompanied by live music and dancing.

Accommodation

Homestay (1 night)

Included Activities

Lampang - Friends of the Asian Elephant

Meals Included

Breakfast
Dinner

Day 5: Chiang Mai

In the morning, jump on some bikes and cruise around the homestay village. This is a great opportunity to see how the locals live, and you’ll make a few stops along the way to see small country industries in the area. Cycling past the rice fields and breathing in the fresh country air, with beautiful mountains in the distance, makes this morning a picture-postcard experience. Say goodbye to your new friends and travel on to Chiang Mai (approximately 45 minutes). 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. Your accommodation has both ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning, and is perfectly located right by the famous vibrant night markets.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

Breakfast
Lunch

Day 6: Chiang Mai

Today you have the choice of doing a half day Thai cooking class or a half day cycling tour around Chiang Mai. If you're a foodie, then you’ll discover some of the secrets of Thai cuisine, learn the key ingredients, how to use them, and what to use in their place if you can’t get them at home. As well as taking your own comprehensive recipe book with you after the class, you'll feast on the fruits of your labour for lunch. If you’re feeling more active then you might want to saddle up for a half day cycling trip. After a short safety briefing and bicycle fitting, navigate the light downtown traffic as you cycle south, a pleasant ride along the green banks of the Ping River. Make a stop at a former leper colony turned rehabilitation centre, where you’ll get to know some of the daily life of the missionaries who worked here over a hundred years ago. The trip continues along various fruit orchards, cycling down small country roads and meandering around the villages on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Here you’ll discover the real rural Thailand and encounter the Thai way of life. Explore the temple ruins of Wiang Kum Kam, the former capital of Lanna, before you cycle back to Chiang Mai.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Chiang Mai - Thai Cooking Class OR Cycling Tour (half day)

Meals Included

Lunch

Day 7: Chiang Mai

Today is free for you to explore, but there are also a few optional activities you can join if you want. Perhaps explore the famous temple complex of Doi Suthep. Drive along a scenic, winding mountain road that ends at an impressive 300-step naga-guarded stairway (approximately 45 mins). The rewards justify the climb with one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand on display, not to mention fantastic panoramic views of the city and the opportunity to listen to hypnotic evening chanting by resident Buddhist monks. You could also join an Urban Adventure and allow yourself to be spirited away on an early morning Chiang Mai tour that puts you at the epicentre of Buddhist rituals. Learn to meditate, offer alms to monks, and make an offering at a temple. Or maybe wander markets, meet monks, cruise the river, and slurp noodles on a Mae Ping River Experience. Tonight you’ll board an overnight train for Bangkok, accommodated in air-conditioned sleeping berths (approximately 13 hours). Multi share compartments are air-conditioned, with bunk beds; sheets and pillow provided. Your baggage travels in the carriage with you. There is a food and drink service available on board.

Accommodation

Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Optional Activities

Chiang Mai - Urban Adventures - Mae Ping River Experience - THB2534
Chiang Mai - Urban Adventures - Mind & Soul - THB2317
Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep temple - THB50

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Day 8: Bangkok

Your train is scheduled to arrive back in Bangkok in the early morning. Transfer back to the joining point hotel where this trip concludes, and you are free to depart at any time. If you are booking flights or other transport out of Bangkok on this day, please keep in mind that train delays are frequent; we suggest you don't book a flight earlier than 2pm. No accommodation is included in Bangkok at the end of the trip, but there are shared day rooms available for use until 12 noon. If you wish to stay longer in Bangkok, additional accommodation is available; please enquire at time of booking.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Inclusions

Meals

3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private minibus, Public bus, Songthaew, Taxi, Train, Bicycle

Accommodation

Homestay (1 night), Hotel (3 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night), Resort (2 nights)

Included activities

Sukhothai - Historical Park Bike Tour & Picnic Lunch
Lampang - Friends of the Asian Elephant
Chiang Mai - Thai Cooking Class OR Cycling Tour (half day)

Meals

3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private minibus, Public bus, Songthaew, Taxi, Train, Bicycle

Accommodation

Homestay (1 night), Hotel (3 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night), Resort (2 nights)

Included activities

Sukhothai - Historical Park Bike Tour & Picnic Lunch
Lampang - Friends of the Asian Elephant
Chiang Mai - Thai Cooking Class OR Cycling Tour (half day)

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. This trip finishes on Day 8 in Bangkok at 12pm midday.
2. A single supplement is available on this trip. Please note that on the following nights the supplement is not available: - Day 4 Homestay and Day 7 Overnight Train

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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