Beautiful Northern Thailand

15 Days | Thailand – the original, and for many, still the best.

4.7 out of 5 based on 95 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
USD $1,784
View dates and book

There’s a reason this trip was the one that started it all, and still remains one of the most popular. On this 15-day adventure, you'll discover Northern Thailand, experience the chaotic metropolis of bustling Bangkok, trek among the hillside villages near Chiang Rai, drift down the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi and see the historic temples of the Siam Kingdom. With welcoming hospitality, local experiences, mouth-watering cooking classes and plenty of free time to travel at your own pace, come along and see why this trip was, and still is, a benchmark for all our adventures.

Trip overview

Map of Beautiful Northern Thailand including Thailand
Start
Bangkok, Thailand
Finish
Bangkok, Thailand
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Thailand
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
TTSN
This trip generates 48 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • This is one of the original Intrepid journeys that started it all. Discover why Northern Thailand was chosen all those years back as an ideal destination to launch a world of travel experiences.
  • Experience rural Thai life with multi-day trek through scenic hilltribe villages in the remote Thai countryside, meeting welcoming locals and sharing laughs along the way.
  • Visit the home of the infamous ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’, learning about its dark history and the construction of the railway during the war.
  • Even the transport on this trip is an adventure – discover the joys of travelling on overnight sleeper trains, longtail boats, songthaew and rafthouses.
  • Indulge in an organic farm to plate cooking demonstration and take the chance to learn a few cooking tips from the village chef in the Akha Hilltribe, for an unforgettable meal full of heat, spice and fresh food. You won’t go hungry!
  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?
  • The hilltribe village house stays are a wonderful opportunity to witness every day rural life. Facilities are simple and multi-share but comfortable, with mattresses, bedding and mosquito nets all provided. Some travellers are nervous about the village house experience before they arrive, but we find most end up naming this as a highlight of their time in Thailand and a rewarding, authentic experience. On occasion your accommodation may not have hot water, but you will probably be keen to cool down from the heat with a refreshing cold shower!
  • As we cover so much of the country in just over two weeks, be prepared for some long travel days. This trip includes two nights on overnight trains between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Accommodation is simple but comfortable – soft sleeper class multishare compartments with air-conditioning and bunk beds, with sheets and a pillow provided.
  • Temperatures and humidity can be high in Thailand, especially when walking in the countryside where, at times, there may be little shade. Be prepared by taking plenty of drink breaks and wearing appropriate skin protection. Some travellers find an umbrella handy to keep the sun off (this will also come in handy should it rain!).

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

Map of Beautiful Northern Thailand including Thailand

Inclusions

Meals

3 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private minvan, Public bus, Overnight sleeper train, Songthaew, Taxi, Longtail Boat

Accommodation

Guesthouse (5 nights), Hilltribe village (2 nights), Hotel (4 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights), Rafthouse (1 night)

Activities
  • Bangkok - Khlong boat canal tour
  • Bangkok - Wat Pho
  • Kanchanaburi - Erawan National Park Visit
  • Kanchanaburi - Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
  • Rafthouse - Wat Baan Tham cave temple
  • Kanchanaburi - Rafthouse experience
  • Rafthouse - Wat Tham Suea temple
  • Rafthouse - Wat Tham Khao Noi
  • Ayutthaya - Temple Ruins entrance & guided tour
  • Chiang Mai - Night Market
  • Do Mae Salong - Local market
  • Organic Farm - Farm To Plate Demonstration & Lunch
  • Chiang Rai - 3 day Hilltribe villages trek
  • Hill Tribe Trek - Lunch
  • Ar Pha Pattana Village - Community Dinner
  • Baan Yafu Lahu Village - Community Dinner
  • Chiang Rai - Wat Rong Kun (White Temple)
Add on activities
  • Bangkok - Grand Palace - THB500
  • Bangkok - Chatuchak Market visit (Entrance) - Free
  • Bangkok - Bangkok by Bike Urban Adventure - THB1980
  • Chiang Mai - Thai massage - THB200
  • Chiang Mai - Bicycle tour - THB990
  • Chiang Mai - Thai cooking course - THB1000
  • Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House - THB200
  • Bangkok - Chinatown Sights and Bites Urban Adventure - THB1960

Dates and availability

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 04 (Rafthouse),Days 05 & 13 (Overnight Train) and Days 10 & 11 (Trek) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please note that some room configurations have two single beds, although a double bed will always be requested.

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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 based on 95 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

Michael · Traveled August 2024
Superb tour, well prepared and varier that I cannot say which part was my favourite, all aided by a great guide.
Review submitted 24 Aug 2024

Elspeth · Traveled July 2024
This trip was amazing. Our group was very small so it felt very personal and relaxed. Everything was super well organized and our guide Maled was fantastic, introduced us to so many great places to eat and had some amazing experiences, always ready to help and organized activities for us on free days. This trip is great for a wide variety of experiences, loved the raft house, the cooking class, the hike - even though it rained solidly for the whole three days it was still great fun, beautiful scenery and not too hot! Would absolutely recommend this trip.
Review submitted 05 Aug 2024

Grace · Traveled June 2024
Absolutely incredible time exploring Northern Thailand. Maled our tour guide was amazing from start to finish and made the journey so smooth! My favourite part of the trip was the raft house experience and Maled taking us to amazing restaurants to try the Thai Cuisine
Review submitted 30 Jun 2024

Jan · Traveled June 2024
Beautiful Northern Thailand was outstanding and our guide Maled tops our list as the best guide so far
Review submitted 29 Jun 2024

Hunter · Traveled June 2024
Excellent adventure, just make sure that you’re prepared for the hike and wear long sleeves and pants to stop the mosquitoes. There were some steep climbs in the rain and mud but for those that couldn’t the guide organised a 4wd to pick us up and take some of our group to the next campsite (which cost about $20 USD)
Review submitted 30 Jun 2024
Beautiful Northern Thailand
From
USD $1,784