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Map of Thailand Hilltribe Trek including Thailand

Experience Chiang Mai and village life on this trek through northern Thailand

Pull on your walking boots, stretch those leg muscles and take to the hills on a classic Intrepid trek through Thailand’s hilltribe country. Walk along winding jungle tracks and through green fields, observing what life is really like for villagers in this remote area, and sleep in traditional bamboo huts at night. Make friends with welcoming tribespeople as you hike through this remote region where each tribe has its own distinct language, style of dress and religion and learn the secrets to jungle survival from those who know best. Stay on a few extra days to explore ancient temples in Chiang Mai - there are over 300! If you’re after a short city escape and the chance to experience the real Thailand away from the tourist crowds, then this trip is just the ticket.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Finish
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Destination
Thailand
Style
Basix
Theme
Short Breaks, Walking & Trekking
Code
TTAX
Physical rating
Ages
Min 12
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Discover real Thai countryside and its people with a 3-day trek into the hills of Northern Thailand

  • Local guides deepen the learning and appreciation of different villages, each with their own language, clothing style and belief systems

  • Meet and chat with friendly villagers and discover more about their unique cultures

  • Stay in atmospheric wooden houses in different hilltribe villages each night

  • Explore remote villages, help prepare evening meals, and feast on traditional hilltribe cuisine

  • Start and finish in the temple-studded city of Chiang Mai, making this short break adventure an easy add-on to a Northern Thailand journey

Is this trip right for you?

  • Please note many of our Short Break Adventures operate with a minimum of 1 person, so there may be instances where you are the only person on the trip.

  • This trip is lead by our local representative – they will meet you on Day 1 at the group meeting, then meet you again on the morning of Day 2 to begin the Hilltribe trek. They will not stay in the hotel in Chiang Mai.

  • This trip includes treks of moderate difficulty of 4-5 hours on Days 2 and 3, and requires you to carry your trek pack and any additional personal items required for two nights. Therefore a good level of fitness is required to maximise your enjoyment of this trip.

  • There is 2 nights spent in hilltribe villages in traditional wooden houses on this trip. Conditions are basic with share facilities, but this is a truly unforgettable Intrepid experience!

Thailand Hilltribe experience with Intrepid Travel
Thailand Hilltribe experience with Intrepid Travel - local wildlife
Thailand Hilltribe experience with Intrepid Travel

Itinerary
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Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. 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. Today is an arrival day and you can arrive at any time before the welcome meeting tonight at 6.30pm. An airport arrival transfer is included. This transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your arrival details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel to organise this. There are so many things to do here – spectacular temples, delicious food, an enormous night market, a picturesque river-front and fantastic shopping, so perhaps arrive a few days early. Chiang Mai is a great place to hire a bicycle, sign up for a Thai cooking class, or loosen those muscles with some traditional Thai massage. After the welcome meeting your evening is free to explore the city as you please. Your local guide will meet you again tomorrow morning.

Notes: The trekking route is not fixed and may change due to weather and local conditions. Please bear this is mind.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Check into day rooms this morning to gear up for your trek into the remote surrounding regions. Your first destination is the Karen village of Ban Pong Noi, with a lunch stop at the magnificent Mok Fah Waterfall. On the way, take a detour to Mae Malai local market to pick up fresh food for your trip. After a 1-hour drive, enjoy a relaxing lunch break by the waters of Mok Fah Waterfall, and take a refreshing swim if you desire. The starting point of the 2.8 km, 2-hour trek is Baan Mae Sae, which you'll reach after your break. The trek to Ban Pong Noi is relatively simple, and you'll arrive in the village in the late afternoon. This homestay experience will give you unique insight into life in this rural part of Thailand.
Accommodation
  • Homestay (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hilltribe village visit
  • Hilltribe - 3 days trek
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
All meals are included while trekking, but you'll need to purchase and carry your own water (please allow approximately US$10 to cover your water purchase for the trek). Accommodation is multishare, sleeping on rented roll mats on the floor of the wooden/bamboo huts typical of the villages. There are shared squat toilets and basic washing facilities (a hose or water pipe) in most villages. You may also be able to wash in a nearby stream. Warmer clothing and sleeping bags are recommended from November to January, as the nights are usually quite cool during this period.

Rise early this morning to take a tour of the village before sitting down to breakfast. Once you’ve fueled up, begin today’s trek and follow a trail through jungle, rice paddies, rotation dry farms, streams, rivers and waterfalls, passing by more Karen villages as you go. The first leg of the trek is steep up and downhill through bamboo forest, with a total walking time of around 3 hours. Make a stop to rest your legs and enjoy a picnic lunch, then carry on for another 2-3 hours until you arrive at a Lahu village, your base for the night. Today’s total walking distance is approximately 11 kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Homestay (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hilltribe Cultural show
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Start the day with breakfast then take a walk around the village to see the locals going about their morning routines. You’ll have the chance to buy some local handicrafts – spending your money on community enterprises directly can help support community development. Begin today’s trek through a picturesque landscape of farmland and jungle (approximately 3-4 hours) to a Thai village for lunch, where you’ll link up with your transport. From here you’ll return to Chiang Mai (approximately 2 hours). This afternoon you may like to treat yourself to a well-deserved Thai massage. This evening, perhaps head down to the buzzing Chiang Mai Night Bazaar – we suggest getting your hands on some kao soy, yellow wheat noodles in a curry broth, traditionally served with chicken or beef.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

This adventure comes to an end today. There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. A transfer to the airport for your departure flight from Chiang Mai is included.
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Departure Transfer
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Songthaew, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights), Homestay (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Hilltribe village visit
  • Hilltribe - 3 days trek
  • Hilltribe Cultural show
  • Complimentary Airport Departure Transfer

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Thailand Hilltribe Trek trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. Complimentary airport arrival and departure transfers are included with this trip. Please advise your flight details at time of booking.
2. This trip is operated by one of our local partners in Thailand and therefore you may be joined by a mixture of Intrepid-booked passengers and other travellers during activities.

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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