Northern Thailand: Hilltribes & Villages

G Adventures · 8 days

4.9

20 Reviews

Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Now's the time to explore northern Thailand on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers.

Includes

Activities

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Discover Moment: Bangkok Your Discover Moment: Chiang Mai Your Big Night Out Moment: Chiang Mai Celebration, Chiang Mai
Hilltribe trek
Bamboo rafting
Street food crawl
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

Simple hotels (twin-share) (3 nts), basic hilltribe huts (2 nts, multi-share), sleeper trains (2 nts).

5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Local bus, songthaew, train, walking, river raft.

Group Leader

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, trekking staff.

Highlights

Experience the bustle of Bangkok
Explore the vibrancy of Chiang Mai
Trek through northern hilltribes and meet the locals
Float downstream on a bamboo raft.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Local bus, songthaew, train, walking, river raft.

Guide Language

English

Starts

Bangkok, Thailand

Finishes

Bangkok, Thailand

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

18 - 39 Year Olds Only, Budget

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

Day 1: Bangkok

Arrive at any time and welcome to Bangkok - Thailand's bustling capital!

This evening, the famous Khao San Road is on the itinerary for your first night out. Explore this buzzing traveller hub with your CEO and check out the lively bars and dance parties that line the street. Grab a Thai beer or tea and connect with your fellow travellers. Don't forget to sample local delicacies, and try a deep fried scorpion if you dare!

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Activity - Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.Accommodation - New Siam 2

Day 2: Bangkok/Chiang Mai

This tour is off to a colourful start with a day to freely explore Bangkok. Visit Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, National Museum, or Jim Thompson's House. Try a riverboat trip along the Chao Phraya River and through the canals (or klongs) for a different perspective of daily life in this busy city. Tonight, you'll take the overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Get out and explore bustling Bangkok!Transport - Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.

Day 3: Chiang Mai

Make sure you've got room for more than three meals today, because you're heading to the best street food spots in Chiang Mai. Besides eating, there's lots to do here — like a visit to Doi Suthep temple or taking it easy with a soak in the Sankampang Hot Springs.

Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Get out and explore this bustling city in northern Thailand.Activity - Bring your appetite and your wallet. The CEO will bring the group to the best spots to eat and teach everyone about the local street food. Yum!Accommodation - Chiang Mai Gate Hotel

Day 4: Chiang Mai/Ban Mae Jok

It's time for a change of pace. Today, drive from Chiang Mai to Mae Malai village, where you'll set off on a trek through rugged forests to see how diverse this region of hilltribe communities really is. Every village you'll see has its own language, belief system, style of dress, and traditions. It's a few hours to the first village of hilltribe thatch bungalows, but every step is worth it as you get to know the lay of the land.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Hop into the back and ride along to the next destination.Activity - Hit the road in an open pickup truck for Mae Malai where there is time to visit a local market to purchase food and snacks. Start the trek through forests and rugged terrain to Baan Mae Jok, a Karen village.

Day 5: Ban Mae Jok/Pa Khao Lam

Trek for 2–3 hours before stopping for lunch. Then head to a Karen village to see how traditional blankets and scarves are made. Keep trekking for a few more hours (you've got this!) before stopping in the next village for the night.

Along the way, you might get the chance to stop at Mae Tang River to learn to fish using local tools or build a raft using bamboo.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - After breakfast, trek 3.5-4 hrs to reach the lunch stop. Take in the beautiful scenery along the way. Enjoy lunch before carrying on another hour or so to the Karen village of Ban Pa Khao Lam.

Day 6: Pa Khao Lam/Chiang Mai

After breakfast, leave the village by bamboo raft and get a closer look at other villages along the way. Meet the van after lunch and head back to Chiang Mai, a foodie's paradise. Try the city's most famous dishes like khao soi (noodles in curry broth) and sai oua (northern Thai sausage) and get ready for your big night out. Venture to the best bar in town to cheers to a completed trek and life-changing adventures!

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Board the traditional bamboo raft for a leisurely ride down the Mae Tang River. Reach the Lahu hill tribe village near Ban Pong Ngan. Enjoy a visit with the locals here and learn about the life and unique culture of the Lahu tribe.Activity - Take a bamboo raft down the Mae Tan River for one hour journey to a Lahu village to witness a lifestyle that dates hundreds of years. Activity - Board a traditional bamboo raft and enjoy a ride through some small rapids on the Mae Tang River. Transport - Hop into the back and ride along to the next destination.Activity - Tonight's the night to celebrate all the wild and humbling adventures you've just shared with new friends. Head out into the city and reminisce the night away!Accommodation - Chiang Mai Gate Hotel

Day 7: Chiang Mai/Bangkok

Make the most of Chiang Mai with more free time, where you can go shopping in the market, get a Thai massage, or explore any of the many temples. Or, hey, you could always go back for another taste of khao soi curry. Tonight, catch up on sleep during an overnight train and wake up in Bangkok.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy a final day to check out Chiang Mai.Transport - Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.

Day 8: Bangkok

Today is departure day, but do not fret! There is no such thing as goodbye, only until next time. Be sure to sneak in some last-minute photos with your newfound friends and exchange social medias before you head on your way. This adventure ends in Bangkok, on arrival at the train station (approximately 8am).

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $929

AUD $743

(Tour only)

Offer ends 19 Mar, 2026 Per Person Standard

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Now's the time to explore northern Thailand on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 04 Apr 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

5.0

Zeeshan R

Traveled, November 2023

12/02/2023

I enjoyed my time in this trip. It was the right amount of fun and adventure,

5.0

Samuel H

Traveled, October 2023

11/18/2023

Well organised. Good balance between free time, activities and optional activities. Great group to travel with and amazing CEO.

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990

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