One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes

Intrepid Travel · 8 days
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
8 Days
From AUD $895
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


 (12 reviews)

One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes

One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes

Intrepid Travel · 8 days
4.6
12 Reviews
View Map
Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Head into the hills with your small group of adventurers and get sky-high on an eight-day northern Thailand adventure. Pass through the bustling hub of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, and take the time to check out the night markets and bars well worth hopping.

Highlights

  • Trek deep – super deep – into the northern Thai hinterland with two days of trekking and two nights staying in a traditional hilltribe village, laughing with the locals and learning about their lifestyle.
  • Immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Thailand, from cascading waterfalls and mountainside views to a kayaking adventure on Mae Taeng River (followed by a spot of white-water rafting if you dare) to get a new perspective.
  • Get your street food fix in bustling Bangkok and cool Chiang Mai and tuck into some of the tastiest eats in all of Asia. When you’ve had your fill (is that even possible?), be treated to traditional homecooked dinners during your hilltribe village homestays.
  • Hit the nightlife in cruisy Chiang Mai, in the Nimman area that’s swarming with hipster bars and uber-cool lounges. Bar hop, hit the night markets and find all the best spots from a local leader with all the insights.
  • Enjoy loads of free time to choose your own adventure, whether that’s a bit of rest and relaxation at the local Thai massage place or discovering new friends at the Chiang Chill Elephant Sanctuary.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Overnight sleeper train,Songthaew,Tuk-tuk

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Bangkok, Thailand

Finishes

Bangkok, Thailand

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

18 - 39 Year Olds Only

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Bangkok
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand. Your adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, there's plenty to keep you occupied – maybe take a walk around Chinatown and explore the vibrant streets or head to the magnificent Grand Palace. Tonight, it’s time to dig into some traditional tastes of Thailand. Bangkok is known for its street food, so maybe head out with your leader and check out some roadside stalls around the Sukhumvit area. Later, maybe discover Bangkok’s nightlife and head out to one (or more) of the best local bars. Ask your guide for directions or grab your new travel mates and attempt to navigate the BTS skytrain and MRT subway.

Included Activities:

  • Bangkok - Orientation Walk

Optional Activities:

  • Bangkok - Thai Massage (300 THB)
  • Bangkok - Grand Palace (500 THB)
  • Bangkok - Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure (2500 THB)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Bangkok - Overnight Train
This morning, you have a free day in Bangkok before your overnight train this morning. Maybe start off with a relaxing Thai massage – the perfect way to limber up and start your day. Then, maybe check out Talad Noi by bike, take on the Bangkok Temples. After your day exploring, hop on an overnight train up to Chiang Mai.

Optional Activities:

  • Bangkok - Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure (2500 THB)
  • Bangkok - Thai Massage (300 THB)
  • Bangkok - Grand Palace (500 THB)

Accommodation:

  • Overnight Sleeper Train (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Chiang Mai
Arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning and transfer to your guesthouse. Then, you’ll head out on an orientation walk to get your bearings. Chiang Mai is the perfect entrance to the Thai highlands, with misty mountains and colourful hillside villages waiting to be explored. This will be your base for the next few days, as you’ll return here after your hillside trek. Today, you’re free to relax or explore the city. Maybe get active and go ziplining or cycle around the city. Take on a cooking class to learn some local flavours (and pick up some mad skills to take home) or just wander around on foot and visit Doi Sethep Temple and a couple of the cool cafes around the area. Tonight, why not get your group together to go bar hopping or explore the night markets in the happening Nimman area?

Included Activities:

  • Chiang Mai - Night Bazaar & Anusarn Market
  • Chiang Mai - Orientation Walk

Optional Activities:

  • Chiang Mai - Thai massage (300 THB)
  • Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Complex (50 THB)
  • Chiang Mai - Bicycle tour (1100 THB)
  • Chaing Mai - Cooking at Home Cookery School (1400 THB)
  • Chiang Mai – Zipline (from) (1900 THB)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Chiang Mai - Hilltribe Trek
This morning at around 8 am, leave Chiang Mai and head to Mae Malai Market to stock up on some delicious fresh snacks for your trek. Then, visit Mok Fah Waterfall for a cheeky dose of natural beauty. Sit down for some lunch to refuel with your group at a local restaurant, then continue to the starting point of today’s hike. Your destination for this evening is the Mae Ma Nai Hilltribe Village. Walk along the mountain ridge and take in the views of the natural forest and remote scenery. When you arrive, enjoy a local home-cooked dinner by the campfire to celebrate a successful day. Later, take a walk around the village and chat with the locals. This is a really special opportunity to experience rural Thai life first-hand!

Included Activities:

  • Huey Nam Dang - Hilltribe Trek – 2 Days
  • Hilltribe Trek - Mae Malai Market Visit
  • Hilltribe Village - Home-cooked Dinner
  • Hilltribe Trek – Mok Fah Waterfall

Accommodation:

  • Hilltribe Village House (multi-share) (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Hilltribe Trek
The best thing about being deep in the jungle in the morning is waking up to the natural sounds of wildlife calls. After breakfast, begin today’s trek through the storybook landscape of farmland and jungle, exploring other hilltribe villages and seeing how life differs between them. Your whole trek is the perfect nature photo op, so make sure you’ve got your camera handy! Enjoy lunch along the way and reach Pong Ngan Lahu Village this afternoon. After two long days of hiking, relax your legs and soak in some natural scenery before an included home-cooked dinner tonight.

Included Activities:

  • Huey Nam Dang - Hilltribe Trek – 2 Days

Accommodation:

  • Hilltribe Village House (multi-share) (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Chiang Mai
The Mae Taeng River awaits you this morning, as you head off on a kayaking adventure towards Sop Kai Village. Paddle downstream as you're immersed by gorgeous surroundings for 2 to 3 hours, taking in the lush green scenery. From here, you can choose to head back to Chiang Mai via private transfer and enjoy a leisurely evening or opt to take to the rapids for some whitewater rafting. Paddle further down the river and get the adrenaline pumping before you head back to Chiang Mai for the night. When you arrive, maybe refresh and recharge or head out to explore the Wat Prasingh and Wat Chedi Luang temples in your free time. Tonight, ask your leader for the best spots for a pad thai or a khao soi.

Included Activities:

  • Sop Kai Village - River Kayaking

Optional Activities:

  • Chiang Mai - Thai massage (300 THB)
  • Mae Taeng - Whitewater Rafting (1800 THB)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Chiang Mai - Overnight sleeper train
Today is a free day to explore Chiang Mai and you’re spoilt for options. Maybe take the chance to learn one of the world’s legendary martial arts, Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) this morning. Spend 1.5 hours learning the basics of Muay Thai with the pros, plus how to adapt yourselves to be the weapons and the guard. You could also visit the Chiang Chill Elephant Sanctuary and witness these majestic animals roaming the valley and chilling in nature. Or maybe stop by Chuan Chom Vocational Training Center for lunch or a massage. Here, you'll learn about the work that they do to train the women from the correctional institution with skills to go back to society. Later, board an overnight train for Bangkok.

Optional Activities:

  • Chiang Mai - Muay Thai Class (Thai boxing) (460 THB)
  • Chaing Mai - Cooking at Home Cookery School (1400 THB)
  • Chiang Mai - Chuan Chom Vocational Training Centre - Massage (from) (250 THB)
  • Chiang Mai - Wat Chedi Luang Temple (40 THB)
  • Chiang Mai - Bicycle tour (990 THB)
  • Chiang Mai – Zipline (from) (1900 THB)
  • Chiang Mai - ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary (1900 THB)
  • Chiang Mai – Whitewater Rafting (1800 THB)
  • Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon (Entrance) (300 THB)
  • Chiang Mai - Wat Prasingh Temple (40 THB)
  • Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Complex (50 THB)

Accommodation:

  • Overnight sleeper train (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Bangkok
Your train is scheduled to arrive in Bangkok early this morning. When you arrive at the station, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to stay in Thailand for longer, and we wouldn’t blame you, just speak to your booking agent.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • 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 willdo 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. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

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.
AUD $895
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Head into the hills with your small group of adventurers and get sky-high on an eight-day northern Thailand adventure. Pass through the bustling hub of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, and take the time to check out the night markets and bars well worth hopping.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 14 Jun 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
4.5
Gregory
Traveled, March 2024

04/04/2024

Incredible trip, full of so many amazing experiences, the trek, the kayaking, so many things that I wouldn’t not have done if I had been travelling on my own. Our guide Maled was excellent, really friendly knowledgeable and great recommendations.

4.5
Charlee
Traveled, January 2024

01/19/2024

This was the best Intrepid trip I have been on so far (out of three). The trekking makes this trip - you get to see very remote villages, stay in two villages (home stays) and see some pretty extraordinary sights on top of the mountains. Highly recommended and would be fine for the beginner trekkers.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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