5 Day Tuk Tuk Adventure In Chiang Mai - With Driver

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL, MEET YOUR TUK TUK, EXPLORE REMOTE TEMPLES AND TINY COMMUNITIES

Stop At: Mae Wang National Park, Km.65, Amphoe Khlong Lan Thailand
A superb first day of your adventure takes place close to Mae Wang National Park.

On arrival in Mae Wang you’ll check into the super local hotel which is your base for the next couple of nights and the immediately get to meet your Tuk Tuk (you’ll become very fond of this wonderful machine over the next few days!) and of course meet your driver and guide team.

Note – our Tuk Tuks are specially modified to not only cope perfectly with the winding mountain roads but also to give extra comfort and views from the back seat. There are Bluetooth speakers for you to play your road tip selections and you can even roll back the roof if you fancy catching some sun!
You’ll then head for a delicious lunch at a ‘laid back’ local restaurant where your guide will run through all of the adventures ahead.

In the afternoon you’re straight into the back of your Tuk Tuk and off exploring tiny winding rural lanes, passing through rarely visited communities and fascinating Temples with stunning views. At one of the Temples we’ll receive a blessing for the adventures ahead giving you a real insight into how communities interact with Monks and their local Temple.

You’ll arrive back at base in the late afternoon in time to freshen up and head out for a fantastic traditional Thai dinner at a local ‘country – pub’. Great food, live music and a very special place.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Lunch: A fantastic lunch at a laid back family run rural restaurant. Top quality Thai food and superb surroundings
• Dinner: A real experience as you head to a Thai 'country pub'. Fantastic food, great views and live music!
Accommodation included: You'll stay tonight in a charming small local resort. Twin and double rooms, en-suite, air-conditioning and wi-fi

Day 2: WATERFALLS, HILL TRIBE VILLAGES, ELEPHANTS AND BAMBOO RAFTING

Stop At: Maevang Elephant Home, Mae Win, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai 50360, Thailand
After breakfast you’re back into your Tuk Tuk (we guarantee you’ll already be possessive about which Tuk Tuk is ‘yours’!) and you’ll head North in convoy up the valley to the remote region of Mae Sapok.

Think ‘classic Thailand’ – rice terraces, water buffalo, the odd elephant handing out by the river and small wooden houses dotted around. You’ll hike through the forest to a cool waterfall and then explore the local Karen village

You’re then back in your Tuk Tuk as you head through small country roads to a fantastic elephant home that is leading the way in taking elephants away from a life of trekking and instead creating an environment where people can learn about and spend time with elephants on their terms, not ours!

On arrival, you’ll learn about the history of the elephants, what the team at the Elephant home are doing and then, after a great lunch at the home, it’s time to enjoy the company of these wonderful animals. You’ll be able to feed them, get to know them and then walk with them (no riding allowed!) to the local river where you’ll bathe with them.

In the late afternoon we’ll have a change of pace as we float gently downstream on bamboo rafts before it’s then time for a late afternoon convoy as we head back to the base camp for dinner and getting ready for an adventurous day tomorrow.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: A simple breakfast at the resort and a mixture of Thai and 'Western' style is available
• Lunch: A simple but tasty lunch sitting right next to the elephants - fantastic
• Dinner: Another great Thai feast at a local family run restaurant.
Accommodation included: This is your second night at the small rural resort right next to The Tuk Tuk Clubs HQ.

Day 3: AND WE’RE OFF – DOI INTHANON HERE WE COME

Stop At: 119 Moo 7 Ban Luang Subdistrict, Doi Inthanon National Park 50270 Thailand
After an early breakfast you’re hitting the road and heading along small country roads towards Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon.

Your guide will be in the lead Tuk Tuk and everyone travels in convoy with the support vehicle at the rear (the support vehicle takes all your luggage, spare parts for the Tuk Tuks – always best to be prepared! – and huge amounts of water!). And note that each Tuk Tuk has a walkie talkie so not only can your guide let you know all sorts of information but you can also ask anything you need or simply chat to your fellow travellers!

The first 20-30km of the route is simple with gentle curving roads but we soon hit stunning switch back bends, incredible scenery and tiny Karen hill tribe villages as we make our way towards the National Park.

Enjoy the look of complete surprise from everyone as they see Tuk Tuks this far up in the mountains – trust us, novelty doesn’t not even begin to cover it – and you’ll stop frequently to have a look at different villages / views and of course to sample some of the great coffee and snacks in small villages. Lunch will be in a roadside snack bar – hearty Thai fare!

You arrive at our accommodation mid-afternoon in the village of Mae Khlang Luang before jumping in another classic Thai mode of transport - a ‘Songtaew’ - a shared taxi adapted from a pick up truck, which drives us to the summit of Doi Inthaon (over 2,500 metres) where you’ll explore some of the trails and take in the views.
This evening it’s time for a traditional Thai BBQ eaten over the rice fields as the sun sets over the mountains. Not a bad location to end the day!

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Ban Mae Klang Luang, Baan Luang Subdistrict, Chom Thong 50160 Thailand
This is where you spend the night - a scenic Karen village high in the foothills of Doi Inthanon. Great views and a lovely place to explore and spend the evening
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: A simple breakfast at the resort - a mixture of Thai and 'Western' style breakfast is available
• Lunch: Simple but delicious food at a roadside restaurant.
• Dinner: A real highlight as you enjoy a traditional Thai BBQ overlooking the rice terraces in the heart of the village
Accommodation included: You stay in the heart of the village tonight in simple but clean wooden bungalows overlooking the rice fields. Fantastic

Day 4: TREKKING

Stop At: 119 Moo 7 Ban Luang Subdistrict, Doi Inthanon National Park 50270 Thailand
The Tuk Tuks have a well-earned rest today as you head off and explore the foothills of Doi Inthanon on foot!
Starting with a quick transfer by truck you then walk up into the forest led by a superb local guide (who knows everything about every tree and plant – and can spot a snake from miles away!) and then hike past stunning waterfalls, babbling rivers and under towering trees.

There are a number of spots where you can cool off with a dip in the pools under the waterfalls and you’ll have a packed lunch (wrapped in leaves) in a clearing in the forest.
The hike ends with a walk back down into the village where you stayed last night and there’s the chance to enjoy the freshest coffee around at a local old-style mountain coffee shop (it’s such a cool place we couldn’t possibly do it justice here!)

NOTE – the trek / hike is suitable for all. The total distance is around 5-6km, we take it at a gentle place and after the initial uphill, the majority of the hike is flat or downhill
This evening it’s time for another superb feast – again overlooking the rice terraces – and perhaps one or two well deserved cold beers!

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: A filling breakfast at the rural lodge in the Hill Tribe village
• Lunch: You have lunch deep in the forest during your trek. Simple but tasty food all wrapped in banana leaves!
• Dinner: Another Thai feast in the local village overlooking the rice terraces. No better way to end the day
Accommodation included: Your second night in the heart of the Hill Tribe village - simple but clean rooms with en-suite facilities

Day 5: TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR TRUSTY TUK TUK

Stop At: Ban Mae Klang Luang, Baan Luang Subdistrict, Chom Thong 50160 Thailand
The 5 day adventure comes to an end this morning as you say goodbye to your Tuk Tuk and transfer back to Chiang Mai City by private minivan.
The transfer will take place in the morning and you will arrive in Chiang Mai (The Chiang Mai Gate Hotel) before midday.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Time for a final breakfast in the village before heading back to Chiang Mai city and the end of the adventure
No accommodation included on this day.