Hygieneprotocol

Please note that it’s important that all our travellers follow Thailand’s COVID-19 measures The main rule that impacts travellers in Thailand is, as of March 2022, the requirement to wear a face mask when not in your hotel room. We would also like to note that the communities we visit and spend time in our our adventures have asked that we ensure that all travellers are fully vaccinated as per Thailand’s requiremetns for either Test and Go or Sandbox entry to the country Many thanks The Tuk Tuk Club

Guide

You’re accompanied on your adventure by a superb guide and a team of drivers. Our guides are all local experts, passionate about Northern Thailand, adventure and ensuring that you get the absolute most out of every day of your trip. They are of course bi-lingual in English and Thai and when not leading the way through the stunning mountain roads, they’re always on hand to help with whatever you need. Out team of drivers are all experts behind the ’wheel’ of a Tuk Tuk, know the routes like the back of their hand and also great mechanics - after all these are Tuk Tuks, not precision engineered BMW’s!

Transport

You’ll experience a range of different transportation throughout the adventure Whilst the majority of journeys are in your Tuk Tuk we will also use: Minivans - to transfer you from Chiang Mai city at the start of the trip and back to the city on Day 11 Songtaews - converted pick up trucks with bench seats in the back to head up to the summit of Doi Inthaon Bamboo rafts! - when you spend time floating gently downstream on Day 2!

Meals

Many meals are included in this adventure - allowing you to really explore the fantastic food in this part of the world. You will nead to budget around 1,600 - 2,000THB for meals that aren’t included in the itinerary (you could spend alot less but we always think it’s nice to have a bit more budget so you can really explore the different food on offer!) Day 1 Lunch - a great introduction to ’real’ Thai food at a local restaurant eaten Thai style as you share up to four dishes with lots of rice of course. Dinner - you’ll head out to experience a real Thai style ’country pub’. Fantastic food, great views and live music making this a great way to enjoy your first evening. Day 2 Breakfast - a simple breakfast (mixture of Thai and ’Western’) at the hotel Lunch - a simple but hearty Thai lunch at the elephant home Dinner - another great multi-dish Thai feast at a laid back faimly run local restaurant Day 3 Breakfast - a simple breakfast (mixture of Thai and ’Western’) at the hotel Lunch - a simple but delicious Thai roadside lunch up in the mountains Dinner - a traditional Thai BBQ overlooking the rice fields in the Hill Tribe village Day 4 Breakfast - a simple breakfast (mixture of Thai and ’Western’) at the HIll Tribe Lodge Lunch - you’ll take a packed lunch with you to eat on the trek. Wrapped in banana leaves somehow it always tastes doubly delicious as you eat in the middle of the forest! Dinner - a great Thai feast in the Hill Tribe village Day 5 Breakfast - a simple breakfast (mixture of Thai and ’Western’) at the HIll Tribe Lodge Day 6 Breakfast - a mixture of Thai and Western options at the hotel Day 7 Breakfast - a mixture of Thai and Western options at the hotel Day 8 Breakfast - a mixture of Thai and Western options at the hotel Day 9 Breakfast - a mixture of Thai and Western options at the hotel Day 10 Breakfast - a mixture of Thai and Western options at the hotel Dinner - a final Thai feast at a fantastic local restuarant where we’ll do our best to ensure all your favourites from the last 10 days are included! Day 11 Breakfast - a mixture of Thai and Western options at the hotel

Others

There are a huge amount of inclusions in the adventure All actvities listed in the itienerary National Park entry fees Most meals Guides and Drivers Support vehicle for your bags (and Tuk Tuk spare parts) Water throughout the adventure The very best adventure in Thailand!

Accommodation

Accommodation The accommodation is intentionally of a very high standard throughout the trip to allow you to ‘adventure’ during the day but relax and enjoy great surrounding in the evenings and free days. After all, who says an adventure needs to be uncomfortable! Mae Wang ‘base camp’ – nights 1,2 and 10 – 3-4* Khum Khun Wang Resort (or similar), Mae Wang. A stylish Northern Thailand hotel in peaceful grounds with a laid back small dining area. Perfect for our ‘base camp’. Twin and double rooms - all with en-suite facilities, hot water, air-conditioning and wi-fi Doi Inthanon – nights 3 and 4 – 2* You’ll stay in the Karen Hill Tribe village of Mae Khlang Luang. Whilst this is the ‘simplest’ accommodation of the adventure the rooms are spacious, clean and, being perched overlooking the rice terraces, in a superb location. All the rooms have en-suite facilities, hot water and are fan-cooled – there’s no need for air-conditioning this high in the mountains. The stunning location and lovely experience of staying in the village far outweighs the simple nature of the rooms! Mae Sariang – night 5 – 3-4* River House Hotel (or River House resort depending on season) – fantastic twin rooms located right on the river in Mae Sariang. Air-conditioning, en-suite, excellent food and a great location for relaxing beers after a hard day’s driving Mae Hong Son – nights 6 and 7– 3-4* Fern Resort (or similar) – a well established country resort located in the heart of the forest and surrounded by rice fields. If it was good enough for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie then it’s good enough for us! Twin share rooms, air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool and stunning sunset bar! Pai – nights 8 and 9 – 4* Belle Villa Resort – around 2km outside the town of Pai and set in a peaceful area this resort is a great location to unwind. All the small cottage style and a short walk to the swimming pool and restaurant. And it’s only a few minutes transfer into the town if you want to head and explore.

Not included:

Flights

International and domestic flights not included.

Others

Whilst a huge amount is included in the adventure, there are some exclusions: Travel insurance - complusory and important! Snacks and soft drinks not mentioned in the itinerary Alcoholic drinks Tips for the guide and driver team (customary in Thailand if you’ve enjoyed your trip)

Optional

All activities listed in the itinerary are included in the adventure but there are a couple of ’free’ days where you may wish to head out and explore independently (Days 7 and 9). Your guide team will be able to help arrange trips on these days but costs are not included in the adventure and must be paid for directly on the day.

Insurance

Travel insurance is not included in the price of the adventure but is compulsory - please make sure that you purchase travel insurance before you join the trip.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Tuk Tuk Base Camp - Arrival, Driver Training And Temple Blessing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Tuk Tuk Base Camp - Arrival, Driver Training And Temple Blessing

Well pick you up at 10:00am from the CHIANG MAI GATE HOTEL in Chiang Mai city and transfer you to our training base for the adventure ahead. On arrival at our base camp in Mae Wang at around 11:30 well check you in to your super accommodation, have a fantastic lunch together at a brilliant faily run local restaurant and then begin your driver training.

The training is very detailed and comprehensive and whilst the Tuk Tuks aren’t hard to get to grips with, it is of course important that everyone feels comfortable behind the wheel and our team are absolute experts in taking your through all of the Tuk Tuk idiosyncracies!

Once everyone has got to grips with the Tuk Tuks we’ll head of on your first test drive through stunning small country lanes to a remote hill-side Temple where the adventure ahead will be blessed!

In the evening we then head out for yet more fantastic Thai food in a wonderful Thai style country pub!
Day 2 Day 2: Tuk Tuk Base Camp And The Elephant Home
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Tuk Tuk Base Camp And The Elephant Home

After breakfast we head out in our Tuk Tuk convoy to explore more fantastic small rural roads and communities giving you lots of time to feel very comfortable behind the wheel. And of course there’s plenty of time for any additional traning anyone needs. And it’s not just about driving - we’ll stop at a rarely visited but stunning viewpoint overlooking the mountians where we’ll be heading tomorrow.

Then its time to venture a little further afield along rolling roads to a fantastic small 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!

We’ll head slowly (we never go over 50kmh throughout the whole adventure!) in convoy for the 25km or so to the elephant home giving all the opportunity to get some more road time and confidence.

On arrival, we’ll learn about the work of the home and the history of the elephants and then, after a tasty lunch, its time toenjoy the company of these wonderful animals. Youll be able to help their mahouts feed them, get to know them and then walk with them (no riding allowed!) to the local river where you can watch their mahouts bathe them.

Next, it’s a change of transport as you float gently downstream on bamboo rafts - the perfect way to cool down and take things easy - before we then drive the Tuk Tuks back to base, freshen up and head out for yet more delicious local food.
Day 3 Day 3: And Were Off Doi Inthanon Here We Come
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: And Were Off Doi Inthanon Here We Come

After an early breakfast it’s time to hit the the road as we head towards Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon. Your guide will be in the lead Tuk Tuk and we’ll travel in convoy with the support vehicle carrying all your luggage at the rear.

The first 20-30km of the route is nice and rolling but we soon arrive at stunning switch-back bends, incredible scenery and tiny local 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. We’ll stop frequently to explore, take in the views and of course to sample some of the great coffee and snacks in these amazing villages . We’ll arrive at our overnight destination around early afternoon and enjoy lunch in the village overloooking the rice terraces and surrounding mountains. Then it’s time for us to set foot on the very top of Thailand - Doi Inthanon. We don’t head up by Tuk Tuk, instead we use a local taxi (songtaew) for the 15km journey, stopping to enjoy the stunning views, incedible gardens and even to take a short walk through the beautiful cloud forest.

By late afternoon we’ll be back in our overnight location - the wonderful Hill Tribe village of Mae Khlang Luang - where we’ll enjoy a traditional Thai BBQ for dinner. A great end to a fantastic day
Day 4 Day 4: Hiking, Waterfalls And Mountain Coffee
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Hiking, Waterfalls And Mountain Coffee

Were giving the Tuk Tuks a well deserved rest today and exploring the National Park on foot. Accompanied by local expert guide from the village, we’ll hike through the foothills of Doi Inthanon and enjoy some amazing waterfalls. The hike is stuiable for all - the trail is excellent, it’s only around 5km (and we take a nice gentle pace) and other than the first 200 metres or so it’s all either downhill or flat. We’ll have a packed lunch in the forest by a stream and then continue the hike down out of the forest and into rice terraces before arriving back in the mountain village where we’ll sample some of the local coffee grown in the surrounding area.

After the hike there’s time for you to rest and relax in the village soaking up the atmosphere and views before yet another superb Thai feast in the evening.
Day 5 Day 5: On The Road Again....
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: On The Road Again....

Time to get back on the road and today we head out of Doi Inthanon National Park towards our next destination of Mae Sariang, close to the Burmese border. Our route winds through incredible scenery and some very remoote roads for the first section of the day and we then join the ’main road’ for the last hour or two into Mae Sariang.

Towering trees, steep hills and more than a few sharp curves are the order of the day and we will, as always, take frequent stops to enjoy the area, let the Tuk Tuk cool down and to stretch our legs (we never drive more than around 45-50 minutes without a break meaning you never get tired or bored of yoru Tuk Tuk!). We’ll arrive in Mae Sariang around mid-late afternoon and check into our lovley riverside accommodation for the night. Mae Sariang is very pleasnt small town with friendly people, a fascinating mix of Thai and Burmese culture (Mae Sariang is home to many Burmese Muslims) and some interesting temples and definitely worth exploring. Alternatively, you could enjoy the swimming pool next to the river and perhaps a cold beer or two after a great day of adventure.

In the evening there are plenty of choices for dinner ranging from superb street stalls to some great small family run restaurants with a huge array of dishes on offer.
Day 6 Day 6: Stunning Roads To Mae Hong Son
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Stunning Roads To Mae Hong Son

A fantastic day in the Tuk Tuk as we head towards Mae Hong Son. Lovely quiet roads heading through forests, farmland and small communities with plenty of superb coffee stops and stalls along the way. You’ll notice that the village Temples have a very different look (a huge amount of different Hill Tribe influence in this part of the country) now and there’s an even more laid back feel to the villages and communities we pass through.

Lunch is again taken in a great road side restaurant before the stunning final few km’s heading into Mae Hong Son - don’t forget to keep your camera to hand!

By mid afternoon we’ll arrive at the wonderful Fern Resort, our base for the next two nights. Set on the edge of the forest, with rooms dotted around rice fields and a wonderful infinity pool just in front of the sunset bar, there is no better place to relax and enjoy a well deserved cold drink and chat about the amazing adventures so far.
Day 7 Day 7: Free Day To Explore Mae Hong Son - Or Just Relax!
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Free Day To Explore Mae Hong Son - Or Just Relax!

We give the Tuk Tuks a rest today and you have some time to do as you please. Enjoy the beautiful grounds of the resort, hang out with a book by the pool or even enjoy the 8km hike from the resort up into the surrounding hills - with the dogs from the resort leading the way and making sure you don’t get lost.

Alternatively, your guide team can arrange for you head on a river trip to a very remote and interesting Karen Hiill Tribe village. It’s up to you.

In the late afternoon we usually head into Mae Hong Son town to enjoy sunset from Wat Doi Kong Mu (overlooking the town) and then to enjoy the delicious street food and restaurants around the lake in the middle of Mae Hong Son town.
Day 8 Day 8: Truly Stunning Mountains On The Way To Pai
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Truly Stunning Mountains On The Way To Pai

This is one of the most beautiful stretches of road anywhere in Thailand and maybe South East Asia as we leave Mae Hong Son and head to our next destination, Pai,

The first hour or so of the route is along gentle roads heading through the forest and valley floor, passing through very pretty villages and one of our favourite coffee shops anywhere in Thailand. Then we start climbing up over the mountain ridges. The roads are superb, the swtichbacks brilliant and the views take your breath away!

With plenty of stops to enjoy the local coffee and soak up the views this really is the way to travel.

We’ll have lunch near Lod Caves (one of the biggest cave systems in Thailand) and then have the opportunity to explore the caves led by a great local guide (don’t worry - we’re not talking serious pot-holing here as you walk through the caves and then float on a raft along the river running through them).

Finally, it’s time for todays last leg which invovles yet another wonderful climbing road to a mountain ridge (the obligatory coffee / drink stop) and then down into Pai and our accommodation for the night just outside the town itself.
Day 9 Day 9: Enjoy Pai And The Surrounding Area
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Enjoy Pai And The Surrounding Area

Another day to let the Tuk Tuks rest and give you the opportunity to do some exploring on your own. From relaxing by the pool or having a traditional massage, heading out to explore hot-springs and local villages - our guides are on hand to help arrange all sorts of activities or why not sit back and take in the great views from this fantastic resort (or lend a hand servicing and making sure your Tuk Tuk is in fine form for the final leg of the journey tomorrow!)
Day 10 Day 10: The Final Leg
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: The Final Leg

Our travellers ofetn tell us we’ve saved the best until last! Today’s final drive is a spectacular route taking us well and truly off the beaten track as we had back to Mae Wang where we stayed on nights 1 and 2.

We pass through forests, over mountain ridges, through incredibly pretty valleys and take in some fascinating Hill Tribe communities - all the time in a region where hardly any Thai travellers venture let alone visitors from overseas. There is no word other than stunning to describe out route today.

As always we’ll have lunch in a great roadside restaurant - you’ll be becoming an expert in real Thai food by now - and by late afternoon we head down from the mountains (our final switchback bends of the trip) and back to Mae Wang for the night.

Time to freshen up and then we head out for one last wonderful Thai feast and to celebrate a truly spectacular adventure.
Day 11 Day 11: Farewell
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Farewell

All good things come to an end and today it’s time to say goodbye to your Tuk Tuk, your guide and support team as we transfer you back to Chiang Mai, arriving between 11 and 12.

Congratulations on completing Thailand’s most exciting travel adventure and becoming a fully fledged member of The Tuk Tuk Club.

11 days tour

A Stunning 11 Day Tuk Tuk Adventure In Northern Thailand

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip A Stunning 11 Day Tuk Tuk Adventure In Northern Thailand

Day 1: Tuk Tuk Base Camp - Arrival, Driver Training And Temple Blessing

Day 2: Tuk Tuk Base Camp And The Elephant Home

Day 3: And Were Off Doi Inthanon Here We Come

Day 4: Hiking, Waterfalls And Mountain Coffee

Day 5: On The Road Again....

Day 6: Stunning Roads To Mae Hong Son

Day 7: Free Day To Explore Mae Hong Son - Or Just Relax!

Day 8: Truly Stunning Mountains On The Way To Pai

Day 9: Enjoy Pai And The Surrounding Area

Day 10: The Final Leg

Day 11: Farewell

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