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About this trip
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Itineraries
Day 1
Date : November 8, 2024
Time : 12:00 am
Arrive into Chiang Mai and Welcome Dinner
You’ll be met by our local team at Chiang Mai airport and transfer to your Chiang Mai City hotel, The Rati Lanna Riverside Resort (or similar). Enjoy the fantastic riverside swimming pool, take advantage of the great hotel spa facilities or head out to explore. In the evening we’ll have a Welcome Meal in the hotel’s riverside restaurant and enjoy a great taste of the fantastic Thai food to come.
Inclusions:
Airport meet and greet and private transfers
Twin rooms at the Rati Lanna Riverside Resort – en-suite facilities, wi-fi, swimming pool
Welcome Dinner
Day 2
Meet your local Tuk Tuk guide and explore temples
You’ll leave your Chiang Mai city hotel at 10:00 and transfer by minivan to the Tuk Tuk headquarters in Mae Wang, around 45-60 minutes South West of the city.
On arrival you’ll check into the lovely local hotel which is your base for the next couple of nights and then 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 guide and support team.
Note – The Tuk Tuks are specially modified to not only cope perfectly with the twisty and sometimes steep mountain roads but also to give extra comfort and views. There are Bluetooth speakers for you to play your favourite road trip tunes 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.
Once your training is complete, you’re then off exploring tiny winding rural lanes, passing through rarely visited communities and fascinating Temples with stunning views. At one of the Temples you’ll receive a blessing for the adventure 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 delicious Thai dinner at a local ‘country – pub’. Great food, live music, brilliant views across the fields and a great way to end the day.
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 3 HOURS INCLUDING DRIVER TRAINING
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 45 km
Inclusions:
Transfer from The Chiang Mai Gate Hotel to our ‘base camp’ in Mae Wang
Guide and support team
Full Tuk Tuk orientation / driver training (for those on with the self-drive option)
Exploration of remote Temples, rural communities and off the beaten track locations
Lunch, dinner and drinking water throughout the day
Twin / double accommodation in a very pleasant rural resort in Mae Wang – air-conditioning, en-suite facilities, wi-fi.
Day 3
Waterfalls, Hill Tribe Villages, Elephants and Bamboo Rafting
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 through the countryside and small communities to a fantastic pagoda at a hill top Temple with great views of the surrounding mountains, giving you a glimpse of where you’ll be heading tomorrow!
You’re then heading North up the valley in your Tuk Tuk 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!
On arrival you’ll learn about the history of the elephants and what the team at the Elephant home have been doing to continually improve the lives of the elephants. Then, after a simple but filling lunch at the home (right next to the elephants), it’s time to enjoy the company of these wonderful animals. You’ll be able to help their mahouts feed them and then walk with them (no riding allowed!) to the local river where they take their daily bath.
After the elephants are clean you’ll have a change of pace as you float gently downstream on bamboo rafts before it’s then time for a late afternoon Tuk Tuk convoy as you head back to the base camp to freshen up before heading out for another great dinner at a local family restaurant.
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 3.5 HOURS SPREAD OUT OVER THE COURSE OF THE DAY
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 70 km
Inclusions:
Guide and support team
Tuk Tuk and driver (chauffeur option)
Visits to Temples, Pagoda’s, elephant home experience and bamboo rafting
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinking water throughout the day
Twin / double accommodation in a very pleasant rural resort in Mae Wang – air-conditioning, en-suite facilities, wi-fi.
Day 4
And We're Off - Thailand's highest mountain here we come!
After an early breakfast you’re back in the Tuk Tuk convoy and heading along some of the most spectacular 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 do 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 any questions or simply chat to your fellow travellers!
The first 20-30km of the route is simple with gentle curving roads but you soon hit stunning switch back bends, breath-taking scenery and small Karen Hill Tribe communities as you make our way towards Doi Inthanon National Park.
Enjoy the look of real 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 explore different locations, take in the views and course to sample some of the great coffee that grows in this area. Lunch will be in a roadside snack bar – more tasty Thai fare!
You’ll arrive at our accommodation in the village of Mae Khlang Luang by early / mid afternoon before then jumping into another classic Thai mode of transport - a ‘Songtaew’. A taxi adapted from a pick-up truck which will take you to the summit of Doi Inthanon (over 2,500 metres) where you’ll explore some of the trails and take in the spectacular views.
This evening it’s time for a traditional Thai BBQ eaten over the rice fields as the sun sets behind the mountains. Another great end to a superb day.
Day 5
Hiking
The Tuk Tuks have a well-earned rest today as you head to 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 charming local guide (who knows everything about every tree and plant – and can spot a snake from miles away!) and then hike past stunning waterfalls, rivers and towering forest. 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 – one of our favourite coffee shops anywhere in Northern Thailand.
NOTE – the hike is suitable for all. The total distance is around 5-6km, we take it at a gentle place and after the initial uphill section, the majority of the hike is flat or downhill
This evening it’s time for another superb Thai feast – again overlooking the rice terraces – and perhaps one or two well deserved cold beers!
Day 6
Back on the road
Time to get back on the road and today you head out of Doi Inthanon National Park towards our destination of Mae Sariang, close to the Burmese / Myanmar border. Hopefully you’ve got your road trip playlist perfected (don’t forget to charge those Bluetooth speakers) as todays route takes you deep into the heart of rural Northern Thailand (you spend much of the day in territory where Thai visitors are a rarity, let alone people from overseas!)
The route winds along through incredible scenery and some very quiet roads for the first section of the day and we then join the ‘main road’ for the last hour or two on the descent into Mae Sariang. Towering trees, steep hills and more than a few sharp curves are the order of the day and as always lots of stops to enjoy the surroundings, stretch your legs and keep stocked up with excellent coffee!
You’ll arrive in Mae Sariang by late afternoon and check into your pleasant riverside accommodation for the night, complete with riverside swimming pool.
Mae Sariang is well worth exploring. With friendly people, a fascinating mix of Thai and Burmese culture (Mae Sariang is home to many Burmese Muslims), interesting Temples and more than one laid back, friendly bar to visit and meet the locals.
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 5-6 HOURS SPREAD OUT OVER THE DAY
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 160 km
Guide and support team (and driver – chauffeur driven option)
Tuk Tuk and support vehicle
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinking water
Twin / double riverside accommodation in Mae Sariang – air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, w-fi and a riverside swimming pool
Day 7
More Bends, Mountains and Incredible views
After a good night’s rest (or a late night enjoying the friendly bars of Mae Sariang!) you’re back in the best seats in the house for the spectacular drive to Mae Hong Son, your overnight location.
The route starts out pretty gently but it’s not long before you’re heading up and over mountains and along fantastic winding roads with mountains stretching off into the distance across the Myanmar border.
You’ll stop for lunch at what we like to think is Northern Thailand’s best road side restaurant - the perfect place to get seriously adventurous with your food (raw buffalo anyone?) before continuing on along these fantastic roads towards our overnight destination just outside Mae Hong Son town.
By late afternoon you’ll arrive at the magnificent Fern Resort, your base for the next two nights. ‘Fern’ is fast becoming a legend amongst Tuk Tuk Club travellers and with its lovely bungalows set around rice paddies, surrounded by forest and, in our view, the best sunset bar in the world, complete with infinity pool. The perfect place to rest up after a stunning day of adventure.
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 5-6 HOURS SPREAD OUT OVER THE DAY
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 165 km
Day 8
River Trip, Villages and Exploring Mae Hong Son
Another day off for the Tuk Tuks today (they’re wonderful machines but do need their beauty sleep) as you explore Mae Hong Son.
After breakfast at the resort you’ll transfer to the local river and then head along the river to the a fascinating Karen (Paduang) village. This village was the first place settled by the Paduang group when they fled persecution in Myanmar and gives a great insight into their lives, their culture and their history – and the boat journey there is lots of fun!
You’ll have lunch back at Fern Resort and then have the afternoon free to enjoy the fantastic infinity pool, explore the resort or even, if you’re feeling energetic, hike through the forested hills surrounding the resort.
In the late afternoon you’ll head into Mae Hong Son town to see its most famous Temple (with great views over the town itself) and then to enjoy delicious local food for dinner.
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: NA – no Tuk Tuk driving today
DISTANCE COVERED: NA
Inclusions:
Guide and support team (and driver – chauffeur driven option)
River trip and visit to Paduang village
Visit to Wat Doi Kong Mu and Mae Hong Son town for dinner
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinking water
Twin / double accommodation outside Mae Hong Son town – air-conditioning, en-suite, wi-fi, two swimming pools (!) and stunning location
Day 9
Mountain Roads to Pai
Pai, one of the most famous of all mountain towns in Thailand, is your destination today but before you get there you need to negotiate several hundred bends and some of the steepest roads on the trip.
Take in the spectacular views, fascinating communities and yet more delicious mountain coffee along the way.
You’ll stop for lunch at the spectacular Lod Caves and then, if you’d like, explore the huge cave system with a local guide – don’t worry, you’re not scrabbling through tiny potholes, rather enjoying a raft along the river than runs through the caves themselves
By late afternoon you’ll drop down into the valley where Pai sits but not before a couple of awesome pit stops – try your hand at the Hill Tribe swing, we dare you! – and arrive at your laid back resort, the base for the next couple of nights.
In the evening you’ll have dinner at the resort and have plenty of time to rest up after a fantastic day on the road.
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 4-5 HOURS SPREAD OUT OVER THE DAY
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 120 km
Day 10
Free Day
A final day of rest before the last push tomorrow when you head back to the Tuk Tuk base. Enjoy the resort and pool, wander around the local village or why not head further afield and explore hot springs, a giant land split (!) and Pai Canyon.
Our local guide can help organize everything and even go along with you if you’d like (whilst the support team do their final checks on your Tuk Tuk ready for the last days adventure tomorrow) You’ll enjoy a lovely dinner in Pai town this evening – so if you head out to explore do make sure you’re back at the resort in time!
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: NA – no Tuk Tuk driving today
DISTANCE COVERED: NA
Day 11
Final Leg
Today’s drive is simply stunning. We’ve saved the best for last for sure. Leaving Pai behind you’re immediately deep into the countryside heading along tiny mountain roads on our journey back South to where the adventure all started, Mae Wang.
It’s 180 km of pure magic – random hot springs (and boiled eggs if you’d like), Hill Tribe villages with teak Temples, giant Buddha heads appearing out of the forest and even Thailand’s very own Rio de Janeiro (we’ll leave that one for you to work out on the day), today takes you off the map rather than just off the beaten track.
Enjoy the drive and make the most of your last day of adventure in your trusty bright orange Tuk Tuk!
You’ll arrive back in Mae Wang by late afternoon and after a fond farewell to your Tuk Tuk – trust us, you’ll have become very attached! – you’ll then transfer back to Chiang Mai city and check into the Rati Lanna Riverside Resort where the adventure all started.
In the evenings there’s time for one more fantastic Thai meal we you have a farewell dinner at the hotel’s riverside restaurant.
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 6.5 HOURS SPREAD OUT OVER THE DAY
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 180 km
Day 12
Farewell
Your adventure comes to an end today with a minivan transfer to the airport in good time to check in for your flight home. Wow – what an adventure
- Tuk Tuks - 3 travelers per Tuk Tuk
- Airport Transfers - Meet and greet at Chiang Mai International Airport on arrival day/transfer back to Chiang Mai International Airport on Departure day. If you are coming in earlier or leaving later you will need to arrange your own transportation.
- Local Guides - Experienced and passionate adventure guide and support team with you step of the way
- Activities included - Visits to remote Temples and tine rural communities, bamboo rafting, trekking in the foothills of Doi Inthanon, the mountains of Mae Hong Son and much much more.
- Accommodations - 11 nights accommodation in superb locations
- Meals Included - 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 11 dinners and drinking water throughout the adventure
- Support Vehicle - A support vehicle for luggage
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