One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes Tour by Intrepid Travel

8 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 35 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Bangkok, Thailand

Ends

Bangkok, Thailand

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.

Itinerary

Ready to kayak, trek, and meet new friends in the wilds of Thailand? The "One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes" tour is designed for young adults eager for a lively, hands-on adventure. Over eight days, journey from bustling Bangkok to Chiang Rai, Doi Mae Salong, and Chiang Mai, mixing city excitement with natural wonders.

Highlights include trekking to hillside villages, chasing waterfalls, and sharing the river with elephants. Paddle through lush jungle landscapes, immerse yourself in colorful markets, and soak up the vibrant energy of Thailand’s famed nightlife scenes along the way.

With its moderate activity level, this tour is perfect for active travelers eager to balance exploration with relaxation. The unique selling point? An experiential, social journey that fuses kayaking, trekking, and authentic cultural encounters for a week you’ll never forget.

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:Bangkok - Orientation Walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

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.

accommodation:Overnight Sleeper Train

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:Chiang Mai - Night Bazaar & Anusarn Market, Chiang Mai - Orientation Walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

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: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)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

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:Huey Nam Dang - Hilltribe Trek – 2 Days

accommodation:Hilltribe Village House (multi-share)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

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:Sop Kai Village - River Kayaking

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

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.

accommodation:Overnight sleeper train

meals:1 Breakfast

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.

One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights), Hilltribe Village House (multi-share) (2 nights)

Meals

4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners

Transport

Overnight sleeper train, Songthaew, Tuk-tuk

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Bangkok - Orientation WalkChiang Mai - Night Bazaar & Anusarn MarketChiang Mai - Orientation WalkHuey Nam Dang - Hilltribe Trek – 2 DaysHilltribe Trek - Mae Malai Market VisitHilltribe Village - Home-cooked DinnerHilltribe Trek – Mok Fah WaterfallSop Kai Village - River Kayaking

What's Excluded

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