Active Thailand
INTRODUCTION
An adventurous trip through some of the most remote and inspiring corners of Thailand - including Nan province in the far north and Umphang region on the Myanmar border. We camp in the jungle, ride elephants and white-water raft down untamed rivers. We also visit the most beautiful waterfall in South East Asia and stay with families in far-flung tribal villages.
NORTH TO NAN
Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, we head north to the town of Nan - a tranquil outpost immersed in the natural beauty of the surrounding province. Home to an array of ancient wats (temples), the outlying region is celebrated for its teak forests, fertile slopes and fast-running rivers. These valleys are also home to several hill tribes, and as we walk and take to bicycles through their lands and villages, we meet people from the Hmong and Yao groups.
VILLAGE LIFE
We spend two nights as guests in a village near Nan, staying with families in their homes. This is a unique opportunity to share in their daily routine - and, depending on the season, you may help to plant or harvest rice or cook, perhaps visit the temple, or even help in the village school. Nothing is pre-arranged, we simply slot into the life of our host family on that particular day.
UMPHANG JUNGLE ADVENTURE
After Lampang (where we have a chance to visit the nearby elephant sanctuary), we drive via Mae Sot, from where an exceptionally scenic road takes us to Umphang. Barely on the map, this hamlet is the starting point of our jungle adventure. For the next four days, here in the homelands of the Karen, we'll travel through far-flung and lush landscapes by raft, on foot and by elephant - and camp beneath the jungle canopy. At times the rafting is quite gentle; at other times exhilarating, across white-water rapids. Our guides will take us along jungle paths to the seven-tiered Thi Lor Su Waterfall, reputedy the most beautiful in South East Asia. Finally, we return to Mae Sot to freshen up - and to prepare ourselves for the culture shock of flying back to Bangkok!
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| Details |
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Price
Includes |
(MT-6226-P) |
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Flights ( London - Bangkok - London) |
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Accomodation ( Hotel/Lodge/Village House/Camping) |
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12 breakfasts |
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6 Lunches |
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7 Dinners |
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Suitability
/ Level |
Easy |
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Theme |
Small Group Travel
(Click to Search All) |
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| Itinerary & Highlights |
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SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS - Among the many highlights featured on this tour we particularly mention:
NAN
Visit this quiet northern town, hill walks, and experience a real "homestay" with local Thai host families.
LAMPANG
Stay in this town on the Wang River. Cycling through countryside and villages.
UMPHANG
Wilderness trek through jungles and forests and wild camping.
THI LOR SU
Stunning waterfall in remote setting.
KOTHA
Elephant ride.
ITINERARY
DAY 1. SUNDAY. JOIN TOUR BANGKOK. Arrive Bangkok and check into hotel.
This afternoon is left free for you to get to know this fascinating city at your own pace. Being a
city of rivers and canals, Bangkok is best explored from the water and so you may wish
to take an optional longtail boat excursion along busy ‘klongs’.
DAY 2. IN BANGKOK; overnight train to Den Chai.
Our sightseeing tour this morning is on foot and by boat and includes the Grand Palace with its stunning Emerald Buddha and Wat Po (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). The afternoon is left free, then in the evening we board the overnight train for Den Chai in northern Thailand.
DAY 3. DRIVE TO NAN
This morning we alight at Den Chai and head up to Nan by bus, passing rolling hills and fields
of cotton, tea and teak. Nan is pleasantly situated on the Nan river, near the Lao borders
to the East and North. Cut off for many years due to the Communist insurgencies in the 70’s,
the area has been undergoing slow development since the amnesty in 1982 and
still retains much of its unhurried feel. We will visit some of the interesting wats and
museums around the town. The National Museum is a nice introduction to Nan’s history
and people, and hosts a strange piece of black ivory. This afternoon we take to bicycles to
explore deeper into the surrounding countryside and villages.
DAY 4. IN NAN; transfer to homestay
This morning we plan to walk in the hills around Nan. Driving a short way into the
countryside, we set off on foot passing some Hmong and Yao villages set amongst bamboo,
ginger and corn fields. Each minority has their own language and customs though today most
follow the Thai way of life. We walk through the forest and along hilltops, admiring the
scenic views in this quiet northern area, before heading back to Nan, (walk approx 4-5
hours). Later in the afternoon we transfer to our homestay villages and are accommodated
in local Thai houses with our host families. This project has been running for nearly three
years and all families are volunteer participants. You will be contributing directly to
the household and to a village development fund. Normally our group is split into two or
three people per household, but because houses and villages change in order to spread
the economic benefit, we will not know exactly where we are staying until we arrive.
Conditions are the same as for the family, nothing more, nothing less.
DAY 5. IN HOMESTAY NEAR NAN
We spend a full day with our host families. The emphasis is to fully integrate into the family’s
daily routine and to participate in whatever needs doing; whether that be cooking, planting
rice, fishing etc. You will probably speak as much Thai as your hosts speak English and
communication will be left to you to improvise as best you can. Nothing is ‘specially’ laid on;
the idea is that you see it for what it really is. At certain times of the year the family may be busy
with harvesting, planting, fruit picking etc. and you are encouraged to help. At other times of
the year the village may be quiet and there is not a lot to do except relax around the village.
You will not have to participate in the family’s activities and there are other small excursions
that the family can take you to see or teach you to do, (pottery, basket weaving, walks etc). A lot
will depend upon your input. This is a great opportunity to live a typical day and for the
family and yourself to experience something a little different
DAY 6. DRIVE TO LAMPANG
Saying goodbye to our hosts, we leave the hills and head down to Lampang by local bus (about
4-5 hours). The afternoon has been left free to wander along the Wang River and around the
town and markets. You may like to take an optional trip to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang,
one of the architectural jewels of northern Thailand, built in beautiful Lanna style and an
important pilgrimage site for locals. Alternatively you may like to visit the Elephant Conservation
Centre not far from the city (optional).
DAY 7. DRIVE VIA MAE SOT TO UMPHANG
We continue by local bus to Mae Sot (4-5 hours). In Mae Sot we transfer to a
different bus and travel along the ‘Skyway’ road, one of the most stunning drives in
Thailand, (about 4 hours) then to the small isolated outpost of Umphang. A few hundred
wooden houses are set by the Umphang and Mae Klong Rivers , and they are surrounded by
mountains. Tonight we meet our local guide and prepare for our 5 day jungle adventure.
DAY 8. BEGIN RAFTING
After breakfast we embark on the first leg of our wilderness journey, taking rafts along the
Mae Klong River. Drifting slowly along, (about 3-4 hours), we pass small waterfalls running
down in to the river, cliffs looming up on each side and a small hot spring. We then leave
the rafts and walk through the jungle to our first camping location, (about 3 hours). Our
exact camping locations may change over the next few days due to local conditions, but
tonight we plan to overnight at the forestry camp set by a peaceful river.
DAY 9. TREK TO THI LOR SU WATERFALL AND KOTHA
Today we set on foot to the Thi Lor Su Waterfall, the largest and most impressive
waterfall in Thailand and possibly South East Asia (about 1 hour). 7 tiers of falls flow all
year round from high limestone cliffs and it is a truly rewarding sight after the trek through
the jungle. We then walk back to our campsite for lunch (approx 1 hour) before trekking to
the minority Karen village at Kotha (about 3 hours), for our overnight stay. The nearby
Kotha waterfall is another stunning sight and wonderful for a swim.
DAY 10. ELEPHANT TREK TO PALATHA VILLAGE; white water rafting
Following the river and passing dozens of small falls and pools, we travel on elephant back to
Palatha village, (about 3 hours). From here we take to rafts again for our white water
adventure, heading south and passing several sets of rapids (about 3-4 hours, grade 3-4). At
certain times of the year, it will be necessary to walk around some of the rapids. Life
jackets, helmets and instruction will be given by our local guides. You will probably get wet
so don’t forget to bring waterproof bags for cameras etc. In the late afternoon we wild
camp by the river.
DAY 11. TREK IN JUNGLE; visit Thi Lor Lay waterfall
We make an easy return trip along the river to see Thi Lor Lay Waterfall. A magical sight as
the water cascades down a high limestone clifface and into the middle of the river. We
return to camp for lunch before continuing through the jungle. There are no roads in this
area and all supplies are carried either on foot or by elephant – we will not have to carry the
rafts back as they are loaded on elephants! We walk for about 4-5 hours before making a wild
camp deep in the jungle.
DAY 12. WALK TO SEPALA VILLAGE; drive to Mae Sot
Our final trek brings us to Sepala village, (about 3 hours), from where we head back to
Umphang, before returning back along the ‘Skyway’ to Mae Sot, a sleepy town only 6km
from the Burmese border. Hmong, Karen, Thai and Burmese live in these areas and the
cross border trade provides a way of living for a large proportion of the population. Many old
wooden houses and Burmese style temples lie around the town.
DAY 13. FLY BANGKOK
Time permitting we may have the chance to visit the Burmese border market just a few
kilometres to the west (optional) before transferring to the airport in Phisanulok for
the short flight to Bangkok.
DAY 14. IN BANGKOK
A final day in Bangkok. The day has been left free to allow you time for personal
sightseeing, shopping etc. There are many other interesting sights in Bangkok aside from
the Grand Palace. Chinatown for example is a hive of activity during the day and night and
there is no better way of reaching it than taking the Chao Phraya River Express boats.
The National Museum hosts the largest collection of Buddhas in Asia, the Vimanmek
Palace is the world’s largest teak eddifice, and Jim Thompson’s House holds an amazing
collection of antiques and fabrics. The weekend market at Chatuchak is also well
worth a visit or you may prefer to head to the downtown shopping areas by the new elevated
sky-train.
DAY 15. SUNDAY. Tour ends Bangkok |
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| Accommodation & Centre Details |
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5 Nights Hotel
1 Night Lodge
3 Nights Village House
3 Nights Camping
1 Night Sleeper Train |
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| Holidays Extras |
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Please click on the links below
to book holiday extras from Car Hire to Travel Insurance.
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Car Hire |
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Travel Insurance |
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Included
