One Week in Northern Thailand

Day 1 Bangkok      
Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand. There’s a welcome meeting at around 6pm tonight. If you do arrive early, perhaps take a walk around Chinatown and explore the crowded streets, or head to the magnificent Grand Palace.      

Day 2 Bangkok to Chiang Mai    
Take a train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya in the morning. Ayutthaya was the capital in the Kingdom of Siam, but now the ruins of this old city form the Historical Park: an archaeological site that contains palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries and statues. Take local tuk tuks on a visit to the Ayutthaya temple site, stopping by Wat Panan Choeng (adorned with a huge 19 metre Buddha image), Wat Yai Chai Mong Kol (with its 62 metre Victory Pagoda), and the famous Wat Maha That (the Buddhist temple with a striking figure head swallowed by tree roots). After your day exploring, hop on an overnight train up to Chiang Mai.      

Day 3 Chiang Mai
Arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning and transfer to your hostel. Chiang Mai is the perfect entrance to the Thai highlands, with misty mountains and colourful hillside villages awaiting you to explore. This will be your base for the next few days, as you’ll return here after your hillside trek. Today, spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and exploring the city, then at night, why not get a group of you together and visit some of the trending bars in the happening Nimman area?

Day 4 Chiang Mai to Hilltribe Trek
This morning at around 8 am, leave Chiang Mai in a songthaew. After lunch, start trekking at Doi Pha Tang, trekking for 2-3 hours along a relatively smooth trail, mostly walking downhill through the natural forest. On the trail, you will pass the Mai Phai waterfall which is a great spot to take a break. After a bit more of a hike, arrive at a Karen hilltribe village called Baan Tin Tok, where you’ll be staying for the night. Enjoy dinner cooked by your host, then take a walk around the village to chat with the locals, perhaps checking out their art of naturally dyed clothes.      

Day 5 Hilltribe Trek to Chiang Mai    
The best thing about being deep in the jungle in the morning is to enjoy the natural wake-up sounds of wildlife calls to stir your sleep. After a hearty breakfast (you’ll need it!), get back on board for today’s hike. It’s a pretty easy walk through local agricultural practice and farmland for a couple of hours, before arriving at Mae Ya Waterfalls, the biggest waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park where you’ll have lunch. Afterwards, continue back to Chiang Mai, arriving around 4pm and checking into your accommodation. The rest of the day is free to relax and explore the city.      

Day 6 Chiang Mai      
Today you're free as a bird in charming Chiang Mai. There’s a heap of optional activities to check out today, and you’re free to choose. Maybe take an optional excursion to the temple at the top of Doi Suthep, which offers fantastic views over the city. Perhaps spoil yourself with a traditional Thai massage or try your hand at a local cooking class. You could even visit gentle giants at an elephant sanctuary,    

Day 7 Chiang Mai to Bangkok    
With another day to explore Chiang Mai, you’re spoilt for options. Included for today is your chance to learn one of the world legend Martial arts, Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) this morning. Later in the evening, board an overnight train for Bangkok.      

Day 8 Bangkok      
Your train is scheduled to arrive into Bangkok early this morning. You’ll transfer back to the hotel where the trip started, and you’ll have access to shared day rooms, available until midday.