Explore Thailand Expedition

Experience authentic Thailand as you trek, cycle and raft through the stunning landscapes that surround the beautiful city of Chiang Mai. Taste local cuisine as you explore this food lovers’ paradise and get up close and personal with some magnificent Asian elephants.

  • Location Thailand, Asia
  • Duration 8 days
  • Expedition Type Adventures By Camps

This eight day expedition allows you to sample all that is amazing about Thailand. Learn about rural life as you spend time working alongside the community, learn to cook local dishes and experience Thai hospitality as you stay in a local village.  Relax amongst the lush green forests and crystal-clear waters of some spectacular waterfalls.

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A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition cost is comprehensive and covers the incredible activities you’ll be taking part in, as well as the extensive support you’ll receive in the lead up to, and during, your expedition.

Don’t forget you’ll also need your vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. You can find guidance on all of these on your personal Traveller Gateway once you sign up.

Note for UAE schools: Travel insurance is excluded if departure airport is not DXB or AUH

  • International flights
  • Expedition Leader
  • Comprehensive travel insurance
  • All meals
  • Unlimited drinking water
  • All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for all sights mentioned in the itinerary
  • All transfers mentioned are in private vehicles
  • Local Expedition Guides
  • Project costs and management
  • 24 hour support throughout expedition

This sample itinerary will give you an insight into what you’ll be getting up to. Please note, the exact projects, activities and camps may change closer to the time of your expedition.

Day Activities More details
Day 1 Arrive in Chiang Mai and enjoy a street food tour Upon arrival in the beautiful city of Chiang Mai you will be met by one of our team and transferred to your hotel. Here you will have a chance to freshen up before an expedition briefing, before heading out for an afternoon of food tasting. Over the course of the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to sample various delicacies including Northern Thai–style noodle soup, stir fries, Pad Thai, fresh fruits, and a variety of Thai desserts, from a selection of stalls and shophouses.
Day 2 Bike ride and cooking school This morning will start with a short safety briefing and bicycle fitting before you begin your journey south following the Ping River. You will travel along rural country roads, past various fruit orchards and villages that are on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. One of the final stops will be at the temple ruins of Wiang Kum Kam, the former capital of Lanna. In the afternoon, once you have returned from your bike ride, you will travel up to Doi Suthep, a 1600m high mountain towering over Chiang Mai. Here you will visit the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – a beautiful temple, offering fantastic views over the city. For your evening meal, you will head over to the Cooking School, where you will be guided around an organic farm learning about Thai herbs and vegetables. You will have the chance to collect eggs and some fresh ingredients before starting to cook. This is approxmately 3hrs of cycling overall but broken up by all the stops en route.
Day 3 Community project work Have a full day working alongside the local community on some vital project work. All of our projects are based on the current needs of the community so you could be working on a variety of initiatives such as making a school fence, building a village water container or setting up a reading corner at the local school. If time permits interact with the local children, playing games, singing songs and talking to them about their daily lives. At the end of the day the group will head back to the hotel freshen up, before heading out for a traditional Khantoke dinner and Lanna dance show.
Day 4 Huay Nam Dang trekking After a tasty breakfast, you will be picked up by our local guide who will be with you for the next two days on your trekking adventure. The first stop will be at Mae Malai, a local market where you and your guide will shop for the coming day’s food. On route to the trekking location, you will stop at Mork Fah waterfall where you can cool and relax. Following lunch at a restaurant, you will continue to the Pong Deuad Hot Springs – this is the trekking starting point. You will trek for about four hours through the rich, beautiful forest, arriving in the Karen village where you will spend the night. You will have the opportunity to help your guide cook the evening meal and, following dinner, you will head to one of the village houses where you will meet some of the villagers.
Day 5 Bamboo rafting Enjoy a traditional Thai breakfast at the village before trekking for one hour to the rafting camp where your bamboo rafts will be waiting. From here, you will get to enjoy a wonderful bamboo raft trip, approximately 3hrs, along the Mae Tang River. You will raft to a Shan village where you will have lunch and then travel back to Chiang Mai. In the evening, after dinner, there will be an opportunity to explore the local night markets.
Day 6 Phoenix Adventure Park – Village Visit This morning, drive to Phoenix Adventure park. After a safety briefing put on your harness and your adventure begins. You will tackle 29 challenges through obstacles – you will be pulling yourselves along cables, tackling the oscillating bridge, balancing yourself on a giant bamboo, swinging in the trees, spider climbing and more. Once you have complete your challenge enjoy some lunch within the Phoenix camp.
Day 7 Elephant Nature Park It’s an early start for today as you travel to the Elephant Nature Park. Here you will spend the morning learning about the Asian elephant and its current status as an endangered species. You will have the chance to get up close to these amazing animals and feed them bananas. In the evening following a delicious Thai dinner, you will head to the Night Bazaar for some souvenir shopping.
Day 8 Departure This morning there will be time to explore Chiang Mai before you head to the airport for your return flight home.
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See what life is like on expedition

Check out the photos from our previous travellers for a first-hand view into life on expedition.

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For more of our travellers’ best photos visit our photo competition gallery. See more

Our local camp legends

Our camps are staffed by members of the community who will make you feel like a local in no time. These legends will make your expedition spectacular and will show you the very best of their home country.

Meet our Crew

Interested in this expedition?

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