Thailand budget holiday
| country: | Thailand |
| location: | Thai hill tribes, Northern Thailand |
| trip type: | Moderate walking holidays |
| departures: | Departs most days of the week throughout the year until end of Jun 2009 |
| price: | From £180 (8 days) excluding flights, plus local payment Baht 4250 (approx £60). We can arrange flights from the UK. All departure dates are guaranteed |
read 4 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
8 days ex Bangkok
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, hilltribe trek, elephant riding, river rafting, night markets
Stuck for time but want to taste some unforgettable Thai treats?
Jump on this express tour of northern Thailand for out-of-this-world experiences in a country boasting a rich history and colourful culture.
Throw yourself into the vibrant metropolis of Bangkok and check out timeless Chiang Mai, the take-off point for a three-day trek in the rural hilltribe areas of the far north. With a little shopping, river rafting and elephant riding as well, this will be a week to remember.
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, hilltribe trek, elephant riding, river rafting, night markets
Stuck for time but want to taste some unforgettable Thai treats?
Jump on this express tour of northern Thailand for out-of-this-world experiences in a country boasting a rich history and colourful culture.
Throw yourself into the vibrant metropolis of Bangkok and check out timeless Chiang Mai, the take-off point for a three-day trek in the rural hilltribe areas of the far north. With a little shopping, river rafting and elephant riding as well, this will be a week to remember.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-2: | Bangkok. Most of Bangkok's sights are within walking distance of our hotel. The Grand Palace, National Museum, National Library and Wat Pho are all worth a visit. If shopping's more your thing, there are streets overflowing with colourful stalls. At the end of a hard day's sightseeing there's nothing quite like grazing on the gastronomic delights sold by the streetside food hawkers. |
| Day 3: | Chiang Mai. The Thais love their northern capital and it's no wonder why. Filled with beautiful temples, buzzing markets and enough adventure sports to keep the most chronic adrenaline junky happy for a year, there really is something here for everyone. Catch a lovely sunset from the hillside temple of Doi Suthep and spend the evening bargaining hard at the night bazaar. |
| Day 4-6: | Hilltribe Trek. The absolute highlight of the trip is trekking into Thailand's northern hills to meet the local hilltribe people. Each tribe has its own unique language, customs and dress. Hike through rice paddies and plantations, bed down for the night in remote villages and enjoy the friendly hospitality the hilltribes are famous for. |
| Day 7: | Chiang Mai. A final morning in Chiang Mai leaves time for some last minute shopping and sightseeing or a Thai massage before jumping on an overnight train bound for Bangkok. |
| Day 8: | Bangkok. Arriving in the capital it's time to say goodbye. Be sure to spend some extra time here to take in all the sights. A boat trip through the khlongs to see the floating markets is highly recommended. |
travellers' tales
The most memorable part of the trip has to be the trekking in the North of Thailand to the hilltribes. ..the scenery was phenomenal, and the sense of achievement looking out over the mountain valleys, unforgettable! (more)
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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The trip offers insights into a varied landscape of unique cultures and stunning natural environments, staying for the most part amongst small Northern Thai and Karen tribal communities. This local interaction provides long term, regularemployment within our host communities. We stay in local houses, employ local cooks, and our trekking guides are all local Thais and tribesmen. These expertwoodsmen and trekkers bring a wealth of wisdom andexperience to the trip, working hand in hand with the Group Leader as valued equal partners. The relationship of mutual respect which has been fostered over time between the villagers, our Group Leaders and our local guides has created an ideal forum in which to learn from and exchange life experiences with the local people. Travellers are led by example into the community and then encouraged to actively build their own rapport with the local villagers. Time is spent as a group participating with local people in cultural and artistic activities. Our travellers also have the opportunity to help the villagers materially, in a non-patronising way, by purchasing authentic hand-made clothes and handicrafts from them. Our fixed price 'morning market' was designed and established through open discussion with the villagers. It ensures that they receive a fair reward from their labours, whilst simultaneously promoting the value and sustainabliity of their traditional crafts.
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Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |