Bangkok to Chiang Mai tour, elephants, trekking & culture
A thrilling off-the-beaten-track adventure in northern Thailand, this Bangkok to Chiang Mai tour takes in elephants, trekking and culture as you explore Umphang National Park. Enjoy a Karen village homestay, raft a river and track wild elephants alongside a local guide.
Rafting in Umphang National ParkTrack wild elephants with mahout guidesTwo nights in a Karen village homestayTrekking and wild camping in the forestBangkok – Mae Sot – Chiang Mai itinerary
Price
£406excluding flights
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Duration
6 Days
Type
Small group
More info
What’s included?
::: ACCOMMODATION :::
2 nights in a Simple Homestay
1 night in a Camping Tent
1 night at DK Hotel in Mae Sot in a Standard Room (double occupancy)
::: MEALS :::
4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Description of Bangkok to Chiang Mai tour, elephants, trekking & culture
This Bangkok to Chiang Mai tour is a fantastic way to experience relaxed ways of life in rural northern Thailand as you travel between two of the country’s most vibrant cities. A six-day, small group tour led by a local guide from day two onwards, it sees you exploring Umphang National Park, starting with an overnight journey from the capital to Mae Sot, and then on to the Karen village of Palatha. Here you’ll spend a couple of nights in a comfortable family-run homestay, with opportunities to learn about Karen culture and village life, such as by taking part in a weaving demonstration.
For the adventure-seeker, there are two clear highlights on this trip. The first comes on day three, as you set off for a day trekking in the forest with a mahout guide. The elephants here live free, but are monitored and cared for by the community. The mahouts know where to find their charges, and you’ll follow them as they make their way through the trees, stopping to feed. It’s not unknown for people to be moved to tears at being so close to these huge, gentle animals as they wander at liberty just in front of you.
Adventure number two comes the following day. You’ll pack a small overnight bag, sink a hearty breakfast, then spend a few hours rafting along the river. Pause for a swim at a waterfall, then trek for a few more hours before you reach a campsite next to another waterfall where you’ll spend a night under the stars.
Bangkok and Chiang Mai are two incredible destinations that offer a wealth of cultural attractions from night markets to street food, and incense-filled temples. This holiday is a perfect diversion between them, and it also contributes to keeping elephants safely in the wild, where they belong.
Price information
£406excluding flights
Convert currency:
What’s included?
::: ACCOMMODATION :::
2 nights in a Simple Homestay
1 night in a Camping Tent
1 night at DK Hotel in Mae Sot in a Standard Room (double occupancy)
::: MEALS :::
4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Contact Us
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one, we're very happy to help
Away from the Full Moon parties and bawdy bars, there are national forests protecting an array of Southeast Asian wildlife.
Holiday information
Community-based tourism:
On this holiday you'll stay in Palatha village, a community-based tourism project that helps the local Karen community support their families while allowing their elephants to roam freely in the surrounding forest.
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
CARBON REDUCTION
No Domestic Flight: Instead of flying from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, the trip goes overland: overnight bus to Mae Sot, songthaew to Umphang and back, then bus to Chiang Mai. Per passenger, shared buses produce lower emissions than a domestic flight.
Shared Local Transport: The group travels together in songthaews (local trucks) and public buses rather than private vehicles.
On Foot and on the River: The main activities (jungle trekking, elephant tracking and rafting) are done on foot or by raft, not in motorised vehicles.
Local and Seasonal Food: Meals in Palatha are cooked by host families with local ingredients.
ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
Mahouts Elephant Foundation: We work with the Mahouts Elephant Foundation, which relocates elephants back into the forest around Palatha. You observe the elephants in the forest alongside the foundation's mahouts.
Homestays and Camping: Two nights are in family homestays in the Karen village of Palatha and one night in tents by Ko Tha waterfall.
National Park Fees Included: Entrance fees for Umphang National Park and the waterfalls are included and paid to the park.
People
LOCAL ECONOMY
Locally Owned Accommodations: The accommodations in Mae Sot and Umphang are locally owned, with homestays in Palatha village providing direct economic benefits to the community. These homestays offer travelers an authentic experience and help sustain local livelihoods.
Maximizing Local Economic Opportunities: Throughout the trip, local guides, drivers, and cooks are employed, ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism are spread across the community. Additionally, travelers are encouraged to purchase locally produced handicrafts, benefiting small-scale artisans and farmers.
EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
Local Employment: The vast majority of staff, including local guides, drivers, and cooks, are from the areas the trip visits. This helps ensure that the local economy benefits directly from tourism, providing income to the community.
Inclusive Employment: The trip supports inclusive employment practices by providing income-generating opportunities for women and marginalized groups in the region.
Cultural and Linguistic Inclusivity: The trip promotes inclusivity by providing employment to individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including the Karen community. The guides and hosts represent a broad spectrum of local cultures, contributing to the overall diversity of the experience.
