You’ll be picked up at 10:00am from the CHIANG MAI GATE HOTEL in Chiang Mai city and our team will transfer you by private minivan to The Tuk Tuk Club HQ in Mae Wang, around 45-60 minutes Southwest of the city.

On arrival you’ll check into the lovely local hotel which is your base for the next couple of nights and then immediately meet your Tuk Tuk (you’ll become very fond of this wonderful machine over the next few days!) and of course meet your guide and support team.

You’ll then head for a delicious lunch at a ‘laid back’ local restaurant where your guide will run through all of the adventures ahead. Once your briefing/training is complete, then you'll be off exploring tiny winding rural lanes, passing through rarely visited communities and fascinating Temples with stunning views. At one of the Temples you’ll receive a blessing for the adventure ahead giving you a real insight into how communities interact with Monks and their local Temple.

You’ll arrive back at base in the late afternoon in time to freshen up and head out for a delicious Thai dinner at a local ‘country pub’. Great food, live music, brilliant views across the fields and a great way to end the day.

TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 3 HOURS INCLUDING DRIVER TRAINING DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 45 km

Activities

• Transfer To Tuk Tuk Base Camp
• Full Tuk Tuk Orientation
• Exploration Of Remote Temples & Rural Communities
• Lunch Dinner & Drinking Water

Accommodation

Khum Khun Wang Resort (or similar)

• A lovely rural Northern Thailand hotel in peaceful grounds with a laid back small outdoor meeting area. Run by a very friendly team and perfect for our ‘base camp’.

• Twin/double accommodation in a very pleasant rural resort in Mae Wang – air-conditioning, en-suite facilities, Wi-fi.

After breakfast, you’re back into your Tuk Tuk (we guarantee you’ll already be possessive about which Tuk Tuk is ‘yours’!) and you’ll head through the countryside and small communities to a fantastic pagoda at a hilltop Temple with great views of the surrounding mountains, giving you a glimpse of where you’ll be heading tomorrow!

You’re then heading North up the valley in your Tuk Tuk to a fantastic small elephant home that is leading the way in taking elephants away from a life of trekking and instead creating an environment where people can learn about and spend time with elephants on their terms, not ours! On arrival you’ll learn about the history of the elephants and what the team at the Elephant home have been doing to continually improve the lives of the elephants. Then, after a simple but filling lunch at the home (right next to the elephants), it’s time to enjoy the company of these wonderful animals. You’ll be able to help their mahouts feed them and then walk with them (no riding allowed!) to the local river where they take their daily bath.

After the elephants are clean, you’ll have a change of pace as you float gently downstream on bamboo rafts before it’s then time for a late afternoon Tuk Tuk convoy as you head back to the base camp to freshen up before heading out for another great dinner at a local family restaurant.

TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 3.5 HOURS SPREAD OUT DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 70 km

Activities

• Visits To Temples & Pagodas
• Elephant Home Experience
• Bamboo Rafting
• All Meals & Drinking Water

Accommodation

Khum Khun Wang Resort (or similar)

After an early breakfast, you’re back in the Tuk Tuk convoy and heading along some of the most spectacular roads towards Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon.

Your guide will be in the lead Tuk Tuk and everyone travels in convoy with the support vehicle at the rear (the support vehicle takes all your luggage, spare parts for the Tuk Tuks – always best to be prepared! – and huge amounts of water!). And do note that each Tuk Tuk has a walkie talkie so not only can your guide let you know all sorts of information, but you can also ask any questions or simply chat to your fellow travellers on route!

The first 20-30km of the route is simple with gentle curving roads but you soon hit stunning switch back bends, breath-taking scenery and small Karen Hill Tribe communities as you make our way towards Doi Inthanon National Park.

Enjoy the look of real surprise from everyone as they see Tuk Tuks this far up in the mountains – trust us, novelty does not even begin to cover it – and you’ll stop frequently to explore different locations, take in the views and of course to sample some of the great coffee that grows in this area too. Lunch will be in a roadside snack bar – more tasty Thai food!

You’ll arrive at our accommodation in the village of Mae Khlang Luang by early/mid afternoon before jumping into another classic Thai mode of transport - a ‘Songthaew’. A taxi adapted from a pick-up truck which will take you to the summit of Doi Inthanon (over 2,500 metres) where you’ll explore some of the trails and take in the spectacular views.

In the evening, it’s time for a traditional Thai BBQ - eaten over the rice fields as the sun sets behind the mountains. Another great end to a superb day in Northern Thailand!

TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 4 HOURS SPREAD OUT DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 85 km

Activities

• All Meals & Drinking Water
• Visit To Doi Inthanon & National Park Entry Fees

Accommodation

Karen Hill Tribe village of Mae Khlang Luang.

• Whilst this is the ‘simplest’ accommodation of the adventure the rooms are spacious, clean and situated overlooking the rice terraces, in a superb location.
• All the rooms have en-suite facilities, hot water and are fan-cooled – there’s no need for air-conditioning this high in the mountains.
• By staying here we can ensure that you’re perfectly located for the trek tomorrow.

The Tuk Tuks have a well-earned rest today as you head to explore the mighty Doi Inthanon on foot.

Starting with a quick transfer by truck, you then walk up into the forest led by a charming local guide (who knows everything about every tree and plant – and can spot a snake from miles away!). You will then hike past stunning waterfalls, rivers and towering forests.

There are a number of spots where you can cool off with a dip in the pools under the waterfalls. You’ll have a packed lunch (wrapped in leaves) to enjoy in a clearing within the forest. The hike ends with a walk back down into the village where you stayed the night before. There’s the chance to enjoy the freshest coffee around at a local old-style mountain coffee shop – one of our favourite coffee shops anywhere in Northern Thailand!

Then in the evening it’s time for another superb Thai feast – again overlooking the beautiful rice terraces – and perhaps one or two well deserved cold beers!

NOTE – The hike is suitable for all ages/fitness levels. The total distance is around 5-6km, done at a gentle place and after the initial uphill section, the majority of the hike is flat or downhill.

Activities

• All Meals & Drinking Water
• Doi Inthanon Hike With Experienced Guide

Accommodation

Twin/Double accommodation near Doi Inthanon
– This is the most ‘basic’ of the accommodation but it’s the best available and by staying here we can ensure that you’re located in a stunning location and perfectly located for the trek tomorrow.

• Fan cooled, en-suite bathrooms, Wi-fi available
• The fantastic location and the experience of staying in the village far outweighs the simple nature of the rooms!

Our 5 day adventure comes to an end this morning as you say goodbye to your Tuk Tuk and transfer back to Chiang Mai City by private minivan. The transfer will take place in the morning, and you will arrive in Chiang Mai (The Chiang Mai Gate Hotel) before midday.

Activities

• Breakfast
• Transfer To The Chiang Mai Gate Hotel