Itinerary
- Day 1
Chiang Mai
You'll arrive in Chiang Mai and your tour leader meets you at the hotel at 6pm for a welcome meeting. If you get there early, there's plenty to do before then. Walk through the Old City temples, relax in Buak Hard Public Park, or try a traditional Thai massage at a local Women's Vocational Institute to ease into your trip.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bodhiserene Hotel), Hotel (Bodhiserene Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Buak Hard Public Park
- Explore the Old City and its historic temples
- Traditional Thai massage at Women's Vocational Institute
- Welcome dinner with tour group
Landmarks Buak Hard Public Park Chiang Mai Old City 
- Day 2
Chiang Mai
Start early with ziplining across the jungle and over Huay Tung Tao Lake, taking in views of the water and forest below. Lunch happens at a traditional lakeside hut where you'll try authentic Thai dishes. Spend the afternoon by the hotel pool to recover, then head out in late afternoon to Doi Suthep temple. You'll explore the grounds, catch the sunset, and listen to the monks' evening chanting as the day winds down.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Thai dishes at lakeside hut including curries, stir-fries, fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bodhiserene Hotel), Hotel (Bodhiserene Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Ziplining at Huay Tung Tao Lake with safety briefing
- Lunch at traditional Thai-style lakeside hut
- Visit Doi Suthep temple with sunset viewing
- Monks' evening chanting at Doi Suthep
Optional Activities
- Swimming in Huay Tung Tao Lake
Landmarks Huay Tung Tao Lake Doi Suthep Temple 
- Day 3
Chiang Mai to Sukhothai
The drive south to Sukhothai takes around five hours. Along the way, you'll stop at Ban Naton Chan village to meet locals and see traditional crafts being made by artisans. Walk through fruit orchards and rice paddies to sample fresh produce, then grab local noodle lunch. Once in Sukhothai, you'll explore ancient temple ruins by bicycle on flat, quiet roads through restored temples, ponds, and open fields at a relaxed pace.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local noodle dishes)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Legendha Sokhothai Resort), Hotel (Legendha Sokhothai Resort (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit to Ban Naton Chan village and community meeting
- Explore traditional crafts and watch artisans
- Fruit orchard and rice paddy walks
- Lunch with local noodle dishes in Ban Naton Chan
- Bicycle exploration of Sukhothai temple ruins and UNESCO World Heritage site
Landmarks Ban Naton Chan Village Sukhothai Historical Park 
- Day 4
Sukhothai to Mae Sot
Travel to Mae Sot, a busy border trading hub near Myanmar with Thai, Karen, Burmese, and other ethnic communities mixed throughout. The drive takes you through scenic rural landscapes, small villages, rice paddies, and rolling hills. After checking in at the hotel, you'll have time to relax. In the evening, head to the Borderline Collective for a hands-on cooking experience. Browse Mae Sot's main market to pick fresh ingredients, then prepare regional specialties including Shan, Karen, and Burmese dishes while supporting local refugee communities.
- Meals
- Dinner (Regional specialties including Shan, Karen, and Burmese dishes at Borderline Collective)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Teak Hotel), Hotel (The Teak Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Hands-on cooking experience at Borderline Collective
- Guided market visit to select ingredients
Landmarks Mae Sot Main Market - Day 5
Mae Sot to Karen Village
After breakfast, you'll travel in off-road vehicles for a two-hour drive into the cloud forest to reach a remote Karen village high in the mountains. Meet your host family and take a gentle walk through the village to experience Karen traditions and daily life. You'll stay in traditional wooden houses with shared basic facilities. That evening, gather with your hosts for a welcome dinner with freshly prepared food, stories, and learn about the Mahout Foundation's conservation work.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Freshly prepared welcome dinner with host family)
- Accommodation
- Home-stay (Mahouts), Home-stay (Mahouts (or similar))
Included Activities
- Off-road vehicle journey to remote Karen village
- Guided village walk and community welcome
- Welcome dinner with host family
Landmarks Karen Village - Day 6
Karen Village
Breakfast with your host family comes first, then you'll head into the forest for a day with the elephants. Hike in small groups (typically 4-8 people) with experienced mahouts who track elephants and explain their behavior and the forest. The walk covers 5 to 15 kilometers depending on where the elephants are, with uneven terrain, steep mountain paths, and dense forest to navigate. Back at the village by afternoon, you can explore traditional Karen fabric weaving, try bamboo basket weaving, or have mountain tea with villagers. Watch the sunset from the temple over mountains and into Myanmar before joining villagers for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast (With host family), Dinner (With villagers)
- Accommodation
- Home-stay (Mahouts), Home-stay (Mahouts (or similar))
Included Activities
- Forest walk with elephants guided by mahouts
- Elephant observation and mahout insights
- Traditional Karen fabric weaving observation
- Bamboo basket weaving experience
- Evening at temple for sunset viewing
- Dinner with villagers
Landmarks Karen Village - Day 7
Karen Village to Nakhon Sawan
Have breakfast with your host family, then depart the village for Mae Sot. A long five-hour drive follows to Nakhon Sawan (seven hours total from Mae Sot with stops) through rural landscapes and small villages. You'll break the journey at local markets for regional snacks and fresh fruits. Stop in historic Tak to see the King Taksin Memorial and wander the traditional Chinese quarter with preserved shop houses, shrines, and eateries. After lunch, continue through countryside to Nakhon Sawan for the overnight stay.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Good Nakornsawan Hotel), Hotel (Good Nakornsawan Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit King Taksin Memorial in Tak
- Exploration of Tak's Chinese quarter
- Local market stops for snacks and produce
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Tak area
Landmarks King Taksin Memorial Tak Chinese Quarter 
- Day 8
Nakhon Sawan to Bangkok
Continue to Bangkok with a three-hour drive and check into your hotel in a lively neighborhood great for exploring. The afternoon is yours to unwind, so relax by the hotel pool or head out to see the city. Consider a cruise along the Chao Phraya River to see glittering temples before exploring narrow klongs with their traditional way of life. Join the group in the evening for a street food adventure through bustling night markets and hidden alleyways, sampling grilled meats, boat noodles, papaya salad, and mango sticky rice.
- Meals
- Dinner (Street food adventure through Bangkok night markets and alleyways including grilled meats, boat noodles, papaya salad, and mango sticky rice)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Centre Point Plus Hotel), Hotel (Centre Point Plus Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Street food tour through Bangkok night markets and alleyways
Optional Activities
- Chao Phraya River cruise with temple views
- Klong exploration
Landmarks Chao Phraya River 
- Day 9
Bangkok
You have a free day to explore Bangkok at your own pace. Visit Pratunam Market and high-end malls like Siam Paragon for shopping, or explore vibrant street markets and boutique shops for local handicrafts. For culture and history, check out the Grand Palace with its ornate temples, the Emerald Buddha, and intricate Thai architecture. Other options include Wat Pho with the Reclining Buddha or explore Chinatown's bustling streets full of street food, gold shops, and traditional markets. Gather with the group in the evening for a final meal together to share memories and reflect on the journey.
- Meals
- Dinner (Final meal with group)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Centre Point Plus Hotel), Hotel (Centre Point Plus Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Final dinner with group
Optional Activities
- Shopping at Pratunam Market
- Visit Siam Paragon and high-end malls
- Explore street markets and boutique shops
- Visit Grand Palace
- Visit Wat Pho and Reclining Buddha
- Explore Chinatown
Landmarks Grand Palace Wat Pho Pratunam Market Siam Paragon Bangkok Chinatown - Day 10
Bangkok
The tour ends after breakfast at your hotel. There are no planned activities, so you can depart Bangkok at any time. Luggage storage is available if your flight leaves later in the day. If you want, wander through Chinatown for final exploration before you go. Bangkok has countless sites worth seeing, and extending your stay is highly recommended if you have time. A beach extension to Koh Samet is also an option for additional relaxation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Chinatown before departure
Landmarks Bangkok Chinatown 
