8d/7n North Thailand Loop Tour

Highlights

The ultimate northern Thailand Experience. Authentic cultural discovery through Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son provinces. The most comprehensive way to see northern Thailand

Description

Combines our 5d/4n Mae Hong Son Loop tour and 4d/3n Chiang Rai tour. We will travel through the heart of rural northern Thailand, to see the best views and landscapes in the region, exploring local culture and life along the way. We will visit a variety of hill tribe groups (Karen, Lisu, Lahu, Hmong, etc.), visit authentic villages, and learn about their fascinating way of life. Get up close and personal to the real Northern Thailand.

Northern Thailand Loop Tour

NORTHERN THAILAND LOOP TOUR


Sample Itinerary
This is a sample itinerary only and can be customised

Day 1) Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai - Chiang Saen
  • Pick up from hotel in Chiang Mai - depart for Chiang Rai, stop off at Mae Kachan hot springs and to see aspects of local life along the way. Visit the famous White Temple and Black House.
  • Onto Chiang Saen, visit the Golden Triangle - stop for photos at the best viewpoint overlooking the meeting point of 3 countries (Thailand, Laos and Myanmar) on the Mekong River. O/n at a local hotel in Chiang Saen.

    • Day 2) Chiang Saen – Mae Salong – Thaton - Karen Village
  • Depart Chiang Saen, visit the Fish & Monkey Cave (Wat Tham Pla).
  • Enjoy the scenic drive through the hills as we head up to Mae Salong Chinese village, characterised by its terraced tea plantations on the rolling hillsides, quaint shops selling Chinese teas and wares. The inhabitants here are mainly Chinese descendants who migrated from southern China hundreds of years ago.
  • We will descend Mae Salong, and head down to Thaton. On the way we will pass Akha hill tribe villages.
  • Visit a Kayan Long Neck tribe family - you will have the chance for cultural immersion and to learn about their way of life as refugees in Thailand - Option for short trek with the Karen hill tribe to learn about the local ecology, and how they live and farm - enjoy preparing a traditional evening dinner together with the Kayan Long Neck Tribe - O/n at a Kayan Long Neck Tribe Homestay in a bamboo hut or local guesthouse accommodation.

    Day 3) Doi Angkhang Mountain (Palaung & Lahu Hill Tribe)
    • Option for short trek with the Karen hill tribe to learn about the local ecology, and how they live and farm. Your guide will show you how different plants and herbs are eaten and used by the tribes.
      • Depart Thaton for Doi Angkhang mountain (approx 2hrs drive). Enjoy the scenery as we drive up and through this sweeping mountain range that borders Myanmar. A cluster of peaks and valleys this is home to colourful minorities such as the Palaung and Lahu hill tribe.
    • Visit their traditional villages, where these ethnic groups still live in bamboo stilt houses and hold belief in the spirit world - We will have the chance to talk to them and learn about their culture and way of life - Visit an outlook point which overlooks the mountainous Thai-Myanmar border - Descend Doi Angkhang, option to stop at Sri Sang Wang Waterfall (limestone terraced waterfall) where you can play in the waters - Visit a Lisu hill tribe family, learn about their fascinating story as refugees who crossed over into Thaiiland from Myanmar - o/n Lisu hill tribe homestay or local guesthouse.

    Day 4) Doi Angkhang to Pai
    • Depart for Pai - Optional activities along the way - such as visit to an elephant sanctuary, bamboo rafting or other activities (upon request).
    • Drive to Pai (approx 2hrs) - Visit to Pai Canyon - Enjoy the night market on Pai's main walking street - o/n at local guesthouse in Pai.

    Day 5) Pai to Mae Hong Son
    • Enjoy the scenic mountain drive and lofty landscape views, as we travel from Pai to Mae Hong Son. This route, is famous for its curves, and mountain scenery (approx 2hrs drive)
    • We will stop for pictures at viewpoints, and for aspects of local life along the way, such as roadside markets
    • Visit a Lisu hilltribe village, learn about the Lisu culture and way of life.
    • Visit a Kayan Long Neck Tribe village, nearby the Thai-Burma border. To reach the village we will take a long tail boat - enjoy the scenery and tropical nature as we cruise along the banks of the river - Chance to learn about the fascinating culture and way of life of the Kayan Long Neck tribe -You will be guided around the village by a Long Neck Tribe villager - You will have the chance to learn from them firsthand about their life as refugees in Thailand and how they feel about tourism - you can visit the village school, and see the women weaving.
    • Optional overnight in Huay Pu Keng village at Kayan Long Neck tribe Homestay or at guesthouse accommodatoin in Mae Hong Son town.
    Day 6) Mae Hong Son - Mae Chaem
    • Visit the highlights of Mae Hong Son town; Wat Jong Kham temple (an ornate Shan style temple) and Jong Kham Lake, Mae Hong Son market - Visit Wat Doi Gong Mu temple, a hilltop temple which offers a birdseye view of Mae Hong Son town, a valley town ringed by mountains.
    • Depart for Mae Chaem via Khun Yuam, an outpost town that played an important role in world war II - visit aspects of local life along the way, including learning about the Shan people in the area and visit to Wat Tor Pae (traditional Shan temple) - In Mae Chaem you will visit a traditional Tai Lue (ethnic minority)village, famous for it's beautiful textile production and weaving cooperative - o/n Mae Chaem in a local guesthouse.

    Day 7) Doi Inthanon
    • Visit Doi Inthanon National Park and mountain (the highest point in Thailand). Famous for its cooler climate and European-type ecology, we'll take a short walk on the Angkha nature trail, and visit two royal chedis - Descend Doi Inthanon, visit the mighty Wachiratharn waterfall on the way down.
      • Day 8) Back to Chiang Mai 
      • Optional visit to a small local elephant camp. Or other customised activities upon request. Back to Chiang Mai (approx 1 hr drive). Drop off at your hotel.

        • Northern Thailand Loop Tour - Pics

        Highlights
        • Flexible itinerary to explore local life along the way
        • Get up close and personal to life in rural northern Thailand
        • Every trip is personalised. Our guides tailor the trip along the way to suit your interests and travel style
        Notes
        - This tour starts+ends in Chiang Mai. We can pick up+drop off at your hotel/airport/train station in Chiang Mai
        - The itinerary is an outline only, it is not fixed, this leaves opportunity to explore local life along the way
        - This itinerary can be customised. Please contact us for more details

        Testimonials
          EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT!!! Melissa, the tour coordinator and Pat the tour guide for Hilltribe Holidays were very good at understanding and communicating our specific desires as photojournalists and foodies for authenticity with wanting to visit the different cultures in Northern Thailand. This company is down-to-earth, original and honest. I highly recommend them and they will be our our holiday card list as friends! (Michael Bracey, USA, March 2017)


          bookNow-300x120
Details
  • -This tour starts+ends in Chiang Mai. We can pick up+drop off at your hotel /airport/ train station in Chiang Mai
  • - Accommodation is at local guesthouses with 1-2 overnights in a village at a hilltribe homestay(optional)
  • - The itinerary is an outline only. The details of each day are not fixed, this allows for greater opportunity to explore local life along the way - This tour can be customised, please contact us to discuss

    Extensions
  • - This tour can be extended to 9+ days. For families with young children, spreading this itinerary over a minimum of 9 days to enable travel at a more family friendly pace.

Testimonials of this tour
"How to see the Thailand the tourists miss " (Mary & David Rogers, UK)
Best way to see what Northern Thailand has to offer  (Lakoseljac family, Australia)
tours in chiang mai

Quick Enquiry

If you are interested in this tour, please fill out the form below. Please remember to check your spam folder. If you do not receive a reply within 48hrs please send an email direct to: info@thailandhilltribeholidays.com.

    Click on each picture to enlarge