Original
Explorer
Beautiful Northern Thailand
15 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
114 reviews
15 days
Start
Bangkok, Thailand
Finish
Bangkok, Thailand
Trip Code
TTSN
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
3 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
Private minvan, Public bus, Overnight sleeper train, Songthaew, Taxi, Longtail Boat
Accommodation
Guesthouse (5 nights), Hilltribe village (2 nights), Hotel (4 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights), Rafthouse (1 night)
From £1,272(15 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
This is one of the original Tuuur journeys that started it all. Discover why Northern Thailand was chosen all those years back as an ideal destination to launch a world of travel experiences.
Experience rural Thai life with multi-day trek through scenic hilltribe villages in the remote Thai countryside, meeting welcoming locals and sharing laughs along the way.
Visit the home of the infamous ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’, learning about its dark history and the construction of the railway during the war.
Even the transport on this trip is an adventure – discover the joys of travelling on overnight sleeper trains, longtail boats, songthaew and rafthouses.
Indulge in an organic farm to plate cooking demonstration and take the chance to learn a few cooking tips from the village chef in the Akha Hilltribe, for an unforgettable meal full of heat, spice and fresh food. You won’t go hungry!
Is this trip right for you?
The hilltribe village house stays are a wonderful opportunity to witness every day rural life. Facilities are simple and multi-share but comfortable, with mattresses, bedding and mosquito nets all provided. Some travellers are nervous about the village house experience before they arrive, but we find most end up naming this as a highlight of their time in Thailand and a rewarding, authentic experience. On occasion your accommodation may not have hot water, but you will probably be keen to cool down from the heat with a refreshing cold shower!
As we cover so much of the country in just over two weeks, be prepared for some long travel days. This trip includes two nights on overnight trains between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Accommodation is simple but comfortable – soft sleeper class multishare compartments with air-conditioning and bunk beds, with sheets and a pillow provided.
Temperatures and humidity can be high in Thailand, especially when walking in the countryside where, at times, there may be little shade. Be prepared by taking plenty of drink breaks and wearing appropriate skin protection. Some travellers find an umbrella handy to keep the sun off (this will also come in handy should it rain!).
Itinerary
Thailand – the original, and for many, still the best.
There’s a reason this trip was the one that started it all, and still remains one of the most popular. On this 15-day adventure, you'll discover Northern Thailand, experience the chaotic metropolis of bustling Bangkok, trek among the hillside villages near Chiang Rai, drift down the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi and see the historic temples of the Siam Kingdom. With welcoming hospitality, local experiences, mouth-watering cooking classes and plenty of free time to travel at your own pace, come along and see why this trip was, and still is, a benchmark for all our adventures.
Inclusions
Meals
3 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
Private minvan, Public bus, Overnight sleeper train, Songthaew, Taxi, Longtail Boat
Accommodation
Guesthouse (5 nights), Hilltribe village (2 nights), Hotel (4 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights), Rafthouse (1 night)
Included activities
Bangkok - Khlong boat canal tour
Bangkok - Wat Pho
Kanchanaburi - Erawan National Park Visit
Kanchanaburi - Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
Rafthouse - Wat Baan Tham cave temple
Kanchanaburi - Rafthouse experience
Rafthouse - Wat Tham Suea temple
Rafthouse - Wat Tham Khao Noi
Ayutthaya - Temple Ruins entrance & guided tour
Chiang Mai - Night Market
Do Mae Salong - Local market
Akha Hilltribe - Farm To Plate Demonstration & Lunch
Chiang Rai - 3 day Hilltribe villages trek
Hill Tribe Trek - Lunch
Ar Pha Pattana Village - Community Dinner
Baan Yafu Lahu Village - Community Dinner
Chiang Rai - Wat Rong Kun (White Temple)
Optional activities
Bangkok - Grand Palace - THB500
Bangkok - Chatuchak Market visit (Entrance) - Free
Bangkok - Bangkok by Bike Urban Adventure - THB1980
Chiang Mai - Thai massage - THB300
Chiang Mai - Bicycle tour - THB1100
Chiang Mai - Thai cooking course - THB1000
Chiang Mai - ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary - THB1900
Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House - THB200
Bangkok - Chinatown Sights and Bites Urban Adventure - THB1960
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 04 (Rafthouse),Days 05 & 13 (Overnight Train) and Days 10 & 11 (Trek) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please note that some room configurations have two single beds, although a double bed will always be requested.
2. Itinerary change on 12JAN 2025 departure (Departure code: TTSN250112):
the overnight train ticket on Day 5 to Chiang Mai was completely sold out and is unavailable for group booking on this departure. Therefore, we will need to adjust the itinerary and run this trip in reverse as below, to ensure your experiences on the trip won’t be affected and all destinations are still covered. Included activities in each destination will still be provided.
Reversed itinerary for this departure:
1. Bangkok
2. Bangkok/overnight train to Chiang Mai
3-4. Chiang Mai
5 Doi Mae Salong
6. Chiang Rai
7-8. Hilltribe Village Trek
9. Chiang Rai
10. overnight train to Ayutthaya
11-12. Kanchanaburi
13. Rafthouse
14. Bangkok
15. Trip end
Reviews (109)
5 stars
95
4 stars
8
3 stars
1
2 stars
2
1 star
3
Julia
Apr 18, 2025
Brilliant tour of Northern Thailand . We learnt so much and saw so many different places . The trek was harder than expected but it was very hot . It wasn’t a problem though as our guide organised for a few of us to have a lift one afternoon to avoid the steep climb and we also all had our luggage taken by car all 3 days for a small fee .
Christopher
Mar 23, 2025
The trip was extremely well organised and enabled us to cover a wide range of activities over a 2 week window. Our group leader was bubbly, authentic and full of knowledge which added so much to the experience
Tim
Mar 23, 2025
This has been my second intrepid trip, and I was absolutely thrilled with the experience of exploring the northern regions of Thailand the cultural activities were better than I could imagine. Our tour guide “If” was outstanding. I would highly recommend Intrepid for anyone who is interested in learning the true nature of a country.
Geoff
Mar 03, 2025
This is an amazing adventure which gives a real insight into Thai life and culture. Lots of local interactions and opportunities to immerse yourself into Thailand. The walking has some steep parts but take it slow and everyone makes it. Do this trip!!!
Layla
Jan 25, 2025
This is an excellent trip to get a taste of Northern Thailand, its scenery, people, food and hospitality.
Garreth
Jan 18, 2025
Probably the best experience of my life great group and very well organised, guide was superb
Scott
Jan 18, 2025
The Beautiful Northern Thailand tour was brilliant. The variety of experiences was excellent, and our guide was outstanding. I thoroughly recommend it.
Lucy
Jan 18, 2025
Pieter
Dec 23, 2024
I had a wonderful time in Northern Thailand! This region is characterised by its stunning and raw nature. Thai people are very friendly and its cuisine is excellent. The tour was well-organised and we experienced many different things in a short time frame. Thanks to our guide, I was able to expand my knowledge about Thailand. I will definitely go back.
Suanne
Dec 22, 2024
Northern Thailand trip was amazing, our tour guide was very approachable (with good English) and very knowledgeable. The trip has an amazing itinerary that allows for the authentic Thailand experience of culture, food and land. Having a small group creates a comfortable atmosphere.
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