Explore Thailand on board of the most iconic transportation of the Kingdom, the mighty Tuk Tuk!
Chose to self drive to just sit and relax while your chauffeur is carrying you around the back alleys of Bangkok or the less knows roads of Chiang Mai, all the way up to the hill tribes around the Doi Intanon National Park.
Thailand Tuk Tuk Adventures Into The Heart Of Northern Thailand
Itinerary
Day 1:
BANGKOK ARRIVAL – MIDNIGHT FOOD TOUR BY TUK TUK (-/-/D)
Following your arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, you will be met by our friendly and licensed representative. Transfer in your to your selected hotel in Bankgok.
In the Evening enjoy with Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk Your evening Tuk Tuk food journey begins at Sam Yan MRT subway station where we meet. A short ride brings you to the first stop, a Northeastern Thai restaurant. We will share famous dishes from the region like spicy raw papaya salad, deep-fried crispy catfish meat with spicy sauce, spicy pork salad, and spicy pork meat balls. Our next stop is chicken crispy noodle, with a choice of runny or well-cooked eggs.
Then we will take a digestion break by visiting the flower market where you might have small snacks, and the temple. The bar follows. Our last stop is Bangkok’s best Pad Thai. We will skip the long queue and go right in. The tour finishes by or close to the Cinderella’s time with the Tuk Tuk dropping you off at your hotel.
Overnight at your choice of hotel in Bangkok
Day 2:
BANGKOK – GRAND PALACE – WAT PHO – JIM THOMPSON’S HOUSE (B/-/-)
Breakfast is at hotel.
Your guide for the day will meet you after breakfast at 8am, then from your hotel you will head out for an original and full day of sightseeing in the City of Angels. You will walk to the nearest BTS station and board the Skytrain for a short ride to the terminal station of Saphan Taksin on the banks of the Chao Phraya river.
Continue by public taxi boat to ThaTien pier where you disembark to visit Wat Pho, home of the Reclining Buddha and the renowned Thai massage school. From here visit the beautiful Grand Palace. This is the nation’s most revered landmark and houses the mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most respected Buddha image in Thailand. Appropriate dress is required. Lunch may be taken at a local restaurant nearby the palace.
In the afternoon, guests can take a Tuk Tuk to Soi Ban Batra, where a handicraft family is famed for the art of making monk’s alms bowls and selling them, before boarding a “bus boat” for a journey along the historical Saen Saeb canal. Following atrip to visit Jim Thompson’s House you will have the opportunity for some shopping in one of the five huge shopping complexes of the area (MBK, Siam Square, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon), or simply return to your hotel by BTS.
Overnight at your choice of hotel in Bangkok
Day 3:
BANGKOK – TUK TUK EXPERIENCE (B/-/-)
Breakfast is at hotel.
This 4-hour TukTuk + walking experience takes us to the hidden alleys of Bangkok’s Chinatown. Enjoy the thrills of Bangkok’s unique and iconic three-wheeler and get a great impression of the communities living in Bangkok’s old town.
Our experience starts by foot while we explore the old Thai-Chinese communities of Bangkok that have been living and working here for decades. In between family-owned restaurants and street food stalls we may appreciate the famous street art along the walking lanes of historic Chinatown and passages so small even bicycles can barely pass.
Following these impressions we hop on Bangkok’s famous TukTuk navigating our way through Chinatown’s Dragon road. Get a behind-the-scenes view of life in this bustling community whilst whizzing around Bangkok’s most colorful and vibrant areas. In between we’ll take time to stop and indulge ourselves in the older, less famous, shrines, temples and markets of our beloved capital. Sampling the world’s most famous and recognized snacks at the numerous charming street food stalls will complete this unique and iconic Bangkok experience.
Overnight at your choice of hotel in Bangkok
Day 4:
BANGKOK – CHIANG MAI(B/-/D)
After breakfast at hotel take late morning flight to Chiang Mai, where our driver will be waiting for you in the arrival hall holding a signboard with your name on it. He will transport you by air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel.
In the afternoon, relax at the hotel and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Overnight at your choice of hotel in Chiang Mai
Day 5:
CHIANG MAI – TUK TUK ADVENTURES B/L/D)
Breakfast is at hotel
You’ll be picked up at 10:00am from the hotel and our team will transfer you by private minivan to The Tuk Tuk Club HQ in Mae Wang, around 45-60 minutes South West 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 get to meet your Tuk Tuk 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.
For those choosing the self-drive option there will be a detailed, in-depth driver training session followed by a test that all drivers must pass before heading out onto the road. For those who’ve chosen the chauffeur option this is a great experience to learn more about the Tuk Tuks, how they work and, if you’d like, the opportunity to have a quick go yourself on our off road training area.
Once your training is complete, you’re then 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
Overnight at your choice of hotel in Mae Wang
Day 6:
CHIANG MAI – TUK TUK ADVENTURES (B/L/D)
After breakfast you’re back into your Tuk Tuk and you’ll head through the countryside and small communities to a fantastic pagoda at a hill top 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 OVER THE COURSE OF THE DAY
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 70 km
Overnight at your choice of hotel in Mae Wang
Day 7:
CHIANG MAI – TUK TUK ADVENTURES *B/L/D)
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 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 doesn’t not even begin to cover it – and you’ll stop frequently to explore different locations, take in the views and course to sample some of the great coffee that grows in this area. Lunch will be in a roadside snack bar – more tasty Thai fare!
You’ll arrive at our accommodation in the village of Mae Khlang Luang by early / mid afternoon before then jumping into another classic Thai mode of transport – a ‘Songtaew’. 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.
This 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
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 4 HOURS SPREAD OUT OVER THE DAY
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 85 km
Overnight at your choice of hotel in Mae Khlang Luang
Day 8:
CHIANG MAI – TUK TUK ADVENTURES (B/L/D)
The Tuk Tuks have a well-earned rest today as you head to explore the foothills of 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!) and then hike past stunning waterfalls, rivers and towering forest.
There are a number of spots where you can cool off with a dip in the pools under the waterfalls and you’ll have a packed lunch (wrapped in leaves) in a clearing in the forest.
The hike ends with a walk back down into the village where you stayed last night and 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.
NOTE – the hike is suitable for all. The total distance is around 5-6km, we take it at a gentle pace and after the initial uphill section, the majority of the hike is flat or downhill
This evening it’s time for another superb Thai feast – again overlooking the rice terraces – and perhaps one or two well deserved cold beers!
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: NA – no Tuk Tuk driving today
DISTANCE COVERED: NA
Overnight at your choice of hotel in Mae Khlang Luang
Day 9:
CHIANG MAI – TUK TUK ADVENTURES (B/-/-)
The 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 before midday.
Overnight at your choice of hotel in Chiang Mai
Day 10
CHIANG MAI – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
Breakfast at hotel then check-out.
Your driver will pick you up at your hotel for your transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your departure flight.
