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Northern Encounter
8 Days/7 Nights - Gateway: Chiang Mai
£765pp (valid 1 Jan – 30 Apr 08)
£735pp (valid 1 May – 31 Oct 08)
£820pp (valid 1 Nov – 30 Mar 09)
Suitable for travellers with an average level of fitness and mobility and a keen sense of adventure.
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| This journey is a thorough exploration of beautiful Northern Thailand. With rolling hills, cloud covered mountain passes and picturesque minority villages, Northern Thailand offers a fascinating insight into ancient culture, history and cuisine. Staying in several atmospheric boutique properties, we soak up the stunning scenery on foot, atop elephants, by longtail boat and more. Starting in Chiang Mai, explore its renowned sites and temples before heading on to the remote towns of Mae Hong Son and Pai with their colourful hilltribe minority people. Finish with a magical night in an award-winning eco-resort run by Lisu villagers before returning to Chiang Mai. |
Day 1-2: Chiang Mai
We arrive in Chiang Mai and transfer to our beautiful hotel to meet our tour leader and fellow travellers for a tour briefing over drinks. Enjoy a stay in culturally rich Chiang Mai with its strong Lanna heritage and delicious local food. We get our bearings in town with a samlor (bicycle rickshaw) tour, and visit the hilltop temple of Doi Suthep for stunning views of this capital of Northern Thailand. We take off on a leisurely cycle through the countryside around Chiang Mai and enjoy some free time in the evening to explore potential bargains at the night market.
Accommodation: 2 nights in Manathai Village |
Day 3-5: Mae Hong Son & Pai
Fly to Mae Hong Son, a pleasant town near the border with Myanmar (Burma), which is home to the unique Paduang tribe as well as picturesque Burmese-inspired temples. We visit massive Cave Lod along the way and then find ourselves in the lovely village of Pai, a colourful, artsy destination which will provide an atmospheric base for our explorations of the area’s hilltribe villages, waterfalls and trekking opportunities.
Accommodation: 1 night in Mae Hong Son at the Fern Resort & 2 nights in Pai at the Baan Krating |
Day 6-8: Hilltribe Adventure, Lisu Lodge & Chiang Mai
Continue on to the fantastic Lisu Lodge - a comfortable, rustic lodge with real character, far superior to mainstream trekking lodges. Lisu Lodge has received many awards for its eco-friendly approach to tourism and its employment of ethnic minority people. We explore local hilltribe villages with a gentle cycling tour where friendly Akha or Lisu people will welcome us into their homes. Elephant riding and rafting trips are also part of the adventure and the memorable night we spend here will end with a delightful display of local culture by the village’s children. Return to Chiang Mai for our final evening with time to reflect on the friendly faces and stunning scenery we have encountered. Our journey ends on day 8 with an airport transfer. (Why not travel on to one of Southern Thailand’s many beautiful beaches?)
Accommodation: 1 night near Pa Pae at the Lisu Lodge & 1 night in Chiang Mai at the in Manathai Village |
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Prices are per person based on twin share and include one night in simple but atmospheric accommodation (private rooms and bathrooms), all road transport by modern air-conditioned vehicles (several journeys from 2-3 hours), breakfast daily, one lunch and one dinner, local English-speaking guides throughout plus airport transfers. Excludes international flights and entrance fees (allow 12USD to be collected at the start of the journey). |
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