Active Thailand Adventure

Highlights

  • Discover Thailand's best off the beaten track trekking trails thanks to expert local guides
  • Explore the vibrant city of Bangkok and immerse yourself in true Thai cuisine
  • Spend the end of your adventure relaxing on the white sand beaches of Koh Tao
From £1271 pp
  1. Choose date!
  2. Select time if there are different times shown
  3. Select number of people
  4. Check availability
Request Availabilty

What you'll do

Overview

Discover the ultimate Thailand tour, on this two-week active adventure that takes you from the buzzing streets of Bangkok to the stunning mountains of Chiang Mai, and eventually to the white-sand beaches and gloriously warm seas of Koh Tao, all the while getting off the beaten track and discovering the true, authentic Thailand.

Tour summary

Day 1 & 2 – Chiang Mai

Day 3 – Mae Sot

Day 4 – Umphang

Day 5 – Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary

Day 6 – Ko Tha

Day 7 – Umphang

Day 8-10 – Bangkok

Day 11 – Thung Wua Laen

Day 12 & 14 – Koh Tao

Day 15 – Phuket

Your adventure starts in Chiang Mai, where you’ll experience true Thai culture on bamboo rafts through lush forests, in rural villages in the mountains, and at local guesthouses in sleepy farming hamlets.

Once you’ve explored Chiang Mai, it’s on to Bangkok, where you’ll get to know Thailand’s capital like a local on a number of experiences that get you under the skin of the city, exploring secret waterways, vibrant markets and atmospheric temples draped in incense smoke.

Along the way, you’ll trek through lush jungle, swim under cascading waterfalls, and stay in rural locations that are genuinely off the beaten track. Get to know true Thai cuisine by eating home-cooked meals, and by taking part in a Thai cooking class in Bangkok that will help you master this world-famous cooking style.

Finish your experience by relaxing on the impossibly picturesque beaches on the island of Koh Tao, the perfect way to unwind after an unforgettable Thailand activity holiday, and a beautiful option to soak up some rays as part of a winter sun activity holiday.

Arrival Day

Meals included today: None

Sawasdee Kap and welcome to Thailand!

Warm welcome at Chiang Mai International Airport. You will meet your English-speaking guide at the gate and a transfer from the airport by air-conditioned van will take you to your hotel.

After check-in at your hotel, you are free for the rest of the day. Take your first steps to discover this ancient city. Why not head out for a Thai massage or explore the famous Chiang Mai Night Market?

Accommodation

Rimping Village – Deluxe Room 

Meals:

None

Chiang Mai Tuk Tuk Tour

Today will be one for exploring as you set off to explore the remote countryside surrounding Chiang Mai in your very own Tuk Tuk!

This is the perfect day trip for anyone in Chiang Mai combining driving your very own Tuk-Tuk, seeing real rural life and we’ve even included bamboo rafting. We’ll spend a little time teaching you how to drive your vehicle so you can have a go!

Not to worry if you prefer not to drive our guide will and you can take the scenic route in the back. We will head out to see farming villages and small hamlets on the outskirts of the city of Chiang Mai. Then we’ll switch gears and put you on a bamboo raft for a little jaunt down a local river.

Accommodation

Rimping Village – Deluxe Room 

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch

Chiang Mai – MaeSot

After breakfast, you are free till early afternoon when we will take you to Chiang Mai Bus Station Terminal 3. The bus departs at 13:10 and arrives in Mae Sot around 18:40. Upon arrival in Mae Sot, a driver will pick you up and take you to a local guesthouse by local Songteaw where you’ll be spending the night.

Accommodation

Local guest house

Meals:

Breakfast

MaeSot – Umphang - Off The Beaten Track

In Mae Sot our local staff will pick you up. After breakfast you will take a short ride to the Thai-Burmese border market at the river Moi.

After lunch, you will go by public songthaew (half-open pick-up truck) to Umphang. It is a beautiful 4-hour ride up the mountains with more than 1,000 turns in the road (if you suffer from motion sickness you might consider bringing motion sickness pills). Accommodation for the night will be in basic local style Thai huts/houses. You may leave some of your belongings in Mae Sot in order to lighten your load for the trekking ahead. You can collect it again on day 5.

Accommodation

Local guesthouse

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Umphang Jungle Trekking

After breakfast, the easy rafting takes you on the narrow Mae Klong River through the forest scape. From the riverside, there are three to four hours of fine trekking to the camp area in Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary where your guides will pitch tents and cook dinner.

Accommodation

Basic tent at Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Umphang Waterfalls

After breakfast, you will walk to the impressive Tee Lor Su, South East Asia’s largest waterfall. Bring a towel and swimsuit and you can take a refreshing swim and if the water level permits, cliff jump from the top of the waterfall. Afterwards, you will walk through bamboo forests, cross bridges and walk through dense jungle to the Karen village of Ko Tha where you spend the night in a local, traditional Karen house.

Accommodation

Local traditional Karen house

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Umphang – MaeSot – Bangkok

Wake up to a scrumptious jungle breakfast. In front of you, there are 3 hours of trekking through the jungle and over a small hill to Palatha. Here your transportation back to Umphang is waiting for you. When back in Umphang, you can take a shower before heading back to Mae Sot. In Mae Sot, a short rest and dinner will await you before you board the overnight air-conditioned bus back to Bangkok.

 

Transportation

Mae Sot Bus Station to Bangkok Mo Chit Bus Station by Public Night Bus

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

A Free Day in Bangkok

Welcome to Bangkok. Transfer from the bus station to your hotel.

After check in you are free the rest of the day. Take your first steps to discover this vibrant city.

 

Accommodation

The Raweekanlaya Bangkok Wellness Cuisine Resort – Mattanee Executive   

Meals 

None

Bangkok Cooking Class

Today you will join a cooking class in Silom learn to cook famous Thai dishes in a relaxed and friendly environment. You will join a small class (only maximum of 9 – 10 people) in a traditional open kitchen, led by a  certified Thai cook, making for a highly personalised and rewarding experience.

Each class starts with a trip to a local market to buy fresh ingredients. You’ll get a feel for real Thai culture as you experience its rich colours, and unique flavours and aromas.

You will then prepare a complete 5-course meal for lunch completely from scratch.

This exciting program is the ideal way to enjoy an authentic cultural and culinary experience. It’s also perfect for the serious home cook who wants to learn how to cook authentic Thai food.

Accommodation

The Raweekanlaya Bangkok Wellness Cuisine Resort – Mattanee Executive

Meals

Breakfast

Bangkok Biking

After breakfast in the morning, experience the real Bangkok by bike and develop a sense of orientation, this tour is the ideal way for you to see a side to Bangkok you’re very unlikely to find on your own.

Your driver will collect you and you’ll start the bike tour heading towards some of Bangkok’s most interesting sites, in the local Thon Buri district. Explore an overflow of local impressions, passing through this intense and authentic district on our bicycles, you’re sure to be amazed.

Pay a visit to the uncrowded Wat Prayoon, located in a lush compound, where you’ll get to walk inside and feed their many turtles. Board the local ferry to cross over to the Chinatown district, a place you must cycle through to really experience its energetic environment.

On the way back, explore Bangkok’s gigantic Flower Market. This is one of the world’s biggest flower markets, and you’re sure to be captivated by the kaleidoscope of colours, with millions of flowers for sale here.

Later you return to the hotel to refresh and then you will check out and take an Overnight Train to Chumpon for your next stop.

Transportation

Bangkok Train Station to Pathiu Train Station (Chumpon) by Night Train

Meals

Breakfast

First Day in Paradise

You arrive in the early morning in Chumpon. A private transfer will pick you up at Pathiu Train Station to your hotel on Thung Wua Laen beach. Check in and enjoy your first day on the beach.

 

Accommodation

Nana Beach Resort / Bungalow

Meals

None

Ferry to Ko Tao

After breakfast check out and transfer to the pier for your ferry to Koh Tao. The short ferry takes you across to the idyllic island of Koh Tao with its white sand beaches, crystal clear and beautiful scenery. Enjoy relaxing on this wonderful island.

 

Accommodation

Sairee Hut Resort / Grand Superior Room

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

Unwind on Koh Tao

Koh Tao is world-renowned for its beautiful beaches and for being home to some of the world’s best scuba diving. If you’re feeling adventurous pop down to one of the local dive shops to discuss giving it a try. At certain times of the year you may be lucky enough to see whale sharks!

The next couple of days are free at your own leisure, relax on the beach, have a cool drink, sample the local cuisine, walk along the coastline and discover the island, there are so many options.

Accommodation

Sairee Hut Resort – Grand Superior Room

Meals 

Breakfast

Departure Day

This morning check out early and transfer to the ferry port. Catch a ferry then a connecting minivan to take you to Phuket for your return flight home. The journey takes around 8-10 hours.

It’s time to say goodbye, to Thailand for now. We know you will be taking amazing memories with you, and we look forward to welcoming you back – there is so much more to discover!

Meals 

Breakfast

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation
  • Transport
  • Activities as noted in the itinerary
  • All entrance tickets & permits as mentioned in itinerary
  • English speaking guides on noted activities
Your local host

Martin

I have spent many years travelling through Thailand and have made many lasting memories and friendships. The region is rich in natural beauty and culture and offers one of the greatest culinary kitchens in the world. Many years have passed and I still think that the people are everything and I'm still surprised at the hospitality and friendliness. Working in travel is a passion for me and I enjoy helping our customers to enjoy all the best that Thailand has to offer.

I have spent many years travelling through Thailand and have made many lasting memories and friendships. The region is rich in natural beauty and culture and offers one of the greatest culinary kitchens in the world. Many years have passed and I still think that the people are everything and I'm still surprised at the hospitality and friendliness. Working in travel is a passion for me and I enjoy helping our customers to enjoy all the best that Thailand has to offer.

Location

Your Thailand experience starts in Chang Mai, in Northern Thailand, where you’ll be picked up from Chiang Mai International Airport and taken directly to your hotel. From Chiang Mai, you’ll head off on a tour that takes you to Mae Sot and Umphang, a couple of seriously off the beaten track destinations, before you reach Bangkok.

After exploring Bangkok, you’ll be taken to the coast at Chumphon, before you spend your last couple of days relaxing at Koh Tao. At the end of your experience, you’ll be taken back to Phuket International Airport for your return flight home.

Join our community

Get off the beaten track and support local communities that you visit.

Sign up for inspiriation for your itinerary, new experiences and special offers.