Tuk Tuk Adventure 11 Days In Northern Thailand

Duration: 11 Days | 10 Nights

A truly amazing 11 Day Adventure in Northern Thailand and the very best way to experience this stunning part of the world which many say is the ‘real’ Thailand. Get ready for a superb adventure from your seat in Thailand’s most iconic vehicle – the Tuk Tuk.

This action-packed trip gets you right off the beaten track and into the heart of Thailand. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the mountains with the best view possible in our specially built Tuk Tuks able to cope with the mountain roads with ease.

Remote Temples, fascinating Hill Tribe communities, elephants, bamboo rafting, hiking, superb overnight locations, delicious food and, of course, your bright orange Tuk Tuk.
There simply is no better way to experience real Thailand!

Day 1: Arrival, meet your Tuk Tuk, explore remote temples and small rural communities
You’ll be picked up at 10:00am from the CHIANG MAI GATE HOTEL in Chiang Mai city 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 (you’ll become very fond of this wonderful machine over the next few days!) and of course meet your guide and support team.

Note: 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: +/- 35 Km

Day 2: Waterfalls, Hill Tribe Villages, Elephants and Bamboo Rafting
After breakfast you’re back into your Tuk Tuk (we guarantee you’ll already be possessive about which Tuk Tuk is ‘yours’!) 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: +/- 55 km

Day 3: And we’re off – Thailand’s Highest Mountain Here We Come
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 support vehicle takes all your luggage, spare parts for the Tuk Tuks – always best to be prepared! – and huge amounts of water!). And do note that each Tuk Tuk has a walkie talkie so not only can your guide let you know all sorts of information but you can also ask any questions or simply chat to your fellow travellers!

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: +/- 75 km

Day 4: Hiking
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 place 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

Day 5: On the road again….
Time to get back on the road and today you head out of Doi Inthanon National Park towards our destination of Mae Sariang, close to the Burmese / Myanmar border. Hopefully you’ve got your road trip playlist perfected (don’t forget to charge those Bluetooth speakers) as todays route takes you deep into the heart of rural Northern Thailand (you spend much of the day in territory where Thai visitors are a rarity, let alone people from overseas!)

The route winds along through incredible scenery and some very quiet roads for the first section of the day and we then join the ‘main road’ for the last hour or two on the descent into Mae Sariang. Towering trees, steep hills and more than a few sharp curves are the order of the day and as always lots of stops to enjoy the surroundings, stretch your legs and keep stocked up with excellent coffee!

You’ll arrive in Mae Sariang by late afternoon and check into your pleasant riverside accommodation for the night, complete with riverside swimming pool.
Mae Sariang is well worth exploring. With friendly people, a fascinating mix of Thai and Burmese culture (Mae Sariang is home to many Burmese Muslims), interesting Temples and more than one laid back, friendly bar to visit and meet the locals.
• Tuk Tuk Driving Time: +/- 5-6 hours spread out over the day
• Distance Covered: +/- 160 Km

Day 6: More bends, mountains and incredible views
After a good night’s rest (or a late night enjoying the friendly bars of Mae Sariang!) you’re back in the best seats in the house for the spectacular drive to Mae Hong Son, your overnight location.

The route starts out pretty gently but it’s not long before you’re heading up and over mountains and along fantastic winding roads with mountains stretching off into the distance across the Myanmar border.

You’ll stop for lunch at what we like to think is Northern Thailand’s best road side restaurant - the perfect place to get seriously adventurous with your food (raw buffalo anyone?) before continuing on along these fantastic roads towards our overnight destination just outside Mae Hong Son town.

By late afternoon you’ll arrive at the magnificent Fern Resort, your base for the next two nights. ‘Fern’ is fast becoming a legend amongst Tuk Tuk Club travellers and with its lovely bungalows set around rice paddies, surrounded by forest and, in our view, the best sunset bar in the world, complete with infinity pool. The perfect place to rest up after a stunning day of adventure.

• Tuk Tuk Driving Time: +/- 5-6 hours spread out over the day
• Distance Covered: +/- 165 Km

Day 7: Free day to explore Mae Hong Son
Another day off for the Tuk Tuks today (they’re wonderful machines but do need their beauty sleep) and a day off for you too – if you wish. There are no activities planned for today – you can hang out by the infinity pool or alternatively there’s a great 8km trek right from the resort (with added dogs who walk with you as guides – we’re not joking!).

If swimming or trekking don’t appeal then why not head into town to explore, visit Wat Doi Kong Mu the most important Temple in the area with amazing views over the town or even take a river boat trip and visit different Hill Tribe villages.

Let your guide team know and then will be able to arrange everything out for you – but trust us, they won’t judge you if you fancy a lazy day by the pool!

• Tuk Tuk Driving Time: NA – No Tuk Tuk Driving Today
• Distance Covered: NA

Day 8: Mountain roads to Pai
Pai, one of the most famous of all mountain towns in Thailand, is your destination today but before you get there you need to negotiate several hundred bends and some of the steepest roads on the trip.

Take in the spectacular views, fascinating communities and yet more delicisoun mountain coffee along the way. You’ll stop for lunch at the spectacular Lod Caves and then, if you’d like, explore the huge cave system with a local guide – don’t worry, you’re not scrabbling through tiny potholes, rather enjoying a raft along the river than runs through the caves themselves. By late afternoon you’ll drop down into the valley where Pai sits but not before a couple of awesome pit stops – try your hand at the Hill Tribe swing, we dare you! – and arrive at your laid back resort, the base for the next couple of nights. Time to freshen up and either enjoy a relaxing evening surrounded by rice fields and mountains (and another relaxing infinity pool) or head into town to explore. The choice is yours.

• Tuk Tuk Driving Time: +/- 4-5 hours spread out over the day
• Distance Covered: +/- 120 Km

Day 9: Enjoy Pai and the surrounding area
A final day of rest before the last push tomorrow when you head back to the Tuk Tuk Club base. Enjoy the resort and pool, wander around the local village or why not head further afield and explore hot springs, a giant land split (!) and Pai Canyon. Your guide team can help organise everything and even go along with you if you’d like (whilst the support team do their final checks on your Tuk Tuk ready for the last days adventure tomorrow)
• Tuk Tuk Driving Time: NA – No Tuk Tuk Driving Today
• Distance Covered: NA

Day 10: The final leg
Today’s drive is simply stunning. We’ve saved the best for last for sure. Leaving Pai behind you’re immediately deep into the countryside heading along tiny mountain roads on our journey back South to where the adventure all started, Mae Wang.It’s 180 km of pure magic – random hot springs (and boiled eggs if you’d like), Hill Tribe villages with teak Temples, giant Buddha heads appearing out of the forest and even Thailand’s very own Rio de Janeiro (we’ll leave that one for you to work out on the day), today takes you off the map rather than just off the beaten track. Enjoy the drive and make the most of your last day of adventure in your trusty bright orange Tuk Tuk!

You’ll arrive back in Mae Wang by late afternoon and there’s time to freshen up before heading out to a village restaurant for one final superb Thai feast.

• Tuk Tuk Driving Time: +/- 6.5 hours spread out over the day
• Distance Covered: +/- 180 Km

Day 11: Farewell
Your adventure comes to an end today with a minivan transfer back to The Chiang Mai Gate Hotel arriving around late morning. Say your farewells to you fellow travellers and team and know that you’re now a fully-fledged member of The Tuk Tuk Club.

Tour Price
• Price shown is for a person, for the travel period indicated.
• All prices displayed are subject to availability and can be withdrawn or varied without notice.
• Prices are guaranteed once booking is confirmed by us and paid in full by the due date.
• Depending on your needs and group size (individual, couple, family, group, etc.) we will provide the final pricing for your tour.
• Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, emergencies on board or any unforeseen situation.

Inclusions:
• Tuk Tuks – 2 travellers per Tuk Tuk (up to 3 for the self-drive option)
• Transfers from and back to Chiang Mai city (the meeting point and drop off point is The Chiang Mai Gate Hotel) at the start and the end of the adventure
• Experienced and passionate adventure guide and support team with you every step of the way (and an experienced driver for the chauffeur driven option)
• Visits to remote Temples and tiny rural communities, meeting elephants, bamboo rafting, trekking in the foothills of Doi Inthanon, the mountains of Mae Hong Son and much much more. There are so many fantastic experiences we simply couldn’t list them all here!
• 10 nights accommodation in superb locations
• 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 dinners and drinking water throughout the adventure
• A support vehicle for your luggage
• The best travel stories, after all who else has travelled through the mountains of Thailand by Tuk Tuk…

Exclusions:
• Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
• International and domestic flights

Please refer to our Standard Booking Conditions for booking terms and conditions.