A Tuk Tuk Adventure in Chiang Mai, Thailand

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 super local hotel which is your base for the next couple of nights and the 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 – our Tuk Tuks are specially modified to not only cope perfectly with the winding mountain roads but also to give extra comfort and views. There are Bluetooth speakers for you to play your road tip selections and you can even roll back the roof if you fancy catching some sun!

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.

NOTE:
For those on 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!

Then you’re 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 adventures 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 traditional Thai dinner at a local ‘country – pub’. Great food, live music and a very special place.

• TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 3 HOURS INCLUDING DRIVER TRAINING
• DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 45 km

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 Wat Doi Sapanyoo with great views of the surrounding mountains, giving you a glimpse of where you’ll be heading tomorrow!

You’re then head North up the valley in your Tuk Tuk as 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, what the team at the Elephant home are doing and then, after a great lunch at the home, it’s time to enjoy the company of these wonderful animals. You’ll be able to feed them, get to know them and then walk with them (no riding allowed!) to the local river where you’ll bathe with them.

In the late afternoon you’ll have a change of pace as we float gently downstream on bamboo rafts before it’s then time for a late afternoon convoy as we head back to the base camp to freshen up before heading out for dinner at a local family restaurant before getting ready for an adventurous day tomorrow.

• TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 3.5 HOURS SPREAD OUT OVER THE COURSE OF THE DAY
• DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 70 km

After an early breakfast you’re hitting the road and heading along small country 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 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 anything you need or simply chat to your fellow travellers!

The first 20-30km of the route is simple with gentle curving roads but we soon hit stunning switch back bends, incredible scenery and tiny Karen hill tribe villages as we make our way towards the National Park.

Enjoy the look of complete 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 have a look at different villages / views and of course to sample some of the great coffee and snacks in small villages. Lunch will be in a roadside snack bar – hearty Thai fare!

You arrive at our accommodation mid-afternoon in the village of Mae Khlang Luang before jumping in another classic Thai mode of transport - a ‘Songtaew’ - a taxi adapted from a pick-up truck, which drives us to the summit of Doi Inthanon (over 2,500 metres) where you’ll explore some of the trails and take in the views.

This evening it’s time for a traditional Thai BBQ eaten over the rice fields as the sun sets over the mountains. A great end to a superb day

• TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 4 HOURS SPREAD OUT OVER THE DAY
• DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 85 km

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 superb 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 trees.

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 – probably our favourite coffee shop anywhere in Northern Thailand.

NOTE – the trek / 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 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

The 5 day adventure comes to an end this morning as you say goodbye to your Tuk Tuk and the team 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 (The Chiang Mai Gate Hotel) before midday.