Itinerary

Travel to Thailand and experience an intoxicating blend of ancient temples, steamy rainforest trails

and raucous markets in Chiang Mai. This is a full-throttle short break that features the best

Thailand’s northern region has to offer. Tackle the world-famous Mae Taeng River rapids on a

rafting excursion, hike through local villages and temperate rainforests, cycle through the fruit

orchards and temple ruins dotted around the countryside and climb the ancient staircase to the

hilltop of Doi Suthep. Combine this with shopping expeditions through Chiang Mai’s famous Night

Bazaar, encountering friendly faces around every corner and feasting on superb Thai cuisine. A

perfect blend of energetic pursuits and enchanting sights , this trip is bound to leave you

breathless!

This Short Break Adventure is a ‘join in’ group departure, which means you are not accompanied

by an Intrepid group leader – our local representative fills this role – and the configuration of any

fellow travellers in the group might change during the trip.

This trip will run with a minimum of one

person, so you may be joined by other travellers booked on the same date as you, or you may be

on your own.

This is an active style trip so a good level of fitness and a passion for hiking, biking

and rafting is of course recommended.

Your evenings will be free, and your local guide will be able

to recommend some restaurants to dine at

Day 1: Chiang Mai

Start Point

Chiang Mai,

Chiang Mai, Thailand

19:00

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. The most vibrant city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has

many famous temples and an interesting old city area. Your adventure begins with a welcome

meeting today at 7pm. If you arrive early, take a hotel business card with you and head out to

explore charming Chiang Mai or just laze by the pool. The friendliness of the people, the vibrant

Night Bazaar, the interesting old town bound by moats, and the many fascinating temples enthral

travellers from around the world. After your welcome meeting you will have free time tonight to do

as you wish. Make sure to sample some delicious traditional northern Thai food tonight. The

signature dish is kao soy, yellow wheat noodles in a curry broth, traditionally served with chicken or

beef. Your guide can give you recommendations on where to go for dinner..

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 2: Doi Suthep Temple/Cycling

After breakfast, head off to explore the famous temple complex of Doi Suthep. Pick up time is

between 8.30-9am. A short drive (approximately 45 minutes) along a scenic and winding mountain

road brings you to an impressive 300-step Naga-guarded stairway. The rewards justify the ascent

to the top, with one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand on display, not to mention the fantastic

panoramic views of the city! You’ll then return to your hotel at around 11am for a short break. At

about 1.30pm, after a safety briefing and bicycle fitting, saddle up for a cycling adventure into the

streets of Chiang Mai and beyond. Journey south through pleasant green fields, following the Ping

River downstream. Make a stop at a former leper colony turned rehabilitation centre, where you’ll

get to know some of the daily life of the missionaries who worked here over a hundred years ago.

The trip continues along various fruit orchards, and cycling down small country roads, meandering

around the villages on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, where you’ll encounter the Thai way of life and

the real rural Thailand. Explore the temple ruins of Wiang Kum Kam, the former capital of Lanna,

before you cycle back to Chiang Mai. Perhaps reward yourself with an authentic Thai massage

tonight.

Notes: The cycling distance is around 25-30km along flat ground, with 1.5km along

unsealed road. The cycling time will be approximately 4.5 hours with frequent stops. Helmets and

comfort bicycles (adapted mountain bike), with 24 gears and front suspension, are provided.

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 3: Hiking and Rafting

Get set for an action packed day exploring the hill tribe areas north of the city. After breakfast,

around 8am, drive north to the Mae Tang area where your adventure begins. Get on two wheels

again to mountain bike through scenic landscapes along local roads (approximately 8 kilometres)

to the starting point of a trek to a waterfall (approximately 1.5-2 hours). Make your way through the

forest scenery on a hike to Huay Sathan Waterfall, where you can relax, enjoy the beautiful

scenery, and dip into the cooling waters. After completing the trekking loop, drive up to the river

camp. In the afternoon, prepare for a thrilling whitewater rafting session. Get outfitted with helmets

and life jackets, and take a safety brief to get acquainted with the paddling commands, the correct

way to sit in the raft, and the necessary precautions on river safety. Then, the rapid Mae Taeng

River and its 14 gorges along a 10 kilometre stretch await. The difficulty level on the Mae Taeng

River ranges from grade 3 to 5. It has been praised by travellers as some of the best whitewater

rafting in Asia. This awesome rafting trip takes approximately 2 hours and finishes at the

downstream camp, where you can rest and change into dry clothes. Enjoy some hot and cold

drinks or fresh fruits before returning to your Chiang Mai accommodation. On your last night, soak

up the atmosphere of the vibrant night markets.

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 4: Chiang Mai

End Point

Airport,

Chiang Mai, Thailand

There are no activities planned for today and you are free to depart at any time. Check out time

from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.

A departure airport transfer is included to Chiang Mai airport.

What’s Included

• Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions,

alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in your

selected accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for your arrival, especially if

you're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible, which means you

won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, you can store your

luggage and explore the new destination.

If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to

change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

Hotel (3 nights)

• Guide

The aim of our local guides is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best

trip possible. On this Short Break Adventure you will get to enjoy the variety of having someone

different for each day and/or activity. They will be able to provide information on the places you are

travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues

and, where possible, introduce you to our local friends. You can expect them to have a broad

general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social

aspects.

• Meals

3 breakfasts, 1 lunch

• Transport

Bicycle,Minibus,Raft

• Others

Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer

Chiang Mai - Guided bike ride

Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple visit

Chiang Mai - White water rafting

Complimentary Airport Departure Transfer