Chiang Mai Drive Your Own Tuk-Tuk Journey (6 Days)

Explore Chiang Mai off the beaten track by tuk tuk, an amazing experience that will bring you in to a stunning valley an hour outside of Chiang Mai. Drive your own tuk tuk to the outskirts of Chiang Mai and take part in a temple blessing for your journey. Spend some time at a local elephant home, wind your way up tiny roads and though high mountain communities. Enjoy beautiful waterfalls and trek through the forest. Stay in some of the coolest small hotels in the region, visit fascinating villages and get in touch with local communities.

Price from 5,000.00 per person

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Details

Unique Experiences:	• Take a journey through stunning nature scenery by tuk tuk • Get in touch with the people of beautiful hill tribe villages • Take part in a temple blessing, and visit an elephant home • Experience an awesome trek in Doi Inthanon National Park • The best nature adventure you’ve ever had!
Participants:	Shared Group Experience – normally has more than 2 people in a group and expects to share your experience with up to 15 others. [ 3 Adventures per tuk tuk ]. Each trip will consist of up to 6 tuk tuk s – the lead vehicle driven by one of Local professional guiding team. But can also run with just 1 person – so there’s nothing to stop you having an amazing day out.
Trip Length:	6 Day(s) 5 Night(s)
Tour Departure Dates:	Every day
Travel Season:	Chiang Mai is a year round destination where each season has its benefits. Weather-wise the best time to visit is November-February, when it is dry, evenings are chill and temperatures are at their lowest around 20-25 degrees. From Mar-May the temperature can rise to and above 40 degrees. In early June the rainy season arrives and it runs until October. It is not raining all the day; expect a few hours of downpour in the afternoon and some hours of sun. This period can be a pleasant period for travelling too.
Type of Transportation:	Van, Tuk Tuk
Type of Accommodation:	Private standard room with fan or Air-conditioning with private bathroom
Physical Rate:	2/5
Child Policy:	This tour is not recommended for: Children below 10 years, Children must be accompanied by adults.
Included in Price:	Meals: 5 x Breakfast, 3 x Lunch, 4 x Dinner Accommodation: Private standard rooms with fan or air-conditioning Entrance Fee(s): All entrances mentioned in the program Transport: Van, tuk tuk (3 persons per tuk tuk) Others/Activities: Excursions according to tour itinerary There is no overall guide on the tour. There will be drivers who speak limited English and English-speaking tour guides according to itinerary.
Excluded from Price:	• Tips to the guides • Meals, drink, tours and activities not mentioned in the itinerary • All other expenses not stated as included in the above

Map

Locations Visited:: Mae Wang, Doi Inthanon National Park
Start City:: Chiang Mai
End City:: Chiang Mai

Itinerary

Day 1: Chiang Mai arrival

You will be picked up from Chiang Mai Airport/Train Station/Bus Station and transferred to the hotel Eco Resort Chiang Mai, a colonial old school turned into hostel with olympic size swimming pool in a garden setting. A peek into the old barn house reveals the restaurant where the green plants and flowers are just an arm’s length away, and the quietness is mesmerizing. Relax in your room or enjoy the swimming pool. Our friendly Travel Advisors in the Travel Service Office on the Eco Resort would love to help you with general inspiration to traveling in Thailand.

Meals: No Meals
Accommodation: Overnight at Eco Resort Chiang Mai

Day 2: Driver training and temple blessing

We will meet in the hotel lobby at 09.30am to go to the tuk tuk training base camp in Mae Wang. Check into the hotel there and have some lunch together with the other travelers. Then the tuk tuk driving training begins. Once everybody has got the grip of the basics, we will go on the first test drive to a local temple where the journey ahead will be blessed.
In the evening you will spend some more time getting to know your tuk tuk - and enjoying a great Northern Thai buffet dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at Mae Wang Hotel

Day 3: More driver training and a test drive

After breakfast we will do some more driver training and go through the trip ahead. Then it’s time for a test drive on small country roads to a fantastic elephant home where you can learn about and spend time with elephants on their terms. We’ll head slowly in convoy for the 20 km or so to the elephant home giving everybody the opportunity to get some road time and confidence driving. 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 we head back to the base camp for dinner and for a relaxing evening - getting ready for an adventurous day tomorrow.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at Mae Wang Hotel

Day 4: Mae Wang to Thailand’s highest moutain Doi Inthanon

After an early breakfast we’re hitting the small country roads towards Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon. Our guide will be in the lead tuk tuk, and we’ll travel in convoy with a support vehicle at the rear. The first 20-30km of the route is simple with gentle curving roads, but soon we’ll meet hairpin bends, an incredible scenery and tiny Karen hill tribe villages as we make our way towards Doi Inthanon National Park. We will stop frequently to have a look at different villages and view and of course to sample some of the great coffee and snacks in small villages. Expect the look of complete surprise from everyone as they see tuk tuks this far up in the mountains. Lunch will be in a roadside snack bar – real Northern Thai style. If you’re feeling confident we can go up to the top of Doi Inthanon – your trusty tuk tuk can make it! – and around mid afternoon we’ll arrive at your accommodation for the next two nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (Lunch at own expense -+/ 50THB)
Accommodation: Overnight at Doi Inthanon National Park

Day 5: Exploring the Doi Inthanon National Park on foot

We’re giving the tuk tuks a well deserved rest today and go visiting the National Park on foot. Accompanied by an expert trekking guide we will explore the stunning forest around the area on a trek of around 8-9km with great view and a waterfall on the way. Your trekking guide is a mine of information on both the people and wildlife inhabiting the area all around you. Lunch will be provided on the trek. You will be back at the accommodation around mid/late afternoon. Use the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the great countryside and the dinner.

NOTE: This trek is suitable for all as long as you’re able to walk 8-10km. The pace is gentle but there are some up and downhill sections as you would expect in the mountains.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at Doi Inthanon National Park

Day 6 : Back to Chiang Mai

Enjoy your breakfast at the accommodation in Doi Inthanon, say goodbye to your tuk tuk and go back to Chiang Mai in a private minivan. We’ll drop you off at the Chiang Mai Gate Hotel around lunchtime. From here you can continue your travel in Thailand.

Transportation guide : Talk to our Travel Advisors in the Travel Service Office on the Eco Resort about planning your trip ahead.

Meals: Breakfast