Thailand, often referred to as the Land of Smiles, is a historically Buddhist country with gorgeous temples and a unique cuisine. The country has a tropical climate, with abundant rainfall and gorgeous scenery from jungles to mountains and beaches. On this trip, travelers will experience the capital city of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, visiting Hill Tribe villages and learning about their unique cultural traditions and history. Travelers begin their trip in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital. The city is home to the Grand Palace, famous Buddhist temples, and Khao San Road, a lively street full of international restaurants and music. Travelers will have the chance to partake in various activities such as a Klong Riverboat Tour and a visit to the Royal Barge Museum. The trip continues in Chiang Mai, a Thai city known for its cuisine and beautiful scenery. Travelers will have the opportunity to see the mountains of Chiang Mai with a cycling tour or enjoy the food scene with a Northern Thai Cooking Class or Khantoke Dinner and Show. Ban Mae Jok, a Thai village, is the next stop on this trip. Upon driving to Ban Mae Jok, travelers will go on a Hill Tribe Trek and encounter the Karen Hill Tribe, the largest hill tribe group in Thailand, while traversing lush Thai forests.The Karen hill tribe, originally from Tibet, moved to Myanmar and northern Thailand. Many of the villages that travelers will encounter on this tour were originally refugee settlements, after groups from the tribe fled conflict on the border with Myanmar. The tribe contains many subgroups, one of which is the most well-known for the women wearing brass coils around their necks that elongate over time. During the visits to the villages, travelers will learn how traditional Karen blankets and scarves are made and experience village life as they stay overnight. Each subgroup in the tribe has its own cultural traditions, spiritual beliefs, and languages, and travelers will encounter a variety of these subgroups during their treks. Finally, the trip includes a bamboo raft to Shan Village and, after, a return to Chiang Mai for a last day of activities. Travelers will then catch a night train back to Bangkok for departure from Thailand the next day. Blending urban exploration with jungle treks and indigenous cultural encounters, this trip merges Thailand's natural and urban elements for travelers to experience.
This is an 8-day trip that costs $569. It is an 18-Thirtysomethings trip catering to travelers ages 18-39. The trip is led by G Adventures, a sustainable, small group tour company that has been leading travelers for 35+ years. They have been pioneers in community tourism and their trips directly benefit the local communities they visit. They have a responsible travel effort called G For Good and partner with the nonprofit Planeterra, dedicated to ensuring communities touched by tourism benefit from it. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s 8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.