ThailandThailand: Night Markets & Blue Waters
Arrive at any time and welcome to Bangkok - Thailand's bustling capital! This evening, the famous Khao San Road is on the itinerary for your first night out. Explore this buzzing traveller hub with your CEO and check out the lively bars and dance parties that line the street. Grab a Thai beer or tea and connect with your fellow travellers. Don't forget to sample local delicacies, and try a deep fried scorpion if you dare!
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
New Siam 2
This tour is off to a colourful start with a day to freely explore Bangkok. Visit Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, National Museum, or Jim Thompson's House. Try a riverboat trip along the Chao Phraya River and through the canals (or klongs) for a different perspective of daily life in this busy city. Tonight, you'll take the overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Free Time
Get out and explore bustling Bangkok!
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Optional Activities - Day 2Show
Make sure you've got room for more than three meals today, because you're heading to the best street food spots in Chiang Mai. Besides eating, there's lots to do here — like a visit to Doi Suthep temple or taking it easy with a soak in the Sankampang Hot Springs.
Free Time
Get out and explore this bustling city in northern Thailand.
Chiang Mai Street Food Crawl
Bring your appetite and your wallet. The CEO will bring the group to the best spots to eat and teach everyone about the local street food. Yum!
Optional Activities - Day 3Show
Accommodation
Chiang Mai Gate Hotel
It's time for a change of pace. Today, drive from Chiang Mai to Mae Malai village, where you'll set off on a trek through rugged forests to see how diverse this region of hilltribe communities really is. Every village you'll see has its own language, belief system, style of dress, and traditions. It's a few hours to the first village of hilltribe thatch bungalows, but every step is worth it as you get to know the lay of the land.
Pickup Truck
Hop into the back and ride along to the next destination.
Hilltribe Trek Day 1
Hit the road in an open pickup truck for Mae Malai where there is time to visit a local market to purchase food and snacks. Start the trek through forests and rugged terrain to Baan Mae Jok, a Karen village.
Trek for 2–3 hours before stopping for lunch. Then head to a Karen village to see how traditional blankets and scarves are made. Keep trekking for a few more hours (you've got this!) before stopping in the next village for the night. Along the way, you might get the chance to stop at Mae Tang River to learn to fish using local tools or build a raft using bamboo.
Hilltribe Trek Day 2
After breakfast, trek 3.5-4 hrs to reach the lunch stop. Take in the beautiful scenery along the way. Enjoy lunch before carrying on another hour or so to the Karen village of Ban Pa Khao Lam.
After breakfast, leave the village by bamboo raft and get a closer look at other villages along the way. Meet the van after lunch and head back to Chiang Mai, a foodie's paradise. Try the city's most famous dishes like khao soi (noodles in curry broth) and sai oua (northern Thai sausage) and get ready for your big night out. Venture to the best bar in town to cheers to a completed trek and life-changing adventures!
Bamboo Rafting to Lahu Village
Board the traditional bamboo raft for a leisurely ride down the Mae Tang River. Reach the Lahu hill tribe village near Ban Pong Ngan. Enjoy a visit with the locals here and learn about the life and unique culture of the Lahu tribe.
Lahu Village Visit
Take a bamboo raft down the Mae Tan River for one hour journey to a Lahu village to witness a lifestyle that dates hundreds of years.
Bamboo Rafting to Shan Village
Board a traditional bamboo raft and enjoy a ride through some small rapids on the Mae Tang River.
Pickup Truck
Hop into the back and ride along to the next destination.
Your Big Night Out Moment: Chiang Mai Celebration
Tonight's the night to celebrate all the wild and humbling adventures you've just shared with new friends. Head out into the city and reminisce the night away!
Accommodation
Chiang Mai Gate Hotel
Make the most of Chiang Mai with more free time, where you can go shopping in the market, get a Thai massage, or explore any of the many temples. Or, hey, you could always go back for another taste of khao soi curry. Tonight, catch up on sleep during an overnight train and wake up in Bangkok.
Free Time
Enjoy a final day to check out Chiang Mai.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Optional Activities - Day 7Show
Get out and explore this fantastic city where there is endless sightseeing to be done.
Free Time
Get out and explore bustling Bangkok.
Optional Activities - Day 8Show
Accommodation
New Siam 2
Get on first-name basis with Thailand's capital city. Start off the day with a street food crawl, then opt to check out Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, relax with a Thai massage, or explore the klongs (canals) by boat. Later, hop on board the overnight train.
Free Time
Relax with a Thai massage or work on those haggling skills at one of the city’s markets.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Street Food Crawl
Bring your appetite and your wallet. The CEO will bring the group to the best spots to eat and teach everyone about the local street food. Yum!
Optional Activities - Day 9Show
See southern Thai hospitality in action with breakfast at G Adventures-supported Khao Thep Pitak Community-Owned Farm & Restaurant, where you can also meet other international visitors. Later on, go to Lake Cheow Lan where you can take in the views while hiking or swimming in the national park. Spend tonight falling asleep to the sweet sounds of the jungle. This area is known for its natural beauty. You know what that means: lots of chances for photos.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your G for Good Moment: Kao Thep Pitak Community-Owned Farm & Meal
Indulge in traditional Southern Thai cuisine prepared by members of Kao Thep Pitak village. Your meal will be made with ingredients picked from local organic farms and a fruit orchard on the property. Over 140 families benefit from the community-owned and managed eatery through the Kao Thep Pitak Community Ecotourism Enterprise, supported by Planeterra and G Adventures.
Lake Cheow Lan Excursion
Board a longtail boat for a tour of Cheow Lan Lake, taking in views of the limestone cliffs and lush jungle along the way. Stop in at a floating rafthouse for a delicious local lunch and opt to go for a swim, go tubing, or paddle out in a kayak.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Opt for a trek, a dip in the river, or kick back and chill by the pool.
Optional Activities - Day 10Show
Accommodation
Khaosok Rainforest Resort
Head across southern Thailand to find yourself in Koh Pha Ngan. Take the free afternoon to relax on the beach or by the pool — which will be easy since tonight, you'll be staying beachside or poolside in cozy bungalows. This area is known for its epic nightlife, whether or not there's a Full Moon Party. Make sure you don't miss the sunset. It'll be unforgettable.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Songthaew
Grab a seat on the bench aboard this uniquely Southeast Asian commuter bus.
Free Time
Explore this island paradise and the surrounding sea.
Optional Activities - Day 11Show
Accommodation
Delight Resort
There's no rush to leave Koh Pha Ngan. Use your second day here to catch up on anything you missed yesterday, like exploring the island's waterfalls, swimming in lagoons, going for a hike, or, hey, taking another day to relax beachside.
Free Time
Get out and explore— the day is yours.
Optional Activities - Day 12Show
Accommodation
Delight Resort
Take the ferry to Koh Tao, a laid-back island known for snorkelling. This afternoon, put on your flippers to see a whole other world underwater. Going beneath the surface not your thing? Go the other way and climb up to the scenic view at Koh Nang Yuan View Point.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Koh Tao Snorkelling
Get your fins on! There's an embarrassment of choices—but the better-known spots are: Hin Wong Bay, Mango Bay, Nang Yuan Island, South Mae Haad and Janson Bay.
Make the most of your last full day in Koh Tao paradise. Spend the day soaking up the sun beachside and be sure to get your fresh seafood fix. For your big night out, venture into the bustling nightlife and cheers to life-changing adventures with newfound friends. If you want to keep the party going, participate in the massive Koh Tao Pub Crawl.
Free Time
Start exploring the island with a free day. There are endless activities to fill your time both on and off the water.
Your Big Night Out Moment: Beach Bar
Follow your CEO to the best beach bar in town to celebrate all the wild and humbling adventures you've just experienced with new friends.
Optional Activities - Day 14Show
Today, it’s time to say goodbye to your group of newfound friends as the tour ends. Be sure to sneak in some last-minute photos and cheers before you head on your way. If booking a flight out of Koh Samui airport, make sure not to book one earlier than 11:00am. Want to take the hassle out of getting back to Bangkok? Book the Bangkok Express, a two-day post-tour Extra. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Optional Activities - Day 15Show
