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Northern Thailand: Hilltribes & Villages

4.7(12739 reviews)
Thailand
8 days
Operated by Partner

Limited spots. Earliest available arrival is currently Aug 2026, and closing very soon.

$929

$495
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Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.

Trip overview

Now's the time to explore northern Thailand on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Take in the gleaming high-rises and bustling pace of Bangkok, go face-to-face with the colourful cultures of hilltribe communities, and keep up with the night markets and cuisine of Chiang Mai. Take on Southeast Asia with us, and you'll find the perfect balance of fun and flexibility to help you make the most of it all.

Trip itinerary

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 1
Walking1 day

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!

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Day 2
Walking1 day

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.

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Day 3
Walking1 day

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, taking it easy with a soak in the Sankampang Hot Springs, or checking out a Thai boxing match.

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Day 4
Walking1 day

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.

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Day 5
Walking1 day

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.

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Day 6
Walking1 day

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 usa (northern Thai sausage) and get ready for your big night out. Venture to the best bar in town and grab a drink on our tab to cheers to a completed trek and life-changing adventures!

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Day 7
Walking1 day

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.

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Day 8
Walking1 day

Today is departure day, but do not fret! There is no such thing as goodbye, only until next time. Be sure to sneak in some last-minute photos with your newfound friends and exchange social medias before you head on your way. This adventure ends in Bangkok, on arrival at the train station (approximately 8am).

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What's Included

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Tour
Meals
Transport
Accommodation
Global Emergency Line
gWorld Access
Global Academy
Marketplace Deals
Social

Where You'll Stay

Standard

Twin Room

Standard Simple hotels (twin-share) (3 nts), basic hilltribe huts (2 nts, multi-share), sleeper trains (2 nts).

See Who's going.

Book & get early access to your group, start planning meet-ups, and make new friends before your journey begins.

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, around 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 100,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and loved by a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Absolutely! For most of our trips, we can help arrange for you and your friends to be together - so you can live, work, play, and explore the world side by side. But that’s not all! You can also earn extra travel funds just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. It’s super simple, and you’ll find all the details about our referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you’ve joined. Flying solo? No worries. We’ve made it easier than ever to connect with other Global Travellers heading to the same region through Social. Just like any social platform, you’ll be able to chat, share, and meet others doing similar trips - so you’re never really travelling alone.

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. Full credit terms available on our website. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and Booking Conditions, our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

Why travellers choose Global Work & Travel

Plans change and that's ok

The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.

We're the experts, Book with confidence

With over 15 years in the industry and a team of over 80 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Experiences worth travelling for

Discover iconic sights and experience each destination the way locals do, going beyond the surface to find the real character of every place you visit.

Always-on Global support when you need it

Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.

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Northern Thailand: Hilltribes & Villages