Northern Thailand: Hilltribes & Villages 8 Days

Tour Code: XMX337IRU9G4 

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Bangkok, Chiang Mai
Land tour From: €286
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Duration

8 Days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

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About this tour

Embark on an unforgettable 8-day tour that takes you through the vibrant heart of Thailand, beginning in the bustling city of Bangkok. Discover its rich cultural heritage as you visit iconic temples, bustling markets, and enjoy delicious street food. Then, journey to the serene city of Chiang Mai, where you’ll explore ancient temples, lush mountains, and local markets. Immerse yourself in the unique traditions and warm hospitality of the North, with opportunities to engage with local artisans and enjoy breathtaking natural landscapes. This tour is a perfect blend of urban excitement and tranquil beauty, showcasing the best of Thailand’s diverse offerings.

Included/Excluded

  • * All accommodations (with Twin/Double rooms) while on tour
  • * Accommodation based on twin or double sharing room
  • * All transfers and road transport in modern, air-conditioned vehicles if specified in the program
  • * Meals as mentioned in the program. B-Breakfast, Br-Brunch, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
  • * Your tour guide is a professional, fully trained employee of Vietnam Tour Packages
  • * Entrance fees if specified in the program
  • * Airfares, Cruise, Train, Sleeper bus if specified in the program.
  • * Compulsory tips for tour guide and driver
  • * Meals not mentioned in the program
  • * Single Supplement. Early check-in and late check-out. Hotel/Room upgrade
  • * Drinks, personal expenses and any services not clearly mentioned in the program
  • * Surcharge for the festive seasons
  • * Applicable Government Taxes and other service charges.
  • * The tour cost does not include POE charges and passport charges.
  • * Porterage Facility

Itinerary

<span> Day 1</span> Bangkok

Arrive anytime and get ready to experience Bangkok—Thailand's vibrant capital!

Tonight, your first adventure takes you to the iconic Khao San Road. Join your CEO to discover this lively hub popular with travelers, where you can enjoy the energetic bars and dance parties that fill the street. Savor a Thai beer or tea as you mingle with fellow adventurers. Be sure to taste some local treats, and if you're feeling adventurous, give deep-fried scorpion a try!

<span> Day 2</span> Bangkok/Chiang Mai

Kick off this tour with a vibrant day of discovery in Bangkok. You can choose to visit Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, the National Museum, or Jim Thompson's House. For a unique view of everyday life in this bustling city, consider taking a riverboat ride along the Chao Phraya River and its canals (klongs). Later tonight, you'll board an overnight train to Chiang Mai.

<span> Day 3</span> Chiang Mai

Be prepared for more than just three meals today, as you’ll be diving into the vibrant street food scene in Chiang Mai. There’s plenty to do beyond eating, including visiting the stunning Doi Suthep temple, unwinding at the Sankampang Hot Springs, or attending a Thai boxing match.

<span> Day 4</span> Chiang Mai/Ban Mae Jok

Get ready for a shift in your adventure. Today, you’ll journey from Chiang Mai to Mae Malai village, where you’ll embark on a trek through rugged forests to explore the rich diversity of the local hilltribe communities. Each village you encounter boasts its own unique language, beliefs, traditional attire, and customs. It takes several hours to reach the first village, featuring hilltribe thatch bungalows, but every moment spent on this path is rewarding as you discover the landscape.

<span> Day 5</span> Ban Mae Jok/Pa Khao Lam

Embark on a trek lasting 2 to 3 hours before pausing for lunch. Afterwards, make your way to a Karen village to observe the craftsmanship involved in creating traditional blankets and scarves. Continue trekking for a few more hours—you can do it! Eventually, you’ll reach the next village where you'll spend the night.

<span> Day 6</span> Pa Khao Lam/Chiang Mai

After enjoying breakfast, depart from the village on a bamboo raft, taking in the sights of nearby villages along the journey. Meet up with the van after lunch for your return to Chiang Mai, a haven for food enthusiasts. Savor the city’s renowned dishes, such as khao soi (noodles in curry broth) and sai ua (northern Thai sausage), and prepare for an exciting evening ahead. Head to the top bar in town and enjoy a drink on us as a toast to your successful trek and transformative experiences!

<span> Day 7</span> Chiang Mai/Bangkok

Maximize your time in Chiang Mai by enjoying some free time—perfect for shopping at local markets, indulging in a traditional Thai massage, or discovering the city’s numerous temples. Of course, you might also want to treat yourself to more delicious khao soi curry! This evening, settle in for an overnight train journey, allowing you to catch up on rest before arriving in Bangkok.

<span> Day 8</span> Bangkok

It's departure day, but there's no need to worry! Instead of goodbyes, think of it as a "see you later." Take a moment to snap some final photos with your new friends and swap social media details before you set off. Your journey concludes in Bangkok, with arrival at the train station around 8 AM.

Durations

5 - 8 days

Regional Tours

Thailand

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Tour's Location

Bangkok, Chiang Mai
Ba Chuc: A Haunting Memorial to Vietnam’s “Killing Fields” - Ba Chuc: A Haunting Memorial to Vietnam’s "Killing Fields" 📍 Location: 40km southwest of Chau Doc⏰ Opening Hours: Daily 9 AM – 5 PM💰 Entrance Fee: Free🚗 How to Get There: Take Highway 91, then Highway N1 along the Cambodia border toward Ha Tien, and turn south onto Highway 3T for the final stretch. You can hire a taxi or xe ôm (motorbike taxi) from Chau Doc, including waiting time if needed. A Tranquil Countryside with a Dark Past Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes southwest of Chau Doc, the peaceful village of Ba Chuc hides a history of unimaginable horror. In the late 1970s, as Cambodian refugees fled Pol Pot’s brutal regime, the region’s Khmer population swelled. Tragically, the Khmer Rouge pursued them into Vietnam, leaving behind a trail of massacres that still haunt this area today. The Ba Chuc Memorial: Remembering a Tragedy At the heart of the village stands a solemn memorial honoring the 3,157 victims of one of the worst massacres in Vietnamese history. Between April 18 and April 30, 1978, Khmer Rouge forces slaughtered nearly every resident, often in brutal and inhumane ways. Shockingly, only two villagers survived the bloodshed. The memorial structure, though simple in design, leaves a powerful impact. Beneath a stark concrete canopy lies an eight-sided glass enclosure, where skulls and bones of the victims are displayed, categorized by age—a chilling reminder of the innocence lost in this atrocity. Phi Lai Pagoda: A Silent Witness to Horror Many of the victims were mercilessly killed at the nearby Phi Lai Pagoda, which still bears visible bloodstains on its walls and floors. A small sign near the altar marks a tragic site where 40 villagers perished after a grenade was thrown into a tiny chamber beneath the shrine. Between the memorial and the pagoda, a small exhibition room houses harrowing black-and-white photographs taken immediately after the massacre. These images show scattered, mutilated corpses, offering an unfiltered look at the horrors inflicted upon Ba Chuc. Some pictures are extremely graphic and distressing, so visitors should be prepared before entering. Visiting Ba Chuc Today Despite its grim past, Ba Chuc remains an important historical site, attracting visitors who come to pay their respects and reflect on the devastation of war. A few cafés and food stalls nearby provide refreshments for those exploring the area. Ba Chuc stands as Vietnam’s own "Killing Fields", a stark reminder of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. While the site is not for the faint-hearted, it serves as a vital testament to history—one that should never be forgotten.The Hoa Hao Religion - The Hoa Hao Religion: A Unique Buddhist Sect in Vietnam 📍 Location: Hoa Hao Village, 20km east of Chau Doc👤 Founder: Huynh Phu So📜 Key Beliefs: Simplicity in worship, direct connection with the Supreme Being, ascetic lifestyle The Hoa Hao religion, a distinctive Buddhist sect, emerged in Vietnam in the late 1930s, originating from the small village of Hoa Hao, near Chau Doc. The movement was founded by Huynh Phu So, a visionary spiritual leader whose life story is deeply intertwined with the sect’s teachings. Origins and Core Beliefs Huynh Phu So, a frail child, was placed under the care of a reclusive monk, where he studied both traditional Buddhist teachings and mystical spiritual disciplines. In 1939, at the age of 20, he experienced a profound trance, during which a new form of Buddhism was revealed to him. Upon awakening, he was miraculously cured of his lifelong illness and began preaching his unique spiritual philosophy. Hoa Hao Buddhism promotes a stripped-down approach to worship, rejecting elaborate rituals, temples, and intermediaries such as monks and priests. Instead, it emphasizes direct personal communication with the Supreme Being. The faith also upholds strict moral values, discouraging alcohol, drugs, and gambling. These principles, along with Huynh Phu So’s reputed healing and prophetic abilities, quickly attracted a large following, especially among Vietnam’s rural peasant communities. Political Influence and Conflict Beyond its religious foundation, the Hoa Hao sect soon became a political force, forming a militia to support its nationalist, anti-French, and anti-Communist stance. During World War II, the Japanese occupation army supplied them with weapons, seeking to destabilize the French colonial administration. However, the French viewed the movement with deep suspicion, branding Huynh Phu So as the "Mad Monk." In 1941, he was imprisoned and later confined to a psychiatric hospital—where he astonishingly converted his doctor to Hoa Hao Buddhism. Upon his release in 1945, tensions between the Hoa Hao and the Viet Minh escalated, leading to Huynh’s assassination by Viet Minh agents in 1947. Despite fierce resistance, the sect’s influence waned over the following decades. In the 1950s, President Ngo Dinh Diem’s crackdown on dissident groups further weakened the movement, culminating in the capture and execution of Hoa Hao military leader Ba Cut in 1956. By the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, the Communist government had eliminated any remaining political or military presence of the sect. Hoa Hao Buddhism Today Despite its turbulent history, Hoa Hao Buddhism remains a significant spiritual tradition, with an estimated two million followers primarily residing in Chau Doc and Long Xuyen. Some devout male practitioners still wear long beards and hair tied in a bun, a traditional marker of Hoa Hao adherents. While the sect no longer engages in political activism, its legacy continues through its strong spiritual and ethical influence on local communities.
Land tourFrom: €286

Owner

Thailand

Member Since 2024

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