11 Days Thailand Tuk Tuk Tour

Day 1: Arrival – Explore Remote Temples and Tiny Communities (L, D)

You’ll be picked up at 10:00 am from the CHIANG MAI GATE HOTEL in Chiang Mai city and our team will transfer you by private minivan to The Tuk Tuk Club HQ in Mae Wang, around 45-60 minutes South West of the city.
On arrival, you’ll check into the super local hotel which is your base for the next couple of nights and immediately get to meet your Tuk Tuk (you’ll become very fond of this wonderful machine over the next few days!) and of course meet your guide and support team.
You’ll then head for a delicious lunch at a ‘laid back’ local restaurant where your guide will run through all of the adventures ahead.
Then you’re off exploring tiny winding rural lanes, passing through rarely visited communities and fascinating Temples with stunning views. At one of the Temples, you’ll receive a blessing for the adventures ahead giving you a real insight into how communities interact with Monks and their local Temple.
You’ll arrive back at base in the late afternoon in time to freshen up and head out for a delicious traditional Thai dinner at a local ‘country – pub’. Great food, live music, and a very special place.
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 3 Hours
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 45 km

🏚️ Accommodation: Resort in Mae Wang.

Day 2: Waterfalls – Hill Tribe Villages – Elephants and Bamboo Rafting (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you’re back into your Tuk Tuk (we guarantee you’ll already be possessive about which Tuk Tuk is ‘yours’!) and you’ll head through the countryside and small communities to a fantastic pagoda at Wat Doi Sapanyoo with great views of the surrounding mountains, giving you a glimpse of where you’ll be heading tomorrow!
You’re then head North up the valley in your Tuk Tuk to a fantastic, small elephant home that is leading the way in taking elephants away from a life of trekking and instead of creating an environment where people can learn about and spend time with elephants on their terms, not ours!
On arrival, you’ll learn about the history of the elephants, what the team at the Elephant home are doing, and then, 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, you’ll have a change of pace as we float gently downstream on bamboo rafts before it’s then time for a late afternoon convoy as we head back to the base camp to freshen up before heading out for dinner at a local family restaurant before getting ready for an adventurous day tomorrow.
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 3.5 Hours
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 70 km

🏚️ Accommodation: Resort in Mae Wang.

Day 3: And We’re Off – Doi Inthanon Here We Come (B, L, D)

After an early breakfast, you’re hitting the road and heading along small country roads towards Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon.
Your guide will be in the lead Tuk Tuk and everyone travels in convoy with the support vehicle at the rear (the support vehicle takes all your luggage, spare parts for the Tuk Tuks – always best to be prepared! – and huge amounts of water!). And note that each Tuk Tuk has a walkie talkie so not only can your guide let you know all sorts of information but you can also ask anything you need or simply chat with your fellow travelers!
The first 20-30km of the route is simple with gentle curving roads but we soon hit stunning switch backbends, incredible scenery, and tiny Karen hill tribe villages as we make our way towards the National Park.
Enjoy the look of complete surprise from everyone as they see Tuk Tuks this far up in the mountains – trust us, novelty doesn’t even begin to cover it – and you’ll stop frequently to have a look at different villages/views and of course to sample some of the great coffee and snacks in small villages. Lunch will be in a roadside snack bar – hearty Thai fare!
You arrive at our accommodation mid-afternoon in the village of Mae Khlang Luang before jumping in another classic Thai mode of transport – a ‘Songtaew’ – a taxi adapted from a pick-up truck, which drives us to the summit of Doi Inthanon (over 2,500 meters) where you’ll explore some of the trails and take in the views.
This evening it’s time for a traditional Thai BBQ eaten over the rice fields as the sun sets over the mountains. A great end to a superb day.
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 4 Hours
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 85 km

🏚️ Accommodation: Resort in Doi Inthanon.

Day 4: Trekking (B, L, D)

The Tuk Tuks have a well-earned rest today as you head to explore the foothills of Doi Inthanon on foot!
Starting with a quick transfer by truck you then walk up into the forest led by a superb local guide (who knows everything about every tree and plant – and can spot a snake from miles away!) and then hike past stunning waterfalls, rivers, and towering trees.
There are a number of spots where you can cool off with a dip in the pools under the waterfalls and you’ll have a packed lunch (wrapped in leaves) in a clearing in the forest.
The hike ends with a walk back down into the village where you stayed last night and there’s the chance to enjoy the freshest coffee around at a local old-style mountain coffee shop – probably our favorite coffee shop anywhere in Northern Thailand.
NOTE – the trek/hike is suitable for all. The total distance is around 5-6km, we take it at a gentle place and after the initial uphill section, the majority of the hike is flat or downhill.
This evening it’s time for another superb feast – again overlooking the rice terraces – and perhaps one or two well-deserved cold beers!
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: NA – No Tuk Tuk Driving Today
DISTANCE COVERED: NA

🏚️ Accommodation: Resort in Doi Inthanon.

Day 5: On The Road Again (B)

Time to get back on the road and today you head out of Doi Inthanon National Park towards our destination of Mae Sariang, close to the Burmese / Myanmar border. Hopefully, you’ve got your road trip playlist perfected (don’t forget to charge those Bluetooth speakers) as today’s route is simply perfect as we get deep into the heart of rural Northern Thailand (we spend much of the day in the territory where Thai visitors are a rarity, let alone people from overseas!)
You route winds along through incredible scenery and some quiet roads for the first section of the day, and we then join the ‘main road’ for the last hour or two on the descent into Mae Sariang. Towering trees, steep hills, and more than a few sharp curves are the order of the day and you’ll, as always, have frequent stops to enjoy the area and let the Tuk Tuks cool down!
You’ll arrive in Mae Sariang around late afternoon and check into your pleasant riverside accommodation for the night – complete with a swimming pool by the river!
Mae Sariang is well worth exploring. With friendly people, a fascinating mix of Thai and Burmese culture (Mae Sariang is home to many Burmese Muslims), interesting Temples, and more than one laid back, friendly bar to visit and meet the locals.
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 5-6 Hours Spread Out Over The Day
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 160 km

🏚️ Accommodation: Resort in Mae Sariang.

Day 6: More Bends & Mountains (B)

After a good night’s rest (or a late night enjoying the friendly bars of Mae Sariang!) you’re back in the best seats in the house for the spectacular drive to Mae Hong Son, your overnight location.
The route starts out pretty gently but it’s not long before you’re heading up and over mountains and along fantastic winding roads with mountains stretching off into the distance across the Myanmar border.
You’ll stop for lunch at what we like to think is Northern Thailand’s best roadside restaurant  – the perfect place to get seriously adventurous with your food (raw buffalo anyone?) before continuing on along these fantastic roads towards our overnight destination just outside Mae Hong Son town.
By late afternoon you’ll arrive at the magnificent Fern Resort your base for the next two nights. ‘Fern’ is fast becoming a legend amongst Tuk Tuk Club travelers and with its lovely bungalows set around rice paddies, surrounded by forest and, in our view, the best sunset bar in the world (now with added infinity pool). The perfect place to rest up after a stunning day!
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 5-6 Hours Spread Out Over The Day
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 165 km

🏚️ Accommodation: Resort outside Mae Hong Song town.

Day 7: Free Day to Explore Mae Hong Son (B)

Another day off for the Tuk Tuks today (they’re wonderful machines but do need their beauty sleep) and a day off for you too – if you wish.
There are no activities planned for today – you can hang out by the infinity pool if you wish or alternatively, there’s a great 8km trek right from the resort (with added dogs who walk with you as guides – we’re not joking!).
If swimming or trekking don’t appeal then why not head into town to explore, visit Wat Doi Kong Mu the most important Temple in the area with amazing views over the town or even take a riverboat trip and visit different Hill Tribe villages.
Let your guide team and drivers know and then will be able to sort everything out for you – but trust us, they won’t judge you if you fancy a lazy day by the pool!
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: No Tuk Tuk Driving Today
DISTANCE COVERED: NA

🏚️ Accommodation: Resort outside Mae Hong Song town.

Day 8: Mountain Roads To Pai (B)

Pai, one of the most famous of all mountain towns in Thailand, is your destination today but before you get there you need to negotiate several hundred bends and some of the steepest roads on the trip.
Take in the spectacular views, fascinating communities, and even the odd tasty mountain coffee along the way.
You’ll stop for lunch at Lod Caves and then if you’d like, explore the huge cave system with a local guide – don’t worry, you’re not scrabbling through tiny potholes, rather enjoying a raft along the river that runs through the caves.
By late afternoon you’ll drop down into the valley where Pai sits but not before a couple of awesome pit stops – try your hand at the Hill Tribe swing, we dare you! – and arrive at your laid-back resort for the next couple of nights.
Time to freshen up and either enjoy a relaxing evening surrounded by rice fields and mountains (and another relaxing infinity pool) or head into town to explore. The choice is yours.
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME:  +/- 4-5 Hours Spread Out Over The Day
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 120 km

🏚️ Accommodation: Resort outside Pai.

Day 9: Enjoy Pai & The Surrounding Area (B)

A final day of rest before the last push tomorrow when you head back to base. Enjoy the resort and pool, wander around the local village or why not head further afield and explore hot springs, a giant land split (!), and Pai Canyon.
Your guide team can help organize everything and even go along with you if you’d like (whilst the support team do their final checks on your Tuk Tuk ready for the last day’s adventure tomorrow)
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: No Tuk Tuk Driving Today
DISTANCE COVERED: NA

🏚️ Accommodation: Resort outside Pai.

Day 10: The Final Leg (B, D)

Today’s drive is simply stunning – we’ve saved the best for last for sure. Leaving Pai behind you’re immediately deep into the countryside heading along tiny mountain roads on our journey back South to Mae Wang. It’s 180 km of pure magic – random hot springs (and boiled eggs if you’d like), Hill Tribe villages with teak Temples, giant Buddha heads appearing out of the forest and even Thailand’s very own Rio de Janeiro (we’ll leave that one for you to see on the day!), today takes you off the map rather than off the beaten track.
Enjoy the ride and make the most of your last day of adventure in your trusty bright orange Tuk Tuk!
You’ll arrive back in Mae Wang by late afternoon (where the adventure started) and there’s time to freshen up before heading out to a village restaurant for one final superb group Thai feast.
TUK TUK DRIVING TIME: +/- 6.5 Hours Spread Out Over The Day
DISTANCE COVERED: +/- 180 km

🏚️ Accommodation: Resort in Mae Wang.

Day 11: Farewell (B)

Your adventure comes to an end today with a minivan transfer back to The Chiang Mai Gate Hotel arriving around late morning. Say your farewells to your fellow travelers and team and know that you’re now a fully-fledged member of The Tuk Tuk Club.