About this trip
Five days in the mountains north of Chiang Mai, travelled by chauffeur-driven tuk tuk rather than the usual minibus. Your driver takes on the mountain roads while you take in the views from a specially converted back seat built to handle them.
The route heads well off the main tourist track, into hill tribe villages and up to temples that most visitors never reach. Expect a mix of riding, walking and rafting as you move through the region.
It's a hands-on few days rather than a scenic drive-by — trekking, bamboo rafting and time with elephants are all part of it, alongside plenty of local food along the way.
What you'll do
- Ride the mountain roads of northern Thailand in a converted tuk tuk
- Visit remote temples away from the main tourist routes
- Spend time in off the beaten track hill tribe communities
- Trek through the mountains on foot
- Go bamboo rafting
- Spend time with elephants
- You're driven throughout, so no need to handle the tuk tuk yourself
- Involves trekking and rafting, so some fitness helps
- Itinerary details for later editions of this trip may differ from what's described here — worth checking the current version before booking
Worth it if you want authentic experiences with genuinely passionate guides. Think twice if you need comfortable beds or plan to drive yourself without an international licence sorted beforehand.
- Guides like Big are genuinely passionate; they pace stops perfectly and you actually get to know local business owners.
- Beds are notably firm throughout; side sleepers report sore hips and broken sleep, a consistent complaint.
- Self-driving requires an international driver's licence arranged before arrival; chauffeur option works brilliantly instead.
- Elephant interactions, river rafting, and hikes are genuinely challenging yet safe, even for a 69-year-old grandmother.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.
Departing in Mar is cheapest — from £645, about 31% below the priciest month (Jan).
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Chiang Mai · 12 Mar – 13 Mar
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