TROPICAL NORTHERN THAILAND

Touch down at Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), where a private transfer will be waiting to whisk you off to your hotel. Our Local Insider will be there to greet you and will accompany the group throughout the trip. Meet your fellow travellers at 5pm over a welcome drink and an orientation talk on northern Thailand, highlighting any cultural dos and don’ts. As the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai has a rich cultural heritage distinct from the cities in the south. Get to know the group over dinner, followed by a traditional Lanna show.

Kick off your first full day in Chiang Mai with a walking tour, exploring the alleyways and temples of the Old Town. Home to many creative types, it’s no wonder the city is alive with art. After lunch, hop on a bicycle to tour the street art and food. Lanna cuisine is a medley of hot, salty and sour flavours. Must-try delicacies include khao soi, coconut curry noodle soup, and sai oua, spiced pork sausage. Regroup at the hotel for an evening briefing on your epic road trip, which starts tomorrow.

Rise and shine with a robust cup of local joe before hitting the road to Pai. Located three hours from Chiang Mai, this dreamy town is the gateway to beautiful Mae Hong Son province but is a charmer in its own right. En route, you’ll be dropped off at the unusual Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall. You can easily scramble up the cascade, thanks to the limestone, which makes the rocks grippy rather than slippery. Come evening, bed down at your resort in Pai.

Fancy another day chasing waterfalls? This morning, you’ll visit the postcard-perfect Pam Bok Waterfall, hidden within a rocky canyon. After a swim in the clear waters, head to the nearby Kho Kuu So Bridge. This bamboo bridge stretches across large paddies, offering panoramic views. Next, it’s on to the Pai Land Split, a vast gorge created by an earthquake in 2008; enjoy a juice here while swinging in a hammock. Finish up the day at Pai Canyon, where you can explore the narrow, twisty trails with drops either side and watch the sun set behind the mountains.

You'll be heading underground this morning to Tham Lod Cave, one of the largest and most impressive in the country. As you make your way through the cavern on a raft, you’ll feel like Indiana Jones on a mission – watch out for the bats! Next stop: Ngam Hot Springs. Lower yourself into the therapeutic waters and any tension in your muscles will melt away. Rinse off at the Mo Paeng Waterfall, or hurl yourself down its natural waterslide, before ending the day at the towering Yun Lai viewpoint, with vistas over Pai and the valley below.

It’s time to leave Pai and make the 2.5hr journey inland to Mae Hong Son, where you’ll have the day at leisure in your hotel in the mountains. Take a dip in the pool or enjoy lounging in the sun with a fruit shake. Spend the afternoon chilling, or you might prefer to join an optional hike in the nearby forest, inhabited by rare, brightly coloured birds. Once you’ve snapped the requisite pictures, make your way back to the hotel for cocktails at the bar.

Enjoy a lazy breakfast this morning at the hotel. Today, you’ll embark on a one-day jungle trek around the hills of Mae Hong Son. Starting from the hotel, you’ll stomp uphill through the lush vegetation, stopping at waterfalls along the way. Refuel over a picnic lunch – you might even be able to spot the craggy mountainous border with Myanmar in the distance. Wend your way through the palms and rubber trees, back to the hotel. Round off your time in Mae Hong Son by watching the sun turn crimson red from the Pha Bong lookout point.

Today, you'll continue the journey southwards to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand at 2,565m (8,415ft), but it's actually a relatively easy hike to the top. Don't overdo it, though, as you need to save your energy for the sunrise trek tomorrow. Check in at the hotel, where you’ll be served a traditional Thai tasting feast for lunch. Expect local delicacies such as nam phrik ong (pork and tomato chilli served with deep-fried pork crackling) alongside khao niaow (sticky rice). There’s an optional afternoon waterfall tour, or you can unwind by the outdoor pool. Spend the evening as you like.

Set your alarm for 4am – it’s an early start for a sunrise hike to the summit of Doi Inthanon. Watch the sun break through the clouds before heading back to the hotel for breakfast. Return to Chiang Mai, but not before a stop at the Elephant Nature Park, a rescue centre that provides a safe space for former working elephants to live out their golden years. You'll feed, trek and bathe these giant mammals before hitting the road once more. Top off the trip with a farewell dinner at a riverside restaurant in Chiang Mai.

Take it slow this morning and indulge in a late breakfast. Checkout isn’t until midday, so you can laze by the pool or pop down to the nearby Warorot Market for any final souvenirs. Wave goodbye to your fellow travellers at midday before scooting off to Chiang Mai airport (CNX)