Thailand, northern trekking – Special New Year

Departure with flight KE 928 from Milan Malpensa airport at 08:05 pm (terminal 1).

Arrival at Incheon airport at 03:05 pm.
Departure with flight KE 667 from Incheon airport at 06:05 pm (terminal 2).
Arrival at Chiang Mai airport at 10:05 pm. Transfer to your hotel.

Breakfast and meeting with our guide.
Today you will use the country's most famous form of transportation, the tuk tuk, to explore the beautiful city of Chiang Mai. The original three-wheeled vehicle with characteristic looks and sounds will lead you to the most famous and iconic points within the walls of the old city such as the Golden Temple of Wat Phra Singh and the monument to the Three Kings, as well as Warorot Market , one of the liveliest markets in Chiang Mai where you will take a short walk to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the place.
Transfer to the hotel, accommodation after 02:00 pm.
In the afternoon experience in tuk tuk on the streets of Chiang Mai.
Start the evening in a small hidden river location to sample some authentic Northern delicacies and enjoy a refreshing drink as the sun sets. So passing crowded markets and some famous monuments, your e-tuktuk will take you to the historical center of the city. Enjoy a short stop in a public park where locals and expats train after their work day - a great place to people watch. Then hop back into your vehicle and head to a nearby market famous for its wide selection of street food. You will stop at a small trolley where you can try khanom jeen nam ngiaow or the famous khao soi. Afterwards your driver will take you to the Nimmanhaemin area, famous for its trendy bars and restaurants and everything that's trendy. In a small restaurant you will try some real Burmese dishes before continuing for a dessert in a food court.

The day will begin with a visit to the magnificent temple of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep located on a hill overlooking the city. Visiting it early in the morning will avoid crowds. Next stop will be the village of Hmong, once famous for its opium cultivation. Today it is a well-known tourist destination but serves as the starting point of a path that the people of Hmong have been following for generations. The path follows the mountain ridge along a stream with lush vegetation and spectacular views along the way. A local guide will tell you about the history and mountain culture of the inhabitants of Hmong. The excursion lasts about 5/6 hours and will end in another village, home to the largest Hmong community in Northern Thailand. Just a short visit to the village, because it's time to go back to the city.

Distance and tour duration: 11.4 km (3 h 30 min. / 4 h walk)
Difficulty level: 1
Difference in altitude: 400 m. climb, 500 m. of descent
Terrain: dirt roads and paths in the forest, passages on rocky stretches with stairs
Transportation: minivan

After driving the Phrao region by minivan the adventure will begin in a village aboard a van. Small paths in the forest connect different mountain areas offering many opportunities for excursions between communities and agricultural areas. The locals will be happy to prepare a meal along the way, as you gradually learn the culture and history of the ethnic populations of the region. If the weather is favorable the last steep ascent to the top of the mountain will reward you with an almost infinite view of the wonderful surrounding valleys. In the evening the villagers will host you for dinner. Overnight stay in a modest and clean house.

Difficulty level: 2
Distance and duration of the excursion: 9 km (5-6 h stops included - demanding excursion - ascent only)
Total altitude difference: 1200 m.
Transportation: 140 km from Chiang Mai to Doi Mon Lam - 3h 30min. + 15 km by van - 40 min. from Doi Mon Lam to the villages

Accommodation: overnight in family-run accommodation

The adventure continues after sipping a delicious cup of coffee grown in the place . Other villages are waiting to be explored and the natives prepare to explain their way of life. A last walk along a small agricultural path towards the valley marks the end of this unforgettable excursion before continuing the journey to Fang. Accommodation at your hotel.

Difficulty level: 1
Distance and duration of the excursion: 5 km. (2 hours including stops)
Total altitude difference: 500 m.
Transport: 15 km by van (45 min.) + Doi Mon Lan - Fang (80 km. - 1h 30min.)

In the morning you will depart from the Phumanee Lahu hotel for a trip to Mount Phumanee and the village of the Lahu Rossi. The mountain is located outside the Fang district and is part of the Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park from which it takes its name. With an off-road vehicle you will easily reach the village as the last stretch is impractical with common means. Once arrived at their destination the inhabitants will explain how they grow tea and coffee and will make you collect tea leaves. You will see how they are processed before packaging the finished product, ready for sale. You will also be involved in preparing lunch cooked in the traditional way with the use of bamboo containers and banana leaves.

Departure for Chiang Dao. The impressive Doi Luang Chiang Dao with the limestone peak is the third highest mountain in Thailand,
Below the mountain one of the largest cave systems in Northern Thailand unfolds and is revered by the locals as a sacred place. With the help of a guide who will make your way through the caves, you will climb from one "room" to another of the basements through narrow tunnels.

Transfer to Chiang Mai. Accommodation at your hotel.

Free day.

Breakfast and transfer to the airport, flight to Bangkok, on arrival transfer to your hotel, rest of the day at leisure.

You will take the elevated railway known as BTS Skytrain and glide through the city to reach the river from where you can take a short boat trip to Tha Tien pier, starting with a visit to Wat Pho. The latter houses more than a thousand images of the Buddha including one of the largest statues depicting him lying down. During the visit from the main room you will listen to the melodies of the morning ritual of the monks. You will continue the walk to Wat Phra Kaew, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, one of the most respected places of worship in Thailand. The next unmissable stop will be the Grand Palace, home of the kings of the Chakri dynasty, originally erected by King Rama I. Afterwards you will continue on foot towards the fascinating amulet market. For a little adventure hop on a Thai tuk tuk to visit Wat Saket and climb the golden mountain that offers breathtaking views of Bangkok. Afterwards you will travel aboard a taxi boat along the Saen Saep canal to discover the home-museum of Jim Thompson, an American architect and businessman who helped revitalize the Thai textile industry.

Breakfast and free day.

Breakfast and rest of the day free until transfer to the airport for the return flight.

Departure with flight KE 654 from Bangkok airport at 01:00 am.
Arrival at Incheon airport at 08:30 am.
Departure with flight KE 927 from Incheon airport at 01:50 pm (terminal 2).
Arrival at Milan Malpensa airport at 06:05 pm