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NORTHERN THAILANDHILLTRIBES TREKFR$399Chiang Mai Chiang Mai 5 DAYSHighlights• Trek through Northern Thailand• Explore the colours of Chiang Mai• Visit the hilltribes along the way• Feed or bathe an elephant• Witness traditional weaving• Get to know the Karen tribe• Float serenely on a bamboo raftSOUTH EAST ASIAInclusionsDeparts: Every Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday TripStyle: Classic Service Level: Standard PhysicalGrading: 3 Age Group: Any age Accommodation:Hotels (2 nts), basic huts (2 nts, multishare)Transport: Open truck, van, elephant, raft Meals: 4breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners Budget: Allow USD$50-75 for meals not included Group Leader: ChiefExperience Officer (CEO), local guides Group Size:Max 15, Avg 5 Tour Code: GAATHHDAY0102ITINERARYChang MaiArrive to the cultural centre of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai, at any time today and start exploringthis charming city.Hilltribes TrekTravel in an open pick-up truck to Mae Malai where you will enjoy lunch before starting your trek.Trek through forests and rural terrain to visit some of the most colourful and unchanged traditionalhilltribe villages. You will be impressed by the variety of languages, clothing styles and beliefs thatdiffer hugely from one another. (B, L, D)Chiang MaiTHAILAND0304-05Hilltribes Trek / Baan Mae Ma NainThis morning you will set off on a two- to three-hour trek in the forest, visiting rice and vegetablefields along the way as you pass the villages and learn about their traditional methods of cultivation.Re-charge your energy levels over lunch and then continue trekking to the Karen village of Baan MaeMa Nain where there is a chance to feed and bathe the village’s elephants. Experience local ways andlearn how to construct a bamboo raft, then go fishing at Mae Tang River using local tools. (B, L, D)River Rafting / Chiang MaiWake up to a day of real fun as you set off down the Mae Tang River on a bamboo raft. Stop at aLahu village before continuing to a Shan village for lunch. Return to Chiang Mai this afternoon foryour last night on the town with your new friends. Your amazing adventure ends on Day 5 and youare free to depart at any time. (2B, L)THAI ELEPHANTCONSERVATIONBANGKOK TO CHIANG MAIFR$637 ADVENTUREFR$484Mae Taeng District (Chiang Mai) 1 - 2 WEEKS Bangkok Chiang Mai5 DAYSHighlights• Assist with local conservation• Bathe and feed elephants• Learn about elephant health and treatmentHighlights• Ride the train from Bangkok into the majestic beauty of Chiang Mai• Cycle through rural rice paddies, temple ruins and hilltribe villages• Raft whitewater rapids down the jungle-clad Mae Taeng RiverSet in a valley surrounded by forested mountains, this projectoffers a peaceful home for over 30 neglected and abusedelephants. Headed up by Lek, a co-founder of the park, also knownas the ‘Elephant Whisperer’ by locals for her affinity with thesemajestic grey, giants, her focus on the elephants’ wellbeing isinspiring. Providing an essential role in caring for this endangeredspecies, you will treat and feed residents onsite as well aslearning how they communicate and make friends. All the mahouts(elephant caretakers) bring the elephants down to the river so thateveryone can have a go at bathing them - the best part of the day!This adrenalin-fuelled adventure takes the rails from Bangkok intothe mystical mountain beauty and ethnic hilltribes of northernThailand. Travel by long-tail boat through Bangkok’s ramshacklecanals, get barefoot and spiritual at Wat Po and marvel at theopulent Grand Palace before bedding down in air con bunks on thetrain to Chiang Mai. Spend the next two days living on northernThailand’s wild side - cycling through rural landscapes dotted withtemples, trekking to colourful hilltribe villages, mountain bikingdown dirt tracks, and rafting through steamy jungle. Finishing inChiang Mai on Day 5, we personally feel a massage is in order!Project Start Date: Mondays Location: Mae Teng District (60km north ofChiang Mai) Accommodation: multi-share volunteer huts (6 nts) Meals: allmeals included Extra Weeks: Fr $1,274 for 2 weeks Trip Code: BKKELEDeparts: Daily Accommodation: Hotel (3nts), 2nd class overnight train in multishareair con cabins (1nt) Meals: 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch Transport: Train, bus,bike, raft Includes: English speaking guide, tours & entrance fees Tour Code:BKKCNX60VISIT WWW.STATRAVEL.COM