We went on a 4WD tour in northern Thailand and it was EPIC
Looking for a family-friendly adventure like no other? Keep reading to learn more about our experience on a 4WD tour through northern Thailand.
The road is steep and narrow and, for the most part, definitely not sealed. If it wasn’t for the abundance of bamboo and banana trees, it could easily be mistaken for any off-road high-country track back home. But suddenly, we crest the narrow track and find ourselves at a 700-year-old wooden Buddhist temple tucked away in the jungle, currently shrouded in mist. It’s a wonderful reminder that here in Thailand, we are far from home, and I’d bet my bottom dollar that no 4WD track in Australia leads to this.
Like many Buddhist temples in Thailand, Wat Luang Khun Win is located on top of a mountain. And also like many temples, it’s guarded by a snake-like being called Naga that lines both sides of the stairs leading up to it. I’ve admired quite a few Naga staircases in my time, but this is one of my favourites.
Not just because of the beautiful way it emerges from the jungle in the mountains surrounding Chiang Mai, but because it is not too long or steep to traverse.
A 4WD tour is one of the most memorable things you can do in Thailand …
Given the challenges of reaching this temple and its location outside the tourist hubs, visiting Wat Luang Khun Win on a 4WD tour is one of the most memorable things you can do in northern Thailand. It’s up there with getting hosed by an Elephant while rafting down a river, standing under a waterfall so cold it takes your breath away, and sharing sticky rice with new friends for the first time. All of which we did on our epic 4WD tour in northern Thailand.
So, what does a 4WD trip in Thailand look like? And is it family-friendly? The short answer is that it looks amazing, and yes, it is indeed family-friendly. A longer answer looks a little like this:
How did you do it?
We went with Explore 4×4 Adventures, who have been helping people explore Thailand by 4WD or motorcycle from Chiang Mai since 2009. Originally from the UK, Allan Pratt and his team of passionate adventurers provide a complete personal service, customising the trip to your needs. If your kids know how to ride a motorbike, you can include that in your adventures as well.
Basically, you tell them how long you want to go for, and they will create an itinerary that suits your wants and driving experience. You do the driving in a modern and well-maintained vehicle provided by them, and your Thai/English-speaking guides will drive their own separate 4WD and take care of everything for you, such as accommodation, translating, meals, snacks and more.
4WDing in Thailand sounds kind of dangerous – is it?
4WDing in Thailand with Explore 4×4 Adventure wasn’t any more dangerous than a 4WD trip back home in Australia. If you own an off-road vehicle and actually leave the tarmac every now and then, you won’t have any problems. The trip is tailored to your abilities, and while I’m sure there are technical tracks if you go looking for them, the tracks we drove weren’t difficult.
The vehicles were modern and well-maintained and were the same as you would see in Australia. After all, nearly all of Australia’s most popular 4WD utes are manufactured in Thailand. We drove a Toyota Hilux dual-cab ute, and our guides drove an Isuzu D-Max wagon.
If anything, they probably do a little less with the modifications in that there wasn’t a snorkel or bull bar in sight. But in the absence of kangaroos and deep creek crossings (all were shallow), what’s the need?
In case you’re wondering, the 4WD tracks we went on in Thailand look like this:
What did you see and do on your Thailand 4WD tour?
We drove through an ever-changing landscape that was different to home. Think bamboo and banana trees, rice fields, hill tribe villages and pretty creeks and rivers. We stopped for breaks at amazing places such as an elephant sanctuary for lunch, a sticky-rice picnic at a waterfall, bamboo rafting down a river, a temple in a jungle and more. To put it simply, we were never bored on our 4WD trip in Thailand.
What was the accommodation like?
Accommodation is in quality guesthouses and small family-run hotels. All had en suites, nice clean beds and wonderful Thai food and hospitality. If you’ve ever stayed in a guesthouse in Thailand before, you’ll already know that they’re superb and these ones are particularly nice.
How much does a 4WD tour in Thailand cost?
The 4WD tours are quoted personally as everyone has different wants and needs for their Thailand tour. We paid 39,000 BHT for four people (two adults and two kids) for three days and two nights. This included our vehicle, insurance, all meals and snacks, soft drinks and water, accommodation, photos, fuel, and two personal tour managers who took care of everything for us on the road, including stocking an esky in our car every day for the kids with snacks and drinks.
They also picked us up and dropped us off from our hotel.
What is it like driving in Thailand?
Driving is on the left, the same as in Australia, and you will need to bring along your license from home. Thai drivers rarely get road rage and are very patient and aware of other drivers. As a result, the traffic (even though there may be a lot of it) flows well in the cities.
On the 4WD tour, which is of course, outside of Thailand’s cities, traffic is not an issue. However, you can expect all the fun that goes along with heading off-road such as unsealed tracks, potholes, washouts, narrow concrete roads in the villages, collapsed bridges and more. Expect to see buffalo and cows on the road, and if you see a dog, it is unlikely to move for you.
If you’re nervous about it, there is no need as remember you will be following your guide’s vehicle. If you get separated for any reason, just pull over, and they will come back and find you.
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