5 Days / 4 Nights Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai Price: XX,XXX THB
Day 01: Bangkok – Chiang Rai
Arrive in Chiang Rai and transfer to the hotel for check-in and overnight accommodations.
Day 02: Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Mai (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel before visiting Chiang Rai’s main attractions.
First visit will be The Blue Temple, locally known as Wat Rong Suea Ten and the newest temple in Chiang Rai. Painted in an eye-catching blue with overlays of gold embellishments. The centerpiece inside the great hall is a huge statue of a White Buddha in sitting position surrounded by contemporary Buddhist art in a modern style.
Continue to Black House, locally known as Baan Dam. It is the unique creation of national artist, Thawan Duchanee. Part art studio, part museum, part home, Baan Dam is an eclectic mix of traditional northern Thai buildings interspersed with some outlandish modern designs.
Drive to Nang Lae to visitthe Long Neck Village, where the Karen tribe lives. The Karen is a tribal group worldwide recognized for their elongated necks, women wear heavy brass rings around their necks, forearms, and shins since they are very young, so they finally look the way they do today. While the Karen men are mainly field workers and farmers, the women have a rich history of crafting from woodcarving to weaving. Time to explore the village and buy some souvenirs.
Next stop will be the Golden Triangle, where the Mekong River joins the Ruak River and form the famous “triangle” with the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Visit also the Opium Museum.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
On the way to Chiang Mai, a stop will be made to visit Wat Rong Khun, also known as the white temple, a lifetime project of the artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. The temple has a fine blend of traditional Buddhist art with contemporary themes and is decorated with small pieces of mirrored glass which add substantially to its dramatic beauty.
Arrive in Chiang Mai and check-in at the hotel for overnight accommodations.
Day 03: Chiang Mai (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel before start exploring Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is home to numerous temples built in Lanna style with Shan and Burmese influences. Despite the development of the city, Chiang Mai retains the feeling of being a provincial town, with 300 temples and numerous narrow streets.
Visit Warorot market, the largest local market and where exotic fresh fruits, preserved food, local delicacies, clothes galore, flowers and many other things are sold here at reasonable prices.
Afterwards visit Wat Pra Singh, first built during the reign of Phra Chao Kham Fu (1328-1335). The temple’s compound includes the Lai Kam Chapel.
Continue to Wat Chedi Luang, a huge pagoda built by King Saen Muang Ma in 1401. It originally was 90 meters high but as a result of an earthquake in 1545 it is only 40 meters high now.
After lunch, drive to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most sacred temple of Chiang Mai and an especially important pilgrimage spot for many Thai people. The temple is located at the end of a serpentine road on Suthep Mountain, at 1,100 meters above the sea level with sweeping views of the city below. It houses a wealth of Buddha images, murals and Buddhist arts. Climb the 306 stepped Naga staircase to reach the temple.
Last visit will be Doi Pui village, where the White Meo Hilltribe lives. Time to explore the picturesque village before heading back to the hotel.
Day 04: Chiang Mai (B/L)
Breakfast in the hotel and free time till the afternoon.
Lunch in a local restaurant before the visit to Pha Chor, which is part of Mae Wang National Park. The main attraction is Pha Chor Canyon, created after Ping River changed its course many years ago. First the shift created a hill and after time passed, the hill eroded and changed into cliffs and soil pillars. Today those pillars are 30 meters high and one of the main attractions of Mae Wang National Park. Time to walk and explore around.
Back to Chiang Mai for overnight accommodations.
Optional Visits: (Will be done before Pha Chor)
Kanta Elephant Sanctuary
Transfer to Kanta Elephant Sanctuary through a beautiful countryside, forest, and local farming areas.
Visit starts learning about the story of the elephants that live here before changing into traditional clothing.
After, prepare some fruits for the elephants and feed, interact, and play with them in their natural environment and learn about their behavior and history.
Afterwards walk with the elephants to a clean water pond where you will have the chance to observe them while they cool off themselves.
Have some tea, coffee and season fruits before transfer back to Chiang Mai for lunch in a local restaurant and visit to Pha Chor.
* English speaking guide and join transfer. Extra cost for Spanish speaking guide (subject to availability).
Mae Tang Elephant Park
Transfer to Mae Teng Elephant Park through a beautiful countryside, forest, and local farming areas.
Witness the elephant show in which these animals will demonstrate their multiple skills. Possibility of riding the elephants (price is not included).
Transfer back to Chiang Mai for lunch in a local restaurant and visit to Pha Chor.
Day 05: Chiang Mai – Next Destination (B)
After breakfast, transfer to Chiang Mai airport for the flight to the next destination.
