Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai
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per person
5 Days
Journey into the enchanting heart of Northern Thailand, where emerald mountains cradle centuries-old temples, and vibrant hill tribe traditions live on in every smile and handcrafted treasure. From the charm of Chiang Mai to the mystique of Chiang Rai, you’ll follow winding rivers, stroll ancient capitals along the Mekong, and stand where three nations meet at the fabled Golden Triangle. Ride gentle elephants through lush jungle paths, drift along serene bamboo rafts and long-tail boats, and savor candlelit evenings of traditional dance. Every day reveals a tapestry woven from history, nature, and culture—creating memories as timeless as the land itself.
Highlights- Cultural Evenings – Feast on authentic Kantoke dinners paired with graceful Lanna
performances. - Elephant Encounters – Ride and witness these gentle giants at work deep in the jungle.
River Journeys – Bamboo raft the Mae Tang River and cruise the Kok River past
remote villages. - Hill Tribe Immersion – Meet the Akha, Yao, Lisu, Meo, and long-neck Karen;
discover their crafts and traditions. - Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep – Marvel at Chiang Mai’s iconic mountaintop temple with
panoramic city views. - Golden Triangle Discovery – Stand at the confluence of Thailand, Laos, and
Myanmar. - Ancient Chiang Saen – Step back in time among 800-year-old temples and Mekong
riverside heritage. - Doi Mae Salong – Soak in mountain vistas and fragrant tea plantations.
- Craftsmanship & Culture – Watch artisans weave silk, craft umbrellas, and carve teak
masterpieces. - Temple Trail – Visit revered sites like Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Man, and Wat
Suan Dok. - Floral Splendor – Wander orchid farms blooming with color and fragrance.
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Reviews
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Departure/Return Location
Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai -
Departure Time
6:00 AM or 9:00 PM -
Return Time
8:00 AM -
Dress Code
Causal Clothes
Tour Plan
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ITINERARY I: Day 1: Arrival in Chiang Mai
Upon arrival, we will be met by our local guide, and transferred to hotel. This evening, enjoy asuperb Kantoke dinner combining great food with cultural entertainment.
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Day 2: Chiang Mai Elephant Safari (B, L)
After breakfast, we travel to Mae Taman Camp to visit elephants at works. Enjoy a ride on this
giant’s back through the forest for 45 minutes. After lunch, hop on a bamboo raft and ride along
the calm river Mae Tang for 1hr 30 min. Return to the camp by ox cart, captivating nice view of
plantations & rice field. Visit a village of long neck women and a typical Meo village at Doi Pu. On
the way back to town, we visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (AD 1384) that contains a holy relic of the
Lord Buddha. Located high on a mountain top, overlooking the city and lowlands, the air is cool
and clear. On a sunny day, of which Chiang Mai has many, the brilliant gold leafed Buddha
images make stunning photographic subjects. Free time in the evening provides opportunities to
reveal the colours of the night market that Chiang Mai is famous for.
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Day 3: Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai (B)
After breakfast, visit the Home Industry Centre. This is a great shopping area to get Chiang Mai
products including silk and cotton things, handmade umbrellas and paper products, teakwood
cravings, and many more! We also watch a demonstration of how these products are made. After
lunch, drive to Chiang Rai with a short break at a hot spring park en route. We also visit Wat Rong
Khun – a very impressive beautiful ornate delicate white stuccowork temple designed by the
famous Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.
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Day 4: Chiang Rai-Mae Sai-Golden Triangle-Chiang Mai (B)
After breakfast we travel to Mae Sai. This border town faces Myanmar across the Mae Sai River
north of Chiang Rai. Numerous shopping opportunities for popular Thai, Burmese and Chinese
goods will present themselves in this area. Next, visit Golden Triangle – where the borderlines of
Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet and the Ruak River joins the mighty Mekong River. Finally
visit Chiang Sean – a former capital of the first Thai Kingdom, situated on the Mekong River
border between Thailand and Laos. The ancient riverside town is one of the smallest and oldest
towns in Chiang Rai Province. It is home to the 800-year-old-temple Wat Pa Sak. Later, we drive
to Chiang Mai for overnight.
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Day 5: Departure
Free till transferring to the airport for departure flight
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ITINERARY II: Day 1: Chiang Mai- Chiang Saen
Mid-morning, leave Chiang Mai and drive to Chiang Saen, former capital of the first Thai
Kingdom, situated directly on Mekong River at border between Thailand and Laos. Visit Wat Phra
Dhat Jom Kitti by climbing 383 steps to top of hill. Also visit Wat Chedi Luang and small museum
nearby. Continue by long-tail speedboat upstream the Mekong toward Golden Triangle where
borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Check into the hotel and relax.
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Day 2: Chiang Saen-Doi Mae Salong-Chiang Rai
08:00 - Depart from Chiang Saen to visit Lisu Village at Ban Mae Kaotom and continue uphill via
Mae Chan to visit Yao and Akha hilltribe village. Proceed to Doi Mae Salong, passing through
beautiful mountain scenery. View takes in a stunning view of Thailand, Myanmar and the Mekong
Valley. Lunch at Mae Salong Villa in Doi Mae Salong. Depart Doi Mae Salong to Mae Sai, the
northernmost Thai town on the Myanmar border. Walk around local market with opportunity for
shopping. Before returning to Chiang Rai, short stop at fish cave.
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Day 3: Chiang Rai-Thatorn-Hmong Hill Tribe Village
07:30 - Leave hotel for boat landing. Board a simple long tail motorboat for three-hour journey
up Kok River, passing tiny hill tribe villages, bamboo huts and jungle scenery. Disembark at Ban
Pha Tai and continue by bus to visit Ban Lorcha, a Phami Akha hill tribe community center. This
community-based tourism development project promotes sustainable, self-reliant development to
improve the quality of life of villagers of this Akha Community, and is a model for tourism in hill
tribe villages. Proceed to Mae Rim via Fang and Chiang Dao. Continue by land to the Hmong hill
tribe Lodge, for BBQ dinner followed by presentation of Meo dances and overnight stay.
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Day 4: Hmong Hill Tribe Village-Chiang Mai
Drive to an elephant camp and watch elephants taking timber in forest. Their strength and
strategic teamwork will amaze you. Take one-hour elephant safari into the surrounding
countryside. Visit an orchid farm and then enjoy lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit some
handicraft villages to see manufacture of lacquer ware, spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and to
watch how paper umbrellas are made. Also visit a well-known Thai wood-carving factory, with
possibility of buying Burmese antiques. Enjoy typical Thai dinner with ancient dances from
northern Thailand followed by a performance of dances and songs by various hill tribes.
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Day 5: Chiang Mai-Bangkok
City tour to visit the most interesting temples in Chiang Mai, like Wat Phra Singh with its famous
Buddha image, Wat Chiang Man, oldest temple in Chiang Mai and built by King Mangrai, and
Wat Suan Dok, housing remains of many generations of the old Chiang Mai Royal Family. Also
visit Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at 1,056 meters above sea level. Transfer to
Chiang Mai Airport for departure flight
Tour Location