Welcome to Chiangmai the Northern Rose of Thailand!
Chiangmai is the cultural capital of Thailand located at the foot of lush Doi Suthep and Doi Pui mountains rising to 1600masl which offer great trails and cool retreats near the city. Chiangmai and Chiangrai are the nucleus of centuries reigned Lanna Kingdoms that formed a network of smaller kingdoms in current NorthernThailand. This network of small city states has left a rich heritage to for travellers to explore and some of the most beautiful temples found in Thailand.
Chiangmai is the perfect base for day excursions to nature and trails, immersing into cultural highlights of the region, indulging with endless foodie options or doing fun family activities.
Get in touch with our travel experts to tailor perfect Northern Thailand experience your You!
Transfer to your hotel and visit some of the city highlights. Explore charming old town highlights with Tuk Tuk. We will stop at Wat Phra in old town to marvel old temples and at Chedi Luang which are most beautiful heritage buildings of old Lanna Kingdoms.
Savour the northern flavors Khao Soi in an award winning restaurant and try local snacks. Late afternoon we'll cap the day at 1921 restaurant and bar at Anantara luxury hotel by Ping River. Perfect place for sundowner cocktail(s) or afternoon tea set if you arrive bit earlier.
Dinner recommendation Kiti Panit restaurant located in beautiful old building near Anantara. The restaurant cooks amazing northern dishes. Try the Heng Lay pork curry and other house specialities here.
After breakfast drive up to Doi Suthep for a visit to golden Wat Doi Suthep temple most impressive and revered pilgrimage site in Northern Thailand.
For active travellers we can arrange soft trekking from temple to Hmong hill tribe village located on high ridge on the mountain range. This is easy to moderate 7-8km hike approx 3hrs on good trails, with shade. Travelers who like more challenge can continue after lunch break in Hmong tribe village to summit of Doi Pui at 1685masl (total of 1000m vertical gain). Our driver will meet us and transfer back town.
From Doi Suthep we drive back to Chiangmai and continue to Bua Thong for a visit to Sticky waterfalls, a located in National park north east of Chiangmai 1-1,5hrs drive away. Get your feet wet and walk and climb up the gently cascading waterfalls with your guide.
This region is great for mountain biking outings. If you wish to combine sticky waterfalls and mountain biking we can book you on join-in cycling tour for the day.
Return to Changmai late afternoon.
Bid farewell to Chiangmai and head north to Chiang Dao 1,5hrs drive where we visit Chiang Dao caves. After lunch break in town continue with drive to Fang further 80km and visit hot springs national park and marvel at geyser, cook some eggs in hot well and soak in hot baths. Our night stop is in Thaton where we settle in to a charming riverside resort by Kok River flowing from Myanmar to Chiangrai.
Morning boat trip upstream Kok River to Myanmar border through beautiful lush green hills and mountains terrain. It is possible to paddle kayaks downriver from here 2,5-3hrs and finish near the resort. Afternoon 3hr hike to a temple and minority village up the hills.
Spectacular drive to Mae Salong tea growing region where Yunnanese former Kuomingtang soldiers with their families settled and lead isolated lives growing opium and mingling war lords likes infamous Khun Sa. Poppies have been replaced by other crops like coffee and tea long ago. Visit memorial of KMT and learn more of the Chinese population that settled here and the events that took place during the war.
The roads though at times steep and very winding are some of the most scenic in all Thailand and offer lots of fantastic views there are plenty of coffee and tea shops along the route for stops. We will surely make a stop at one of the tea plantations to learn how tea is processed. Our night stop destination today is charming resort perched on hill side with fabulous views and lovely garden feel.
Transfer to golden triangle where we visit the hall of opium and learn more of the history of the region and the illicit trade. Photo stop at Sob Ruak, Golden Tringle viewpoint confluence of Ruak and Mekong Rivers and where Thailand meets, Myanmar and Laos.
Transfer Chiangrai and visits to famous white temple and peculiar blue temple.
OR transfer to Myanmar or Laos border.
