The Best of North Thailand
10 Nights / 11 Days

Trip Grade: Easy and relaxing
Destination: Chiang Mai, Mae Hongson and Chiang Rai.
Best Season: September to March is the cool and dry weather best season. However, northern Thailand can be visited year round.

Activities: Visit temples, historic places, museums, elephant conservation and education, bamboo rafting, scenic river trip by long rail boat, hill tribe village excursions, Doi Wawi Tea Estate and scenic tour.

Highlights of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hongson:

Chiang Mai, the northern province of Thailand, founded by King Mengrai in 1296. This region of Thailand was known as the Lan Na Thai kingdom in the 13th to 14th centuries. Chiang Mai City is the second biggest in Thailand, the most active trading post and popular tour destination in the north and a vibrant university center. Visitors will be amazed by the well over 300 temples and its scenic landscape. Thailand's highest peak, Doi Inthanon (2595 meters above sea level), crowns the north. Here, travelers can enjoy scenic trekking, elephant riding, hiking through hill tribe villages, bamboo rafting and magnificent vistas at sun set and sun rise. The province is home to many hill tribes with distinct cultures. Extraordinary woodcarvings, silverware and the artworks, beautiful flower festival parades and diverse cultures are some of the attractions here.

Mae Hongson, a northwestern province bordering with Myanmar (Burma), is the home of diverse ethnic minority groups as well as refugees from neighboring Burma. The province is very remote, mountainous and far less developed than neighboring Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, and fewer tourists visit here. Thus, people looking to explore pure ethnic cultures and wanting to experience more natural landscapes, should consider a visit to Mae Hongson. Scenic trekking, rafting, mountain biking and hill tribe village excursions are a few of the leisure to adventure tours here.

Chiang Rai, another northern province in the Golden Triangle area, was founded by King Mengrai in 1262 and incorporated as part of the Lan Na kingdom. Chiang Rai can cater its visitors with luxury five star hotels and resorts and is accessible both by air and road. Historic monuments, temples, hill tribe villages, scenic river trips, trekking and local cultural artifacts are among the key attractions here. Join us and explore the scenery and the cultures of northern Thailand with Discover Asia Travel.

Itinerary: The Best of North Thailand 10 Nights / 11 Days:
Day 1 Doi Suthep Temple and Cottage Industry Handicrafts

Pick up from hotel or port of arrival and transfer to visit Chiang Mai National Museum and the Hill-Tribe Museum. After the museum visits, we drive to visit Wat Prathad Doi Sutep, which proclaims to have a holy relic of Lord Buddha, the most celebrated temple in Chiang Mai located on a scenic hilltop inside the Doi-Pui National Park. To reach the temple, we drive up the base of Doi Suthep, and climb up 300 steps to get to the temple courtyard. Both sides of the steps are flanked by enormous mythological Nagas (snakes). A panoramic view of the city can be seen from here at 3,500 feet above sea level. Those of you do not wish to walk up the stairs can take the tram both ways. Then, we'll return to Chiang Mai city to visit Wat Phra Singh, one of the ancient royal temples still well preserved. Its beautiful murals and other majestic decors are worth to seeing.
Lunch served en-route tour where convenient.

Chiang Mai Handicraft and cottage industry in the afternoon:

After lunch, we will visit local handicraft centers on Sankampaeng Road to see how Thai silk and cotton loom industries, Bo-sang the paper and umbrella-making village; lacquer-ware, teak-wood carving, silverware artworks and jewelry. The cottage industries in Chiang Mai have made it possible for visitors to visit their factories to see how the handicrafts are made and buy on the spot. If you are planning to take home some souvenirs, the Samkhampaeng Road has the best choices and bargains. Since there are so many, we will visit a selected few. Then, return to hotel and at leisure until departure for Khantoke Dinner. Evening-we will enjoy Kantoke Dinner, traditional northern Thai welcome dinner, and observe Northern Thai folk song and dance performed by different hill-tribes in their colorful costumes. Each tribe is different in costumes, dialects, and culture. Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai. Meals. LD.

Day 2 Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son flight and leisurely tour

After breakfast, we'll transfer to Chiang Mai airport for a flight to Mae Hong Son. Upon arrival, we'll check into our eco resort in the ambience of nature and have lunch. In the afternoon, we'll take a leisurely tour of the ancient temples, such as Wat Jong Kham, Wat Jong Klang near the city and then walk to Wat Phra Thart Doi Kong Moo, situated atop a hill with panoramic view of Mae Hongson Valley. We'll overnight at resort. Meals: BLD.

Day 3 Culture and Nature of Mae Hongson

Early morning, visit the Mae Hongson morning market to see the local market activities and forest monks collecting their routine alms. Return to hotel to eat breakfast, and drive to a local pier on the Pai River. We'll then board a long-tail boat and ride downstream to visit the long-necked Padong hill tribe people at the Karen village and its school. Then, We'll long-tail boat upriver to eat lunch at a local restaurant and return to resort to relax at the pool remaining part of the day.
We'll overnight at the resort again. Meals: BLD.

Day 4 Lod Cave and Mae Hongson

Breakfast at resort, and drive Lod Cave wildlife in the forest of Pang Mapha District about 77km. Here, nature creates an exotic subterranean wonder of darkness and mystery that is the Nam Lod Cave. It has a stream run from the cave mouth through the other side of the mountain, a route where visitors may travel by foot or raft to explore the 1 kilometer long cave along which beautiful stalactites and stalagmites can be found. This cave also has old remains of utensils and coffins. Next, we visit the Lisu and Lahu tribe people, and Lisu village museum. We'll make a last stop at the viewpoint before driving to our resort for the evening. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Pai. Meals: BLD.

Day 5 Scenic drive, elephant park and bamboo rafting

After breakfast, we'll drive through the scenic hills to Mae Taeng River Valley to Visit the Elephant Nature Park (the elephant rescue center). The center rescues elephants from loggers, the streets of Bangkok and other cities, and from other commercial parks. We will learn about the challenges of caring for these magnificent animals and reintroducing them into the wild. On arrival, we will be met by the volunteers, get introduced to the elephants and the project. Then, we will feed the elephants and learn about them.
A delicious lunch will be served by the volunteers.

Next, we will take an exciting bamboo rafting (traditional transportation in the river) down the scenic Mae Taeng River for 35 minutes to one hour. Along the river, you can see various species of birds and local settlements. At the end of bamboo rafting, transfer to a country resort with spa facilities for the evening. Meals: BLD.

Remarks: Elephant activities, we will visit the conservation project where we learn about elephants, feed them and bath them, but do not ride them. Please note that elephant camps and venues cannot be stationary in one mentioned location permanently because Government regulations in relation with reforestation, land management, private property regulation, and environmental factors could force the camp to move elsewhere. This information will be updated close to trip departure. The visit to the Elephant Nature Park is strictly for rescue and conservation. People who wish to learn about elephants and support conservation should joint this trip. If you are looking for elephant ride, then, this is not the trip for you.

Day 6 Overland to Thaton and a scenic boat trip

Breakfast at resort, and drive to Thaton through the scenic road. En-route stops are made at scenic places and at Wat Tha Ton to see the valley. Next, take a short long tail boat ride to Huai Khum Village Resort, the only boutique and eco resort in the Mae Kok River valley, is truly a paradise. On arrival, check in, have lunch and remaining time at leisure. Swim at its beautiful pool, walk along in the nearby village or simply relax to enjoy the scenery. Evening-we will have dinner with Lahu folk song and dance show. Meals: BLD.

Day 7 Leisure day to relax

Breakfast at the riverside restaurant, relax and swim at the pool or go for a leisurely walk along the scenic river valley to visit local villages and farms.
The Huai Khum Village Resort, the only boutique as well as eco resort in the Mae Kok River valley, is truly a paradise and will make you feel relaxed.
Overnight at Huai Khum Village Resort. Meals: BLD.

Day 8 Doi Wawi Tea Estate Excursion

Breakfast and drive to Doi Wawi valley, a Yunan Chinese Village, formed some four decades ago by migrant Chinese from Yunan. Doi Wawi's naturally beautiful valleys and hills are enhanced by tea, coffee and orchard plantation making it lush green throughout the year. We will pay a visit to the huge Buddha Statue on a hilltop, observe the rural way of life in the northern hills of the golden triangle and enjoy the spectacular scenery from various viewpoints. Then, drive to a tea estate to have fresh lunch and taste the fresh cut tea before driving back to your resort. If you enjoy tea, this is one of the best places to get your favorite pack.
Overnight at Huai Khum Village Resort. Meals: BLD.

Day 9 Chiang Rai- Scenic hills, rivers and hill tribe people

Early morning breakfast and travel by long tail boat down the scenic Nam Mae Kok River. Along the way, we will visit hill-tribes villages where possible. At the end of boat trip, we drive to Chiang Rai town to visit some of the attractive temples and local market. Lunch served en-route at local restaurant.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Rai. Meals: BLD.

Remark: If the Nam Mae Kok River is too high from late monsoon rainstorm, we will not take the long tail boat, but drive by road and visit the Ban Lorcha village of Akha people to see their way of life and drive to Chiang Rai town to continue the tour as planned.

Day 10 Golden Triangle

Breakfast at hotel, and drive to Mae Fa Luang hills to visit the Queen Mother's palace for scenic views and visit local handicraft project funded by Thailand's Royal family for the hill tribe people to make a better living through cottage industry. Then, continue journey to Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos borders meet. We enjoy the scenic views of the Mekong River and triangular border area from the Thai side. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Next, we visit the Chiang Saen National Museum and overnight in Chiang Rai. Meals: BLD.

Day 11 Chiang Rai to Bangkok Flight

Breakfast at the hotel and at leisure until transfer to Chiang Rai Airport for a flight to Bangkok for your next destination. Meals. B.

Three to four star and Boutique Hotel Package:
The Best of North Thailand 10 Nights / 11 Days.
TOUR COST PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS:

Standard Hotel Package:
The Best of North Thailand 10 Nights / 11 Days.
TOUR COST PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS:

Bangkok-Chiang Mai and return from Chiang Rai roundtrip fare by Thai Airways is about US$176 per person Fare includes airport tax, insurance and fuel surcharge, and is subject to change.

Tour Cost Includes:
Ten nights accommodation in quality hotels in Chiang Mai, Mae Hongson and Chiang Rai on twin sharing,
Meals half to full-board as indicated in the program,
Transfers by air-conditioned tour van or coach,
tour activities as mentioned in the itinerary,
English speaking tour guide service,
entrance fees to monument & parks visited,
all ground transfers including arrival and departure,
airfares roundtrip between Chiang Mai and Mae Hongson, and insurance against accidents for the duration of the tour.

Tour Cost Excludes:
Bangkok and Chiang Mai roundtrip airfare, lunch & dinner not mentioned in the program, and items of personal nature including personal insurance, beverages not mentioned in the program, telephone, laundry, charges for delays caused by situations beyond our control including bad weather, natural disasters, political unrest, and emergencies.

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Flight Connections:
Thai Airways, One-Two-Go (Orient Thai Airlines), Nok Air, and Thai Air Asia have flights to Chiang Mai. The latter three airlines are budget carriers. Booking far in advance is necessary to secure good deals.