Highlights of Chiang Mai and Mae Hongson :

Chiang Mai is the northern province of Thailand, founded by King Mengrai in 1296. The northernmost region of Thailand was known as the Lan Na Thai kingdom in the 13th to 14th centuries. Chiang Mai is the second most popular tourism gateway in the north as well as active trading post in north Thailand. Chiang Mai is also home to its vibrant university center and mosaic of cultures. Visitors will be amazed by the well over 300 temples and its scenic landscape which also include the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Thailand's highest peak, Doi Inthanon (2595 meters above sea level), crowns the north. Here, adventure seeking travelers can enjoy scenic trekking, elephant riding, hiking through hill tribe villages and national park forest trails, bamboo rafting and magnificent vistas at sunset and sunrise. 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. Discover Asia Travel operates finely designed nature and culture tours with the emphasis of ecologically friendly tourism.

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 natural forest covered landscapes, should consider to travel here. Scenic trekking, rafting, mountain biking and hill tribe village excursions are a few of the leisure to adventure tours available here. Join us and explore the scenery and the cultures of northern Thailand with Discover Asia Travel.

Itinerary: Chiang Mai and Mae Hongson 5 Days:

Day 1 Chiang Mai Tour.

Pick up from hotel and drive to visit Wat Prathad Doi Sutep, which has 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 Doi Suthep-Pui National park, and climb up 300 steps to get to the temple courtyard. Both sides of the steps is flanked by enormous mythological Nagas (snakes). Those of you who do not wish to climb the steps can ride a tram. The tram is also equipped to wheelchair users. A panoramic view of the city can be seen from here at 3,500 feet above sea level. Then, return to Chiang Mai city area to visit Wat Phra Singh, one of the ancient royal temples still well preserved. Its beautiful mural and other majestic decors are worth seeing. Lunch en-route tour.

Chiang Mai Handicraft Center Tour in the afternoon :

In the afternoon, we visit local handicraft centers on Sankampaeng Road to see Thai silk and cotton loom industries, Bo-sang the paper and umbrella-making village; lacquer-ware, teak-wood carving, jewelry, and silverware artworks.

This particular street in Chiang Mai is set aside for small and medium handicraft as well as cottage industries to show case and make their products. Thus, visitors can see how the local handicrafts are made, a first hand experience. Then, return to hotel and at leisure until departure for Khantoke Dinner. Evening-we 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 Elephant trekking-Hill tribe villages-Bamboo Rafting

Breakfast at the hotel, and travel about 50 kilometers from the city for a full day's tour of Chiang Dao elephant camp. Start one-hour elephant ride through the semi-jungle vegetation to visit a Lisu hill tribe village, a wonderful experience. Returning to the camp, watch the elephants taking their morning bath in the running stream before starting their day training and work. See demonstration of elephants at work.

Then, take an exciting bamboo rafting (traditional transportation in the river) down the Mae Ping River for one hour. On the way back to the city, visit an orchid nursery and butterfly farm, where local lunch is provided. Evening - at leisure to explore Chiang Mai night bazaar of attractive souvenirs. Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai. Meals. BLD.

Day 3 Chiang Mai to Mae Hongsorn flight and tour

Early breakfast at the hotel, and transfer to Chiang Mai airport to catch a flight to Mae Hongsorn. Upon arrival, check into hotel and have lunch. Afternoon, do a leisurely tour to explore ancient temples, such as Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang, Burmese-style ancient temples, visit hill-tribe people and other attractions of Mae Hongsorn. Overnight at the hotel. Meals. BL.

Day 4 Mae Hongson Culture and Nature Tour

06:00 Early morning, visit to the Mae Hong Sorn morning market
07:00 have American breakfast, then, drive to a local pier on Pai River, get on long tailed boat and ride down stream along the river to visit the Long-Neck Padong Hill-Tribe people at the Karen Village. Lunch en-route or at Mae Hongsorn. After the hill-tribe village visit, we return to Mae Hongsorn by boat, then, drive uphill to Wat Phra Thart Doi Kong Moo for a panoramic view of the valleys and Mae Hong Sorn valley. Overnight at hotel. Meals. BL.

Day 5 Mae Hongson to Chiangmai Flight

Breakfast at the hotel and at leisure until transfer to airport for a flight to Chiang Mai for your next destination. End of Chiang Mai Mae Hongson tour.
Meals. B.

Three to four star Hotel Package:
Chiang Mai and Mae Hongson 5 Days:
TOUR COST PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS:

1 person	US$995 per person
2 persons	US$725 per person
3-6 persons	US$650 per person
7-10 persons	US$580 per person
11-15 persons	US$520 per person
15+1 persons	US$495 per person
Single Supplement US$160

Standard Hotel Package :
Chiang Mai and Mae Hongson 5 Days :
TOUR COST PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS :

1 person	US$850 per person
2 persons	US$465 per person
3-6 persons	US$418 per person
7-10 persons	US$396 per person
11-15 persons	US$360 per person
15+1 persons	US$340 per person
Single Supplement US$120

Tour Cost Includes :

Four nights accommodation in quality hotels in Chiang Mai and Mae Hongson on twin sharing,
Meals breakfast at hotel and lunch while on the tour,
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-Chiang Mai roundtrip fare US$158 per person Airfare includes departure tax and insurance and subject to change.