Chiang Mai and Elephant Conservation
2 Nights / 3 Days

Trip Grade: Easy and relaxing
Activities: Visit temples, historical sites, handicraft cottage industries, folk culture show, visit Elephant Nature Park to learn about the giants and their plights and bamboo rafting for pleasure.
Best Season: September to Mach is the cool and dry weather best season. However, Chiang Mai can be visited year round.

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.

Itinerary: Chiang Mai and Elephant Conservation 2 Nights / 3 Days:
Day 1 Chiang Mai Temples and Handicraft Industries

Pick up from hotel or port of arrival and transfer to visit Chiang Mai National Museum and the Hill-Tribe Museum. After museum visits, 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 hilltop inside the Doi-Pui National Park. To reach the temple, we drive up to the base of Doi Suthep, 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 wheelchairs 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 paintings and other majestic decors are worth to seeing.
Lunch break is taken en-route tour where convenient.

Chiang Mai Handicraft and Cottage Industries in the afternoon:
After lunch, 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 or better known 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 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 Elephant Nature Park and Bamboo Rafting
After breakfast, we'll meet the Elephant Nature Park (the elephant rescue center) personnel to buy the food for the elephants at the fresh market. We'll then travel about 30 miles from the city to visit the elephant park. 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, squirrels and local settlements. At the end of the bamboo rafting, board the waiting vehicle and drive to Chiang Mai.
On the way back, we shall visit a small butterfly and orchid farm, time permitting.
Overnight at hotel.
Meals: BL.

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 3 Depart Chiang Mai

Breakfast at hotel and at leisure until transfer to airport or train station for your next destination.
Meals: B.

Group A (quality 3-4 star hotels):
Chiang Mai and Elephant Conservation 2 Nights / 3 Days.
TOUR COST PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS:

Group B (quality 3 star hotels):
Chiang Mai and Elephant Conservation 2 Nights / 3 Days.
TOUR COST PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS:

Bangkok-Chiang Mai airfare roundtrip US$177 per person Airfares are current and subject to change.

Tour Cost Includes:
Two nights accommodations in quality hotels in Chiang Mai on twin sharing,
Meals are as mentioned in the program (breakfast at hotel and lunch on tour),
transfers by air-conditioned van or coach on arrival, departure and during tour,
tour activities as mentioned in the itinerary,
English speaking local tour guide service,
entrance fees to monument & park visited, and
insurance for the duration of the tour,

Tour Cost Excludes:
Bangkok-Chiang Mai roundtrip airfare and departure tax, train fares, bus fares, lunch & dinner on stated in tour program, any items of personal nature including personal insurance, beverages, telephone, laundry, charges for delays caused by situations beyond our control including bad weather, natural disasters, political unrest, and emergencies.