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 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 hilltop inside the Doi-Pui National Park. To reach the temple, we drive up Doi (mount) 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 and other majestic decors are worth to seeing.
Lunch break is taken en-route tour where convenient.

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 cuisine 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 45 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 Chiang Mai to Mae Hongsorn flight and excursion
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. BLD.

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. BLD.

Day 5 Lod Cave and Mae Hongson
Breakfast at resort, and drive Lod Cave wildlife and nature institute situated 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 fish cave. En route, we stop at one of the Lisu village to visit its museum and make the last stop at the viewpoint before driving to our resort for the evening. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Pai. Meals: BLD.

Day 6 Overland to Thaton and scenic boat trip
Breakfast at the hotel, and drive to Thaton for lunch; then, visit its local temple and take a long tail boat ride for 30-40 minutes to our eco resort where we will have dinner with Lisu folk song and dance show. Overnight at Huai Khum Resort in the river valley.
Meals: BLD.

Day 7 Leisure day to relax
Breakfast at the riverside restaurant, swim and relax at the pool or go for a leisurely walk along the river valley to visit local villages and farms.
The Huai Khum Resort, the only boutique as well as eco resort in the Mae Kok River valley, is truly a paradise. Overnight at Huai Khum 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 valley is supplemented by tea, coffee and orchard plantation making it lush green throughout the year. We visit here to enjoy scenery, taste the fresh cut tea and experience the rural way of life in the northern hills of the golden triangle.
Overnight at Huai Khum 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 Nam Mae Kok River. Along the way, we will visit hill-tribes where possible. At the end of boat trip, we drive to Chiang Rai town and visit some to the attractive temples and visit 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's way of life and drive to Baan Ruamit from where we will take the boat to Chiang Rai town.

Day 10 Golden Triangle
Breakfast at hotel, and drive to Mae Fa Luang hills to visit the hills 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 living through cottage industry. Then, continue journey to Mae Sai, Thai-Myanmar border town for a brief visit, and continue journey to Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar and Lao PDR 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 Hotel Package :
The Best of North Thailand 10 Nights / 11 Days.
TOUR COST PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS :

1 person	US$2488 per person
2 persons	US$1812 per person
3-6 persons	US$1625 per person
7-10 persons	US$1450 per person
11-15 persons	US$1250 per person
15+1 persons	US$1150 per person
Single Supplement US$400

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.

Bangkok-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.