Explore the north of Thailand and discover its main cultural attractions with this magical four-day tour from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. This region is overflowing with historical monuments, dreamlike landscapes, gastronomic delights and wonderful wildlife. This tour is operated in a small group of up to 8 passengers.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Chiang Mai: Take in the views from the hilltop Wat Doi Suthep temple
Chiang Rai: Enjoy a colourful stroll through the local morning market
Golden Triangle: See three countries from one spot in Sop Ruak, at the confluence of the Ruak and the Mekong rivers
Day 1: ARRIVAL CHIANG MAI
Begin your adventure with a guided tour of Chiang Mai’s old town and main temples. After being picked up at 13:30 in the city centre, visit the historical Wat Suan Dok and admire its 48-metre-high Sri Lankan-style chedi, which overlooks the Royal Cemetery. Continue to Wat Phra Sing in the old town and appreciate the beauty of this large complex comprising more than 60 buildings before visiting the 14th-century Wat Chedi Luang in the very heart of the old city. This ancient temple has a more rustic appearance and has been restored after decades of decay. Discover, too, the nearby Wat Chet Yot and Wat Chiang Man. Due to its age, the Chet Yot temple betrays some signs of ruin while the Chiang Man temple is renowned for its numerous elephant sculptures.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 2: CHIANG MAI (80 kms – 3hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, where you’ll enjoy some magnificent panoramic views of the city. The temple is reached by climbing a 309-step naga staircase or via cable car (included). If the views are stunning, the temple itself is even better and boasts a number of dazzling structures. Continue to the bustling Wararot Market, a historical landmark renowned for the variety and quality of its produce, before visiting the fragrant flower market. In the evening, enjoy a khantoke dinner, a traditional northern Thai feast combined with a selection of traditional cultural performances inspired by the Lanna kingdom, which dominated northern Thailand for almost five centuries.
Overnight in Chiang Mai. Dinner included
Day 3: CHIANG MAI – CHIANG RAI (260km – 4 hrs)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to Elephant Poopoopaper Park, an eco-friendly, naturally built outdoor museum park that introduces and explains the unique steps involved in making our much talked about paper products from elephant poop fibres! The interpretive walking tour through our lush gardens brings visitors through eight different pavilions explaining each stage of our fascinating process from poo collection to rinsing to final product assembly. Visitors are encouraged to pull up a stool, roll up their sleeves and join with our talented artisans and guides and participate in our head-turning process! Complemented by the presence of rich graphics and signage, visitors will also be introduced to Chiang Mai's long and rich history of traditional papermaking and handicrafts production. After lunch, continue by road via Doi Saket with a stop at Wat Rong Khun, nicknamed the ‘White Temple’, a dazzling temple built in the 1990s. Its ornate all-white exterior with embedded pieces of mirror gives it a resplendent appearance, making it one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand. Continue to Chiang Rai, arriving in the afternoon and transferring to your accommodation.
Overnight in Chiang Rai. Lunch included
Day 4: CHIANG RAI – GOLDEN TRIANGLE – DEPART CHIANG RAI (175km – 3.5 hrs)
Check out after breakfast at the hotel and visit Chiang Sean for a panoramic view of the Golden Triangle where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet where the mighty River Mekong flows through. Hop on a boat and take a trip around the Golden Triangle on a boat ride lasting around 30 minutes. After, enjoy lunch at the local restaurant before being dropped off at Chiang Rai Airport
Breakfast and lunch included.
