Chiang Mai & the northern loop discovery

Welcome to Chiang Mai, the fascinating northern hub of Thailand!
Met and greeted by our man at the airport and transfer to hotel for check in (check in time is 14.00). Remainder of the day is to relax at your own leisure.  
Being the most vibrant city in the northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is known for its dazzling temples, interesting old city area with colorful street life, friendly locals, excellent foods, exciting night markets, and fascinating surrounding landscapes.
During your free time you may just wander around on food to get acquainted with the local atmosphere or perhaps pick up a course at one of many Thai cooking schools where you can learn about wonderful Chiang Mai’s cuisine.
This evening, why not head out and join in the exciting atmosphere at the Chiang Mai famous night markets.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, leave the hotel for a short drive out of the town then along the scenic winding mountain road to the Doi Suthep Temple, the holiest temple in Chiang Mai which situated on a hill thousand meters above the surrounding landscapes. Climb the 309 step naga-guarded stairway up to the temple, exploring the fascinating temple ground, listen to the beautiful chanting by resident monks and enjoy the rewarding view of Chiang Mai’s downtown and surroundings.
Following, drive to the Royal Park Rajapruek, a wonderful botanical garden that covers an area of 80 hectares and divided into different zones with the prominent Lanna architecture of Ho Kham Luang Royal Pavilion perched at the center.
Spend our time to explore the Orchid Garden to see rare orchids and hop into different areas to explore the architectures and gardening cultures from different countries around the world.
Today you will also visit Bor Sang village that is well known for traditional handicrafts of paper umbrella-making and Sankampeng village where you will have chances to explore other famous traditional handicrafts such as silk weaving, woodcarving, silversmith, and lacquer wares making.

Return to your hotel in remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Drive approximately an hour out of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forest, and local farming areas to Kanta Elephant Sanctuary and enjoy your time with lovely elephants.

This full-day activity offers you the opportunity to get to know each of the remarkable elephants and gain understanding about their daily lives and behaviors.
You will enjoy your day with these friendly and happy elephants in a safe area, feeding them, play with them, roaming around with them, bathing them in the river. Taking your time to observe and allowing the elephants to enjoy each moment of their freedom, scratching, rubbing, throwing dirt, enjoy the view and take for you lots of pictures.
This first-hand experience with these giant lovely animals in their natural home is a special time you will never forget.

Drive back Chiang mai and remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, depart for Lamphun and visit Wat Haripunchai, an incredibly beautiful temple with a huge golden Chedi that is a postcard favorite. Continue towards Lampang with a stopover at Tung Kwian Market to experience the lively atmosphere of selling and buying all kinds of local products from land to jungle.
At Lampang we take a leisurely ride in a horse carriage around for sightseeing of the town, admiring wooden houses built along the river and take a visit to Wat Chedi Sao, a temple with 20 stupas.
Continue towards Phrae and stop over for a visit to Nam Tung traditional weaving village, where you can observe the local women weaving nicely patterned cloths on wooden looms.
Following, visit the exquisite Vongburi House, a wooden mansion built in 1907 with fine wood carvings.
Arrive in Nan in the late afternoon. Check in hotel and free at your leisure to relax or walking around.
Lies on the right bank of the Nan River, this town is the provincial capital of the same name province and was the central of the ancient Nanthaburi from the 14th century. The city is home to many historical architectures dating from the Lanna period which show Lanna influence, while others belong to the Thai Lue legacy brought from Xishuangbanna where the Thai Lue people originated.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour around the town of Nan with our first visit to the Wat Phumin, famous for its mural wall paintings in Thai Lu style.
Continue to the nearby Wat Chang Kham Woravihan, a Sukhothai style temple with the main feature of the sculpted upper halves of elephants adorning around the Chedi.
Next is the Nan National Museum with various displays relates to the place at the different ages and the information on the northern indigenous people including the several minorities residing in Nan; the Wat Phra That Chae Haeng featuring a 55 meter-high golden Chedi containing a holy relic from Sukhothai.
Say goodbye to Nan and enjoy the scenic drive to Chiang Rai with some stops en route for photo shooting of natural landscapes and visiting to local villages.
Check in hotel upon arrival and remainder of the day we will take an exploring tour of Chiang Rai city.
Being the northernmost large city in Thailand and has been noted as ‘the gateway to the Golden Triangle’, Chiang Rai is home to unique local culture, wonderful ancient architectures, relaxed atmosphere and fine local food.  
Your sightseeing of Chiang Rai this afternoon including the famous Wat Rong Sear (Blue temple), the Oub Kham Museum which is the centre of the Lanna Heritage Conservation Centre, the statue of King Mengrai who founded Chiang Rai, and remarkable Wat Phra Keow.
Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Early breakfast at the hotel and then depart for the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. Here we will take visit to the Opium Museum and surrounding sights and learn about the name “Golden Triangle”.
Continue with our drive on winding road along the border with splendid views of mountain landscapes through the land of Mea Sai, Doi Tung, Doi Mea Salong with stops to visit hill tribe village of Karen long neck, Akha, Yao and Lisu.
Also we will spend time to visit a jade cutting factory, typical and colorful local market where you can learn more about local products and merchant practice.
Drive up Doi Angkhang, the mountain range along the Thai - Burmese border. Here is the habitat of a cluster of hill tribe villages. We will spend some time to visit the Ang khang Royal Agriculture Station Project which provides agricultural support to neighboring hill tribes and develops non-indigenous crops for them to grow. Enjoy local interaction and learn about local life and traditions.
Check in hotel and remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, departure to the Thai - Burmese border and visit the hill tribe villages of Palong and Black Muser those make their living on agriculture with traditions practiced for hundreds of years. People here used to get involved in opium farming and trading and now they have support from Thai Royal Project. Instead of farming opium, moving around and burn the jungle, the Royal Project Foundation has helped the tribes to settle down, learn how to grow cash crops such as tea, vegetables and different types of flowers.
Continue by road through scenic landscape to Chiang Dao and explore Chiang Dao Caves.
Get back to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon and remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast is at hotel.
Free at leisure until we get transfer to the airport for flight to onward destinations.
Safe travel and see you again!

Summary of inclusions