Suggested Itineraries and Tours of Chiang Mai
When we create itineraries, we take into account the ages and interests of the members of the group. If you have young children, we suggest a slower paced tour with lots of breaks. If members of your family or group have other interests, then please let us know.
The itineraries/travel plans are for 3-5 days, but if you have some time, you might like to combine Chiang Mai with a trip to Chiang Rai or Mae Hong Son.
Chiang Mai Highlights - 3 days 2 nights
Designed especially for those who only has a short time to spend in Chiang Mai.
We take you to the "must see" sights.
Suitable for all ages!
Day 1 - Doi Suthep Temple, Hill tribe & handicrafts
Airport pick up (or pick up from your hotel) This morning takes us to Doi Suthep Temple & Meo Hill Tribe Village.
Doi Suthep Temple is one of the most revered temples in Thailand. Legend has it that the site of the temple was chosen by an elephant carrying a holy relic. Climb the 306 Naga stairways to the top of the temple or take the cable car. Fantastic view of the city can be seen on a clear day.
We will then drive up to the Meo (Hmong) Hill Tribe Village. Witness the simple way of life of the hill tribe people. There are beautiful gardens and real opium being grown here! You'll also be able to buy some hill tribe souvenirs.
Lunch - a delicious lunch at a local Thai restaurant.
After lunch, visit Borsang Handicraft Village. See beautiful umbrellas being made, buy local gifts, visit silk factories and ceramic factories.
Return to hotel.
Day 2 - Mae Sa Valley, Elephants, Orchids & Botanical Garden, Khantoke Dinner
Today takes us to the famous Mae Sa Valley, just north of Chiang Mai. Mae Sa is a picturesque valley, and is home to many tourist attractions.
We will be visiting an Orchid and Butterfly farm, then onto the Mae Sa Elephant Camp. Watch elephants have a bath, feed elephants, and watch a very entertaining show put on by these wonderful creatures. Watch them play soccer, paint and elephants at work demonstration. Option: If you wish, you may also go on an elephant ride (own expense).
Lunch will be at the lovely Pongyang and Doi Restaurant. This restaurant is located inside a resort, and overlooks a waterfall. This lunch is at your own expense.
We will then head to the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden. This is a very beautiful garden with many nature trails in the grounds of nearly 1000 hectares. See many plants and flowers in their natural habitat. A must see is the orchid and lotus flower exhibitions.
After the Botanical Garden, head back to the hotel to rest or the city to look around.
In the evening, Khantoke Dinner awaits. Watch some wonderful Thai dances over a dinner.
Return to hotel.
Day 3 - Doi Inthanon National Park
At 2563m, Doi Inthanon is Thailand's highest mountain and is at the foothills of the Himalayas. The weather is cool year round, so don't forget to bring a jumper or jacket!
We will be visiting the King's and Queen's Twin Chedis (pagodas) that were built to commemorate their majesties' 60th birthdays in 1987 and 1992 respectively. The chedis are surrounded by beautiful gardens. See some fantastic view of the surrounding mountains from here.
The Royal Project is the next stop. This is an agricultural development centre started by the King to help educate local hill tribes about modern agricultural techniques and crop substitution programs.
Lunch will be at a local restaurant.
On the way back to Chiang Mai, we will drop by a beautiful waterfall and look around.
Return to hotel or drop off at airport
The tour includes:
2 nights accommodation (twin share room) - see details below
Entrance fees
Meals as indicated on the itinerary - 2 lunches and 1 dinner.
English speaking driver/tour guide.
Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, fully insured with medical insurance for passengers.
The tour excludes:
Personal expenses, tips
Note:
Bring a jacket or jumper for the Doi Inthanon trip.
"Polite" dressing required when visiting Doi Suthep Temple - ie. covered shoulders and knees.
This is a private tour. Customized changes possible. Please enquire.
To book the tour or for further enquiries, please click the "Trip Enquiry" button below.
Trip Enquiry
Chiang Mai for everyone – Food, Animals & Nature
Day 1
Get right into it by joining a one day (two or three days also available) Thai cooking class. Typically, a class will include a visit to a local market to learn about ingredients of Thai cooking. Older children will also enjoy the experience.
Evening at leisure – perhaps enjoy bargaining at the Night Bazaar.
Day 2
Morning – Visit Mae Sa Elephant Farm and watch some of the elephants put on a show. Optional Elephant ride.
Visit Monkey School or Snake Farm or Orchid & Butterfly farm
Lunch at Pong Yang & Doi Restaurant - a fantastic Thai restaurant overlooking a waterfall.
Mae Sa Waterfall – walk off your lunch and may be relax and have a swim at this beautiful waterfall.
0r – Visit Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden to see amazing variety of plants. The botanical garden also has a good collection of orchids.
Or- for those who love to make things – visit the Mae Rim Arts & Crafts Village for lessons on how to hand-paint umbrellas, “Sa” papermaking, Batik Dyeing (take your pick). Your handiworks will be delivered to your hotel within 48 hours (or items can be arranged to be sent home). Mum and Dad may want to have a massage.
Dinner – Take your pick – French, Italian, Chinese or Thai. We take you to the best restaurants.(Own Expense)
Day 3
Morning – Cultural tour of Chiang Mai – visit some of the city’s famous wats/temples.
Lunch - Just Kao Soi. You haven’t been to Chiang Mai if you haven’t tried Kao Soi – a delicious noodle dish served in curry broth.
Afternoon - Visit some of the handicrafts factories on San Kamphaeng Rd. See how beautiful sa-paper umbrellas are made, visit silk factories, ceramic factories, silver factories. See everything, or tell us if you have particular interests.
Kantoke Dinner – Enjoy Northern Thai food dinner with Cultural Show.
Chiang Mai Adventures
Day 1
Morning – Fish for the PlaBeuk (Giant Mekong River Cat Fish) at a local Fishing lake. Guaranteed to give your muscles a work out! An alternative location is also available if you have younger children. Fishing lessons available for beginners and kids.
Lunch – Delicious lunch at a local Thai restaurant.
Afternoon –Have the afternoon free. Explore Chiang Mai old town, have a massage, visit markets, or go shopping.
Day 2
White Water Rafting down the Mae Taeng River through a spectacular Rainforest. Children over 10 years old can participate. Safety briefing and all safety equipments provided. Lunch provided.
It is also possible to include a 1 hour Elephant Jungle Trek.
Or: Spend the day with elephants. Learn about their health care, help bathe and feed the elephants, bareback elephant ride to a waterfall. Suitable for all ages including infants and the elderly.
Day 3
After all the excitement over the past couple of days, have a lazy morning and sleep in!
Visit some of Chiang Mai’s famous Wats;or explore Chiang Mai’s ancient capital city WiangKumKam by bike or pony carriages
Afternoon – Sankhampang Hot Springs. Relax in mineral baths, boil eggs in the hot spring with the locals, have a massage.
Day 4
Flight of the Gibbon - Zip through the tree-tops like a gibbon over the rainforests of Mae Kampong, an hour or so from Chiang Mai. The adventure lasts for around 3 hours. After the “flight”, you’ll be taken on a short trek to a nearby waterfall. Children need to be at least 120cm tall for this activity. Young children can be taken on tandem. Max weight 150kg. Mum & Dad, don’t worry, this activity is very safe.
Lunch at a local restaurant and have a look around the village before heading back to Chiang Mai.
Have the afternoon and evenings to yourselves. Relax, have another massage or a spa treatment, go shopping at the Night Bazaar.
Day 5
Take it easy on this last day. See Chiang Mai city on a Ping River Scorpion-tailed Boat tour; or, take a trip up Doi Suthep to visit the famous temple, then onto a Hmong Hill-tribe Village.
Lunch – Fantastic Northern Thai food at a lovely local restaurant.
Afternoon: Visit Ban Tawai, the wood-carving centre of Thailand. See talented craftsmen at work and perhaps pick up those last minute gifts.
Mae Hong Son - Pai
Day 1
Fly to Mae Hong Son from Chiang Mai (35 min flight).
Explore Mae Hong Son town.
Visit Lake Nong Chong Kham. Take a stroll by the lake. Visit a beautiful 200 year old Burmese style Wat Chong Kham that houses antique glass paintings and woodcarvings that were brought from Burma more than 100 years ago. Children (and adults) will enjoy feeding huge Koi carp at the lake.
Visit Wat Phratat Doi Kong Mu - a Shan style Buddhist temple on a small hill overlooking the city. Watch the sunset here if you like.
Day 2 Mae Hong Son – Pai
On the way, visit the famous Fish Cave – see and feed huge carps, sacred to the locals.
Visit PhasuaWaterfall, considered one of the most beautiful in Mae Hong Son, and/or visit ThamLod Cave, the longest discovered cave systems in South East Asia. Explore the interiors of the cave on bamboo rafts.
Arrive in Pai in the late afternoon. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and exploring the hippy town. Visit the lively Pai Night Market.
Spend the night in Pai.
Day 3
Return to Mae Hong Son via a scenic route.
Fly back to Chiang Mai or on road via Doi Inthanon (Inthanon Mountain)
Magical Pai (plus optional White Water Rafting to Mae Hong Son town)
Day 1
Morning – leave Chiang Mai for Pai on a very windy road (1865 turns!) with spectacular views.
On the way, visit Orchid & Butterfly farm, go through Huay Nam Dang National Park for lovely views of Northern Thailand scenery.
Afternoon – arrive in Pai. Check into hotel/resort. Have the rest of the afternoon free – relax and take a stroll around town, soaking in the atmosphere.
Day 2
Morning- elephant trek, play and swim with the elephants.
Afternoon - bamboo rafting. It’s also possible to arrange an overnight stay at a Hill tribe village.
Have the rest of the afternoon free, perhaps have a massage.
Day 3
Visit a Lisu Village, a Chinese Village for some tea tasting and Tham Lod Cave (thought to be South East Asia’s longest discovered cave system)
Return to Pai
Day 4
Return to Chiang Mai in the morning.
Or: If you have more time, enjoy an overnight White Water Rafting Trip to Mae Hong Son town. (July-Dec only)
Day 5
Arrive in Mae Hong Son in the afternoon. Stay longer in Mae Hong Son, or fly back to Chiang Mai.
Mexican Sunflowers (November special!) – Mae Hong Son-Chiang Mai 2 days
Day 1
Leave Chiang Mai for Mae Hong Son on the first flight.
Arrive in Mae Hong Son.
Visit a Karen Village, elephant riding
Or: Visit some of the local attractions around town
Lunch
Leave for Mae Chaem via KhunYuam. In November, the hillsides around KhunYuam is covered with beautiful golden Bua Tong (Mexican Sunflowers), an unforgettable sight! Also, visit a Hmong Village along the way.
Arrive in Mae Chaem, a small town famous for its unique form of weaving. Explore the town and surrounds.
Day 2
Mae Chaem-Chiang Mai via Doi Inthanon
DoiInthanon National Park isThailand’s highest peak at 2565m. It’s also a part of the Himalayan Mountain Range.
Visit King & Queen Royal Pagoda (Chedis) that are set in beautiful grounds overlooking amazing views of the mountains.
Lunch at one of the restaurants near the Royal Pagoda or at the Royal Projects
Visit the Royal Project that helped the villagers change from growing opium to flowers, vegetables and fruits.
If you like, walk one of the nature trails in the National Park.
Return to Chiang Mai.
Rest of the afternoon/evening at leisure. Get a massage, go shopping, etc.
Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai (Doi Tung & Golden Triangle)
Day 1
Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai
Morning – leave Chiang Mai for Chiang Rai. Enjoy the scenery along the way. Visit the magical WatRongKhun (the famous “White Temple”).
Lunch at hotel or local restaurant
Afternoon – take a long tailed boat ride to a Karen Hill-tribe Village passing through beautiful mountain sceneries.
After the boat ride, return to hotel and have the afternoon to relax or look around town.
Visit the colourful Chiang Rai Night Market. Browse through and buy Hill-tribe crafts and other interesting things. Watch various cultural performances and Lady-boy shows. Enjoy local foods and snacks.
Day 2
Morning – leave for Doi Tung (Tung Mountain). You can see some gorgeous scenery and visit Doi Tung Villa (the King’s mother residence) and the charming Mae Fah Luang Gardens. Learn about the late King’s mother’s works to help alleviate the poverty the local people, to address social issues such as drug addiction and prostitution, and to help reforest the mountain and conserve the environment.
Visit the Wildlife Conservation Centre and Open Zoo. Stroll through the zoo to see some of the local wildlife.
Visit WatPhratatDoi Tung, the oldest and most sacred of the Northern Thai temples. One of the Buddha’s collarbones is said to be stored here.
Return to Chiang Rai.
Day 3 Golden Triangle
Morning – leave for Mae Sai, on the border with Myanmar. Look around the local market where you’ll find various goods from Myanmar and China. It’s also a good place to buy Burmese Gems.
If you like, you can also cross over to Myanmar’s border-townTachilek and stroll the market on the other side.
Leave for the Golden Triangle where 3 countries meet at the Mekong and Nam Ruak Rivers. Visit the fascinating “Hall of Opium” where you have the opportunity to learn about opium and opium culture.
The next stop is the ancient capital city of Chiang Saen. Explore ruins of temples and city walls. Relax by the Mekong River and watch boats pass by, or perhaps go on one of the long-tail boat river cruises to enjoy the picturesque landscape along the Mekong.
Or: take a trip to Chiang Saen Lake for some lovely nature walks and bird watching.
Return to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai