Description

Northern Thailand is a region of unparalleled charm, where ancient traditions, lush landscapes, and vibrant communities come together to create a destination unlike any other.

This area is a haven for travellers seeking authenticity and adventure, with majestic mountains, verdant valleys, and a rich cultural tapestry that tells the story of a proud and storied past.

At its heart lies a collection of destinations that capture the essence of the north, each offering its own unique perspective on this enchanting corner of the world.

The cities and towns of the region are brimming with character. Chiang Mai, the cultural capital, blends modern energy with historical splendour, its bustling streets lined with centuries-old temples and colourful markets.

Neighbouring cities like Lamphun and Lampang transport visitors to a quieter time with their iconic temples and peaceful riverfronts.

Chiang Rai, home to the surreal White Temple, stands as a gateway to the mythical Golden Triangle, a region steeped in history and mystery.

Meanwhile, smaller towns like Chiang Kham offer an intimate glimpse into rural Thai life, with stunning rice paddies and friendly local communities.

Nature lovers will find a paradise among Northern Thailand’s scenic wonders.

From the caves and cliffs of Chiang Dao to the misty valleys of Pai and Mae Hong Son, the landscapes inspire awe and tranquillity.

Mae Sariang’s serene riverside vistas and the breathtaking biodiversity of Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak, complete the experience.

Whether you’re seeking cultural immersion, natural beauty, or a deeper connection with the traditions of this enchanting region, Northern Thailand promises unforgettable moments and timeless memories.

Itinerary

Day 1: Chiang Mai Arrival

Accommodation: Banthai Village (Superior Room)

Welcome to Chiang Mai! Enjoy a private airport transfer from Chiang Mai International
Airport (CNX) to your hotel with meet and greet service. Upon arrival, your driver, who will be holding a signboard with your name, will meet you after you’ve exited the airport.

Day 2: Chiang Mai  (Breakfast & Lunch Included)

Accommodation: Banthai Village (Superior Room)

Merit Making: History and Culture in Chiang Mai
Depart the hotel at 9 am to board a private Tuk Tuk and begin to explore the history and culture of Chiang Mai. Nicknamed the ‘Rose of the North’, Chiang Mai has blossomed into a vibrant city that captures both the spirituality and modernisation of Thailand where craft beer and contemporary restaurants have sprouted up amongst gilded temples.

Today will start with a visit to Warorot Market, a ramshackle collection of food, textiles, and homeware vendors. There’s ample opportunity to mix with locals out for the day’s shopping and have the chance to taste a few Thai snacks.

The fascinating Sop Moei Arts is our next stop, a nonprofit which collaborates with Karen hilltribes to build sustainable income by distributing hand-crafted textiles, baskets, and home décor.

Once more, board your Tuk Tuk, and head for Wat Sri Suphan. The temples façade, roof and Buddha statues are all covered in silver, contrasting it with most of Thailand’s gilded temples. This came about as the temple was built in the 1500s to serve the local silversmith village which, in turn, paid homage to the temple by donating silver. After visiting the temple, wander the surrounding alleys to see the local silversmiths that still call the neighbourhood home.

Lunch will be enjoyed at one of our favourites in the Old City, Dash Teak House Restaurant.
The traditional wooden house serves up Thai and international fare, but their Lanna food, which is the cuisine originating from northern Thailand and Eastern Myanmar, is recommended.

After lunch, a stroll around Wat Chedi Luang allows for a peaceful return to the action. Famed for its enormous chedi which once housed the Emerald Buddha that now sits on the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The final stop of the day will be to Supachet Studio, a five-minute walk from Wat Chedi Luang. Artist Supachet Bhumakarn opened the studio to showcase his whimsical works, from acrylic paintings to silver jewellery all inspired by elephants and rabbits. You can often find Supachet at work on the 2nd floor. The studio always elicits smiles and is a positive way to end your day.

Mediation and Chanting in Chiang Mai
Depart for an evening devoted to the practice of Buddhism. Learn how meditation and chanting are integral to the Four Noble Truths and the ‘cessation of suffering’.

Begin with a peaceful stroll through Wat Umong, also known as the ‘tunnel temple’. It lies in contrast to every other temple in Chiang Mai as it’s the only one situated in an expansive forest, veined with tunnels. Because of these unique attributes, it is perfectly suited to the practice of meditation. Discover why meditation is so important to Buddhism, learn the basic principles of meditation, and enjoy an opportunity to practice meditation and have a moment of mindfulness. For those interested in a more in-depth meditative experience, a lecture or formal class can be arranged.

Afterward, head to Chiang Mai’s most famous religious site, Doi Suthep. The namesake mountain on which the temple sits affords commanding views of the city, and, along with the wafting incense, gilded temple buildings, and chanting, creates an inherently spiritual atmosphere. Explore the temple grounds, discovering its importance to Thais and those of the Buddhist religion. There will also be a chance to witness the resident monks chanting.

Note: Approx. 1 km. of walking. Doi Suthep is accessible by either a 306-step staircase or
cable car.

Day 3: Chiang Mai  (Breakfast & Lunch Included)

Accommodation: Banthai Village (Superior Room)

Cooking with a Local Family
Depart the hotel at 8:30 am for a short drive to the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Our destination is Patan Village, home to the Yong people, an ethnic minority in Thailand. Today’s experience seeks to better understand the people and their culture.

Upon arrival, we visit Patan Temple and the Yong Cultural Museum. There is an opportunity to meet the temple’s resident monks and get an idea of their daily life, and their importance to the community. Joining them to learn the art of making flower bouquets provides a more hands-on appreciation. Afterward, it’s off to the museum which is housed in a traditional Yong home. The museum explains the Yong’s history, culture, and current place in Thai society.

Following a short walk through the village, we’ll stop at the home of a local family. After greetings, we’ll get to cooking. This immersive experience allows you to explore the Yong culture through food. After learning about the local ingredients, you’ll get to chopping and dicing, mixing and slicing, all at the direction of the family. After the meals are prepared, you’ll sit down to a homely, family-style meal.

Depart around 12:30 pm to return to your hotel. Afternoon is free at your leisure

Day 4: Chiang Mai – Lamphun – Lampang  (Breakfast & Lunch Included)

Accommodation: Lampang River Lodge (Lanna Cottage)

Lamphun Culture and Crafts
Depart the hotel at 08:30, and head south to the bucolic town of Lamphun which was designed in the shape of a conch shell as it takes form alongside the Khuang River.

Visit Wat San Pa Yang Luang to begin the day. Wat San Pa Yang Luang was the first Buddhist temple of the Mon Kingdom and is considered by Thais as one of the country’s most beautiful temples as it’s adorned with intricate carvings.

Afterwards, head to the Terracotta Garden where you’ll spend time exploring the statues dotting the grounds. The Terracotta Garden is a working terracotta factory and one of the largest suppliers of terracotta statues and bricks across the kingdom. Dotted around the factory grounds are lovingly manicured gardens housing hundreds of terracotta constructions, from roaring lions and lowly buffalos to bridges and waterfalls. Get inspired by the hundreds of Terracotta pieces spanning many different cultures and time periods before moving on to the next activity.

After a leisurely walk through the gardens, it’s time to get hands-on and create your own terracotta statue. First, the instructor will walk you through the process of making pottery, such as clay refining, clay mixing, throwing on the wheel, and drying. Then you’ll get a chance to create your own piece of art with the assistance of the instructor. Finally, enjoy lunch, coffee and dessert on the lawn.

Depart around 12:00 to Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, the most famous temple in Lamphun. After a visit, continue driving to Lampang, the beautiful city of horse drawn carriages in Northern Thailand.

Day 5: Lampang – Chiang Kham  (Breakfast Included)

Accommodation: Rico Resort (Deluxe Room)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and continue on the road to visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. This historical temple is one of the most famous temples in Lampang. The stupa itself is enormous in line with its name, ‘Luang’ translates as ‘huge’. It is also one of the country’s most intact wooden temples.

Continue to Dhanabadee Ceramic Museum – the original factory producing Chicken Bowls sold throughout the country.

Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, proceed to Chiang Kham with the approximately 3 –
3.5 hours’ drive.

Day 6: Chiang Kham  (Breakfast Included)

Accommodation: Rico Resort (Deluxe Room)

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy your morning free at leisure.

Cultural Cycle tour of Chiang Kham
After lunch time, you will depart for the cultural cycling tour in Chiang Kham. First stop ‘Wat Mueang Ma’ Chiang Kham’s main temple here we get the full history of the people and the area. Ride through the village to visit the Thai Leu weaving house, the famous 90-year-old weaver ‘Pa Sangda’s’ home.

Pop into the Wat Sop Wen, with it ‘Thai Leu’ cultural center. We make a quick stop at the ‘afternoon vegetable market.’ Then visit Wat Nantaram’, a wooden Burmese temple. After that leisurely 5 Km ride through villages and fields to ‘Wat Lom Yen’ where we climb the unique white stupa with a classic panoramic village / scenic view. Visit the ‘Wat Phra Tat Doi Kham’ with its long mountain stairs for a complete view of the Chiang Kham area. Later, proceed on to Ban Sa reservoir for sunset by van.

After the cycling tour, enjoy a Thai foot massage at the hotel.

Day 7: Chiang Kham – Chiang Rai (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Accommodation: The Legend (Superior Studio)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and continue your journey to Chiang Rai.

Upon arrival in Chiang Rai, we’ll embark upon a journey showcasing the highlights of Chiang Rai. Along the way, the guide is there to share their expertise and offer insights into the northern Thai way of life.

The first stop is Huay Pla Kang temple. This is a relatively new attraction in Chiang Rai – its huge white statue of Guan Yin, goddess of mercy, and its 9-story pagoda, both perched atop hills, offer panoramic views of the surrounding area.

There are several statues and Buddhist imagery to dive into in the ever-evolving complex – the guide is on hand to unpack all the meanings behind the symbolism and explain the visiting worshippers’ actions.

After this, it’s on to the iconic artist’s establishment – The Black House, or Baan Dam. This site is a unique creation of national artist, Thawan Duchanee, who thoughtfully combines traditional Lanna and Buddhist architecture with outlandish, salacious modern art in a series of buildings. The result is a complex meshing of cultures that is at once a museum and evolved into an art studio.

For lunch, we’ll visit a local restaurant to try several specialty northern Thai dishes. Be brave
and embrace the locals’ lust for spice!

After lunch, we go from the black house to the white temple, Wat Rong Khun. The White Temple is the creation of Thai artist, Chalermchai Khositpipat, and is one of the most visually striking, iconic temples of Thailand. To say the gleaming white building and surrounding complex are unusual would be an understatement. It’s a nightmarish contemporary take on traditional Buddhist design, with a lot of death-related imagery to marvel at. There also aren’t many Buddhist temples in the world where images of Elvis and the Hulk sit alongside the Buddha himself.

The final stop is a trip to Singha Park, a landscaped area outside the city that guests will explore by golf cart – admire the tea plantations, orchards, trails, and the petting zoo.

Arrive back at the hotels for check-in and rest at your leisure.

Day 8: Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Accommodation: Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort (Bamboo Cottage)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and continue your journey to Golden Triangle region – the point of convergence of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. Our first stop is the Mae Fah Luang Garden. This area is close to the Burmese border at the tip of the province, and there is plenty to explore here.

The Mae Fah Luang Garden is a complex of manicured plant beds carefully interspersed with fountains, rock art, wooden structures, and a small evergreen maze. The climate up here is slightly cooler, allowing for a range of beautiful roses, dahlias, and other plants not seen in the rest of Thailand.

Enjoy a typical Thai lunch at the top of Doi Tung.

Feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after lunch, the next stop is the Hall of Opium. This fascinating, educational exhibition traces the routes of the opium trade and its historical impact on this region of Thailand.

The last stop of the day is at the Golden Triangle viewpoint. Here, overlooking the mighty Mekong River. Take in the views of the meeting points of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. Observe temples dotting the landscape, and the distant enigmatic mountain ranges.

Day 9: Golden Triangle – Chiang Dao (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Accommodation: Azalea Village Wellness Resort (Superior Cottage)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and continue your journey to Doi Mae Salong, one of
the most picturesque regions in the North of Thailand.

Visit an Akha Hilltribe Village and their tea plantation. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 10: Chiang Dao – Pai (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Accommodation: Ban Krathing (Deluxe Room)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and continue your journey to Doi Luang Chiang Dao, Thailand 3rd highest mountain offering the highest limestone peak. Exploring the caves with the help of your guide.

Continue to the stunning Mok Fah Waterfall as well as Pong Duad Hot Spring along the way to Pai.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Upon arrival in Pai, check in at the hotel and enjoy your free day at leisure.

Day 11: Pai – Mae Hong Son (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Accommodation: Fern Resort (Deluxe Room)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and continue your journey to Tham Lod Cave. Climb onto a bamboo raft to explore the cave system. The cave is not only a remarkable natural feature due to its size and impressive chambers full of karst formations, but it also has historical significance since in the upper caves, teak wood coffins have been found that are thought to be thousands of years old.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Later, continue to Mae Hong Son with a visit to Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham where
a replica of the Phra Phuttha Sihing is installed on an altar. There are several interesting items such as wooden figurines of humans and animals depicted in the Phra Vejsandon Jakata.

Check-in at the hotel and rest at your leisure.

Day 12: Mae Hong Son (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Accommodation: Fern Resort (Deluxe Room)

After breakfast at the hotel, continue your journey heading on a scenic drive up the nearby mountains to visit Pang Oung, located in Ban Ruam Thai. As part of Pang Tong Royal Development Project, Pang Oung, also known as the ‘Switzerland of Thailand’, is a beautiful place that can be visited all year round. It offers gorgeous views of a scenic lake nestled in a valley which glitters with sunlight in the morning hours.

After a visit, transfer to Ban Rak Thai Village a picturesque village near the Burmese border located on a lake. The village is mainly inhabited by ethnic Chinese and tea producers, tea being one of their main sources of income. You will have the chance to try some locally grown tea in one of the many tea shops.

After lunch, drive back to Mae Hong Son.

Day 13: Mae Hong Son – Mae Sariang (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Accommodation: Riverhouse Hotel  (Standard Room)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and continue your journey to Mae Sariang. Drive along the Burmese border roads and you will be led to a quiet town of Khun Yuam where you can find an impressive WW2 Museum with lots of Japanese war related artifacts as well as a beautiful Burmese temple, Wat Tor Pae.

Upon arrival in Mae Sariang, check in and free day at your leisure.

Day 14: Mae Sariang – Doi Inthanon – Chiang Mai (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Accommodation: Banthai Village  (Superior Room)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and begin your day by heading back to Chiang Mai with a visit to the peak of Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. As you ascend, you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. A short nature trail at the top leads to the highest point in Thailand!

Afterward, make your way to the Grand Pagoda Nabhapolbhumisri, located just a short drive back down from the peak. Take a moment to admire the intricate artwork, pay your respects, and absorb the serene atmosphere. From the pagoda’s elevated position, enjoy sweeping vistas of the surrounding countryside.

To complete your day, venture to Wachiratan Waterfall, nestled in the Doi Inthanon National Park. This stunning natural wonder features multiple tiers of cascades, surrounded by lush greenery. Take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear pools, unwind amidst nature’s tranquility, and capture memorable photographs.

Return to Chiang Mai and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure

Day 15: Chiang Mai Departure (Breakfast Included)

At the designated time, your driver will meet you in the hotel lobby for your return transfer
to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)