Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand filled with the atmosphere of a complex mountain range and valuable Lanna Culture. Chiang Rai is often referred to as the “gateway to the Golden Triangle.” The Golden Triangle is the point where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. This area was once notorious for its drug trade, but today it’s a popular tourist destination.

Upon arrival and after check-in at the hotel, it's your free time and no sightseeing today.

Accommodation:

• 4-Star Hotel: The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort and Spa

The first thing you will see in Chiang Rai is the most famous Iconic White Temple or Chalermchai Kositpipat and you will be amazed at how pretty the temple is. A stunning mix of classic and contemporary styles, the structure is part religious facility and part art gallery. The white exterior shimmers in the sunlight and when you walk inside you are greeted with walls that feature thought-provoking contemporary artwork. In a land full of temples, this is one of the most extraordinary you will see.

After that, you will go to Chiang Rai Blue Temple – Wat Rong Suea Ten. The Blue Temple is immediately recognizable for its brilliant shade of rich sapphire. The temple walls, roof, and surrounding statues are all covered in this gorgeous hue, an unusual decorative choice in a country where most temples are made of gold. This color is symbolically associated with purity, wisdom, and the lack of materialism that Buddhists aspire to. The temple is a fascinating fusion of traditional Buddhist values and classic Thai architecture with extremely contemporary design choices. This modernism makes sense — the Blue Temple was designed by Putha Kabkaew, a student of the artist who built the eccentric White Temple.

Then, you will visit Singha Park, famous for its scenic trails, lakes, meadows, and flowers. Areas of the park are still working farms with barley fields and tea plantations and there are also orchards and fields where visitors are allowed to pick fruit and vegetables. To see every inch of the park, you can use the hop-on hop-off trams. In the evening, head to the Chiang Rai night bazaar.

The night bazaar market opens daily from 5 pm onwards and it is relatively more local. There is a lot to see and especially food station is one of the most interesting areas in the market. Before heading to your hotel, you can quickly stop at the clock tower to see the colorful light show with great music (show time: 7 PM, 8 PM, 9 PM).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• 4-Star Hotel: The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort and Spa

Today, you will start your adventure at the famous Golden Triangle area. Your driver will pick you up from the hotel.

You will head to the Mekong’s River Bank to The World Renowned, Golden Triangle, the mystery land in the past related to the Drug Trade, and have a northern taste lunch at a local restaurant (own account). Then, you will take a boat trip along the Mae Khong River near Laos Island (A passport is Required for this activity). You need to pay for entrance fees only here to visit the island which is not included in the package. After the visit, you will be transferred back directly to your hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• 4-Star Hotel: The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort and Spa

It's time to go to Chiang Mai City after your sightseeing in Chiang Rai. The driver will transfer you to Chiang Mai through the scenic drive.

Visit and explore four revered temples in Chiang Mai. All were constructed during the Lanna period; each reflects the glory, splendors, and nobility of a rich historical era.

In the center of the city lies Wat Phra Singh first built during the reign of Phra Chao Kham Fu (1328-1335). The temple’s compound includes the Lai Kam Chapel and the abbot of this important temple is the head of the local religious administration. Lying smack in the heart of the city (almost right in the middle of the square-walled city) is Wat Chedi Luang, the large Chedi (the biggest in the city) behind the vihara was constructed by King Saen Muang Ma around 1401. Originally 90 meters high, it is now a mere 40 meters as the result of an earthquake in 1545. A small building near the main entrance encloses the “Sao Intakin” (spirit of the city). Last but not least is Wat Chiang Man, lying in the Northern part of the old walled city; it is the oldest temple within the city walls.

 

Constructed by King Mengrai (1296-1311) the founder of Chiangmai, it is said that the king spent his last years in this temple. Driving around the old city to see the moat surrounding it and the ruins of the city gates. Then visit the largest central market, Worarot Market, alive with its daily hustle and bustle. Exotic fresh fruits, preserved food, local delicacies, clothes galore, flowers, and other knick-knacks, all at reasonable prices.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• 4-Star Hotel: Bodhi Serene, Chiang Mai

Lying south of Chiang Mai, the granite mass of Doi Inthanon, 8,500 feet above sea level, is the highest summit in the country. Doi Inthanon is the tail of the Himalaya mountain range, designated as a national park. Your driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel and drive to the top of the mountain. After a final steep climb, the summit is surprisingly flat though misty, cool, and breezy. Walk shortly to see a small Stupa containing the remains of Chao Inthawichayanon the last independent ruler of Chiang Mai. Enjoy exploring around Ang-Kha Nature Trail at the highest peak viewing beautiful Ferns & Moss as well as White & Red Rhododendrons (bloom only during Jan – Feb).

Visit the Twin Pagodas built by the Thai Air Force in honor of their Majesties King and Queen for their 60th Birthday Anniversaries. A visitors’ center nearby contains tourist information both in Thai and English. Stop on the way down to shop at Hmong Tribal Market which trades various kinds of vegetation, temperature fruits, and flowers from their own farm. Lunch will be served at the local restaurant. Drive through Baan Khun Klaang, the biggest Hmong community of Doi Inthanon heading to the Royal’s Project initiated by His Majesty the King to stop the hill tribes from growing Opium. Enjoy searching around and taking some pictures of beautiful flower plantations and the organic farmland inside the Project. Further down to Karen Hill tribe village at Baan Sop Had. The last stop at Wachiratarn Waterfall. Relax by fresh and clear fall to freshen up after a long day tour. Transfer back to Chiang Mai.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• 4-Star Hotel: Bodhi Serene, Chiang Mai

Today, you will visit the tea plantation and experience the tea plucking. Join the tour to walk through the lush tea garden and learn all about tea-growing processes. You will be invited to join resident tea pluckers, watch how tea leaves are processed according to age-old traditions, view the factory, and enjoy a cup of tea with a traditional Thai snack in Araksa's Tea House.

Tour Times: 9 am, 11 am and 2 pm
Tour Duration: ~1.30 hours

After transferring back to the hotel, you will have free time to explore the city by yourself or relax at the hotel. 

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks

Accommodation:

• 4-Star Hotel: Bodhi Serene, Chiang Mai

Today, you will head to the famous Pai, through a scenic 3-hour drive. Pai is a small, hippie town with a relaxed vibe about 130km from Chiang Mai, and most tourists visiting Chiang Mai also go to Pai. 

Pai is a beautiful small town in northern Thailand's Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border. There are natural hot springs, waterfalls, markets, plenty of backpacker hostels, and more. It is easily reachable from Chiang Mai, which is a popular spot to visit in northern Thailand. 

The must-visit in Pai is the walking street and night market. A night market in the heart of the charming village of Pai. A place where you can stroll through and sit and enjoy the variety of people passing by. Even though Pai has many good restaurants, you can also choose to make a street food buffet during your walk down this street. In addition to clothing and food, you’ll also find many artists displaying their works of art such as jewelry or paintings along the way. The Pai Night Market on Pai Walking Street is between 500 and 1,000 meters long depending on the low or high season.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• 4-Star Hotel: The Quarter

Today, you will visit the beautiful yet mysterious Nam Lod cave. We need bamboo rafts to enter the caves and then you come across these insane natural formations of stalagmites and stalactites. It looked like a great adventure just out of a thriller movie. There are three caves that make up the Tham Lod Cave complex. And they are prone to waterlogging. You cannot enter the caves if they are filled with water. Therefore, during monsoons (July – September) all caves are usually out of limits. Tham Lod caves are themselves extremely significant after the findings of the buried human skeletons here. They date back to the Holocene period (9,700 BC onwards). 

Then, visit Tha Pai Hot Springs is a beautiful hot spring surrounded by a lush, green forest. The water has an average temperature of 80 degrees Celsius and offers an excellent view, especially in the morning, when the mellow sun creates a rich tapestry of shadows as it shines through the steam issuing from the hot spring. There are several pools of different heat levels, each one less hot than the previous one. This place has pools that are a foot and a half deep, and you can easily immerse yourself and relax in the pools after a cold journey through the mountain roads. 

After a refreshing time in the spring, we’ll head to the Pai Canyon, which is an incredibly scenic canyon with stunning valley views and it’s one of the most reputable locations to catch a Pai sunset. It’s approximately a 5-minute walk up the stairs to the first viewpoint, which tends to be where most visitors gather for sunset, lining up to take photos. It’s the best spot to watch sunset and it’s also busiest during golden hour so you can expect it to be crowded at this time.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• 4-Star Hotel: The Quarter

Today, it's your free time to stroll along Pai or have a relaxing time at your hotel. You can rent a scooter or a bike and it's exciting to visit nearby areas, especially local markets. Or you can have quality time with your family or friends chilling at the hotel. Order room service or swim in the pool, anything can be relaxing.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• 4-Star Hotel: The Quarter

It's time to say goodbye to Northern Thailand. Your driver will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Chiang Mai International Airport for your flight to the next destination. 

Hope to see you again! Sawasdee!!!

Meals: Breakfast