CHIANG RAI & CHIANG MAI
Discover the cultural treasures and natural wonders of Northern Thailand on this 8-day journey. Begin in Chiang Rai with visits to iconic temples, the Black House Museum, and a serene boat ride on the Mae Kok River. Journey through the misty hills of Mae Salong, explore ethnic minority villages, and enjoy a scenic boat trip at the Golden Triangle. Travel onward to Chiang Mai, where ancient temples, vibrant local markets, and historic landmarks await. Take part in a Thai cooking class, cruise along the Mae Ping River, and trek through the lush trails of Doi Inthanon National Park to meet the Karen hill tribe and marvel at spectacular waterfalls. A well-rounded adventure blending culture, cuisine, and nature.
DAY 1: CHIANG RAI ARRIVAL (-/-/-)
Upon arrival in Chiang Rai, get your own free time for relaxing or just strolling around in the city.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Rai
Distance:
- Chiang Rai Airport – Chiang Rai Central: 18 miles -> 40 minute driving transfer
DAY 2: CHIANG RAI & MAE KOK RIVER (B/-/-)
 Morning after breakfast, we will visit the local market to discover the local products. After that we visit the world famous Wat Phra Kaew where the Emerald Buddha image was once enshrined. Move on to Wat Phra Singh where one of Thailand’s most beautiful Buddha images is now enshrined. Then short drive from Chiang Rai City to Black House. Baan Dam (Black House) is the unique creation of national artist, Thawan Duchanee. Part art studio, part museum, part home, Baan Dam is an eclectic mix of traditional northern Thai buildings interspersed with some outlandish modern designs. Lunch on your own account and afternoon we will take on our boat cruise on Mae Kok river from Chiang Rai to Karen village where you can watch elephants or feed them. Transfer back to Chiang Rai.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Rai
Distance:
- Chiang Rai Central – Wat Phra Kaew: 10 miles -> 30 minute driving transfer
- Wat Phra Singh – Baan Dam: 7 miles -> 20 minute driving transfer
DAY 3: CHIANG RAI – MAE SALONG – CHIANG SAEN (B/-/-)
After breakfast we continue the trip by heading to the northern Thailand – a wooded, mountainous and beautiful area. This morning, you will explore the surroundings and the first road you will take is the one that leads to Mae Salong. Climb up and down the green hills, covered with tea plantations. Here, you will get chance tasting the delicious tea produced by one of the many plantations of the region, before continuing your way towards the Golden Triangle.
From Doi Mae Salong, we will visit a village of ethnic minorities: the village Akah of Loyo.
Afterwards we will visit the Mae Fah Luang botanical garden. Last but not least, transfer to Golden Triangle where we take a boat trip on Mekong River to see Thailand, Burma & Laos triangle.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Saen
Distance:
- Chiang Rai Central – Mae Salong: 42 miles -> 1,5 hour driving transfer
- Mae Salong – Mae Fah Luang: 26 miles -> 45 hour driving transfer
DAY 4: CHIANG SAEN – THATON – CHIANG MAI (B/-/-)
After breakfast, you will leave the hotel for Thaton. Â You will make a stop on the way to the village of Patai to meet the tribe of Padong Karen, famous for its women “giraffes” who wear copper rings around their neck to lengthen it. You will then discover a traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy where an expert will explain the use of herbs, roots, plants and ointments. In the afternoon, take the road to Chiang Mai, the capital of the North, and stop for a walk in the maze of underground galleries in Chiang Dao.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai.
Distance:
- Chiang Saen – Thaton: 48 miles -> 1,5 hour driving transfer
- Thaton – Chiang Mai: 124 miles -> 4 hour driving transfer
DAY 5: CHIANG MAI CITY & DOI SUTHEP (B/-/-)
Breakfast served at the hotel. The morning will be mainly devoted to the walking tour of the old town with a stop at the old wall, the moat and a door of the old town. You will see the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh temple, Wat Phan Tao temple, Wat Chedi Luang temple. Then you will stroll along small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take rickshaw tour. After that, you will take a walking through the central market of Warorot. In the afternoon you will visit the Doi Suthep hill. To brighten up your evening, browse the Night Market for yourself.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai
Distance:
- Chiang Mai Central – Doi Suthep or vice versa: 14 miles -> 1 hour driving transfer
DAY 6: CHIANG MAI – COOKING CLASS AT THAI FARM COOKING (SIC Tour) & MAE PING RIVER CRUISE (B/L/-)
In the morning you will enjoy breakfast at your the hotel.
8:30 am – 2:00 pm (Join group SIC Tour): You will be picked up by the school team and join the Thai Farm Cooking for Thai cooking classes in English. It will be a great experience for you to learn the recipes and tips of this succulent Thai cuisine.
– Visit a local market
– Explaining and learning about herbs and ingredients at our organic farm
– Cooking jasmine rice and sticky rice
– Pound and make a curry paste from scratch
– Choose and make one curry paste, one curry and one soup
– Cook a noodle dish and sweet dessert according to the day
Afternoon take two-hour boat trip along the Mae Ping River is an excellent way to spend an afternoon, you get to watch as the scenery along the river changes, you will also get to see many beautiful traditional steak houses as well as a lot of rural greenery along the wat. Transfer back to hotel for your free time.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai.
DAY 7: CHIANG MAI – DOI INTHANON – CHIANG MAI (B/L/-)
This day will start with a transfer to Doi Inthanon National Park. It will take approximately 2 hours to the highest peak of Thailand – Doi Inthanon National Park. On arrival, we will spend 2-3 hours trekking through the jungle following a narrow mountain trail which leads us to stunning hidden waterfall in the middle of lush jungle. Along the way before reaching the Pagagayaw Karen hill tribe village, we will pass through the farmland where you will see the coffee plantation, flowers farm and the beautiful rice terraces. Discover the Pagagayaw Karen hill tribe village and taste a cup of locally grown coffee then move on to Wachiratharn Waterfall, a 70 meters high thunderous waterfall. Enjoy the cool fresh air at the waterfall before we continue back to the ground.
After that you will visit the beautiful architecture of Napamaytanidol Chedi and Phra Mahatat Napaphon Bhumisiri which build to honor the 60th birthday of King Bhumipol and Queen Sirikit.
Finally, transfer back to Chiang Mai for your overnight.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai
Distance:
- Chiang Mai Central – Doi Inthanon National Park or vice versa: 54 miles -> 2 hour driving transfer
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DAY 8: CHIANG MAI – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
Morning, you get free time at the hotel until transfer to the airport for departure flight.
Distance:
- Chiang Mai Central – Chiang Mai Airport: 3 miles -> 10 minute driving transfer
HOME SWEET HOME!
Included / Excluded
To help you plan your trip, we have put together a list of what's included and what's not included in your tour package. This will give you a clear understanding of what to expect and help you make any necessary arrangements before your journey begins.
- Hotel Accommodation with daily breakfast (shared in twin/ double room)
- Experience English speaking tour manager on tour
- Private transfer and transportation on tour
- Rickshaw tour in Chiang Mai city
- Meals are mentioned on program (B: Breakfast, Br: Brunch, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
- Entrance fees are mentioned on the itinerary
- Daily mineral water (2 bottles/ pax/ tour day)
- All flights with tax
- Visa Approval Letter and Visa Stamping fee at arrival counter
- Travel Insurance
- Early check in or late check out
- Drinks and Beverages
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Surcharge for Public Holidays:
o New Year: 31 December 2025 – 02 January 2026 (inclusive)
o Surcharge for festivals (Loy Krathong 14-16 Nov, Sonkran 12-15 Apr…)
o Christmas: 23 – 25 December 2025 (inclusive
o Compulsory Gala Diner on 24 & 31 Dec 2025 (if any). - TIPPING for local guide, cruise team, tour manager and driver (compulsory)
- All other services are not mentioned on Inclusions
- Bank fee
Tour Map
This comprehensive map is designed to guide you through an exciting journey filled with remarkable destinations and captivating experiences.
