TRULY NORTHERN THAILAND
Discover the authentic charm of Northern Thailand on this 10-day journey through lush mountains, ancient temples, and colorful hill tribe cultures. Begin in Chiang Rai with visits to iconic sites like the White Temple and Golden Triangle, then head to Pai and Mae Hong Son for scenic river cruises, hidden caves, and interactions with tribal communities such as the Karen, Lahu, and Lisu. In Chiang Mai, explore sacred temples, vibrant local markets, and the spiritual peak of Doi Suthep. A highlight of the trip is the visit to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, where you’ll feed, bathe, and walk with elephants in an ethical and natural setting. This well-rounded adventure combines culture, nature, and meaningful experiences perfect for travelers seeking to connect with the true spirit of Northern Thailand.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN CHIANG RAI (-/-/-)
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 – DOI TUNG – MAE SAI – CHIANG SAEN – CHIANG RAI (B/-/-)
After breakfast, we will depart to visit “Doi tung Palace” or ” King’s mother garden ” the palace in the big beautiful valley which has a huge garden with more varieties of flowers. In the place, see the main hall where the people can show their respect to the photos of the Princess mother or the King’s mother. You can also see silk embroidering in the name of the flowers which start from the English alphabet and the beautiful painting which can change the color and light while you’re walking from one corner to the other corner. Enjoy the lovely view point from the palace balcony with the view of the garden and mountains’ view. You can enjoy walking in the garden and take a photo of the statue called ” The continuety ” right in the middle of the garden.
After that continue to Mae Sai, the northern most point of Thailand where you can see the border between Thailand and Burma called “ Tha Khee Lek ” the trading place for the Thai, Burmese and Chinese with many difference kinds of produch.
Lunch by your own and then visit the Golden Triangle area where once used to be the opium trade area. Here is a chance to go on Mae Khong River by the river boat ride to our neighborhood, Laos and see the beautiful scenery along the giantic Mae Khong River which divide the three countries from each other before the returning back to the main land Chiang Rai.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Rai
Distance:
- Chiang Rai – Doi Tung Palace: 45 miles -> 1 hour driving transfer
- Doi Tung Palace – Mae Sai: 17 miles -> 45 minute driving transfer
- Mae Sai – Golden Triangle: 17 miles -> 45 minute driving transfer
- Golden Triangle – Chiang Rai: 55 miles -> 1,5 hour driving transfer
DAY 3: CHIANG RAI CITY TOUR – THATON (B/-/-)
Breakfast. In Chiang Rai, you are in the northern reaches of Thailand. A wooded, mountainous and beautiful. This morning, visit the city of Chiang Rai.
You will start with a walk in the heart of the local market, where locals come to sell and buy their vegetables and fruit in the morning.
Then you visit the Wat Phra Kaew temple the superb museum Rai Mae Fah Luang.
Visit the white temple, Wat Rong Khun. It nevertheless very recent temple is the most visited monument in the region, the work of Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, started in 1997. Its creator himself announces that he will only be completed 60 to 90 years after his death. Its uniqueness, its whiteness, making it a unique temple of its kind. In wihaan a fresco mixing Buddhist codes with Matrix, Star Wars, the bombing of the Twin Towers in New York and even Kung Fu Panda stands out from the usual decorations such monuments.
Lunch at local restaurant (on your own charge).
In the afternoon, head to Thaton Area. Visiting Thaton temple up the mountain with the beautiful overview of Kok River from Myanmar with 78 kms through Thailand. Then check in and overnight at Thaton.
Overnight at hotel in Thaton
Distance:
- Chiang Rai – Thaton: 55 miles -> 1,5 hour driving transfer
DAY 4: THATON – CHIANG DAO – PAI (B/-/-)
Check out from the hotel and leaving to Chiang Dao Area, visit Chiang Dao Temple cave where once it used to be the cave where the soldier troops of Myanmar stopped for resting before attacked Chiang Mai in 1500s. See the starlactite and starlacmite from lime stone in different forms and sizes in the cave.
After lunch (by your own account) , continue the trip to Pai, a small town in Maehongson province. Stop at Mae Malai village where there is a market with all the most featured products of Thailand.
Drive through Mok Fah Waterfall one of the waterfall that falls 60 meters and flows all year round. Have a walk trough the shady, forest trail to the falls and see the fog floating around the setting given its name.
Then you’ll stop at Pong Deuid, one of the most beautiful hot springs in the province of Chiang Mai. This Spa is little exploited commercially, in fact, and is part of a well maintained in a very picturesque wooded Valley Park. Downstream of bubbling geysers, the rock formations are shallow pools where you can have a nice swim. Arrive in Pai in the evening.
Overnight at hotel in Pai
Distance:
- Thaton – Chiang Dao Temple cave: 81 miles -> 2,5 hours driving transfer
- Chiang Dao Temple cave – Mae Malai village: 21 miles -> 35 minute driving transfer
- Mae Malai village – Mork Fah Waterfall: 13 miles -> 25 minute driving transfer
- Mork Fah Waterfall – Pai: 48 miles -> 2 hours driving transfer
DAY 5: PAI – MAE HONG SON (B/-/-)
Pick up at your hotel and we then embark on a cruise for sightseeing along the Pai River and have chance to observe the most beautiful scenery and simple life style. Drop in to visit Long-Necked Karen village, the women in this tribal village wear their one brass winding rings on their necks. Interact with tribal village makes them can keep and prolong their unique culture and tradition for years long.
Afternoon, our journey will lead you to Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, is located on the outskirts of Mae Hong Son town at the top of Kong Mu Hill. It is reached either by road or by a long staircase for the bravest. From the hilltop you can see entirely a beautiful nature of the town which surrounded by mountains and valleys. We then continue to visit Jong Kham and Jong Klang temples. These two temples share the same area right next to the big swamp. They both are old temples consist of beautiful Burmese style edifices which put up the holy Buddha image.
Overnight at hotel in Mae Hong Son
Distance:
- Pai – Long-Necked Karen village: 81 miles -> 2,5 hours driving transfer
- Long-Necked Karen village – Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu: 53 miles -> 2 hour driving transfer
- Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu – Jong Kham and Jong Klang temples: 49 miles -> 1,5 hour driving transfer
- Jong Kham and Jong Klang temples – Mae Hong Son: 3 miles -> 10 minute driving transfer
DAY 6: MAE HONG SON (B/-/-)
Morning after breakfast, we will first visit to Tham Lod Cave by bamboo raft, home to large numbers of bats and swifts and are filled with stalactites and stalagmites. after the arrival, take a walk to see the raft man in front of the cave entrance, who is going to bring you in by the bamboo rafting inside the cave.
Afternoon, we will visit the Lahu Hill Tribe village. Their main occupation is agriculture such as rice farming, and corn planting; raising animals for consumption besides, Lahu are still the most famous in hunter. Come to this village to watch their still primitive lifestyle. Our next village is Lisu Hill Tribe village, are very famous in sewing, embroidery, making silverware. The outstanding point of Lisu is a woman’s dress which has the most beautiful bright colors and catching the eyes of all hill tribes in Mae Hong Son province. Transfer back to your hotel for your overnight.
Overnight at hotel in Mae Hong Son
Distance:
- Mae Hong Son – Tham Lod Cave or vice versa: 49 miles -> 1,5 hours driving transfer
DAY 7: MAE HONG SON – MAE CHAEM – CHIANG MAI (B/-/-)
After breakfast, around 7 a.m, you will visit the local market and departure for Chiang Mai via Mae Chaem. Along the way, we pass through the Doi Inthanon National Park, which is rich in plant and animal species, especially birds, and some ethnic minorities live there. Stop to visit some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Chiang Mai province.
Arrive in Chiang Mai in the evening.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai
Distance:
- Mae Hong Son – Mae Chaem: 91 miles -> 3 hours driving transfer
- Mae Chaem – Chiang Mai Central: 66 miles -> 2,5 hours driving transfer
DAY 8: CHIANG MAI CITY (B/-/-)
After breakfast, we have a walking tour to the old town. You will see the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai including of Wat Phra Singh temple, Wat Phan Tao, Wat Chedi Luang
Wat Phra Singh is one of the most sacred temples in Chiang Mai with Lanna style architecture. And it is well-known for the name”The temple of the Lion Buddha”.
We then continue to Wat Phan Tao, an ancient temple with beautiful garden area sitting right next to the sacred Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai town.
Next to Wat Phan Tao is Wat Chedi Luang a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Its chedi is one of the tallest structures in the old city. There are a lots of important Buddhist holidays take place here.
Then you will stroll along small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take a rickshaw tour. After that, you will take a walking through the central market of Warorot, which is a great spot for travelers wanting to experience the true Thai culture and daily life.
In the afternoon we cannot miss the Doi Suthep hill. The mountain’s temple is one of the most historically and spiritually significant places in Thailand. We drive up the scenic mountainous terrains and pass by lush landscapes on your way to the base of the complex. We then climb up for more than 300 staircase and finally take an elevator to the top. Here get your chance to admire the picturesque panorama views of Chiang Mai City.
Return to the hotel and you can relax or enjoy going to the night market by your own.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai
Distance:
- Thaton – Chiang Dao Temple cave: 81 miles -> 2,5 hours driving transfer
- Chiang Dao Temple cave – Mae Malai village: 21 miles -> 35 minute driving transfer
DAY 9: CHIANG MAI – ELEPHANT JUNGLE SANCTUARY (SIC Tour) (B/L/-)
08:00 – 08:30: Pick up from your hotel or accommodation
08:30: Drive approximately 1.5 hours South of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forest, and local farming areas.
10:30: Arrive at the Sanctuary. Meet your guide and walk for 10-15 minutes through the Jungle to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Change into traditional Karen clothing. Enjoy an introductory lesson about elephant anatomy, history, and behavior.
11:00: Meet the elephants. Feed, interact, and play with the elephants in a natural environment as you learn about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants.
12:00: Enjoy a lunch of traditional Thai food and fresh fruit.
13:00: Learn how to make herbal medicine balls, feed the Elephants and then walk with the elephants to the river. Bathe and brush the elephants.
14:00: Join the elephants for a therapeutic mud spa. Swim in the river and take photos with the elephants.
15:00: Change clothes and say good bye to the elephants
15:30: Leave the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chiang Mai.
17:00-17:30: Drop off at your hotel or accommodation.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai
Distance:
- Chiang Mai Central – the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary: 2 miles -> 10 minute driving transfer
DAY 10: 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 (Except SIC tour by sharing transfer)
- SIC Tour from Chiang Mai to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
- 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). - Airport transfer surcharge for guide between 10:00 pm to 6:30 am is 15 USD/way
- 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.
