Arrival in Chiang Rai, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel. You’ll have time free for stroll around in the city. Stay overnight in Chiang Rai.

After breakfast, you’ll depart to visit Doi Tung Palace, also known as the King’s Mother Garden. The palace is set in a beautiful valley with a vast garden featuring a wide variety of flowers. At the palace, you’ll see the main hall where people pay their respects to the photographs of the King’s Mother. You’ll also have the opportunity to see silk embroidery showcasing flowers starting with the English alphabet, as well as beautiful paintings that change color and light as you move from one corner to another. Enjoy the lovely viewpoint from the palace balcony with views of the garden and surrounding mountains. You can stroll through the garden and take a photo of the statue called “The Continuity,” located in the center of the garden.

Next, you’ll continue to Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand, where you can observe the border between Thailand and Burma at Tha Khee Lek. This area is a trading hub for Thai, Burmese, and Chinese products.

Lunch will be on your own, and then you’ll visit the Golden Triangle area, once known for its opium trade. Here, you’ll have the chance to take a boat ride on the Mae Khong River to visit our neighboring Laos and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the mighty Mae Khong River, which divides the three countries. You’ll then return to Chiang Rai for an overnight stay.

Your morning 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’ll visit the Wat Phra Kaew temple and the superb Rai Mae Fah Luang museum.

You’ll also visit the White Temple, Wat Rong Khun. Despite being a very recent temple, it’s the most visited monument in the region. It is the work of Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, who started it in 1997. The creator himself predicts it will only be completed 60 to 90 years after his death. Its uniqueness, particularly its whiteness, makes it a one-of-a-kind temple. Inside the wihaan, you’ll find a fresco that blends Buddhist themes with modern pop culture references, including The Matrix, Star Wars, the Twin Towers bombing in New York, and even Kung Fu Panda, standing out from the usual temple decorations.

Lunch will be at a local restaurant (on your own charge).

In the afternoon, you’ll head to the Thaton area. You’ll visit Thaton Temple, perched on a mountain with a beautiful view of the Kok River, which flows from Myanmar for 78 kilometers through Thailand. You’ll then check in and overnight in Thaton.

After breakfast, you’ll leave for the Chiang Dao area. You’ll visit Chiang Dao Temple Cave, where Myanmar troops once rested before their attack on Chiang Mai in the 1500s. Inside the cave, you’ll see stalactites and stalagmites formed from limestone in various shapes and sizes.

After lunch, you’ll continue your trip to Pai, a small town in Mae Hong Son Province. You’ll stop at Mae Malai village, where you’ll find a market featuring some of Thailand’s most distinctive products.

You’ll drive through Mork Fah Waterfall, one of the waterfalls that drops 60 meters and flows year-round. You’ll take a walk along the shady forest trail to the falls, where you’ll see mist floating around the area, giving it its name.

Next, you’ll stop at Pong Dueo, one of the most beautiful hot springs in Chiang Mai Province. This spa is relatively untouched commercially and is located in a picturesque, well-maintained wooded valley park. Downstream of the bubbling geysers, the rock formations create shallow pools where you’ll enjoy a pleasant swim. You’ll arrive in Pai in the evening and stay overnight at the hotel.

You’ll be picked up at your hotel and embark on a cruise along the Pai River, giving you the chance to observe the beautiful scenery and the simple lifestyle of the area. You’ll stop to visit a Long-Necked Karen village, where the women wear brass rings around their necks. Interacting with the villagers allows you to learn about their unique culture and traditions that have been preserved for many years.

In the afternoon, your journey will take you to Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, located on the outskirts of Mae Hong Son town at the top of Kong Mu Hill. You can reach the temple either by road or by climbing a long staircase for those who are up for the challenge. From the hilltop, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the town surrounded by mountains and valleys. Next, you’ll visit the Jong Kham and Jong Klang temples. These two temples, located next to a large swamp, feature beautiful Burmese-style architecture and house sacred Buddha images. Overnight in Mae Hong Son.

After breakfast, you’ll first visit Tham Lod Cave by bamboo raft. This cave is home to large numbers of bats and swifts and is filled with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Upon arrival, you’ll take a walk to the cave entrance, where a raft man will guide you inside the cave on a bamboo raft.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the . The main occupations here include rice farming, corn planting, and raising animals for consumption. The Lahu are also known for their hunting skills. You’ll have the chance to observe their traditional lifestyle. Next, you’ll visit the Lisu Hill Tribe village, renowned for its sewing, embroidery, and silverware craftsmanship. The standout feature of the Lisu is their women’s dresses, which are noted for their bright colors and striking appearance. Finally, you’ll transfer back to your hotel for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, you’ll visit the local market before departing for Chiang Mai via Mae Chaem. Along the way, you’ll pass through Doi Inthanon National Park, which is rich in plant and animal species, especially birds, and is home to some ethnic minorities. You’ll stop to visit some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Chiang Mai province. You’ll arrive in Chiang Mai in the evening. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a walking tour of the old town. You’ll visit some of Chiang Mai’s most beautiful temples, including Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan Tao, and Wat Chedi Luang.

Wat Phra Singh is one of the most sacred temples in Chiang Mai, known for its Lanna-style architecture and often referred to as “The Temple of the Lion Buddha.”

Next, you’ll continue to Wat Phan Tao, an ancient temple with a beautiful garden area located right next to the sacred Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai town.

Adjacent to Wat Phan Tao is Wat Chedi Luang, a Buddhist temple in the historic center of Chiang Mai. Its chedi is one of the tallest structures in the old city, and many important Buddhist holidays are celebrated here.

Then you’ll stroll along small streets lined with traditional houses and enjoy a rickshaw tour. Afterward, you’ll explore the central market of Warorot, a great spot for experiencing true Thai culture and daily life.

In the afternoon, you won’t want to miss Doi Suthep Hill. This mountain temple is one of Thailand’s most historically and spiritually significant places. You’ll drive up the scenic mountainous terrain, passing lush landscapes on your way to the base of the complex. You’ll then climb more than 300 steps and take an elevator to the top, where you’ll have the chance to admire panoramic views of Chiang Mai City.

Return to the hotel, and you can either relax or visit the night market on your own. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

08:00 – 08:30       : Pick up from your hotel.

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. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Your time will be free until its time for transfer to the airport for flight return to Bangkok
and your onward connecting flight.