Thailand | Tour Code: 11874
Discover the unseen Thailand, a trip through the ancient Lanna Kingdom and Buddhist Temple while tasting Northern Thai exquisite food.
Highlights
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Experience a traditional Khantoke Dinner
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Enjoy a visit of the Elephant Nature Park
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Reach Golden Triangle area, where the borders of Thailand-Burma-Laos convene
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Private Tours with English speaking local guide
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Private Transfers as per itinerary
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Visit the White Temple "Wat Rong Khun"
Overview
Uncover stunning natural wonders and vibrant cities filled with history and culture on this incredible 7 day adventure through Thailand's Northern Provinces. Proceed to the small village of Pai and plunge yourself in the resort’s mineral hot spring pool. Then, explore its Burmese style temples and by night enjoy a visit to the local markets. Depart to Chiang Mai where you'll visit the Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and rehabilitation center for elephants.
Head to the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep (A.D.1384) offering dramatic views over the city from its strategic location at 3500 feet above sea-level. Drive north towards Chiang Rai through splendid mountain scenery and tropical jungle. Explore its main attractions including the only white temple of the Northern region and the Golden Triangle, a land in which the borders of three countries meet. End of the service is at Chiang Rai Airport.
Inclusions
- 2 nights in Pai at Belle Villa Resort- 3*
- 2 nights in Chiang Mai at Movenpick Suriwongse Hotel - 4*
- 1 night in Chiang Rai at Wiang Inn Hotel- 3*
- 1 night at Bansaeo Garden and Resort- 4*
- Private transfers with air-conditioned vehicles and English speaking representative assistant
- Daily Breakfast
- 6 Lunches and 2 Dinners as per Itinerary
- Private tours with English speaking local guide as per Itinerary
- Admission fee included as per Itinerary
Itinerary
We will pick you up from your Chiang Mai hotel or airport and drive you to Pai, a small district of Mae Hong Son Province surrounded by rolling mountains and peaceful and charming natural surroundings. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant. Check into your hotel once you arrive in Pai. Relax at the resort and plunge yourself into the resort’s mineral hot spring pool, or just sit back and enjoy the fresh and beautiful view of the mountains and the Pai River.
Late afternoon, explore the beauty and charms of Pai. Visit some of the Burmese-style temples like Wat Phra That Mae Yen, located on a hill from where you can overlook the whole of Pai, and Wat Nam Hu, which contains a sacred Chiang Saen Buddha image that is 24 inches wide at the base and 30 inches high. Before sunset, we go to Kongland (Pai Canyon), a high eroding cliff that is the best scenic point to see Pai's breathtaking sunset. Afterward, visit the Pai Night Market, the highlight of visiting Pai. Pai Night Market, different from other night markets in Thailand, is a lovely small market with various kinds of handmade products from hill tribes and local Thai people. Dinner will be provided at a local restaurant.
Overnight stay at Belle Villa Resort in a Deluxe Room.
After breakfast, we will drive to Mae Hong Son, with a stop en route at "Tham Plaa," or Fish Cave. Next to the cave is a pool where water burbles from a subterranean stream. The pool can hold fish up to one metre long, and you can feed them bread.Continue to Mae Hong Son and visit Wat Phrathad Doi Kongmoo, the hilltop temple, which affords a wonderful view of the city and surrounding mountains and valleys. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant. After lunch, take a boat trip along the scenic Pai River, followed by a visit to the Padong Longnecked Hill Tribe Village. Afterward, drive back to Pai, with some stops at viewpoints en route.
Overnight stay at Belle Villa Resort in a Deluxe Room.
After breakfast, depart from Pai and return to Chiang Mai. Around 9:30 am, arrive at Elephant Nature Park. Enjoy a half-day morning visit to Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and rehabilitation centre for elephants as well as many other rescued animals. Your visit starts with a picturesque drive through the rural countryside to Elephant Nature Park. On the way, you will learn about the rescued and orphaned elephants and their individual stories. At the park, you will have the opportunity to spend time with the various herds. Many of these elephants have left behind traumatic pasts and are now able to form relationships with other elephants and rediscover their elephant nature. Guests will have the chance to observe elephants as well as other rescued animals living free of fear in the natural surroundings of the sanctuary. There is no riding or bathing the elephants at ENP. Your visit helps to support our regional projects and allows us to provide ongoing care for our herd as well as make future rescues possible. A vegetarian buffet lunch will be provided at Elephant Nature Park. Then transfer to your hotel in Chiang Mai.
Enjoy an evening out by having a traditional Khantoke dinner and seeing Northern Thai folk dancing and performances by different hill tribes in their natural, colourful costumes; each tribe differs in costumes, dialects, and superstitions.
Overnight at the Movenpick Suriwongse Hotel in a Classic Room.
After breakfast, we'll drive up Doi (Mount) Suthep to visit Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep (A.D. 1384), 3500 feet above sea level, the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand, containing a holy relic of Lord Buddha, with a challenging flight of over 300 steps, flanked by enormous mythological Nagas. A panoramic view of the city can be seen from here, 3,500 feet above sea level. A local lunch will be provided.
Visit Sunkampaeng, with its Thai silk and cotton looms; Bo Sarng, the paper and umbrella-making village; the Celadon kilns, with their exquisite, traditional high-fired stoneware; and the lacquerware, teak-wood carving, jewelry, and silverware factories. This tour shows you how Chiang Mai craftsmen produce their crafts by hand from the first stage until the finish and gives you an idea of what there is to buy and take home as souvenirs from Chiang Mai.
Overnight at Movenpick Suriwong in a Classic Room.
After breakfast, we'll drive north towards Chiang Rai through splendid mountain scenery and tropical jungle. On the way, we stopped at Mae Ka Chan hot springs and Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), which are unlike any other temples in Thailand.A lifetime project of artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the temple has a fine blend of traditional Buddhist art with contemporary themes. Arriving in Chiang Rai around noon, where you'll have lunch. After that, continue to Mae Chan to visit a Yao and an Akha hill tribe village. Then, transfer to your hotel, and the evening is yours to relax.
Overnight stay at Wiang Inn Hotel Chiang Rai in a Superior Room.
After breakfast, tour Mae Sai, the Thai/Burma trading border, which is a bustling marketplace for Burmese and Laotian handicrafts and products. Your journey continues to Chiang Saen (A.D. 1260), on the steep banks of the Mekhong River, opposite Laos, to visit some ancient temples and ruins. Lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, proceed to the Golden Triangle area, where the borders of Thailand, Burma, and Laos meet.
Overnight stay at Banseo Garden and Resort in a Standard Room.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Chiang Rai Airport.
Additional Information
- We work with a selection of hotels in each location. All bookings are subject to availability, which means our team will confirm your specific hotels upon confirmation and payment of deposit. The package price is based on 3 and 4-star accommodation.
Blackout dates may apply during festive season.
Excluded
- International airfares and taxes
- Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
- Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
- Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
- Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.),
- Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
- Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package
