Northern Thailand Explorer

Discover the cultural, historical, and natural treasures of Northern Thailand. This eight-day adventure takes you through the region’s most iconic landmarks, charming towns, and breathtaking mountain landscapes. From the sacred temples of Chiang Mai to the Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai, this trip offers a perfect mix of exploration and relaxation.

Destination	Chiang Mai, Pai, Chiang Rai
Start City	Chiang Mai
End City	Chiang Rai
Tour Type	Private Tour
Duration	8 Days & 7 Nights
Depart	mtwthfsasu
Condition	Easy Moderate Strenuous
Tour Code	PKT12

Northern Thailand Explorer

DAY 1: CHIANG MAI / DOI SUTHEP TEMPLE + ANCIENT TEMPLES

Arrive: Chiang Mai Airport, meet and greet with Local English-speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Visit: Chedi Luang Temple, built at the end of the 14th century. This great chedi was once the tallest structure in Chiang Mai and housed the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most sacred religious relic.

Visit: Phra Singh Temple, built in 1345. This temple is renowned for its exceptional examples of Lanna art, including the Lanna-style viharn and the finest scripture repository in Northern Thailand.

Proceed: To Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple, one of Northern Thailand’s most sacred temples built in 1383. The temple is situated at 1,050 meters above sea level and features a golden chedi containing the holy relics of Lord Buddha. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Chiang Mai City and Ping Valley from the summit of Suthep Mountain. To reach the temple, climb 306 steps flanked by mythical Nagas, symbolizing humanity’s progress from earth to nirvana.

Itinerary

Overnight: Chiang Mai
Meal:

DAY 2: CHIANG MAI / DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK

08:00 Hrs: Pick up from the hotel lobby and depart to Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand’s highest mountain standing at 2,565 meters above sea level. The park offers stunning scenery, evergreen mountain forests, rare birdlife, and impressive waterfalls.

Visit: The summit and take a short trek along the Angka Nature Trail to explore the serene beauty of the area.

Visit: The Twin Royal Pagodas, built for His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness the Queen of Thailand. Enjoy marvelous views of the surrounding landscapes.

Lunch: Served at a local restaurant.

Continue: To the Doi Inthanon Royal Project, where hill tribe people have been introduced to sustainable agricultural techniques. Explore the flower nurseries and cultivation areas.

Visit: A Karen Hill Tribe Village to experience their lifestyle amidst forests, rice terraces, and coffee plantations.

Visit: The Vachiratharn Waterfall, a 100-meter-high waterfall plummeting over the edge of a high cliff into a deep pool below, ideal for photographs.

Return: To the hotel in Chiang Mai.

Itinerary

Overnight: Chiang Mai
Meal:

DAY 3: CHIANG MAI / ELEPHANT SAFARI & BAMBOO RAFTING / HOT SPRING / PAI TOWN

07:00 Hrs: Pick up from the hotel lobby and head to Mae Taman Elephant Camp (1½-hour drive). Witness demonstrations of trained elephants working in teak forests, including painting, dragging logs, and following commands.

Enjoy: An elephant ride through the scenic mountain landscapes.

Experience: Bamboo Rafting along the Mae Taeng River, drifting past farmhouses and lush greenery.

Lunch: Served at a local restaurant.

Depart: To Pai Town via a scenic mountain road (2½-hour drive).

Visit: Tha Pai Hot Springs, where water temperatures average 80 degrees Celsius. Relax in the streams that flow through the springs.

Visit: Mae Yen Temple, offering panoramic views of Pai Town.

Free time: Stroll through Pai Walking Street, lined with shops selling handicrafts, souvenirs, and local food. Open from 18:00-23:00 Hrs.

Itinerary

Overnight: Pai
Meal:

DAY 4: PAI TOWN / LOD CAVE / PAI CANYON / CHIANG MAI

08:00 Hrs: Visit Santichon Village, a Yunan Chinese community known for its clay houses, tea tastings, and cultural heritage.

Explore: Lod Cave, an impressive limestone cave with colorful stalactites and stalagmites. Enjoy a bamboo raft ride through the cave system, which was once inhabited by prehistoric humans.

Lunch: Served at a local restaurant.

Visit: Pai Canyon, characterized by narrow ridges and steep valleys surrounded by forests, offering stunning views.

Visit: The World War II Memorial Bridge, built by Japanese troops in 1942.

Depart: Back to Chiang Mai (3 hours’ drive). Arrive and check in at the hotel.

Itinerary

Overnight: Chiang Mai
Meal:

DAY 5: CHIANG MAI - CHIANG RAI / HANDICRAFTS CENTER / WHITE TEMPLE

08:00 Hrs: Visit the Chiang Mai Handicrafts Center, where artisans create hand-woven silk textiles, silverware, and paper parasols. Witness the entire process, from start to finish.

Depart: To Chiang Rai (3 hours’ drive) via scenic mountain routes.

Lunch: Served at a local restaurant.

Visit: The White Temple (Rong Khun Temple), an iconic and intricately designed temple by a renowned Thai artist.

Visit: The Emerald Buddha Temple (Phra Kaew Temple), once home to the revered Emerald Buddha.

Transfer: To the hotel in Chiang Rai for check-in and free at leisure.

Itinerary

Overnight: Chiang Rai
Meal:

DAY 6: CHIANG RAI / BLUE TEMPLE / MAE SAI BORDER / GOLDEN TRIANGLE / CHIANG SAEN

08:00 Hrs: Visit the Blue Temple (Rong Sued Ten Temple), showcasing modern Buddhist art in shades of blue.

Visit: Black House (Baan Dam Museum), a collection of eerie sculptures, relics, and art installations by a national artist.

Visit: Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand, for shopping and exploration at the Thai-Myanmar border.

Lunch: Served at a local restaurant.

Visit: The Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. Explore the Opium Museum to learn about the region’s history.

Visit: Chiang Saen Town, an ancient city with ruins of temples, stupas, and ancient city walls.

Itinerary

Overnight: Chiang Rai
Meal:

DAY 7: CHIANG RAI / LONG NECK TRIBE / DOI MAE SALONG / DOI TUNG ROYAL VILLA

08:00 Hrs: Visit Long Neck Tribe Village, where women wear brass rings around their necks. Learn about their unique culture and traditions.

Visit: Santi Kiri Village at Doi Mae Salong, known for its tea plantations and Yunan Chinese heritage.

Lunch: Served at a local restaurant.

Visit: Doi Tung, including the Mae Fah Luang Garden and the Royal Villa, surrounded by winter flowers and stunning mountain views.

Itinerary

Overnight: Chiang Rai
Meal:

DAY 8: CHIANG RAI / DEPARTURE

Check out from the hotel and transfer to Chiang Rai Airport for flight to next destination.

Itinerary

Meal:

Meals

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8

FIT Group All

Rates: Northern Thailand Explorer

Service Class	FIT				Group
Service Class	1 Person	2 Person	3-4 Person	5-8 Person	9-16 Person	17-32 Person	33+ Person
Land Only	$ 1,964	$ 1,036	$ 755	$ 615	$ 615	$ 615	$ 615

Note: Price/Person in $ USD - US Dollar (1 USD = 33 THB - Thai Baht)

Inclusions:

All transfers air-conditioned vehicles within the journey, including pick-up at airport
A local English-speaking guide (other languages available upon request)
All admission fees as mentioned in the program
All meal as mentioned in the program

Exclusions