Northern Thailand Discovery: Chiang Rai, Pai & Mae Hong Son – 10 Days / 9 Nights

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 many 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 viewpoint 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 continuity " right in the middle of the garden.
After that continue to Mae Sai, the northernmost 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 different kinds of products.
Lunch on 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 gigantic Mae Khong River which divide the three countries from each other before returning to the mainland Chiang Rai.
Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Breakfast. In Chiang Rai, you are in the northern reaches of Thailand. It is 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, makes 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 as monuments.
Lunch at a 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.

Check out from the hotel and leave for 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 attacking Chiang Mai in the 1500s. See the starlactite and starlacmite from limestone 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 Mork Fah Waterfall, one of the waterfalls that falls 60 meters and flows all year round. Have a walk through 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 the hotel.

Pick up at your hotel and we then embark on a cruise to go sightseeing along the Pai River and have a chance to observe the most beautiful scenery and simple lifestyle. Drop in to visit Long-Necked Karen village, the women in this tribal village wear their one brass winding rings on their necks. Interacting with tribal villages allows them to keep and prolong their unique culture and tradition for years.

In the afternoon, our journey will lead you to Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, 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 the beautiful nature of the town which is 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 consisting of beautiful Burmese style edifices which put up the holy Buddha image.

Overnight in Mae Hong Son.

Morning after breakfast, we will first visit 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.

In the 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 is still the most famous hunter. Come to this village to watch their still primitive lifestyle. Our next village is Lisu Hill Tribe village, which is very famous in sewing, embroidery, and making silverware. The outstanding point of Lisu is a woman’s dress which has the most beautiful bright colors and catches the eyes of all hill tribes in Mae Hong Son province. Transfer back to your hotel for your overnight.

After breakfast, around 7 a.m, you will visit the local market and depart 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 visiting some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Chiang Mai province.

Arrive in Chiang Mai in the evening. Overnight at the Hotel.

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 a 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 lot of important Buddhist holidays that 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 walk 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 more than 300 stairs 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 on your own.

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.

Time would be free on your own until we transfer to the airport for your departure flight. End of services.