Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai 7-day Northern Thailand Tour

This comprehensive guided tour of northern Thailand departs from the northern capital of Chiang Mai and for seven fun filled days you will travel through dense, mountainous regions before returning back to Chiang Rai.

Your tour begins Chiang Mai, where you will drive by bus towards Mae Hong Sorn - a sleepy village boasting just one set of traffic lights! Using our superior hotel as the base for our day tours over the next 2 days you will experience the surrounding area, including a ride through the countryside on the back of an elephant to visit the Long Neck Karens and other hill tribe villages.

Returning to Chiang Mai by plane you will spend two days exploring the area before heading off for the infamous Golden Triangle on your way to Chiang Rai. During this portion of the tour you will venture further into the hills to visit the local hill tribes of Akha and Yao. The culture and lifestyle of the hill tribe villagers is quite different from Thai people living in urban areas, including Chiang Rai. At Mae Sai, near the Burma border, there is a small opportunity to cross the border into Burma if the border guards are in a good mood on the day. At Chiang Saen you will enter the Golden Triangle proper for possible views over Burma, Laos, Thailand and the Mekong River before returning to Chiang Rai, where the tour concludes.

Compulsory Gala Dinner
During Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve at the Imperial Tara Hotel, Mae Hong Sorn. Costs are payable direct to the hotel.
Christmas Eve - approximately US$34.00 per person
New Year's Eve - approximately US$48.00 per person

Please scroll down the page for full details on this 3-day itinerary.

Schedule Details Departs: Monday departures Departure Point: From your Chiang Mai hotel
OR
Airport transfer from Thai Airlines flight TG100 from Chiang Mai Airport Departure Time: 10:00am Return details: Return to Chiang Rai Airport Hotel Pickup: Please advise the name of your hotel and flight arrival details in the 'Hotel Pick-up' field at time of booking Itinerary: Day 1 (Monday): CHIANG MAI-MAE HONG SORN (L,D)
The tour begins at approximately 10:00am today from Chiang Mai. You will drive through spectacular jungle-clad mountains, stopping at Mae Rim to visit at an orchid and butterfly farm before continuing to Mae Hong Sorn province. Picnic lunch will be provided.

Before arriving Mae Hong Sorn, we will stop on the way to visit Fish Cave where villagers leave large fresh water fish undisturbed in a mountainside pool. The local people believe that the fish are protected by the mountain spirit and to catch them would bring bad luck. Rumor has it that there is a long cave under the mountain hiding lost treasures.

Mae Hong Sorn itself is more a sleepy village than a town, boasting just one set of traffic lights! It is home to many Shan people, originally from Burma, and you can see Hill tribes selling their produce in the Mae Hong Sorn market.

Accommodation: Imperial Tara Hotel, Mae Hong Sorn or similar

Day 2 (Tuesday): MAE HONG SORN-LONG NECK KAREN VILLAGE (B,L,D)
A full day to enjoy the picturesque landscape of Mae Hong Sorn, with its surrounding mist shrouded mountains. In season, the valleys are carpeted with brightly colored flowers while numerous rich shades of green can be enjoyed at any time of the year. (The end of October/beginning of November is particularly spectacular when the countryside is a glorious sea of yellow with an abundance of sunflowers in full bloom!).

Today you will experience an unforgettable ride through the jungle on elephant back! We will drive into the countryside in 'pick-up' vans which can negotiate narrow roads. A ride through the jungle will bring you to one of the most colorful hill tribe villages, home to the Long Neck Karens. The women wear numerous brass coils round their necks and legs, making them look 'stretched' - their photographs have graced explorer journals worldwide. The coils are considered beautiful and are a sign of wealth (each one costs about 2,000 Baht). A coil is added to little girls necks, arms and legs every few years after they are four years old. Lunch is included before taking a boat trip on River Pai, and then heading back to Mae Hong Sorn.

Accommodation :Imperial Tara Hotel, Mae Hong Sorn or similar

Day 3 (Wednesday): MAE HONG SORN-CHIANG MAI (B,L,D)
Today, we will visit the early morning fresh market and to witness the traditional Buddhist offering. Afterwards, sightseeing of Burmese temples on the lakeside, Wat Jong Kam and Wat Jong Klang and a drive up to visit Wat Phra Dhat Doi Kongmoo on the mountain top with breathtaking views of this sleepy town. We will take a noon flight from Mae Hong Sorn to Chiang Mai.

Tonight, you will be treated to the ceremonial northern Thai dinner, known as Kantoke. Traditional dishes will be served while you watch elegant dancers performing a series of folk stories. Colorfully dressed Hill tribes will perform their own traditional dances after dinner.

Accommodation: Empress, Chiang Mai or similar

Day 4 (Thursday): CHIANG MAI (B,L,D)
A full day to enjoy the delights of Chiang Mai and in the morning it will be your turn to work! Climb 290 steps to visit the hill top temple of Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep which offers spectacular views of the Chiang Mai area (the less energetic will be pleased to know that there is a cable car that brings you up the hill).

Lunch will be a local restaurant before continuing to the district of Sankampaeng, home to Chiang Mai's famous cottage industries. Watch how artisans continue to make their products by hand and you will of course have the opportunity to hunt for that perfect souvenir! See silkworms and the process of spinning silk and the art of using handlooms to make intricate patterned silk fabrics. Marvel at transformation of bamboo, silk and paper into painted multi-colored umbrellas. Skilled potters create distinctive Thai celedon. Woodcarvers chip away by hand at teakwood and produce elegant ornaments and furniture. The process of making lacquerware is fascinating to watch and they even use egg shells to create unusual designs. And of course, there are silver items - plenty to tempt even the cautious shopper!

Accommodation: Empress, Chiang Mai or similar

Day 5 (Friday): CHIANG MAI-GOLDEN TRIANGLE (B,L,D)
North Thailand is famous for its colorful hill tribes and this morning, you will drive north towards Chiang Rai through splendid mountain scenery and tropical jungle. On the way, we stop at Mae Ka Chan, famous for a hot spring which is a favorite bathing place for local people who believe it relieves their aches and pains. We arrive Chiang Rai around noon and have your lunch.

After lunch, transfer to 'pick-up' vans which can climb the narrow mountain roads and visit several villages. The scenery is magnificent and you will enjoy mountain views from Doi Mae Salong, a Chinese settlement founded by Kuomintang soldiers who fled China after Mao Tse Tung's victory in 1949. Some interesting Chinese herbal medicines are on sale here! Stops are included at Akha and Yao Hill tribe villages, where the people continue to wear their fascinating traditional costumes and follow a very simple way of village life.

Accommodation: Imperial Golden Triangle or similar

Day 6 (Saturday): GOLDEN TRIANGLE-MAE SAI (B,L,D)
We begin today by driving to Mae Sai, Thailand's northernmost town on the Burma border. You can watch Thai and Burmese people walking across the bridge separating the two countries. There are excellent opportunities to buy Burmese handicrafts at reasonable prices.

There is possibility for optional Burma Border crossing for approximately one hour walk to explore inside Burma (SUBJECT TO BORDER SITUATION) or take a rickshaw ride around the market place. (Note: Two photocopies of your passport are required along with border pass fee if we can cross into Burma).

Next visit will be to Chiang Saen, where evidence of the original 13th century city can still be seen. We will enjoy this lovely setting on the banks of the Mekong River; a tranquil spot with charming old temples and finely carved figurines. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Next visit will be to the heart of the renowned Golden Triangle where the Ruak and Mekong Rivers meet. You can stand on the hilltop and enjoy views over Burma, Laos, Thailand and the mighty Mekong River. An optional boat trip will be available for those who want to get closer to Laos and Burma!

Accommodation: Imperial Golden Triangle or similar

Day 7 (Sunday): DEPART CHIANG RAI (B)
After breakfast, your tour concludes. Make your own way back to Bangkok by air or rail, or decide to continue on in Chiang Rai for additional days (air, rail or additional cost of accommodation not included).

Additional Information