Pick up at the airport or at hotel, visit the most important sites and museums of Chiang Mai before lunch at a local ‘Khao Soi’ restaurant. Khao Soi is a specialty found only in the north of Thailand. Of Chinese-Islamic origin, it is a savory soup made of flat egg noodles in a coconut-curry broth, topped with crisp deep-fried noodles and a choice of condiments. Don’t forget to squeeze fresh lime juice on it!

After lunch, drive into Doi Suthep – Doi Pui National Park. Stop at Mae Sa Waterfall for a swim and short hike around the falls before winding up the road to Doi Suthep, one of the most famous temples in Thailand. Phra Khru Ba Sriwichai, a much-revered monk, constructed the road up to the temple in 1934-36. His statue stands at the foot of the mountain on the road to the temple. Take a short cable-car ride or walk up the stairway to the top and admire the impressive view of Chiang Mai far below. A short drive away is the Hmong Village of Doi Pui, once an opium-growing village, now a prosperous market village with wonderful southward view to Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest mountain. Return to your hotel at sunset. Spend the evening on your own. Chiang Mai has a wide variety of excellent restaurants, and a Night Bazaar that is a hub of nighttime activity.

Meals: Lunch
Accom: see list

After breakfast, leave the hotel by 0730hrs to reach the Lampang Elephant Hospital and Conservation Center (early start is necessary as most interesting activities will take place in the morning) You will have a chance to practice driving an elephant, visit the hospital which gives free care to all elephants, and take a saddle-back ride through the forest.

Have lunch in a local restaurant.

On the way back to Chiang Mai we’ll stop at Ban Tawai, a well known wood carving village where you can do some souvenir shopping.

Dinner is at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: See List

After breakfast, drive to Ban Tha Ton, stop on the way to visit Chiang Dao Cave. There are five interconnected caves that make up the Tham Chiang Dao complex, believed to stretch for many kilometers into Doi Chiang Dao, only a small part of the complex is possible to explore. Two of the caves, Tham Phra Nawn (360m) and Tham Seua Dao (540m), are illuminated by electric lights. The other three Tham Maa (7365m), Tham Kaew (477m), Tham Naam (660m) can be explored with the aid of local guides with lanterns. There are numerous spectacular cave formations, many named.

Lunch is at a local restaurant in Tha Ton.

Afternoon, take a local boat along the Mae Kok River to Chiang Rai. Stop on the way to visit a traditional Karen hill tribe village. The Karen originated in Burma and the various groups combined to form the largest hill tribe population in Thailand, numbering about a quarter of a million which amounts to almost half of the total Thai hill tribe population. Nearby is the second hill tribe of the tour, the Lahu. The Lahu originated in Tibet and consist of five main groups - Red Lahu, Black Lahu, White Lahu, Yellow Lahu, and Lahu Shelehn.

After exploring the villages, continue riding to Chiang Rai pier. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for check in. Dinner in a local restaurant

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: See list

After breakfast, drive with your guide to the Golden Triangle and visit Opium Museum, a small museum with historical displays pertaining to opium culture, is worth a peek. Exhibits include all the various implements used in the planting, harvest, use and trade of the Papaver somniferum resin, including pipes, weights, scales and so on plus photo and maps. Then enjoy a short boat ride on the Mekong river. Have lunch in a local restaurant.

Continue drive to visit Chiang Saen, was onec of an important northern Thai kingdom. Scattered throughout the town today are the ruins of the 14th-century Chiang Saen Kingdom – surviving architecture includes several stupas, Buddha images, visit Chiang Saen National Museum. This petite museum exhibits local objets d?art, including Chiang Saen-style Buddha images and Lanna Thai artifacts.

Return to Chiang Rai for drop off at the city or at the airport

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accom: None

END OF SERVICE