Trip overview
Northern Thailand stands alone here, with no islands or coastline included anywhere in this itinerary. The Chiang Mai base spans three nights, opening with a half-day call at the Doi Pui Hmong market for hill-tribe crafts and Doi Suthep Temple on its mountainside, before a long day’s drive north brings you to Chiang Rai: the White Temple, the Blue Temple, Baan Dam’s Black House, several hill-tribe communities and finally the Golden Triangle lookout.
Since sand and surf have no place on this route, it works well either as a short cultural add-on either side of one of our longer beach itineraries, or as a standalone choice for travellers drawn more to temple architecture, hill country and cool evenings than to nightlife or watersports.
Trip highlights
- A call at Doi Suthep Temple, its mountainside viewpoint looking down across the valley below
- Doi Pui Hmong hill-tribe market for local handicrafts
- A full day out to Chiang Rai for Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) and Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)
- Baan Dam (the Black House) art museum, plus villages of the Long Neck Karen and Akha communities
- The Golden Triangle viewpoint where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Chiang Mai
Arrival is into Chiang Mai International Airport, followed by a transfer to your hotel to start the trip. Sitting in a mountain-ringed valley, Chiang Mai holds the title of cultural capital in the north, its walled old town packed with hundreds of Buddhist temples and busy night markets, and its evenings run noticeably cooler than those in Bangkok or on the southern islands. Sightseeing has not yet started, so the remainder of the day is yours.
Day 2: Half-day Doi Suthep Temple and Doi Pui Hmong hill-tribe market tour
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, among the most revered temples in the north, is the focus of the following morning, taking in shrines, a gilded chedi and statues of the Buddha, plus views back over the valley below. A short stop follows at the Doi Pui Hmong market close by, an open-air stretch of stalls where the local Hmong community sells handmade textiles and other souvenirs.
Day 3: Full-day Chiang Rai and Golden Triangle tour
Mountains and jungle line the road as you head north into Chiang Rai province, where Wat Rong Khun, better known as the White Temple, draws attention first for its dazzling all-white, heavily sculpted design. Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple, follows in striking blue and gold.
Dark wood and animal-motif buildings make up Baan Dam, the Black House, an art museum unlike any conventional collection, and the itinerary also calls at villages belonging to the Long Neck Karen and Akha groups. A stop at the Golden Triangle lookout, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar converge, rounds off the day before the drive returns you to Chiang Mai.
Day 4: Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for departure
Checkout is followed by a transfer that delivers you at Chiang Mai International Airport, timed for your return flight or the next leg of your journey. Travellers wanting both culture and coast often tack this northern loop onto a beach stay elsewhere in Thailand.
What's included
- Accommodation with twin/ double/ triple sharing room basis with daily breakfast in the category chosen or similar (subject to availability).
- Meals as mentioned in the Tour Itinerary.
- Sightseeing & Transfers according to the above Tour Itinerary Details only.
- Transportation by vehicle with A/C
- Local English-speaking guide’s assistance.
- All Entrance fees for attractions included in the program
- All activities and cruises clearly mentioned in the program
- Government taxes & service charge
Not included
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage, water sports.
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Room Up gradation Charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Travel Insurance.
- Bank Charges
- National Park Fees (Compulsory)
- Airport Taxes
- Visa and Visa arrangement
- Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Book this trip
- Days
- 3 nights / 4 days
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