What this trip is really like
The north in full: Chiang Mai's craft villages and hill temple, the drive up to the Golden Triangle where three countries meet, a night in Chiang Rai for the White Temple, and Bangkok's temples to finish.
A shorter Chiang Mai–Bangkok pairing keeps the northern portion to three days; here it runs a day longer, at four, with the extra time used for a trip out to Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand converge. That day also includes a brief speedboat hop to Don Sao Island on the Laos side, so bring your original passport rather than a copy.
A Bangkok city tour still closes out the trip before your flight home, though it's the north that shoulders most of the itinerary: the Golden Triangle, a hilltop temple, an elephant camp, silk-weaving villages and the White Temple at Wat Rong Khun fill four full days rather than being squeezed into one short extension.
Highlights
- Mae Sa Elephant Camp and the hilltop temple of Doi Suthep
- Sankampang’s handicraft and Thai silk villages
- The Golden Triangle viewpoint, where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet
- A speedboat crossing to Don Sao Island, Laos (original passport required)
- The White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, in Chiang Rai — constructed from white clay and inlaid glass
The trip, day by day
Day 1 — Land in Chiang Mai
As Thailand's second city, Chiang Mai carries the nickname the Northern Rose and moves at a different pace than Bangkok, centred on an old walled town filled with temples and craft stalls.
Once you've checked in, your evening is open to wander the well-known Night Bazaar in your own time.
Day 2 — Doi Suthep, elephants at Mae Sa, craft villages
Mornings begin at Mae Sa Elephant Camp, among the larger camps of its kind in the area, where bathing elephants can be watched and, for those who want it, a ride arranged.
Lunch is followed by a stop in Sankampang for a look at Thai silk and handicraft making, before the road climbs around 45 minutes to Doi Suthep, among Chiang Mai's most important religious sites.
Day 3 — North to the Golden Triangle, night in Chiang Rai
This day travels north to Sop Ruak for views over the Golden Triangle, the point where the three countries of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand touch.
From there, a private speedboat carries you across to the Laos-side island of Don Sao (keep your original passport on hand for this leg), before the route continues to old Chiang Saen, home to ancient ruins and old temples.
Day 4 — White Temple, back to Chiang Mai
Following lunch, the itinerary includes the striking White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, made of white clay and glass, its detailed carvings catching the light, before heading back to Chiang Mai.
Day 5 — Fly to Bangkok, temple afternoon
Once you reach the airport, you fly onward from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, where a city tour introduces several of the capital's best-known temple sites.
Among the stops is Wat Traimit, home to a seated Buddha image cast in solid gold — the largest of its kind anywhere — set near the far end of Yaowarat Road in Chinatown, a short walk from Hualamphong railway station.
Day 6 — Departure from Bangkok
Once breakfast and check-out are done, you'll have a window to browse Bangkok's shopping areas, picking up local souvenirs and handicrafts along the way, ahead of the transfer over to the airport for your flight out.
What's included
- Your rooms, twin or double with breakfast, in the hotel grade you pick with us — family-run guesthouses where they exist, small hotels elsewhere
- Every meal the day-by-day marks as included; we lean towards places locals eat rather than hotel restaurants
- A guide from the region who speaks English and grew up with the places on the route
- Your own air-conditioned car or minivan with driver for every transfer and touring day
- Entrance fees to every site named in the itinerary
- The boats, cruises and activities written into the plan
- Government taxes and service charges — the quote we send is the amount you pay
Not included
- Flights and trains, international or domestic — we quote these separately so you can see the real cost
- Visa fees and visa arrangements
- Travel insurance, which we ask every guest to carry
- Drinks, laundry, phone calls and anything else personal
- Early check-in, late check-out and room upgrades
- Tips for your guide and driver — customary here, at your discretion
- Extra sightseeing or vehicle use beyond the written plan
- Costs caused by weather, road closures or other events outside anyone's control, settled on the spot
- Bank transfer charges
Book this trip
- Days
- 6 days / 5 nights
Sending this does not charge you. We hold the space and confirm within 24 hours.
How we handle visas, payment and cancellations is written out on our Thailand travel information page — no surprises later.
Send us your dates and who is travelling. We check the hotels and guide we would use, suggest changes if the season calls for them, and come back with a firm price. Nothing is charged until you say yes.