Authentic Indochina
White temple spires of Wat Rong Khun glinting in the northern Thailand sun
NORTHERN THAILAND JOURNEY

6 Days / 5 Nights Chiang Mai Discovery Tour

Better suited to a second Thailand visit than a first, this route spends four days in the north around Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle before a short Bangkok stop to close the trip.

Duration6 days / 5 nights
RouteChiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Bangkok
Best forRepeat visitors and culture-focused travellers wanting a fuller northern Thailand trip
DepartureDaily, on a private or shared-group basis

Trip overview

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

Day by day

Day 1: Arrival 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: Chiang Mai city tour

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: Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai via the Golden Triangle

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: Golden Triangle to Chiang Rai, return 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: Chiang Mai to Bangkok, city and temple tour

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

  • 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.

Booking this trip

Book this tour
Days
6 days / 5 nights
Ask a question first

Sending this does not charge you. We hold the space and confirm within 24 hours.

Thailand's visa rules, payment terms and cancellation policies are covered in our [travel guide for Thailand](thailand/travel-information).

Tell us your travel dates, party size and preferred hotel category and we’ll confirm availability by email with a quote — we don’t publish prices here since they depend on season and room type.

Request this itinerary

Frequently asked questions

Do we really need a passport for the Don Sao Island crossing?
Yes — the speedboat leg to Don Sao Island crosses into Laos territory, which means an original passport, rather than a photocopy, is required for immigration that day.
How is this different from a standard Chiang Mai and Bangkok trip?
Compared with the shorter combination, this route spends roughly one and a half extra days in the north — time devoted to Chiang Rai, the White Temple and the Golden Triangle, none of which the brief version includes.
Is this a good choice for a first trip to Thailand?
It suits travellers who want depth in the north or are returning to Thailand; if it’s your first visit and you also want more time in Bangkok, consider adding extra city nights.
When is the best season for the Golden Triangle and Chiang Rai leg?
Running November through February, the cool season brings the most comfortable weather in the north for visiting the Golden Triangle and the White Temple. Expect occasional haze over the region in March and April.
Can we add a beach stop after this trip?
Since Bangkok is the final stop, extending onward to Phuket, Krabi or Pattaya is possible — just flag it when you get in touch so the flights and transfers can be arranged to match.

See also