Excursions by Exotrav

Thailand Tour

Northern Thailand – A Journey to Paradise

Trip Duration:

8 days

Recommended season:

November - March

Thailand - Trip Summary

A customized 8-day Thailand tour begins in Chiang Rai, where we’ll visit the iconic White Temple, a gift to the city, and explore the Golden Triangle, the meeting point of Thailand, Burma, and Laos. We’ll also visit a local village of the Long Neck Karen tribe. Next, we head to the quaint town of Pai for scenic tours around the area. Our journey continues to Chiang Mai, where we’ll enjoy various activities at an elephant sanctuary and hike the unique Sticky Waterfall. Finally, we’ll visit Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest peak, where we’ll enjoy rice field views and visit two magnificent pagodas built in honor of the King and Queen of Thailand. This custom Thailand tour offers stunning nature reserves, vibrant markets, mountain tribe villages, and luxurious resorts. With an English-speaking private guide, you’ll enjoy a truly unforgettable experience at your pace and style.

Geographic  • Jungles • Culture 

Day 1

Day 1: Arrival - Chiang Rai

Welcome to Chiang Rai, Thailand! Upon arrival, you will meet our representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

 

Chiang Rai is located in Northern Thailand and offers a serene atmosphere, rich culture, and breathtaking landscapes. It is renowned for its unique temples and vibrant night market, which features a variety of local handicrafts, delicious street food, and a lively ambiance.
Chiang Rai serves as a gateway to discover the rural areas of the hill tribes, jungle trekking routes leading to impressive waterfalls, hot springs, boat rides on the Mekong River, and the royal beauty of the Golden Triangle, which was once a center for opium trade and now offers a cultural meeting point where Thailand meets Laos and Myanmar.
Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day 2

Day 2: Chiang Rai - White Temple - Golden Triangle

After breakfast, we will visit the White Temple, Wat Rong Khun. This temple was built by a Buddhist artist as a gift to the city and is entirely white: sculptures, decorations, entrances, and walls. The temple is adorned with beautiful statues and features a bridge over an artificial lake filled with white fish brought specially from Japan. It is considered a modern architectural gem that is unique and beautiful.

 

Next, we will continue to Doi Tung and visit the border town of Mae Sai. We will then tour the area known as the “Golden Triangle,” located at the junction of the borders with Burma (Myanmar), Laos, and Thailand. We will visit the Opium Museum, where the region served as a center for opium cultivation and trade managed by the local tribes.

 

We will continue with a boat ride on the Mekong River and explore the ancient island of Chiang Saen. Afterward, we will drive back to Chiang Rai and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day 3

Day 3: Chiang Rai - Long Neck Tribe - Pai

After breakfast, we will drive approximately 5 hours to the small town of Pai. Along the way, we will stop to visit the villages where we will meet the unique Long Neck Karen tribe, known for their distinctive cultural practice of wearing brass rings around their necks. This tradition is believed to create the appearance of elongated necks, a symbol of beauty and cultural identity within their community.

 

We will continue to the towns of Fang and Chiang Dao, visit a village of the Hmong tribe, and enjoy a refreshing bath at the Mok Fa Waterfall.

 

As we approach Pai, a picturesque town nestled in the mountains, known for its relaxed atmosphere, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant arts scene, we will visit Pai Canyon, also known as Konglan. This remarkable canyon features stunning rock formations and offers breathtaking views, especially during sunset. Afterward, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Pai.

Day 4

Day 4: Pai - Lod Cave - Lisu Tribe

After breakfast, we will visit Lod Cave, a large and magnificent stalactite cave known for its impressive rock formations and ancient burial sites, where we will take a boat ride into the cave.
Following our cave exploration, we will visit the village of the Lisu tribe, renowned for their vibrant traditional clothing and unique cultural practices that reflect their rich heritage. We will also stop by a Chinese minority village, known for its charming architecture and distinctive customs.

 

Our day will conclude with a visit to a stunning viewpoint that overlooks the area, offering breathtaking scenery of Pai’s lush landscapes and rolling hills.
Overnight in Pai.

Day 5

Day 5: Pai - Chiang Mai - Elephant Sanctuary

After breakfast, we will drive approximately 3 hours to Chiang Mai, the largest and most important city in Northern Thailand. This charming city is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning temples, as well as its picturesque mountain landscapes.

 

Upon arrival, we will take a scenic rural route to the Kanta Elephant Sanctuary. During the visit, we will enjoy a variety of activities the park offers, including feeding and bathing the elephants, allowing for a memorable and immersive experience with these gentle giants.

 

Afterward, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 6

Day 6: Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep - Bua Tong Waterfall

After breakfast, we will head to Doi Suthep Temple, the most important temple in Northern Thailand. To reach the temple, we will climb to the gold-covered stupa, which rises above the city at an elevation of 1,100 meters.

 

Next, we will continue to Bua Tong Waterfall. This waterfall, at a height of 80 meters, is known for its unique phenomenon of limestone rocks covered with a special mineral that creates a rough surface, allowing your feet to “stick” to it, making it non-slip. The flowing water on the slope, combined with the waterfall’s unique texture, enables easy climbing, surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, small clear pools, and many butterflies.

 

Afterward, we will drive back to the hotel.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 7

Day 7: Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon

After breakfast, we will head to Doi Inthanon National Park, which includes Thailand’s highest mountain at 2,565 meters above sea level. We will tour the park and enjoy the diverse birdlife, beautiful waterfalls, and impressive views. During our walk in the reserve, we will take in the scenery of rice fields and visit two magnificent pagodas built in honor of the King and Queen of Thailand (approximately 2.5 hours of hiking). Next to the pagodas, there are stunning gardens. Afterward, we will visit the Karen hill tribe and the twin pagoda.

 

We will then proceed to Wachiratharn Waterfall and visit the local hill tribe market.
Afterward, we will drive back to the hotel.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 8

Day 8: Chiang Mai - Airport

After breakfast and according to your flight time, transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

 

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