|
Thailand
Northern Discovery 7 Days
Destination: Chiang Mai/Pai/Mae Hong Son/Chiang Rai
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G =
Guide
Day 1: Bangkok arrival/Chiang Mai (G)
On arrival at Suvanphumi Airport, you will board
another flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the airport
by our guide and then driven to your hotel.
In the afternoon, you’ll visit Chiang Mai most
sacred temples, drive around the Old City to see city's moats and ruined city's
walls. Start the temple tours with Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple and
probably dates from 1296. The temple was residence of King Mengrai, who founded
Chiang Mai. Continue this tour with visit Wat Phra Singh; the temple contains
marvelous examples of Lanna art including a Lanna style viharn. Then drive on to
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, This temple was built in 1383. It is located 15 kms
from the city and 3,500 feet above sea level. See the marvelous golden pagoda,
which is containing the holy relics of Lord Buddha. You can enjoy the panoramic
view of Chiang Mai City and Ping valley from the summit of Doi Suthep. You will
spend the night in Chiang Mai.
Day 2: Chiang Mai/Mae Taeng/Pai (B, L, G)
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up and driven
to visit the Jungle Raft Elephant Camp in Mae Taeng to see the elephant shows.
After that, you will enjoy an exciting ride on the elephants crossing the river
and up the hill. Then you will return by oxcart to the camp where buffet lunch
will be served. Rafting adventure starts from here and last for 45 minutes along
the river. On wards to the Orchid Farm, here there are many beautiful of 500
species of orchids.
Continue drive to Pai, a tiny town halfway
between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son with some steep and winding roads through
the mountains with various stops on the way, such as Mok Fha Waterfall, Pong
Dued hot spring where the steam from the spring permeates the site in the
morning creating fascinating sights. The area is also rich in teak woods. Arrive
to Pai in late afternoon. You will spend the night in Pai.
Day 3: Pai/Mae Hong Son (B, L, G)
After breakfast, you’ll drive on to visit Lod
Cave where a huge cave system is once a dwelling place of pre-historic man.
Experience with taking the Bamboo raft into the cave; explore the 1
kilometer-long cave along which can be found beautiful stalactites and
stalagmites. Also discovered are 2,000 year old remains of utensils and coffins.
Then continue to visit Fish Cave, a special feature is the hollow cave filled
with numerous freshwater fish, which is of the same family as the carp. The fish
are quite safe from being caught as they are believed to belong to the gods.
On arrival, you’ll visit Wat Doi Klong Moo
located on a hill to the west of town. There are two Burmese-style Chedis. The
larger one was built in 1860 while the smaller one was erected in 1874. A
panoramic view of Mae Hong Son can be enjoyed from the site. Continue to Wat
Jong Klang and Wat Jong Kum, magnificent Burmese style temples; there are
several interesting items such as wooden figurines of human and animals depicted
which means one of odd stories of former incarnations of the Buddha created by
Burmese craftsmen. Transfer to the hotel in late afternoon. You will spend the
night in Mae Hong Son.
Day 4: Mae Hong Son/Chiang Mai (B, L, G)
After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a boat trip along
Pai River to visit the world famous Long Neck Karen Village where the Padaung
women still following the old-age culture traditions of wearing numerous brass
rings around their long, slender necks. This distorts the growth of their
collarbones and makes them look as if they have long necks - which they don't.
This row of brass rings does not actually stretch their necks but in fact squash
the vertebrae and collar bones. A woman generally has about twenty or more rings
around her neck. This neck ring adornment is started when the girls are 5 or 6
years old.
In the afternoon, you’ll return back to Chiang
Mai by road with your guide & driver for 4 hours. You will spend the night in
Chiang Mai.
Day 5: Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai (B, G)
After breakfast, our guide and driver arrive to
the airport where you will take a morning flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival,
you will be picked up and transfered to your hotel.
In
the afternoon, you’ll drive up to the highest mountain peak on the Thai/Burma
border; Doi Tung, 2,000 meters above sea level. In the past, shifting
slash-and-burn cultivation destroyed the forest around Doi Tung area. Until 1987
when the Doi Tung Development Project was established in accordance to the
King's Mother initiative. Then visit to Mae Fah Luang Garden and Doi Tung Royal
villa. You will spend the night in Chiang Rai.
Day 6: Chiang Rai/Chiang Saen/Golden Triangle
(B, L, G)
Breakfast at the hotel. You will drive to Mae
Chan to visit Akha hill tribe villages; explore the villages that are very
simple, unique costumes, their own tradition and dialect. The trip continues to
visit archeological remains at Chiang Saen city, the first capital city of the
northern Thailand.
In
the afternoon, you will visit the world famous Golden Triangle where the borders
of three countries (Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar) are met. Enjoy the panoramic
view of Mekong River and Hall of Opium and Boat Trip along the Mae Khong River,
made a stop at Don Sao Village, Laos. Then continue to Mae Sai town, the
Thailand-Myanmar border and the northernmost point of Thailand. Enjoy shopping
the Myanmar products at the local market. You will return to your hotel in late
afternoon. You will spend the night in Chiang Rai.
Day 7: Chiang Rai/Bangkok Departure (B, G)
Your time will be your own until our guide and
driver arrive to take you to Chiang Mai airport where you will board the flight
to Bangkok to connect with your international departure flight.
Price in US$ per person:
Contact Us
for more details
Our price includes:
-
Breakfast and accommodation
sharing a twin or double room.
-
Pick-ups and transfers by
private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above
-
One-way domestic flight
tickets: Bangkok – Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai -
Bangkok, including domestic airport taxes.
-
Travel by private,
air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced, safe driver.
-
Boats cruise as programme.
-
The services of experienced
English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary
-
Where necessary, entry fees
for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
-
Lunches and dinners, as
specified, in the best local restaurants, picnics where suitable restaurants
are not available.
-
VAT and other taxes
Our price does not include:
-
International flight tickets
and airport tax.
-
Visas
-
Dinners, except as specified
above.
-
Drinks, gratuities and
personal expenses.
-
Insurance.
|