Northern Thailand Tour

Northern Thailand Tour Overview

A comprehensive six night Thailand Tour visiting the highlights of the two main northern loops. From Chiang Rai set out to explore the mystical Golden Triangle area, spending the time to really experience the local cultures. The perfect choice for an in-depth look at this fascinating region.

The Northern Loop Tour of Thailand

A comprehensive six night Thailand Tour visiting the highlights of the two main northern loops. From Chiang Rai set out to explore the mystical Golden Triangle area, spending the time to really experience the local cultures. Visit local community-based tourism projects, relax and rejuvenate at the hot springs of Pong Duad and explore the jungle from the back of an elephant. Head towards the charming town of Pai and onto Mae Hong Son to learn about indigenous hill tribes. The perfect choice for an in-depth look at this fascinating region.

Touring Style: private tour with your driver and professional English speaking guide. Alternatively, this may be undertaken as a self-drive holiday.

Best time to travel: November to April

Day 1: Chiang Rai Arrival

Arrival in Chiang Rai for a transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Distance and Journey time: 8 km, 15 mins

Day 2: Chiang Rai - Golden Triangle

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a half day seeing the highlights of Chiang Rai city. Transfer from your hotel to the King Meng Rai Monument. From there, board a samlor (rickshaw), and start with a ride to the main market area, to get a feel for the local life in town.

Continue to Wat Phra Kaew with its beautiful brass and copper Buddha image and continue by rickshaw to the Hilltribe Museum. Continue by road to Wat Rong Khun with its unique kanok architecture.

After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the ancient Kingdom of Chiang Saen on the banks of Mekong River, where you will see some magnificent ancient ruin of Wat Pasak. Embark on a long-tail boat trip to the Golden Triangle area, to visit the Hall of Opium. The museum is dedicated to teaching about the history of opium and the problems caused by narcotics. Overnight in the Golden Triangle.

Distance and Journey time: 79 km, 1.30 hrs

Day 3: Golden Triangle - Mae Sai - Doi Tung - Mae Salong – Thaton

After breakfast at your hotel, depart for Mae Sai, the bustling trading town at the northernmost border between Thailand and Myanmar. Proceed to the Doi Tung region, 2000m above sea level. The Doi Tung Development Project was established to eradicate the cultivation of opium and encourage farmers to use sustainable agricultural practices. Visit Mae Fah Luang Gardens and Doi Tung Temple. Continue to the Royal Handicraft Centre to discover mulberry paper making, pottery, and weaving.

After lunch at a local restaurant, drive up into the hills to Doi Mae Salong. The town of Mae Salong was founded in the 1960s by former Kuo Min Tang soldiers who had been expelled from Myanmar. You can visit their tea and coffee plantations, which give an amazing photo opportunity. Overnight in Thaton.

Distance and journey times:

Chiang Saen to Mae Sai: 67 km, 1.15 hrs

Mae Sai to Mae Salong: 82 km, 2 hrs

Mae Salong to Thaton: 41 km, 1.20 hrs

Day 4: Thaton - Chiang Dao – Pai

After breakfast at your hotel, depart to the Chiang Dao Elephant Camp. Watch the elephants taking their morning bath in the running stream. After their bath, the trainers and elephants will demonstrate a number of their skills for you. Picnic lunch will be taken on the way. Continue towards Pai with stops en route at Mok Fah Waterfall and Pong Duad Hotspring. Overnight in Pai.

Distance and journey times:

Thaton to Chiang Dao: 145 km, 2.30 hrs

Chiang Dao to Pai: 130 km, 3 hrs

Day 5: Pai - Tham Lod - Mae Hong Son

After breakfast, continue towards Soppong. The area boasts limestone caves, said to be some of the largest in South East Asia. Visit the chambers, following a series of walkways and crossing small creeks by bamboo raft, which takes you floating through the cavern in the darkness, listening to and smelling the bats overhead. After the visit and lunch at a local restaurant, continue by car to Tam Pla, a park with a number of creeks running out of a cave which is packed with Phluang fish. Then continue to Mae Hong Son. Upon arrival in town, drive around the central lake to visit Burmese style temples Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham. Overnight in Mae Hong Son.

Distance and journey times:

Pai to Tham Lod: 49 km, 1.25 hrs

Tham Lod to Mae Hong Son: 74 km, 1.45 hrs

Day 6: Mae Hong Son - Khun Yuam

After breakfast, drive to Huai Dua boat landing and take a (30 minutes) long-tail boat ride along a scenic route with marvellous cataracts on the Pai River to a small market on the Thai-Burmese border.

Continue to Khun Yuam where you will have lunch, followed by a visit to the World War II Museum containing an assortment of weapons, uniforms, military equipment and personal possessions left behind by Japanese soldiers who took possession of the town in the closing weeks of the war in neighbouring Myanmar.

Overnight in Khun Yuam.

Distance and journey time: 66 km, 1.20 hrs

Day 7: Mae Chaem - Doi Inthanon - Chiang Mai

Depart for Mae Chaem, famous for its weaving workshops. Afterwards, continue to Inthanon National Park. The park is home to Thailand’s highest peak - Doi Inthanon. The park is especially popular among bird-watchers, with more than 300 species reported. Visit the summit to see the shrine of Chao Inthawitchayanon, the former prince of Chiang Mai, before stopping at Wat Phra That Chom Thong with its holy relic and ancient treasures. A short trek along Michael’s Trail offers a beautiful and unforgettable experience.

Proceed to Chiang Mai. Why not extend a few more days in Chiang Mai or fly south to enjoy a week’s relaxation at a beach resort?

Distance and journey times:

Khun Yuam to Mae Chaem: 77 km, 2 hrs

Mae Chaem to Doi Inthanon: 73 km, 1.50 hrs

Doi Inthanon to Chiang Mai: 97 km, 2 hrs