Highlights

For many lovers of Thailand, the north is a favourite location to spend a lot of time. Therefore we created this 5 Days Highlights of Northern Thailand tour. The climate there is more pleasant than in other parts of Thailand, the nature is impressive and emphatic, and the atmosphere of everyday life unique. Partly because the hill tribes living here with their own culture and traditions have strongly influenced that of the Thai.

We are happy to show you around this beautiful area. You will not only visit special minority villages, typical border markets and the both infamous and famous Golden Triangle, but you will also go to waterfalls (where you can also swim), take a bamboo raft up the river, go to a carp cave, and see how elephants take a bath and experience some of the most beautiful views in Chiang Mai province, including that from the top of the famous Doi Inthanon.

 

Day 1

Chiang Mai - Mae Hong Son

This 5-day tour of northern Thailand begins at your hotel in Chiang Mai. There you will be
picked up and taken to the first of the many destinations scheduled over the next few days.

To start with, head through the mountainous area to Chom Thong to visit an ancient temple
with murals, and then to the 100-metre-high Mae Klang waterfall. By then, we are well on our
way to the top of Doi Inthanon.

At 2565 metres, Doi Inthanon is Thailand's highest mountain. Near the summit are two iconic
stupas. The mountain is named after the last king of Chiang Mai who already understood that
you have to cherish and protect nature. Doi Inthanon national park has a lot of variety in its lush geography full of rainforest, mixed forest and pine forest. Much of this you can see from the summit.
The view from the mountain is amazing.

After a walk through a 'mysterious' forest and lunch, you will head to a Karen village. Originally from Burma, the Karen are the largest hill tribe community in Thailand. However, they still live according
to ancient traditions and customs that are handed down from generation to generation. Their living conditions, as a result of living on the margins, are basic.

The last stop is at the picturesque Wachirathan waterfall. Wachirathan (literally, Diamond Creek) flows down a granite slope through several rock plateaus over 80 meters. Bring your swimming gear as you can cool off in the pool at the base of the waterfall here.

At the end of the afternoon, you will arrive at your hotel in Mae Hong Son.

Day 2

Mae Hong Son - Pai

After breakfast, you will take a long-tail boat trip through the jungle of northern Thailand.

The village of Huay Pu Keng is a fine example of how many hill tribes originally lived in their homelands. Such a village consists of a single road with houses made of bamboo, teak and leaves. Bamboo and teak are also used to make baskets and other handicraft items. Several minorities live together in the village. They share customs and practices, but also have their own traditions. Although time seems to have stood still here, fewer people still wear the original costumes. However, the women of the long-neck minority, who wear several rings around their necks, stand out the most.

Then you will continue your way to Pai. Along the way, you will visit a fish cave. Countless carp swim here. You will also stop at a Lisu and Lahu hill tribe village.

Then visit the nearly 1,700-metre-long Tham Lot cave in Sop Pong. When the water level is low, we enter the cave to admire the beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.

Before being transferred to Baan Krating Pai Resort, where you stay overnight, finish the day's tour with a lovely bath at the hot springs in Pai.

Day 3

Pai - Chiang Dao

Elephants are Thailand's national animal for a reason. For hundreds of years, they were used to work, in wars and as a means of transportation. Still thousands of wild elephants live in the country and the Thai have great respect for them.

Today, you can see how the animals take a bath in the river at an elephant camp and how they used to be used during the Thai's daily work. Afterwards, you can give the animals a treat before taking a walk to the nearby Lisu village.

After lunch, a trip by bamboo raft follows. Enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna while you calmly sail over the river. Then you head to Chiang Dao, where you spend the night.

Day 4

Chiang Dao - Chiang Rai

We already visited Doi Inthanon a few days ago on this tour and today we have another such view for you. This time from the top of the hill on which the fascinating Thaton temple is built. The temple is located on different levels in a forested area just a few kilometres from Myanmar. From here, you overlook the Mae Kok River and the village of Ban Thaton. The temple itself is also well worth a visit. There you'll find one of the most extraordinary stupas in northern Thailand (and actually in the rest of the country). You'll also see a statue of the Chinese god of mercy Guanyin there.

Afterwards, you'll head to the village of Doi Mae Salong. The atmosphere here is special, or rather Chinese. Essentially different from other villages in Thailand. That's because a Chinese community of soldiers from the Kuomintang army once settled here. So you can enjoy Chinese traditions in Thailand even now.

Then you visit the royal project in Doi Tung. This project was once set up to keep the local population away from opium cultivation. Because the farmers learned how to grow other crops, they have been able to build a new life. You spend the night in Chiang Rai.

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Day 5

Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai

On this last day, we visit the equally famous and infamous Golden Triangle. This area where Laos, Burma and Thailand meet was long the centre of the opium trade.

We also check out Mae Sai on the border with Burma, due to its location an open-air market in anything interesting for either side to trade.

And we go to Chiang Saen where the Mekong River, along with the Kok and Ruak rivers, define the borders between the three neighbouring countries. At the end of the afternoon, you will return to Chiang Mai.

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