Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai Discovery - 8 days

Arrival in Chiang Rai. Free time to stroll around the city.

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Rai
Meals: None
Private car & tour guide

After breakfast, visit the local market to discover regional products. Continue to the world-famous Wat Phra Kaew, where the Emerald Buddha was once enshrined, and Wat Phra Singh, home to one of Thailand’s most beautiful Buddha images.

A short drive takes you to the Black House (Baan Dam), a unique creation of national artist Thawan Duchanee. Part art studio, part museum, and part home, Baan Dam is an eclectic mix of traditional northern Thai buildings and outlandish modern designs.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Mae Kok River to visit a Karen village before returning to Chiang Rai.

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Rai
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & tour guide

After breakfast, depart for the northern highlands, a wooded and mountainous area. Travel to Mae Salong, a region of rolling green hills blanketed with tea plantations. Visit one of the plantations to taste the locally grown tea.

Continue to the Akha minority village of Loyo, then visit the Mae Fah Luang Botanical Garden.

In the afternoon, head to the Golden Triangle and take a boat trip on the Mekong River, where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos converge.

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Saen
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & tour guide

After breakfast, depart for Thaton. Stop at Patai village to meet the Padong Karen tribe, famous for its “long-neck women” who wear copper rings to elongate their necks. Then visit a traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy, where an expert explains the uses of herbs, roots, and ointments.

In the afternoon, continue to Chiang Mai, stopping en route to explore the fascinating underground galleries of Chiang Dao Cave.

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & tour guide

After breakfast, begin a walking tour of Chiang Mai’s old town. Visit landmarks such as the ancient walls, the moat, and one of the city gates. Explore Chiang Mai’s most beautiful temples, including Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan Tao, and Wat Chedi Luang.

Stroll along charming streets lined with traditional houses before taking a rickshaw ride. Visit Warorot Market, Chiang Mai’s bustling central market.

In the afternoon, drive up to Doi Suthep Hill to visit the sacred Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. In the evening, browse the lively Night Market at your leisure.

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & tour guide

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:30 – 14:00: Join a Thai cooking class at Thai Farm Cooking School (join-in basis).

Activities include:

• Visiting a local market
• Learning about herbs and ingredients at an organic farm
• Cooking jasmine rice and sticky rice
• Preparing curry paste from scratch
• Cooking one curry, one soup, one noodle dish, and a dessert

In the afternoon, enjoy a two-hour boat cruise along the Mae Ping River. Admire traditional teak houses and lush greenery along the riverside.

Return to the hotel for free time.

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Join tour (cooking class guide & shared transfer)

Today, transfer to Doi Inthanon National Park (approx. 2 hours). Trek for 2–3 hours through jungle trails leading to a hidden waterfall. Along the way, pass coffee plantations, flower farms, and rice terraces.

Visit a Pagagayaw Karen hill tribe village, taste locally grown coffee, and continue to the spectacular 70-meter-high Vachiratharn Waterfall.

Afterward, visit the twin pagodas Napamaytanidol Chedi and Phra Mahathat Napaphon Bhumisiri, built to honor the 60th birthdays of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. Return to Chiang Mai in the evening.

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Private car & tour guide

Free time until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & driver only