North Thailand and Golden Triangle
Day 1 Chiang Rai (Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Thailand) )
Arrive Chiang Rai by morning flight time. Meet with our guide and drive uphill to visit Yao & Akha Hilltribe Villages. Continue driving up Doi Mae Salong to Santi Kiri KMT Yunan Chinese Refugee settlement, with its tea plantations and see also co‐op store where home‐made wines, medical herbs and other locally grown products are sold. The villagers are ethnic Chinese, descendants of KMT Nationalist Chinese army regiment that took refugee in Thailand almost 50 years ago when Communist Forces won the civil war in mainland China. Doi Mae Salong enjoys a cool and refreshing climate all year round. In January, Japanese Sakura flowers cover the hillsides. After lunch at local restaurant Then visit to the Black House Museum, their art gallery contains of the Thai National Visual Art Artist Mr. Thawan Duchanee’s works from. On the area of more than 100 rai, there are 25 northern-style building where installs of the local arts from the past to present. Most of the buildings are in black and decorated by woodcut, antler, elephant bones, etc. Transfer to hotel for check-in – Overnight in Chiang Rai
Day 2 Chiang Rai (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Thailand) )
This morning visit the Golden Triangle (its sights and scenes present images of a traditional way of life unknown in the western world) followed by boat ride on the Mekong River to see activities along the border of Laos. Stop at Don Sao Island on to visit the local market selling local handicrafts. After lunch at a local restaurant in Golden Triangle area, we drive to Mae Sai which is geographically the most northern town of Thailand on the border to Burma. The two countries are connected by a bridge over the Mae Sai River, which allows lively cross border traffic between the Thais and Burmese. Return your hotel – Overnight in Chiang Rai
Day 3 Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Thailand) )
Breakfast at the hotel, then visit Wat Rong Khun, also called “The white temple”; inside it contains murals and paintings of the Buddha image and painted enamel ceramic floor. The outside is being created with lime sculpture Thai designs decorated with small pieces of mirror that make the building sparkle and shine under the sunlight. Drive to Mae Ka Chan, which is famous for its hot springs. Then we continue our trip through scenic hillsides and jungles to Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North”. Lunch at a local restaurant before arrival into Chiang Mai, check into the beautiful resort, and surround by nature and relax – Overnight in Chiang Mai
Day 4 Chiang Mai (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Thailand) / Dinner: Meals incl. in itinerary (Thailand) )
Breakfast at the hotel; visit Thai Elephant Care Centre, Visit and interact with elderly elephants. Learn to make grinded grass. Feed elephants with grinded grass. Visit elephant cemetery and area of resting in the night time. Learn to make herb balls. Prepare to bath with elephants. Bath with an elephant, Feed elderly elephants with a basket of banana, Bath with an elephant and say goodbye, lunch at local restaurant and continue to visit large Orchid Nursery. Then, drive up to Doi Suthep to visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (built in A.D. 1384). It is 3,500 feet above sea-level, the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand, containing a holy relic of Lord Buddha, with a challenging flight of over 300 walking steps, flanked by enormous mythological Nagas. A panoramic view of the city can be seen from here. Return to your hotel for farewell dinner – Overnight in Chiang Mai
Day 5 Chiang Mai (Breakfast: Hotel )
Early Morning Observe Alms Giving to the Monks at temple nearby hotel area, Each morning at dawn the faithful wait and place rice curries or fruit in the monk’s black alms bowls (bahts). This rite provides the monks their only source of food and the lay people gain merit to ensure a better incarnation in the next life. Alms giving is a Thai tradition which has been handed down through Buddhist tradition for thousands of years. Alms giving is as act of generosity which is easily performed and which frees the mind of stinginess greed and selfishness. The giver receives happiness and joy from being the one who gives. Thai children usually are trained by their parents to give alms to monks since early childhood especially to celebrate birthdays or on the first day of term at New Year in their schools. Shortly after observing alms giving at a local temple then return back to the hotel for breakfast. Check out and transfer to Chiang Mai airport for departure
