Natural Northern Thailand

7 Days / 6 Nights Program to Northern Thailand, with private sightseeing to the principle sites of Chiangrai & Chiangmai, which includes Golden Triangle, Tachilek (small Burmese town – subject to border being open), Doi Tung Mountain, King’s Mother Royal Palace, Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), Private Elephant Conservation Safari, Special Merit Making Ceremony, Doi Suthep Temple, etc.

• DAY 1   Golden Triangle

  After meeting you at CHIANGRAI AIRPORT (We suggest flight arrival before Midday), your Guide will give you an introduction to Thailand and your Program, we then will take a look around Chiangrai City, have some lunch then drive North to Chiangsan to visit the Ruins & Temples of this ancient City. From here we take a short boat trip on the Mae Khong River, around the Golden Triangle, before we drive back to Chiangrai and transferring to Your Chiangrai Hotel, where your reservation here is for the next 2 nights and includes Breakfast.

• DAY 2   Mae Sai & Doi Tung

  Today we travel to the Northern most town in Thailand - Mae Sai on the Burma (Myanmar) Border, where we have the opportunity to cross over and take a short "Samlor" ride around the small Burmese town of Tachilek. After lunch, we continue to Doi Tung, famous for it's mountain Temple with spectacular views, and take a look around the King’s Mothers Home and the beautiful gardens of this Royal Palace. We can also call in to see the unique Hall of Opium before returning to the Hotel

• DAY 3   to Chiangmai

  After Breakfast & Checkout, we drive South through the mountain to Chiangmai, stopping a various different Ethnic Hill Tribe Villages & other points of interest en route, including visit to Wat Rong Khun (the white temple) which is designed and built by a Thai Famous Artist (Specific routing and interests can be discussed with your guide, once you are here).
  
  We should arrive in Chiangmai in the late afternoon and here we transfer to Your Chiangmai Hotel, where your reservation here is for the next 4 nights and includes Breakfast

• DAY 4   Special Merit Making Ceremony, Doi Suthep Temple & City Sights

  This morning we leave the Resort early (around 06.00am) to arrive early at the foot of Doi Suthep, where we can take part in a local make merit ceremony by giving Alms (some food & drink, etc.) to the local Monks from Wat Sri Soda. This is an amazing and moving site with usually hundreds of Saffron Robed Monks walking out of the Temple. After this we continue with a drive up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most venerated Temple in Chiangmai, situated on the hill-side some 3000 ft. above the City in the Doi Pui National Park. On the way up the mountain we stop for a short coffee break before visiting The Temple itself (before all the crowds arrive !!). Here we can climb the 306 stairs, to reach the Temple which encloses a large traditional, “Lanna” style Chedi covered with gold plates (A small mountain Tram is also available if the stairs are too much effort !!) From the Temple Grounds there are also panoramic views over Chiangmai and the surrounding area.
  
  On our descent we can spend the rest of the day in and around Chiangmai City, visiting some of the Principle Temples inside Chiangmai old moated City, such as - Wat Phra Singh, Chiangmai City's most important Temple. Constructed in the 14th Century, of particular interests here are some well-preserved murals. Wat Chedi Luang, once home to the Emerald Buddha (Now in the Grand Place in Bangkok) built over 600 years ago, is dominated by it's massive Chedi, which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in the mid 1500's. and Wat Chiang Man, the City's oldest Temple. Wat Suan Dok, best known for its large number of pagodas in which the ashes of the Chiang Mai Royal Family are enshrined.

• DAY 5   Private Elephant Conservation Safari

  This morning we drive by Private Air-conditioned vehicle, to our Elephant Conservation Site, in the Mae Khanin Valley on the outskirts of Chiangmai.
  
  On arrival at the Site, you will be greeted by your Host, and have a short briefing on how to be a health-based advocate for elephants, you will learn how to approach and become friends with your elephant as well as provide a health inspection.
  
  After getting changed into a more comfortable Local “Elephant” Outfit, we then start our Private “Elephant Safari” in an Africa Safari-style Off road Vehicle through the hidden MaeKhanin Valley, and while driving along the trail of River Crossings, you will have up close and personal interactions with free-roaming elephants.
  
  You will have the opportunity to feed the Elephants with natural fruits and herb balls as well as a hands-on specialized elephant bathing for skincare and other healthcare-based activities. After a Safari-styled local Lunch, we can walk with the Elephant through the Fields & Forest.
  
  On completion, we say farewell to your elephants, then meet up with our Vehicle & return to your Resort.
  
  For your Safety & Security, our own Qualified, English-speaking Guide, will be with you throughout the Private Program, which will be just your own Private party (with your own Vehicle ) throughout the activities.

• DAY 6   Day at leisure

  Today is at your leisure in the Resort - Possibly Cooking School or Spa Treatments, etc. or available for local sightseeing in and around Chiangmai (Again specific details, etc.. can be discussed with your Guide).

• DAY 7   Departure

  Today is at your leisure until we transfer you to CHIANGMAI AIRPORT, for your onward flight.