Golden Triangle 5D/4N

Welcome to Chiang Mai - Northern Thailand’s most important cultural hub offers a huge variety of antique temples from colorful structures that sparkle in the sunlight to more understated beauties that exhibit the earthy tones of brick and wood. 

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by driver and transfer to your hotel.

Explore Chiang Mai's cultural treasures with a visit to Doi Suthep Temple and Doi Pui Village, followed by a scenic hike led by local Hmong guides. After immersing in nature and learning about mountain life, unwind with a Khantoke dinner showcasing Northern Thai cuisine and traditional dances, a quintessential experience in Chiang Mai.

Meal included: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai

Distance and duration: 11,4 kilometers, approximately 3h 30min - 4 hours hiking

Level: 1

Different in elevation: 400 meters elevation gain, 500 meters descent

Terrain: dirt track roads and forest trails, some parts on stairs passing rocky terrain

Half day cooking class at Baan Hongnual cookery school (join in excursion including transfer, guide, lunch) 

Duration: from 09:00 to 13:00

Start your half-day cooking class at Nong Hoi local market where you will purchase fresh ingredients for the class under the guidance of your instructor. Next, you will head to Baan Hongnual where your instructor will demonstrate how to prepare and cook the ingredients used for your first dish. You will be provided with step-by-step guidance along the way. After you prepare each dish (3 meals and 1 dessert), taste your creations! At the end of the class, you will receive a recipe booklet as a souvenir.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai 

Nature, waterfalls and hill tribes - a day at Doi Inthanon

Duration: 8:00 - 18:00

Today you will spend a day in Doi Inthanon National Park, famous for the cool climate, lush nature, numerous waterfalls, various hill tribe villages and last but not least being home to Thailand’s highest point (2,565 meters)! With a moist natural environment and manicured gardens, Doi Inthanon is a paradise for nature lovers and perfect for strolling with stunning views of misty mountains. The temperature is almost always pleasant, sometimes even a little cold, which can be a welcome relief after the steamy lowlands. So, be sure to pack clothes that keep you warm! Epic waterfalls are an added highlight to the National Park, as well as peaceful and scenic temples that are nestled up high in the mountainous landscape. The vegetation is breathtaking, and you may even spot a few colorful butterflies and songbirds along the way. The park is located only about an hour’s drive away from the city but the surroundings are completely different. Prepare to see some amazing vistas, beautiful waterfalls, green nature trails, tasting locally grown coffee and meeting some of the Karen hill tribes that live on the mountain slopes.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai

Level: 1

Distance and duration of the hike: 3 kilometers – approx. 1h30min including breaks – Easy hike, mostly descending. Some steep parts but basic stairs/ladders are made

Total Gain elevation:  – 250m descent

In the early morning, you will be picked up and transfer to Chiang Rai, enroute visit Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple and is one the unique highlights for a temple visit in the north of Thailand. The jagged spikes of this gleaming White Temple emerge from a grassy garden like a white fire, and the whole structure is elegantly reflected in the adjacent pond. This magnificent and intricate work of art is a combination of ancient art and contemporary architecture which was undertaken by a local artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat.

Then, continue to the Akha and Yao hill tribe villages in Mae Chan area where you can witness the imposing views and interact with the local people. Continue to the ancient town of Chiang Saen with a visit to Wat Chedi Luang – a temple ruin which was destroyed and left abandoned. After that, head to The Golden Triangle, famed by its mysterious stories related to the former drug trading and past war. You will have another stopover after driving up to a picturesque point at Wat Pu Kao with a panoramic view over the Mekong River. Then, drive to the Hall of Opium Museum where your questions and curiosity about the opium trade will be answered. Afterwards, continue traveling to Mae Sai and visit the bustling market at the border town with Myanmar and the most northern point of Thailand.

In the evening, you will arrive at your hotel in Chiang Rai, then free at leisure.

Meal included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Rai

Transfer distance from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai approximately 3,5 hours excluding visits

Nature walk with bamboo-cooked lunch at waterfall

In the morning, you will drive to an Akha village just outside of Chiang Rai. After getting to know a little bit more about the culture and customs of this hill tribe minority, you will start your journey through the surrounding forests and plantations. Passing by rice fields, pineapple trees, and rubber plantations, your local hill tribe guides will take you to a special oasis: a local waterfall where you can enjoy a picnic lunch among the beautiful natural surroundings. While you take a dip in the cool, clear waters, your local hosts will prepare a delicious lunch over an open fire using nothing but natural objects like bamboo and banana leaves. You will be amazed to see how versatile nature can be!

Then, you will continue transfer with guide to Chiang Mai airport for return flight.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Level: 1

Distance and duration of the hike : 4 kilometers - approximately 2 hours

Elevation difference: less than 150 meters