Arrive in Chiang Rai, meet Thailand Journeys tour guide and transfer to check-in at the hotel, free at leisure.

Afternoon, drive to the city visit Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple), it is a Temple that was restored by Mr. Phutta Kabkaew or “Sala Nok”, a Local artist of Chiang Rai and a student of Achan Chalermchai Kositpipat. The temple is unusually beautiful with its unique applied arts by using a shade of blue and architectural beauty from a stucco artist. Continue drive north of town for 15min to visit Baan Dam Museum (Black House) is the work of Achan Thawan Duchanee, a National Artist in Visual Arts (Fine Arts). It consists of over 25 buildings of local Northern architecture and many applied local architecture buildings displaying folk art all painted black. These are the creations of local artisans from the past to the present. Each house is decorated with beautiful patterns of carved wood. They exhibit a large crocodile skin, snake skin, and different kinds of animal horns. The Baan Dam Museum is an art piece that creates imagination for the viewers in many perspectives and is also a collection of items used in daily life of the past. Then visit Wat Huay Pla Kang, important buildings include the Phop Chok Dhamma Chedi, a nine-storey chedi in a contemporary architectural style. The exterior chedi in a contemporary architectural style. The exterior is built in layers, and every floor is roofed in a Chinese style decorated with dragons surrounding it. The top of the chedi enshrines an inverted bell-shaped chedi in an authentic Thai style and the top tier is decorated in Burmese art. The interior is decorated in the European style. Inside the chedi, there is a replica of the Guan Im Bodhisattva carved with fragrant wood. Each floor in the chedi is enshrined with a standing Buddha image. The white Wihan: The way up is a Naga staircase decorated with stucco patterns. Inside is enshrined the white principal Buddha image, Guan Im Bodhisattva, which is the largest of its kind in Thailand is about 79 meters tall.

Evening, explore the authentic side of Chiang Rai. You will pass the King Mengrai Monument, commemorating the king who founded Chiang Rai in 1262. Next is the Golden clock tower. Built in 2008 to honor His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the clock tower bears the signature style of Chalermchai Kositpipat, the artist who conceived and built the White Temple. Every evening at 20:00 and 21:00, the clock tower comes to life in a light-and-sound display.
 
Next is the famous night market of Chiang Rai. Here you can find restaurants and there is also a performance of classical dance (own expenses). Our dedicated guide will make sure to explain you the cultural and historical particularities of Chiang Rai, the Gateway to the mythical Golden Triangle. Return to your hotel

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Your trip departs in the morning to Golden Triangle where the Ruak River and the Mekong River meet forming the borders of three countries - Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. From the viewpoint, the tourists will find the land that connects the three countries, surrounded by long and calm waterway. Then visit the House of Opium Museum a privately owned museum, it exhibits the history of the opium trade and consumption in the Golden Triangle, which was introduced by the hill tribe’s immigrants from southern China. The museum also displays the hill tribe’s lifestyle following a 12-month cycle, poppy cultivation, opium trade in the area, drug trafficking in the Golden Triangle region. Continue on to the ancient city of Chiang Sean, which stands on the steep banks of the Mae Khong River, opposite Laos. Magnificent temples and impressive ruins can be admired there. Visit Wat Phrathat Pha Ngao, it is assumed to have been an important temple in the Yonok Kingdom. There is a small bell-shaped chedi on a large rock and the Buddha image of Luangpho Pha Ngao that was discovered in 1976, and between 700-1,300 years old. On the top of the mountain behind the temple is the location of Phra Borommathat Phuttha Nimit Chedi, which is the point where it is possible to see the surrounding beautiful scenery. Return to the town and lunch is at a local restaurant.

After lunch, drive south of the town for 30min to visit Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), designed and built by Achan Chalermchai Kositpipat, a famous Thai artist, built with strong determination that created unique and beautiful works of art that harmoniously combine the culture of Lanna, both stucco patterns decorated with mirrors and large wall paintings. The distinguishing feature of the temple is that the ubosot is decorated with a pattern of silver mirrors that shine in tiered tiers. The gable decorated with serpents with tusks proboscis looks very strange and interesting. The murals inside the Ubosot are made by the master\'s own paintings.
 
Continue travel to Chiang Mai (drive approx. 3hours) via Mae Kha Chan Hot Spring.
Evening arrival at Chiang Mai, check in at your hotel and free at leisure.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Visit the most sacred temple in the North of Thailand: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is the most sacred temple in Chiang Mai and contains a holy relic of the Lord Buddha. Tucked away in the mountains at an elevation of 1,056 meters (3,520 feet), the temple can be reached by the carved mythical Naga Serpent Staircase. The temple offers an exhilarating view of Chiang Mai city and its surrounding countryside. Drive to the famous home industries of Sankampaeng, where a variety of souvenirs and handicraft are made. Chiang Mai is the main centre for high quality handicrafts in Thailand. In the area of Sankampaeng, you can observe the full steps of the production of the famous Thai Silk as well as of the colourful paper umbrellas or the well-known celadon ceramics. You will be amazed when seeing some other craftsmen transforming teakwood into elegant furniture and delicate carvings using only very simple tools. Also fascinating to watch is the production of lacquer ware, when even eggshells are used to achieve unusual designs.  Finally, not to be missed is the variety of silverware produced in this area. There are numerous other thriving industries such as cotton and traditional local products’ industries, antiques from Myanmar and more. In other word, a perfect place for shopping and souvenirs. 

 
Then, return drive back to city for lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon, visit Wat Phrasing, which is home of the beautiful Lai Kham chapel with its exquisite woodcarving and northern style murals. We will then go to Wat Chedi Luang and its enormous Pagoda (which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545) before heading to Wat U-Mong This old temple (established in 1296) is now widely known as a meditation centre devout Buddhists from around the world visit to practice amid its peaceful atmosphere and minimalism structures. Around the area you also find numerous historical artifacts and architectures, such as Asok Pillar, which is devoted to an Indian King Asok Maharaja who was a devout Buddhist, and U-Mong, an ancient tunnel-like architecture built to create a near-silent ambience for better meditation practice.

Note: Please dress respectfully by not wearing sleeveless T-shirts, shorts or strapless sandals, when visiting Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
 

RECOMMEND OPTIONAL TOUR:  
 
CHIANG MAI STREET EATS BY TUK TUK                     
Private Service / Time: 16.30 20:30 hrs.
 
Highlights:

• Take a local transport “Tuk-Tuk” (pick-up & drop-off hotel in town)
• Experience on tasting local food in Chiang Mai town
• Visit the religion relics places in Chiang Mai town
• A glass of beverage at Xanadu Restaurant with scenic Chiang Mai view

 
Depart from the hotel by local transport “Tuk-Tuk” to Chiang Mai gate local market for street food. Just outside the old walled city center of Chiang Mai, the Wat Lok Molee is one of the city’s older temples. The temple that is also known as the Wat Lok Moli houses one of the largest and most impressive chedis in Chiang Mai.
 
After your experience with Chiang Mai local shopping, take a ride to the night market on Chang Puak Gate or North Gate is always busy and offers a great range of authentic Thai cuisine. Try the stewed pork leg from the famous vendor with the cowboy hat who’s had visits from the likes of Anthony Bourdain. Taste Bua Loi, or floating lotus, is a warm fresh coconut milk broth with teeny pandan-laced glutinous rice flour balls swimming around. Take a ride with Tuk-Tuk to see Chiang Mai nightlife around old city, visit 3-Kings monument, Wat Chedi Luang. Let\'s celebrate with your friends and family, spend the night and enjoy the beautiful Chiang Mai view with a glass of beverage at Xanadu Restaurant before return to the hotel in Chiang Mai town.

Breakfast at hotel

A half-day join-in package to Kanta Elephant Sanctuary offers visitors an enjoyable opportunity to spend quality time with elephants in their natural home, as well as gain an insight into their history and behaviour, and create cherished lifelong memories of their time spent with these amazing animals with friendly, happy elephants in a safe and sustainable environment.

ITINERARY
07.00AM:          Drive approximately 50 Mins North of Chiang Mai through a beautiful countryside, forest, and local farming areas.
08.00AM:          Arrive at Kanta Elephant Sanctuary. Walk through and learn about the elephants, change into traditional clothing and prepare fruits for our elephants.
09.00AM:          Meet the elephants. Feed, interact, and play with the elephants in a natural environment and learn about their behaviour and history. Take photos with the elephants.
10.00AM:          Walk with the elephants to a clean water pond where they will cool off themselves and you will have chance to observe them as well.
11.00AM:          Get some tea, coffee and season fruit then say goodbye to the elephants. Leave Baan Chang
Elephant Park and drive approximately 50 Mins back to Chiang Mai. Drop off at your hotel or accommodation.
 
Please Note: At the Park, we will allow you to spend as much time as possible with the elephants. Therefore, there is no formal schedule and aside from pick-up times, the times shown here are approximations.
 

Afternoon, free at leisure.

RECOMMEND OPTIONAL TOUR:  
 
EVENING COOKING CLASS BY THAI FARM COOKING SCHOOL 
Join-in Service / Time: 15.00 - 21:00 hrs.
 
Itinerary

• Visit the main local Thai market out of the city centre
• Explaining and learning about herbs and ingredients at our organic farm
• Pound and make a curry paste from scratch. You will make your own curry paste, each person will have their own individual mortar. You can decide how spicy or non-spicy you would like to make your own curry paste
• Choose and make one curry paste, one curry, one soup, noodle dish and sweet dessert (total of 5 categories)
• You will learn to make every dish completely by yourself from start to finish and will be able to season to your own taste!

EVENING KHANTOKE DINNER WITH THAI CULTURAL SHOWS 
Private Transfer Service / Time: 18.00 - 21:00 hrs.
 
Indulge in the flavours and traditions of northern Thailand at the Old Chiangmai Cultural Center. Savor a delicious meal while being treated to traditional music and dance performances that showcase the rich heritage of the region.
Discover the beauty and charm of northern Thailand through a unique dining experience unlike any other. Book your seat today and immerse yourself in the authentic culture of northern Thailand.
 
Dinner and Showtime: 18:30-20:30 hrs. *Water bottles, cocktails, and drinks are not included.
18:30 hrs - Enter our Khantoke Dinner Dining Hall
18:35 hrs - Enjoy dinner and live folk music
19:10 hrs - Live traditional Lanna performances
20:30 hrs - Program’s finish
 
Our Khantoke Dinner Classic set includes:
-           Traditional Lanna Performances with live folk music
-           Khantoke Dinner with Northern cuisine dishes served traditionally (Vegetarian & Halal options
are also available)
-           Refillable Drinking water and Herbal drinks.
-           Organic Vegetable and Products from Local Farmer
-           Welcome Drink and snack

Breakfast at the hotel
 
Check-out and meet your Thailand Journeys guide and take a private transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your
 departure flight (Flight TBA / Exclude).
 
Meals:  Breakfast is included.