Tour Detail

5 Days-4 Nights North Package CEI - CNX PVT

Day 1 - Chiang Rai Arrival Golden Triangle, Opium Museum, Long Tail on the Mae Kok River, Ethnic Minorities. (L.)

Day 2 Chiang Rai. Doi Tung, Mae Fah Luang Garden, Mae Salong. (B.L.)

Day 3 - Chiang Rai Chiang Mai, Blue Temple, White Temple, Wat Pratat Doi Suthep. (B.L.)

Day 4 - Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary. Group Day in English (B.L.)

Day 5 -Chiang Mai. Transfer (B.)

Day 1

DAY 1 - CHIANG RAI – ARRIVAL – GOLDEN TRIANGLE, OPIUM MUSEUM, LONG TAIL ON THE MAE KOK RIVER, ETHNIC MINORITIES. (L.) Arrival at Chiang Rai airport by 10:00 am, meet with local guide at the airport. Today we begin exploring this province, the northernmost in Thailand, starting with the famous Golden Triangle, the point where the borders of Myanmar (formerly Burma), Thailand, and Laos meet. It is located 9 kilometers north of Chiang Saen, along the road by the Mekong River. Sop Ruak is the place where the Mekong River (border with Laos) meets the Ruak River (border with Burma). In the past, the Golden Triangle was the world's main source of drug trafficking due to its privileged position, connected to opiate-producing countries. Today it is a renowned tourist attraction. The visit includes Wat Phra That Pu Khao, which offers a wonderful view of the Golden Triangle, the Mekong River, and the forested mountains. Two large multi-headed Naga serpents at the bottom of the stairs protect the temple. The tour continues with the Opium Museum. The museum exhibits and educates visitors about the production of opium and its use in the life of the hill tribe populations; from the visit, we can learn a lot about the history of opium from when it developed in this notorious location. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, return to the city and transfer to the pier for boarding a longtail boat that will take us along the Kok River to Ruam Mitr, with a visit to the Karen and Lahu ethnic minorities. The Karen village of Ruammit, located on the banks of the Nam Mae Kok (Mae Kok River), is famous for its elephants, with a long tradition of training and logging and remains distinctly Karen, preserving its culture and traditions. Today it has become one of the major tourist attractions both on the Nam Mae Kok and in Chiang Rai province. Ruammit can be reached in 1 hour by boat from the provincial capital of Chiang Rai, with boats departing regularly from Chiang Rai pier. In the early evening, arrival at the selected hotel and check-in to reserved rooms. Overnight at the hotel in Chiang Rai.

Day 2

DAY 2 – CHIANG RAI. DOI TUNG, MAE FAH LUANG GARDEN, MAE SALONG. (B.L.) Breakfast at the hotel. At around 07:30, meet with the guide in the morning, and depart for another beautiful and intense day of visits. The day starts with a visit to Doi Tung, home to the Mae Fah Luang Gardens and the Teak House of the Queen Mother. The Mae Fah Luang Garden is dotted with roses, dahlias, and tulips, arranged in European-style flower beds. Scattered throughout the garden are fountains, rock art, wooden structures, and a small evergreen maze. Some areas of the park are also dedicated to traditional tropical plants and flowers, including a fern house, an orchid house, and a night garden. There is also a special cactus house. The tour continues with a visit to Doi Mae Salong, which is not a typical Thai town but feels more like it belongs to southern China. This is because it was founded as a Yunnanese settlement in the 1960s by remnants of the Kuomintang (KMT) army that fled from Yunnan after the defeat of Mao Tse Tung's forces in the Chinese civil war. Most of the Republican army elements took refuge in what was then Formosa, now Taiwan, while some units fled through Burma and Laos, from where they continued to raid across the Chinese border before settling in the anti-communist Kingdom of Thailand. Return to the hotel around 17:00. Evening at leisure.

Day 3

DAY 3 - CHIANG RAI – CHIANG MAI, BLUE TEMPLE, WHITE TEMPLE, WAT PRATAT DOI SUTHEP. (B.L.) Breakfast at the hotel. At 07:00, meet with the guide and visit the famous Blue Temple, or Wat Rong Seua Ten, located a few kilometers from Chiang Rai. It is a recent temple still under construction, although its main hall is now completed. Its magnificent blue interior with a large white Buddha is particularly striking. The Blue Temple of Chiang Rai is still relatively unknown among tourists because it was completed very recently. Then we will start the journey to Chiang Mai, during which we will visit the White Temple or Wat Rong Khun. One of the many religious sites in Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khun stands out for its exceptional quality in art and extremely elaborate architecture. The consecrated hall for assemblies of Wat Rong Khun is different from any other temple in terms of having both gable apexes carved and tooth-shaped ridges. The hall itself is mostly built in pure white, illustrative of the purity of the Buddha. The sparkling clear mirror glass serves as the wisdom of the Enlightened One that shines on the earth and the universe. Lunch is served at a local restaurant along the way. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, we complete the day dedicated to temples with the most famous in Chiang Mai, Wat Pratat Doi Suthep, located on a mountain offering a panoramic view of the hilly area of Chiang Mai. Built in the early years of the 19th Buddhist century (we are now in the 26th), the beauty of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is marked by seven-headed serpent statues flanking the stairs to the temple where there is a golden pagoda in Chiang Saen style and all its exquisite Lanna architecture. The view of Chiang Mai from here is simply phenomenal. In the evening, transfer to the hotel and check-in to reserved rooms. Overnight at the hotel in Chiang Mai.

Day 4

DAY 4 - CHIANG MAI – Elephant Sanctuary. GROUP DAY IN ENGLISH (B.L.) Breakfast at the hotel. Today we have a wonderful day at an elephant sanctuary to get to know these pachyderms better, a half-day visit that offers visitors a pleasant experience with the opportunity to spend time with elephants in their natural environment, and gain an overview of their history and behavior, creating pleasant memories for the time spent with these wonderful animals that will accompany you for a lifetime.

APPROXIMATE ITINERARY

06:30-07:00 Pick up at your hotel or accommodation by the Elephant Sanctuary. Drive about 1.5 hours south of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forests, and local agricultural areas.

08:30 Arrival at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Discover the elephants and change into traditional Karen clothing.

09:00 Meet the elephants. Feed them, interact and play with the elephants in a natural environment while learning about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants.

09:45 Mud Spa with the elephants.

10:30 Walk with the elephants to the river and bathe them.

11:30 Lunch with a traditional meal and then farewell to the elephants.

12:00 Leave the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and drive about 1.5 hours back to Chiang Mai.

13:30 Return to the hotel.

Day 5

DAY 5: CHIANG MAI. TRANSFER. Breakfast Breakfast at the hotel. Room available until 12:00. 2 hours before the flight, meet with our driver and transfer to Chiang Mai airport.