ChiangMai
5
Day Itinerary •
Thailand
Five days in Chiang Mai and the northern highlands give you the full depth of the Lanna kingdom, from the extraordinary walled Old City and its 300 temples to the highest mountain in Thailand at Doi Inthanon, the White Temple and Black House of Chiang Rai, the extraordinary hill tribe villages of the Mae Hong Son loop and the finest ethical elephant sanctuary in Asia. This route covers everything that makes northern Thailand the finest region in the country. The temple city of Chiang Mai, the sacred mountain of Doi Suthep, the twin royal chedis of Doi Inthanon, the border art of Chiang Rai, an ethical elephant experience in the jungle and the extraordinary Mae Kampong hidden valley that few international visitors ever find.
Best Time To Visit
November to February
Getting There
Fly into Chiang Mai (CNX), 1 hour from Bangkok
Getting Around
Songthaew, Grab, hired scooter, day trips by road
Budget Per Day
Approx 40 to 100 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some jungle walking
DAY 1
OLD CITY TEMPLES
MORNING
WAT CHEDI LUANG AND THE CITY PILLAR, HEART OF THE OLD CITY
The ruined chedi of Wat Chedi Luang once stood 82 metres tall and housed the Emerald Buddha before it was moved to Bangkok. The extraordinary partially restored tower still dominates the Old City skyline. The adjacent city pillar shrine is the spiritual heart of Chiang Mai. Entry approx 50 baht. The monk chat programme here is the finest in Thailand. Drive/Travel: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
WAT PHRA SINGH, THE FINEST COMPLETE TEMPLE IN CHIANG MAI
The most complete and beautiful temple complex in Chiang Mai. The extraordinary Viharn Lai Kham chapel contains the Phra Singh Buddha image, one of the most revered in northern Thailand, in a building of extraordinary Lanna craftsmanship with gilded woodwork and intricate murals. Entry approx 50 baht. Drive/Travel: 15 min walk to Warorot Market
AFTERNOON
WAROROT MARKET AND THE CHIANG MAI NIGHT BAZAAR
Warorot is the finest local market in Chiang Mai, a vast covered market where northern Thai hill tribes sell textiles, spices and the finest local produce. The nearby Night Bazaar from 6pm is the most celebrated in Thailand, 1km of stalls selling silverwork, lacquerware and the finest northern Thai handicrafts. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The secret rooftop of Wat Chedi Luang's lesser-known eastern viharn gives an extraordinary view over the ruined chedi unavailable from ground level. Ask the resident monks for access. The Sunday Walking Street on Wualai Road from 4pm is far finer than the more famous Saturday market, with the finest silverwork artisans in northern Thailand. Entirely free to enter.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Khao Tom Muu, Old City Northern Thai pork rice soup is the classic Chiang Mai breakfast. 40 baht. | Lunch: Huen Phen, Ratchamanka Road The finest northern Thai food in Chiang Mai. Extraordinary khao soi and nam prik noom. | Dinner: Ginger and Kafe, The House Outstanding modern northern Thai in a beautiful 1920s shophouse. Book ahead.
DAY 2
DOI SUTHEP
MORNING
WAT PHRA THAT DOI SUTHEP, THE SACRED MOUNTAIN TEMPLE OF CHIANG MAI
The most sacred temple in northern Thailand, perched at 1,080 metres on Doi Suthep above Chiang Mai. Founded in 1383 after a white elephant carrying a relic of the Buddha walked up the mountain and died on this spot. The extraordinary golden chedi, the panoramic views over Chiang Mai and the 306-step naga staircase are all extraordinary. Entry approx 50 baht. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive further up
MIDDAY
BHUBING PALACE GARDENS AND THE HMONG HILL TRIBE VILLAGE
The royal winter residence of the Thai royal family at 1,400 metres is open to the public when the court is absent. The extraordinary rose gardens and ornamental grounds are the finest in Thailand. The adjacent Doi Pui Hmong village is one of the most authentic hill tribe settlements accessible from Chiang Mai, with extraordinary traditional textiles. Drive/Travel: 45 min drive down to city
AFTERNOON
CHIANG MAI COOKING SCHOOL, THE FINEST IN THAILAND
A half-day cooking class at one of the Old City's celebrated schools is one of the finest experiences in Chiang Mai. The Thai Farm Cooking School includes a morning market visit to source ingredients and produces six dishes including khao soi, green curry and mango sticky rice. Approx 1,000 baht including all ingredients and a recipe book.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The monk's trail to Doi Suthep is a 5km forest path from Chiang Mai University that predates the road by centuries. The extraordinary jungle walk passes waterfalls and roadside shrines and arrives at the temple from the rear, bypassing the entrance fee entirely. Allow 2 hours. The trail begins at the rear of the university campus and is marked.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pun Pun, Wat Suan Dok Outstanding organic northern Thai breakfast served by a temple cooperative. | Lunch: Market food, Doi Suthep Grilled corn, sticky rice and local sausage from mountain vendors at the temple. | Dinner: Cooking school meal Eat the six dishes you cooked. The green curry and pad thai are extraordinary.
DAY 3
CHIANG RAI
MORNING
WAT RONG KHUN, THE WHITE TEMPLE OF CHIANG RAI
The most extraordinary contemporary temple in Asia. The entirely white and mirrored Wat Rong Khun was designed by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat in 1997 and is still under construction. The bridge of souls crossing a sea of reaching hands, the extraordinary murals mixing Buddhist iconography with film characters, and the golden building housing the toilets are all extraordinary. Entry approx 100 baht. Drive/Travel: 40 min drive
MIDDAY
BAAN DAM, THE BLACK HOUSE OF CHIANG RAI
The extraordinary life's work of national artist Thawan Duchanee, a complex of 40 black buildings housing the most extraordinary collection of dark art in Thailand. Animal skins, bones, tusks and lacquerwork fill structures ranging from a Lanna longhouse to a Gothic hall. One of the most extraordinary and unsettling artistic statements in Southeast Asia. Entry approx 80 baht. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive north
AFTERNOON
THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE, WHERE THREE COUNTRIES MEET
The confluence of the Mekong, Ruak and Sop Ruak rivers where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. The extraordinary viewpoint over three countries from the Thai bank is one of the finest in Asia. The Hall of Opium museum tells the extraordinary story of the region's opium trade with remarkable candour. Entry approx 200 baht.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple of Chiang Rai, is an extraordinary recent temple entirely clad in deep blue and gold by artist Puttha Kabkaew. Completed in 2016 and almost entirely unknown to international visitors compared to the White Temple. The interior murals are among the finest contemporary Buddhist art in Thailand. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Morning market, Chiang Mai Leave at 6am. Buy breakfast from the highway market stalls at Mae Rim. | Lunch: Cham Cha, Chiang Rai Outstanding northern Thai food in a beautiful garden setting near Wat Rong Khun. | Dinner: Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai Return by 6pm for the finest street food in the north. Sai oua grilled sausage essential.
DAY 4
DOI INTHANON
MORNING
DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK, THE ROOF OF THAILAND
At 2,565 metres, Doi Inthanon is the highest peak in Thailand. The extraordinary cloud forest at the summit is unlike anywhere else in the country, carpeted with mosses, orchids and rhododendrons. The summit temple and the remarkable birdwatching , over 380 species recorded , are extraordinary. Entry approx 300 baht. Depart Chiang Mai by 6am. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
THE TWIN ROYAL CHEDIS OF NAPHAMETHANIDON AND NAPHAPHONPHUMISIRI
The two extraordinary chedis built to honour the King and Queen of Thailand stand at 1,400 metres surrounded by the finest formal gardens in northern Thailand. The manicured grounds with views over the forested Inthanon valley are extraordinary. The Karen hill tribe village at Baan Khun Klang nearby sells the finest highland strawberries and coffee in Thailand. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
MAE KLANG LUANG KAREN VILLAGE AND SIRITHAN WATERFALL
The Karen village of Mae Klang Luang at the park entrance is one of the most authentic highland communities in Thailand, with extraordinary traditional weaving and coffee grown on terraced hillsides. Sirithan Waterfall, a 280-metre cascade through primary jungle, is accessible by a 15-minute forest walk and is the most extraordinary waterfall in northern Thailand. Entry included in park fee.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Ang Ka Nature Trail at the Doi Inthanon summit is a 360-metre boardwalk through the most extraordinary cloud forest in Thailand, dense with mosses, ferns and carnivorous plants. The trail is almost entirely free of visitors before 8am and is the finest birdwatching spot in Thailand. The Gurney's pitta is occasionally sighted here. Entry included in park fee.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Highway 108 market stalls Buy sticky rice and grilled pork skewers at roadside stalls before the park gates. | Lunch: Royal Project restaurant, Doi Inthanon Outstanding highland produce, temperate vegetables and northern Thai dishes. | Dinner: Huen Phen, Chiang Mai Return for the extraordinary evening menu of northern Thai dishes unavailable at lunch.
DAY 5
ELEPHANT SANCTUARY AND MAE KAMPONG
MORNING
ELEPHANT NATURE PARK, THE FINEST ETHICAL ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE IN ASIA
The Elephant Nature Park in the Mae Taeng valley north of Chiang Mai is the finest and most celebrated ethical elephant sanctuary in Asia, founded by Lek Chailert in the 1990s to rescue working and abused elephants. The extraordinary half-day visit involves feeding, bathing in the river and walking with a herd of 80 rescued elephants. No riding. Approx 2,500 baht. Book weeks ahead. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
MAE KAMPONG HIDDEN VALLEY, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY VILLAGE IN CHIANG MAI PROVINCE
Mae Kampong is a remarkable community tourism village 50km east of Chiang Mai, a bamboo-forested valley with a cold stream, traditional teakwood houses on stilts and the finest miang fermented tea leaf in Thailand. The village has been entirely community-managed since the 1990s and is one of the most extraordinary hidden destinations in the north. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive back to Chiang Mai
AFTERNOON
NIMMAN ROAD AND THE CHIANG MAI ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTRE
Nimman Road is the finest neighbourhood in modern Chiang Mai, a tree-lined street of independent coffee shops, galleries and design stores around Nimman Soi 1. The nearby Chiang Mai Arts and Cultural Centre in the former provincial hall tells the extraordinary story of the Lanna kingdom in one of the finest provincial museums in Thailand. Entry approx 90 baht.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Baan Tong Luang hill tribe village near Mae Rim, 30 minutes north of Chiang Mai, is one of the most authentic multi-tribe communities accessible from the city, with Padaung, Akha, Lahu and Karen families living in traditional style. Far less commercialised than the more famous Doi Suthep hill tribe villages. Entry approx 300 baht including a guided walk.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Elephant Nature Park breakfast Included with the morning programme. Vegetarian Thai food served at the park. | Lunch: Mae Kampong village cafe Local miang tea leaf salad and noodle soup in a house on stilts above the stream. | Dinner: Rustic and Blue, Nimman Outstanding modern northern Thai. The smoked duck and local mushroom dishes are extraordinary.
Where To Stay
Chiang Mai Old City, All 5 Nights Rachamankha, Tamarind Village or Ruen Come In. Approx 50 to 180 USD per night. Mae Taeng Night Option Stay near Elephant Nature Park on Day 4 night. Elephant camp lodges approx 60 to 120 USD. Budget Option Deejai Backpackers or BED Nimman. Approx 12 to 30 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Elephant Nature Park books out weeks ahead in high season. Reserve online before you arrive in Thailand.
2. Doi Inthanon summit is cold , bring a jacket. Temperature at the peak can drop to 5 degrees in December.
3. Mae Kampong is best on a weekday. Weekends bring Thai domestic tourists and the village feels less authentic.
4. White Temple closes at noon on Fridays for religious observance. Plan Chiang Rai day accordingly.
5. The monk's trail to Doi Suthep through Chiang Mai University forest is the finest free walk in the city.
6. Khao soi is the dish of the north. Order it at every opportunity. Each restaurant's version is different.
Total Budget
38 to 155 USD/day