Chiangmai Optional Tours

The trip begins with a pleasant winding drive up 3,500 feet above sea level. You then huff and puff as you ascend up the steps to the temple, guarded by two splendid nagas (naks). Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, built in 1383, is the symbol of Chiangmai. It is the most sacred temple in the city and contains the holy relic of the Lord Buddha which is enshrined in the magnificent golden pagoda. A panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside can be seen from the temple grounds.

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See exquisite native handicrafts actually being crafted by master craftsmen and their assistants. Elaborate teak-wood carvings, intricate silverware, lustrous black lacquerware, high-fired ceramics, famous Thai silk and cotton being woven the ancient traditional way on rustic wooden looms, paper-making being done in the ancient traditional way, hand-made paper and silk parasols in a rainbow hue of dazzling colours. Watch skilled artists deftly and swiftly paint art-work on parasols. It’s absolutely amazing.

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A pleasant 30 kms. excursion out into the countryside. In lush tropical jungle north of the city, watch elephants take their daily shower in a stream. A demonstration of how these talented and trained animals are used in the timber industry is held. Using their tusks, powerful trunks and feet, they push, pull and roll logs.

Visit an Orchid Nursery Farm filled with more than 50 different varieties of gorgeous orchid blooms in a dazzling array of colures. A superb collection of butterflies is also available for your perusal and study at a Butterfly Farm.

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A trip by road along a scenic route, driving through undulating hills and valleys, emerald green woods, quaint small towns and picturesque villages. A break is made at a hot spring in Mae Kachan district. Proceed on to the town ( and province ) of Chiangrai. Visit and explore the Yao and Akha hilltribe villages and see their quaint, unique costumes. Each tribe has its own culture, customs, traditions and dialect. Drive further on to Mae Sai, a bustling border town with Myanmar and the northern most point of Thailand. Shop around for some Myanmar goodies. Then have lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed to the world-renowned Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the mighty Mekhong river. A superb view of the river and surrounding three countries can be seen. Visit the ancient town of Chiangsaen, the very first kingdom in Thailand situated on the banks of the Mekhong river and explore its archeological remains. Drive back to Chiangmai.

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Lying south of Chiangmai, the granite mass of Doi Inthanon, at 8,500 feet above sea level, is the highest mountain in the country. Designated as a national park, the moist natural environment is habitat to a large species of birds, animals, flowers and fauna. After a final steep climb, the summit is surprisingly flat though misty, cold and windy. Visit the pagodas built in honour of their Majesties the King and Queen. A visitors’ center contains information in Thai and English. A small chedi above the visitors’ center contains the remains of Chao Inthawichayanon who died in 1897, the last independent ruler of Chiangmai, before the Kingdom of Lanna was incorporated into Siam. Enjoy the cool cascading waters of Mae Klang and Vachiratharn waterfalls. Visit a Meo hilltribe village which is a Royal sponsored project, and a poor Karen hilltribe village. Lunch is included. (The drive up to the top of the mountain is exhilarating. Sweaters or warm jackets should be taken along as it can be extremely cold at the top)

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A pleasant scenic trip to the north of Chiangmai. Amidst lush tropical jungle beside a meandering river, watch elephants take their daily bath. A show of how these magnificent animals are used in the timber industry - pushing, dragging and rolling logs in unison at the command of their mahouts. And here comes the best part - elephant riding time. It’s now time for an exciting 1 hour elephant ride over the hills and into the lush jungle.( Elephants are very sure-footed animals ). Then experience a 15 minutes ox-cart ride back to the camp. ( This form of transportation is probably similar to what your ancestors traveled in, in the middle ages ). A picnic lunch is provided under the cool jungle shade. After lunch, enjoy a 1 hour bamboo rafting trip on the placid Mae Taeng river. Glide along in a summer dream. Visit an Orchid Nursery Farm filled with exotic orchid blooms. A superb butterfly collection is also available for your perusal at a Butterfly Farm. Return to Chiangmai.

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Relax in an informal atmosphere while dining on delicious northern Thai cuisine called “Khan Toke”. Tuck in and eat to your heart’s content. During the meal, a traditional northern musical ensemble will play soothing music while charming dancers will entertain you with the fingernail dance, candle dance, sword dance and ramwong dance. If you get the urge, join in the ramwong dance...it’s great. After that, there will be a fireworks display. Then, a selection of hilltribe dances performed by the Akha, Yao, Lisu and Karen tribes rounds up this entertaining evening. (Loose, informal attire is recommended as you will be sitting down on the floor).

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