Must see and do
Check out Doi Suthep, a regal mountain with commanding views from its summit
Discover Wiang Kum Kam, the underground city dating back to the 8th Century
Buy handicrafts, silk and silverware at Chiang Mai’s many markets or check out the Night Markets for a taste of real Thai life
Visit the world famous Parasol Village, where you’ll see a road lined with handicraft-producing factories
Enjoy a ride or a jungle trek at Taeng Gao Elephant Camp
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Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle (Full Day) Your tour begins with an early morning drive through the beautiful countryside, with a stop at the Mae Kajan hot springs. You then visit the famous Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong Rivers. As an option, you can enjoy a boat ride to view the mighty Mekong River, and visit the Opium Museum, which provides an insight on to the notorious past of this region. We continue onto the border town of Mae Sai, where just across the bridge lies the Burmese town of Tachilek. Here you will have lunch, and there is time to shop for some Burmese souvenirs (such as sarongs, puppets, handicrafts and Burmese cheroots). On your way back to Chiang Mai, you will visit an Akha and a Yao hill tribe village using a 4x4 Jeep.
Doi Suthep Temple With City Temples (Half Day) The city of Chiang Mai has a wealth of beautiful and historic Buddhist Wats (temples) and this tour includes a visit to one of the most fascinating examples, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The 600-year-old temple is located near the summit of Doi Suthep, a 1,600m peak named after the hermit Sudeva, who lived on the mountain’s slopes for many years. After a drive up the mountain’s winding road, the final climb to the site is via the magnificent Naga (dragon-headed serpent) staircase of 306 steps to enjoy the incredible views over Chiang Mai. Other temple visits include Wat Suan Dowk, which contains a Buddha relic which supposedly self-multiplied. Then you continue to Wat Jet Yot, which dates back to the mid 15th Century and whose seven spires represent the seven weeks Buddha spent in Bodhgaya after his enlightenment.
Baan Hongnual Cookery School (Half Day) Just 15 minutes outside of Chiang Mai city is the Baan Hongnual Cookery School. The school offers lessons in how to cook delicious Thai food. When cooking Thai food, various local spices that enhance your health and physical well being are used as ingredients. The aim of the school is to teach you how to cook delicious Thai food perfectly and to help preserve this culinary art for future generations. After being picked up from your hotel you will visit a local market to learn how to choose fish, meat and vegetables whilst at the same time learning about the herbs and spices that are needed and used in Thai cooking. From the market you will proceed to the cooking school for your cooking class followed by lunch before returning back to your hotel.