CHIANG MAI

Hotels at up to 75% off published rates

Chiang Mai at a glance:

Chiang Mai, the "Rose of the North", and Thailand's second largest city, is famous for its trekking, hill tribe villages and beautiful handicrafts. Set against a stunning backdrop of majestic mountains, Chiang Mai is a place with ancient roots spanning back to the time when it was a small Lanna Thai village. Now often called the "Rose of the North", Chiang Mai has become Thailand's second largest city - rich in many heritages, with a lovely cultural personality all its own. Visitors to Chiang Mai will delight in the wealth of its historical sites, as well as its abundance of handicrafts in silk, silver and wood, which make for precious and timeless souvenirs. Chiang Mai also serves as the main jumping point for excursions to the host of wonderful attractions in Thailand's North. Escape the heat of Bangkok and fall in love with the laid back city of Chiang Mai. Many adventures are waiting for you, like hiking, rafting, or exploring the interesting cultures of the hill tribe people. Located in Thailand’s principal northern province, Chiang Mai is some 700km north of Bangkok and covers an area of 20,000 sq.km. The city is located in a fertile valley some 300m above sea level. Chiang Mai was originally founded as the capital of Lanna Thai (Kingdom of One Million Rice fields) in 1296. It flourished as a major religious, cultural and trading centre until 1556 when a Burmese invasion reduced it to a vassal state. The Burmese were expelled in 1785, whereupon Lanna Thai once again became part of northern Thailand. The people of Chiang Mai enjoy one of the most distinctive cultural identities in the whole of Thailand. Largely farmers and artisans, they have their own lilting dialect, their own indigenous handicrafts, their own dances and their own distinctive cuisine. Hill tribes also lend a great deal of character and color to the crisply beautiful mountainous landscape.

HALF DAY TOURS:

ONE DAY TOURS

Elephant safari and rafting - A full day of excitement. In the morning you visit an elephant camp where you watch a show and ride on a elephant for an hour through the tropical forest.  After lunch you will board a bamboo raft and float through the rain forest - an unforgettable experience. Cost per person US$50.00 inclusive of lunch and rides. Book Now!!

Hill Tribe Experience and Jungle Adventure- Slip into your trekking gears and be ready for a mountain trek to hill tribe villages, the splash from the white-water rafting and a wild ride on the elephant or even the oxcart. An opportunity to explore the jungle and get to know diverse cultures of the hill tribe villagers and the natives of northern Thailand. On Day One, pick up from hotel for 1.5 hours drive to the area of Pha Mieng, then walk through orchards and down a steep jungle path to the waterfall and pool of Pha Mieng. Swim in the large pool, then walk to the Lahu Village. Walk along jungle trails to the remote village of Hmong Pha Mieng. Enjoy a picnic lunch amongst the trees. Walk to the top of the mountain where the Red Lahu village of Pha Daeng is located. Visit the animist Lahu temple and enjoy a cup of Chinese tea with a village family. Walk along a mountain ridge to the Lahu village of Kup Kap. Stay in the Lahu Village with a friendly basic accommodation, with mattresses, bed linen, hot water and toilet facilities. On Day 2, after breakfast in Lahu Village, one hour walk downhill to Huay Sadhan waterfall, with its large drop into a clear pool, then onto an elephant for a 2 hours ride downhill to Mae Taeng Elephant Camp. A picnic lunch by the river, then a white water rafting ride of 1 - 1.5 hours down the river, arriving at the pretty Thai village of Muang Gurt. A 45 minute bicycle ride brings you to the Akha village of Huay Pong. Then, downhill for another 40 minutes to the award winning Lishu Lodge, arriving late afternoon. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a display of Lishu culture with music and dancing before sleep. On Day 3, breakfast at Lishu Lodge, take a cultural tour of the village with one of the Lishu elders, with your guide as a translator. See the shrine to the guardian village spirit, and other aspects of Lisa culture. Lunch at the lodge, then a two hours ox-cart ride through farmland and forest to the large country village of Baan Pang Mai Daeng, return to the Lodge for final farewells, then transfer back to hotel or airport. Cost per person US$280.00 per person inclusive. Book Now!!