Truly Northern Thailand

Northern Thailand is wooded, mountainous and beautiful, and this ten-day, nine-night journey stays in its mountains throughout. It begins in Chiang Rai, runs up to the Burmese border and the Golden Triangle, then west through Thaton, Pai and Mae Hong Son before turning south to Chiang Mai. It suits travellers who prefer temples, caves and hill tribe villages to beaches.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Far North And The Golden Triangle

The first day is free to stroll around Chiang Rai, with rooms from 2pm. Next morning you drive up to Doi Tung Palace, the King's Mother garden, set in a wide valley of flowers, its main hall holding photographs of the Princess Mother. The road then reaches Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand, where the Burmese border at Tha Khee Lek is a trading place for Thai, Burmese and Chinese goods, and the Golden Triangle, once an opium trading area, where a river boat carries you onto the Mae Khong towards Laos. Lunch is by your own account.

The White Temple And The Road To Pai

A morning in Chiang Rai starts in the local market, then goes on to Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple begun in 1997 by Chalermchai Kositpipat, which he says will be finished 60 to 90 years after his death; its fresco mixes Buddhist codes with The Matrix, Star Wars and Kung Fu Panda. After lunch on your own charge you climb to the Thaton temple up the mountain for the overview of the Kok River, and the night in Thaton. Next day brings the Chiang Dao temple cave, the 60-metre Mork Fah Waterfall and the shallow pools of the Pong Deuid hot springs.

The Pai River And The Hill Tribe Villages

From Pai, a small town in Mae Hong Son province, you cruise along the Pai River and stop at a Long-Necked Karen village where the women wear brass winding rings. The afternoon climbs Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu on Kong Mu Hill, then the Burmese-style Jong Kham and Jong Klang temples by the swamp. Next morning a raft man poles you by bamboo raft into Tham Lod Cave, before an afternoon in a Lahu village of farmers and hunters and a Lisu village known for embroidery and silverware. Two nights in Mae Hong Son; our four-day Mae Sariang and Mae Hong Son itinerary stays in this province alone.

Chiang Mai And A Day With The Elephants

The drive south crosses Doi Inthanon National Park with stops at some of the province's finest waterfalls. A walking tour of the old town takes in Wat Phra Singh, the Lanna temple of the Lion Buddha, Wat Phan Tao and Wat Chedi Luang with its towering chedi, then a rickshaw ride and the Warorot market; the afternoon is Doi Suthep, more than 300 steps and a lift to the panorama. Day nine goes to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary: feeding the herd, bathing and brushing the elephants in the river, and a mud spa. Three nights in Chiang Mai.

GOOD TO KNOW

Rates include an English-speaking guide during the visit time of your trip, accommodation, entrance tickets, boat and bamboo raft, taxes and service charges, and private air-conditioned transfers except to and from the elephant camp. That elephant day runs as a join-in tour and the last day has no guide, with the room available until noon. Breakfast is served daily and lunch only on the elephant day, so other lunches and all dinners are at your own expense. Flights, tips, compulsory travel insurance, visas and festival, Christmas and New Year surcharges are excluded; see our visa assistance page.

The route leaves out the capital, so many add our three-day Bangkok Highlights break at one end. It sits with our shorter Chiang Rai and Golden Triangle tour among our Thailand tour packages.