Sukhothai, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Sorn, and Chiang Mai

DAY 01 Sukhothai

Arrive in Sukhothai meet your guide and transfer your hotel with the remainder of the day free to relax or explore Sukhothai.

DAY 02 Sukhothai – Si Satchanalai - Lampang (B)

In the morning travel visit the world heritage site of Sukhothai National Park with its impressive temples, monuments and ruins dating back to the 13th century. Visit Sukhothai Historical Park. Enjoy cycling around the historical park to visit the ancient ruins. Continue to Sri Satchanalai National Park, the ancient Northern protective city of Sukhothai. Lunch at a restaurant nearby the Yom River. Continue to explore the ancient ruins of Sri Satchanalai. Some impressive ruins to be seen are Wat Chang Loom, a beautiful stupa surrounded by elephants, Wat Chedi Jet Theaw and Wat Sri Mahathat.

DAY 03 Lampang – Chiang Rai (B)

In the morning head for the Elephant Conservation Center and Elephant Hospital. Watch these gentle giants take their daily bath and then demonstrate log hauling and other activities. Leave Lampang for Pharaoh for lunch at the picturesque lake. Travel further north and visit the famous Wat Ron Kuhn a fairy tale white temple designed by a Thai artist. Finally check in to your hotel in Chiang Rai. In the evening take a stroll to the interesting night and food market.

DAY 04 Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Thaton (B)

After breakfast travel to Chiang Saen, the capital of the Lanna kingdom until 1262 when King Mengrai established Chiang Rai. Captured by the Burmese in the 16th century, and sacked by King Rama I in 1803. It was a ghost town for a hundred years and repopulated around 1900. From here enjoy a boat trip on the mighty Mekong River to the well known Golden Triangle. On route visit the Laotian river island of Don Sao. Visit the Opium Museum. Continue to Mae Sai, the Thai Burmese border-market town where an optional visit to the Burmese border town of Tachilek can be arranged. Next stop is at a monkey temple, then travel through the mountain wilderness of Doi Maesalong, where you see Akha, Yao and Lisu hill tribe villages. On the mountain top there is a Kuomingtan Chinese village. Arrive and overnight at Thaton.

DAY 05 Thaton – Wat Chan – Karen Hill Tribe Lodge (B)

After Breakfast visit Wat Thaton with its giant Buddha images and panoramic views over the Kok River valley. Continue up hill to see a remote Lahu hill tribe village, traditional rice mill, and a country market. After lunch continue on steep and winding roads along scenic mountainous landscapes to Wat Chan, home of the Karen Hill Tribe people for over a hundred years. From Wat Chan you head into the mountains to the Karen Lodge surrounded by forest, mountains and sounds of birds and mountain streams. Here you can wander in river beds, explore rice fields and the pristine nature around the Lodge.

DAY 06 Karen Hill Tribe Lodge – Pai (B)

Hill Tribe village breakfast at 8:00 and a short 1 hour trekking through the jungle and rice fields to Baan Houy Ya-Nai a Karen hill tribe village for an ancient welcoming Karen ceremony. At the village you observe traditional daily activities such as rice pounding, weaving, and have the opportunity to see traditional hunting equipment. Continue on to Baan Sao Dang, a Lisu hill tribe village where you witness daily activities and continue to the Royal Project Baan Sao Duang specializing in non-indigenous fruit and vegetables. Picnic lunch is served at the village or the Royal Project. Here you can taste the delicious coffee grown at the Royal Project. From here head to overnight at Pai.

DAY 07 Pai – Mae Hong Son (B)

Breakfast at the resort, then commence your journey along scenic mountain roads to visit some of the Lisu and Lahu Hill Tribe villages.

DAY 08 Mae Hong Son – Chiang Mai (B)

After breakfast commence a very scenic trip on the Pai River with your choice of long tail boat or bamboo raft. Enjoy a one hour ride on elephant back through the jungle. After lunch tour the ancient Shan city of Mae Hong Son and visit two picturesque Shan temples, Wat Jong Klang at the city lake and Wat Doi Kong Moo on a hill which offers panoramic views over Mae Hong Son city. Late afternoon take a short flight to Chiang Mai and transfer to your hotel or next destination.  

• World Heritage site Sukhothai and Sri Satchanalai National Park
• At Lampang, visit an Elephant Conservation center ancient Burmese architectural style temple.
• Visit Wat Ron Kuhn a fairy tale white temple designed by a Thai artist
• Chiang Saen, the capital of the Lanna kingdom 
• Enjoy a boat trip to the golden triangle on the mighty Mekong River 
• Mae Sai, the Thai Burmese border-market town 
• Mountain wilderness of Doi Maesalong and see see Akha, Yao and Lisu hill tribe villages. 
• Visit Wat Chan, home of the Karen Hill Tribe people and stay at a Hill Tribe Lodge with European comforts.
• At Mae Hong Son on the Pai River with your choice of long tail boat or bamboo raft.