11-Day Lanna Delight Deluxe Tour

This trip is our specialty, unique and specially designed so that we can show you the delights of Central and Northern Thailand. There’s no other trip out there like it. We start in Bangkok and head Sukothai, to see the sites of a this ancient city once known as the ‘Dawn of Happiness’. We move up North to the to the royal patronaged Thai Elephant Conversation Centre in Lampang and onto Chiang Mai.

After checking out the sites in Chiang Mai, we head off trekking into the countryside around Mae Wang. A chance to see lush farmlands, meet local ethnic minorities and try your hand at bamboo rafting and elephant riding. Then we head into the far North, taking in Pai, an arty sleepy mountain hamlet for some relaxation before moving onto Mae Hong Son, ‘the city of three mists’ and home to some of Thailand most interesting ethic minorities. Finally we head up ot the spectacular Doi Inatanon,for a night of camping under the undisturbed stars before returning to Chiang Mai where you get to perfect your Thai cooking before you head home!

Trip Summary:

Area: Bangkok, Sukhothai, Lampang, Chiang Mai, Pai, Doi Inthanon National Park | Fitness level *

Day 1: Bangkok
You arrive on this day, take it easy, unpack, relax and then we’ve got a meeting in the evening to discuss our trip.

Day 2: Sukhothai
Leave the hotel, take a taxi, catch the train for a scenic six hour journey to Pisanulock, the gateway to the North. Next we take a bus ride to Sukothai, the ancient capital of Thailand when the Khmers were ousted in 1238. Spend the afternoon chilling out or visit the local market. Meet up for dinner in the evening.

Day 3: Sukothai
Early start and hearty breakfast. Today we spend the day on a cycle tour of the ancient sites and temples of this sprawling World Heritage site. In the late afternoon we catch the bus to Lampang (approx 4 hours) and take a songtaew to visit Wat Phra Tat Lampang Luang, the resting place of the original emerald Buddha. Then we have a look around a local market and head to Lampang Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, where we get a guided tour of the complex and free time to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Day 4: Lampang Elephant Centre/Chiang Mai

Another early start to collect the elephantss from their overnight grazing grounds and watch them showering in the morning. A rare chance to get up close and personal. After breakfast we get to see the elephant demonstrating their ancient arts and visit the centre’s ‘dung’ paper project which helps fund the project. After lunch we head to Chiang Mai, the Lanna capital, an hour’s drive away.). It is a moated city, with the mountains framing it to the West, with a 1,676-metre peak offering impressive views over the city and surrounding countryside from the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. There is plently of opportunities for site seeing and shopping at the Night Bazar or Sunday market if you are lucky.

Day 5: Trekking
After an early breakfast we set off to a local market to stock up and then head to the Mae Wang area to a local elephant camp. Here we will get a chance to get up close and personal and ride the elephants for approximately one hour. And then after lunch we start our trek. Awe trek for about three hours, stopping off at a local waterfall before we reach home for the night, a local Karen village. Get to know the villagers and watch local life and customs in the village.

Day 6: Trekking

Three to four hours trekking today before lunch, so you’ll be ready for it! We pass through rice paddies an villages, over streams and there’s even a chance to swim. After a hearty lunch we head to bamboo rafting down the Mae Wang river and there’s a chance to river tube and just relax our after your trek. We head back to the city in the late afternoon and back the hotel for a hot shower and a drink. If you’ve still got energy your guide will be more than happy to show you round some of their favorite local bars.

Day 7: Pai
Catch the local busy for the winding but beautiful trip to Pai (approx 4 hours). It is a sleepy hamlet surrounded by mists that has become a refuge for artists throughout the years. We stay in a local style bamboo hut, close to the river to truly appreciate the beauty of this village surrounded by mountains and rice paddies. In the afternoon we head off exploring. We stop off at the hot springs, waterfall and the Chinese community centre, which has a giant swing and traditionally constructed building and great Yunnan food if you like to try some.

Day 8: Pai
Relax and enjoy the peace of Pai. Ask your guide for ideas of things to do if you’d like a more active day.

Day 9: Mae Hong Song
Take the local bus form Pie to Mae Hong Son, the city of three mists. It has long been isolated due to its location but is now opening up. The local Thai Yai ethnic group provided Mae Hong Son with its unique feel and look. The architecture differs somewhat to other styles you have seen in order to deal with the colder winters. A free day to explore and relax.

Day 10: Doi Intannon National Park
We set off after breakfast to visit the Phra Tat Kong Moo which is a Burmese style temple that offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, as long as the mists clear! Head off to a one of the first Long Neck Karen villages in Thailand, which is a still a vibrant working community. We travel on for two hours to Mae Jaem for a lunch of local specialties and drive up to Doi Intanon National Park. We stop at a waterfall and head up to the peak of the 2556m mountain which hosts unique flora and fauna. We spend overnight at a local campsite and spend the night toasting marshmallows on the mini BBQ!

Day 11: Chiang Mai
After a leisurely start we set off back to Chiang Mai. We drop our stuff back out at the hotel, time to eat, chill out and relax and then in the afternoon we go to a local cookery school just outside the city to learn how to cook some of the most well known Thai dishes. Overnight at hotel, and end of tour.