Highlights of The North

📍 Chiang Rai Airport – Chiang Rai City 12.3 km): 17 min

Upon arrival at Chiang Rai Airport, you will be met by your EXO Travel guide and transferred for a brief sightseeing visit to Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple. Admire the stunning beauty of its unique kanok architecture. Afterwards, transfer to your hotel.

In the evening, visit the local night bazaar or night market.

Overnight in Chiang Rai

Inclusions:

📍 Chiang Rai City – Golden Triangle (82 km): 1.17 hrs Golden Triangle - Chiang Mai (270 km): 4.30 hrs

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Sop Ruak (Golden Triangle) to visit the viewpoint where the Mekong River meets the borders of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. Explore the Hall of Opium (closed on Mondays), an impressive and informative museum that documents the region’s history and its links to the opium trade. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, continue your journey to Chiang Mai.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up and transferred approximately 1.5 hours south of Chiang Mai, passing rolling hills, forests, and local farming areas, until you reach the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Walk through the sanctuary and learn about the elephants, then change into traditional Karen clothing. Meet the elephants to feed them, give medicine, interact, and play with them in a natural environment while learning about their behavior and history. Enjoy a mud spa with the elephants and walk with them to the river to bathe them. Have a traditional meal for lunch before saying goodbye to the elephants and driving back to Chiang Mai.

In the afternoon, explore both the old and modern parts of Chiang Mai, including the crumbling city walls, gates, moat, eclectic markets, residential areas, majestic foreign consulates, government buildings, and Thapae Road, one of the city’s main streets. Continue with a drive up Doi Suthep mountain to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, built in 1384 AD, the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand. Inside, you will see one of the most revered stupas in the country. Enjoy a fantastic panoramic view over the city, and take in the serenity of Wat Jed Yod, with its seven-spired stupa, and Wat Suan Dok, where the ashes of Chiang Mai’s royal family are interred

OPTIONAL: Chiang Mai Night Discovery

You will be picked up at 17:00. Experience the charm of Chiang Mai in the evening on this night tour. With a local guide, enjoy a night out embracing the spiritual traditions and rich heritage that make Chiang Mai so special.

Start with a visit to a local temple at sunset. Watch as the monks gather for their evening prayers and be soothed by the calm sounds of their chanting. Join local devotees in lighting incense and candles—offerings for good luck and health.

After this unforgettable experience, it’s time for dinner. Travel through the illuminated city streets to 137 Pillars House, one of Chiang Mai’s top restaurants. Step into the incredible courtyard, inspired by ancient Chinese dwellings, and enjoy a dinner of exquisite Thai cuisine in this atmospheric setting.

Cap off the evening with a visit to Warorot Market. Busy from morning until late at night, this bustling market is a hub of local life. Browse stalls overflowing with fresh food, flowers, and more, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Sample Thai desserts from a popular street vendor for a sweet ending to an enchanting evening.(D)

Time: 17.00 – 21.00

Departure: Daily

Blackout dates for dinner at 137 Pillars House are 24 and 31 December, as the hotel only offers a gala dinner on these dates.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Chiang Mai Hotel – Chiang Mai Airport (13.2 km): 15 min

Your guide and private car will pick you up at the hotel for your transfer back to Chiang Mai Airport.

OPTIONAL: Grandma's Home Cooking School

You will be picked up at either 08:30 or 15:30. Discover the secrets behind famous Thai dishes at Grandma’s Home Cooking School. Travel south of the city center to a traditional sala (open-air) house to meet a local chef. After a brief introduction to the day’s activities, head to a nearby fresh market to collect your ingredients.

The chef will introduce the ingredients, exotic herbs, and spices, explaining their uses and sharing insights into Thailand’s food culture.

Armed with this knowledge, it’s time to start cooking! Chop vegetables, create spicy sauces, and fry up sizzling plates. Throughout the course, the chef will share personal stories and offer tips for preparing these dishes in your own kitchen.

When everything is ready, sit down and enjoy the delicious, fresh dishes. Savor the delicate flavors of home-cooked Thai cuisine and enjoy the results of the day’s activities. Return to the hotel with a full belly and a deeper understanding of Chiang Mai’s foodie culture. (L or D)

Time: 08:30 – 14:00 / 15:30 - 20:30

Departure: Daily

Note:

• Private transfers between your hotel and Grandma’s Home Cooking School, with a join-in cooking activity.
• Cooking instruction in English.
• Children are charged at the adult price.
• Minimum 2 participants.
• Evening class does not include a visit to the local market.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast