Why This Journey Works For Your Clients
Strong travel value with clear agency positioning.
The north on its own terms, not Bangkok with mountains added.
The counterweight to a Bangkok-and-beach program: cooler, slower, hill-tribe and Lanna culture instead of megacity and sand. Sells well as a second Thailand trip, or as the cultural half of a longer route.
Repeat Asia travellers, couples in their 40s and up, small culture-led groups of six to twelve. Clients who want walking, markets and cooking rather than resorts.
Ready to quote as it stands for eight days, or open at both ends: two nights in Bangkok before, or Mae Hong Son and Pai after.
The route runs north to south against the usual grain: arrival in Chiang Rai, a boat upriver on the Mae Kok to Karen villages, tea terraces at Mae Salong planted by Yunnanese settlers, the Mekong where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, then down through Chiang Dao into Chiang Mai. The second half slows down - the old town on foot and by rickshaw, a full morning cooking on an organic farm, two hours on the Mae Ping at dusk, and a day in the cloud forest of Doi Inthanon. Private guide, private vehicle throughout, eight days with nothing rushed.
Client Journey Day By Day
A practical flow your advisors can adapt.
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Day 1
Arrival in Chiang Rai (-) Arriving in Chiang Rai, having free time to stroll around in the city. Stay overnight in Chiang Rai.
2
Day 2
Chiang Rai & Mae Kok river (B) Morning after breakfast, visit the local market, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Phra Singh and Black House/Baan Dam. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on Mae Kok river from Chiang Rai to Karen village. Transfer back to Chiang Rai and stay overnight.
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Day 3
Chiang Rai - Mae Salong - Chiang Saen (B) Explore Mae Salong's hills and tea plantations, taste local tea, visit the Akah village of Loyo and Mae Fah Luang botanical garden. On arrival in the Golden Triangle, take a Mekong River boat trip to see the Thailand, Burma and Laos triangle. Overnight in Chiang Saen.
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Day 4
Chiang Saen - Thaton - Chiang Mai (B) Travel toward Thaton, stop at Patai village to meet the Padong Karen community, visit a traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy and continue to Chiang Mai with a stop at Chiang Dao's underground galleries. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
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Day 5
Chiang Mai city & Doi Suthep (B) Walk through Chiang Mai old town, visiting Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan Tao and Wat Chedi Luang, take a rickshaw tour, visit Warorot market and continue to Doi Suthep hill. Evening free at the Night Market. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
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Day 6
Chiang Mai - Thai Farm Cooking & Mae Ping river cruise (B, L) Join Thai Farm Cooking from 8.30 am to 2.00 pm for a market visit, organic farm ingredients, curry paste, curry, soup, noodle dish and dessert. In the afternoon, take a two-hour Mae Ping River cruise before returning to the hotel.
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Day 7
Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon - Chiang Mai (B, L) Visit Doi Inthanon National Park, trek through jungle to a hidden waterfall, pass coffee plantations, flower farms and rice terraces, meet a Pagagayaw Karen hill tribe village, visit Vachiratharn Waterfall and the royal pagodas, then return to Chiang Mai.
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Day 8
Chiang Mai - Departure (B) Free time until transfer to the airport for your return flight. End of service.
