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Secrets of the North
5
days/4 nights
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Day 01. Chiang
Mai – Lampang – Phayao (L)
We pick you up at
your Chiang Mai hotel in the early
morning and set off to visit one
of the most beautiful and famous temples in Northern
Thailand "Wat Phra That Lampang Luang". The eventful
history of this 1000-year-old temple is
described in its many murals. We
then visit the Lampang Elephant
Conversation Centre, one the most beautiful elephants
schools from the North where we see a
demonstration of how these gigantic
animals work in the forest.
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It is also
possible to have a ride on the back of an elephant
as an optional excursion. After the show we visit
the FAE (Friends of
Asian Elephants), an elephant hospital at another part
of the area. Around lunchtime we visit the Dan Kwiang
Forest market, a market known for its variety
of grilled, baked and roasted insects. After lunch
(you don't have to eat the
insects!) we proceed to Phayao,
a quiet provincial town,
spectacularly sited beside a large lake. This place was
already settled in the Bronze Age!
Here we visit to Wat Si Komkam,
a temple
dated from the 12th century. Accommodation at the Phayao Northern
Lake Hotel. |
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Day
02. Phayao – Mai Sai – Chiang Saen (B,L)
After breakfast we
continue to the high north and visit Doi Tung
and “Wat Phra That Doi
Tung”. The area around Doi Tung has historically been the
site of opium production, controlled by
hill tribe people. Doi Tung Royal villa was built
in 1988 on the
mountain, and was originally the summer residence of the Queen Mother. The villa has a beautiful garden with a
large variety of all kinds of flowers
and trees, an area also known as the Switzerland of
the East. On route visit two hill tribe
villages, namely the Lahu and Akha. We
then continue to the
northernmost town of Thailand, “Mai Sai.
This border town has a bridge into
Myanmar (Burma) and there is time to visit the local markets and shops.
We drive on to Sop Ruak,
the actual Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Burma and Laos meet. We
have lunch at the Mekong River.
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After lunch we
continue by longtail boat along
the border of these three
countries and make a stop on
Laos territory. We visit the
opium museum displaying
artifacts related to opium
production. Then its on to Chiang Saen
a short drive along
the Mekong river bank .to one of the oldest
towns in
Thailand. We also visit the ruins and
“Wat Pa Sak” a teakwood forest
temple. In the evening you have
time to enjoy a walk along the
river. Accommodation at the
Chiang Saen Riverside hotel.
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Day
03. Chiang Saen – Wiang Pa Pao (B)
We depart to Wiang Pa Pao, a picturesquely village
located in a long thin green valley surrounded by
mountains and with an lively market. On the way we visit
the Igor and Mussur hill tribes (or another hill tribe). In the village we
visit the Wat Si Suthawat temple. Afternoon is at leisure. Accommodation at
the Suan Thip Vana Resort.
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Day
04. Wiang Pa Pao – Krisda Doi (B,L)
In the morning we visit the local market
of Samoeng and the gardens of Queen Sirikit. A lunch is provided at an Orchid farm. After lunch we proceed to Lamphun and visit Wat Phra That Haripoonchai,
yet another important Buddhist temple in the Northern
Thailand. Accommodation at the Bella Villa Resort. |
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Day
05. Krisdai Doi – Doi Inthanon – Chiang Mai (B)
Breakfast at the resort. This morning we
visit Doi Inthanon, at 2,565m (8,400ft), the highest
mountain in Thailand and a popular
destination for local one-day tourists. We
allow you plenty of time to spend in
this beautiful location.
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Doi Inthanon has
a park with a wide range of habitats and wild animals,
such as leopard cats, eagles,
pangolins and flying squirrels.
It is also the area where many
people of the Karen and Hmong hill tribes live. You can spend here half
a day
to discover the park on foot. Around 14.00 pm we depart back to
Chiang Mai and visit Doi Suthep, a temple built at a height
of 1,056 meters above sea level. A staircase of 290 steps
and flanked by a Naga balustrade
takes you to this mountain top
temple where you have an excellent view over the city of
Chiang Mai. After the tour we bring you back to your Chiang Mai hotel,
the airport or train
station. |
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Included:
English speaking guide, 3 lunches, visits as in
the program and entrance fees
B=Breakfast
L=Lunch
D=Dinner
Not
included:
flight to
Thailand, airport taxes, meals not mentioned,
drinks, tips,
optional excursions and travel insurance
Note: small deviations in the
tour program are sometimes necessary, depending
on weather, road conditions and room
availability
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