Exploring Thailand’s hidden nature and culture – away from the famous beaches of the South, Thailand’s North is truly a magical place to experience and explore hidden nature and culture on a tailor made holiday to Thailand. Asia Travel Specialist will take your clients to areas of unspoiled natural beauty. Stay with a rural family, walk alongside elephants and discover a side of Thailand many think is extinct. Asia Travel Specialist is here to show your clients the many exciting travel experiences that await in Thailand, well away from the crowds.

Thailand – away from the spotlight – Tour Highlights

Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai – Pai

• Stay in a traditional house at a Hmong minority village

• Walk with the elephants at Anantara Golden Triangle

• Visit the unique White Temple

• Hike Doi Inthanon mountain near Chiang Mai

Suggested itinerary – We will customise this for you

Day 1 – Chiang Rai – Thailand Local life experience

After arriving to Chiang Rai in the North of Thailand, we warmly greet your clients before transferring them to the Golden Triangle, a place that time forgot! Staying within a village of the Hmong and Lahu tribes your clients will be given a first-hand account of their history, daily life and also their future plans. Staying in a traditional house, albeit with a modern mattress, your clients will be served delicious local food. Enjoy the scenery and the slow pace of life in this special place, far away from the modern world.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Rural scene in north Thailand

Day 2 – Chiang Rai – Discover the Mekong

First thing this morning, your client’s hosts make them a simple breakfast. Later on, we learn about these fascinating tribes who have resisted the ways of modern life and who practice a sustainable lifestyle based on their ancestor’s teaching. We discover the Mekong and all its might as we cruise down it. Clients will learn how this stretch of water is the lifeblood for this part of Thailand and for many other surrounding countries. We also find out how others have disrupted and threatened the future of the river. Lunch is enjoyed with the fisherman and their fishing tales. Hear about the giant catfish the river is home to and about the one that got away!

On the way back to the homestay visit a mountain top and visit a temple which offers amazing views over the river and into Laos beyond. Arrive back at the village and the hosts will be ready to welcome your clients with a fabulous dinner created with all local ingredients.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Day 3 – Chiang Rai – Welcome to the Land of the gentle giants

Time to say goodbye as we leave the simple life behind. Stop for one more simple pleasure, a picnic by a lovely waterfall in the midst of the tropical jungle. If clients wish to revive themselves, they can swim in the crystal clear waters and be at one with nature. Shortly afterwards, we reach the home of the gentle giants, the elephants of Anantara Golden Triangle, a highlight for many on their tailor made holiday to Thailand. From the moment your clients enter Anantara’s doors they are treated to an all-inclusive experience both in terms of food and drink, but more importantly, the activities. During their stay they will be spoilt with spa treatments, cooking classes, lessons about the opium days and most popular of all, walking with the elephants.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, All drinks including alcohol

Hotel: Anantara Golden Triangle (Three Countries View Room)

Day 4 – Chiang Rai – Walking with Elephants

Today is a continuation of yesterday; being spoilt in stunning surroundings with award-winning food and service.  Enjoy the ‘walking with elephants’ experience to learn more about the animals, their plight and what can be done to help protect their future. Alongside the elephants, explore this stunning location where the three countries of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand all converge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, All drinks including alcohol

Hotel: Anantara Golden Triangle (Three Countries View Room)

Day 5 – Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai

Enjoy a morning relaxing in the spa or at the pool.  This afternoon, we drive to Chiang Mai, which takes around 4 1/2 hours. Stop at the stunning White Temple along the way. More art installation than temple, this is a unique place to stop and break the journey.  Once checked in to the Chiang Mai hotel, your clients are free to explore the town or relax at the pool.

If your clients would like more to do this afternoon or dinner recommendations, ask your Asia Travel Specialist for suggestions.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: 137 Pillars House (Rajah Brooke Suite)

The White Temple

Day 6 – Chiang Mai – The walk of life

Despite recent development, Chiang Mai is still a slow paced and peaceful city, a must see on your tailor made holiday to Thailand. The very best way to see what the city has to offer is on foot. Visit a variety of markets the locals have been using since the late 1800s. Meander through the vendor’s stalls taking time to sample the local delicacies and tasting as much as our appetite allows. With so much food on offer your clients will soon appreciate that they are on foot and burning calories!  We stroll onward and discover some of the city’s most impressive temples. Wat Phrasing is home to Lai Kham Chapel, a stunning example of Northern murals and teak wood carving. Continue to Wat Chedi Luang for a great insight into the local culture.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: 137 Pillars House (Rajah Brooke Suite)

Day 7 – Chiang Mai footsteps into the Himalayan range

A challenge awaits as we hike through Doi Inthanon, known as the rooftop of Thailand and a part of the Himalayan range. Beautiful scenery and nature awaits. Trek through the changing landscapes passing local hill tribes as we head higher discovering coffee and rice plantations with colourful flowers all around. See dramatic waterfalls and temples with incredible views.

We suggest taking some lightweight jackets or long sleeves as it can be chilly at the top. Next we head back to the hotel for some rest and reflect on our hiking adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: 137 Pillars House (Rajah Brooke Suite)

Day 8 – Chiang Mai to Pai – Walk of faith on the Bamboo Bridge

We leave Chiang Mai behind us and drive to Pai. This scenic drive is broken up with a stop at the Pong Dued Hot Springs. Feel free to have a relaxing mineral bath, a lovely way to revitalize skin and mind. After arriving in Pai, walk across Kho-Khu-So, the bamboo bridge of merit. The bridge stretches out through the rice fields and is an impressive sight.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Reverie Siam (Villa)

Day 9 – Pai giving a little back

As we are nearing the end of the trip, your clients will no doubt have been overwhelmed by the country, the people and Thailand’s inner beauty. Today we are able to give a little back as we prepare daily Alms for the local monks. This ritual has gone on for centuries whereby the locals offer monks some food. A truly spiritual feeling as we give a little back to the people and their lands.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Reverie Siam (Villa)

Day 10 – Pai and goodbye (Breakfast)

Today transfer 3 1/2 hours to Chiang Mai airport to meet the departure flight. We hope we have proved that Thailand still yields some amazing sights and its nature and culture still exist, if you know where to look. Asia Travel Specialist looks forward to helping arrange more tailor made holidays to Thailand for your clients soon!