Tourcode CNX 002 - 6 days / 5 nights

Chiang Mai - Pai - Mae Hong Son - Mae Chaem - Doi Inthanon - Chiang Mai

Daily departure from/to Chiang Mai, minimum 2 persons, private tour

DAY 1 CHIANG MAI

Arrival in Chiang Mai. Our driver will welcome you, followed by short transfer to the hotel in downtown. Day at leisure. Time to relax or take a stroll and explore the northern capital by yourself.

DAY 2 CHIANG MAI - PAI B/L

In the morning our tour guide will pick you up from the hotel. There is some time left for a short information tour in the city. Later leave Chiang Mai to the north. Take brief stops at an orchid farm and later at the local country side market in Mae Malai, where you also have the chance to taste some exotic snacks. In Mae Taeng take a side trip to Wat Ban Den, a truly large and remarkable temple complex in the country side. After your lunch break the tour continues on some steep and winding roads along scenic mountain wilderness towards Pai. Chance to take a stroll at Pai Canyon and another side trip can be arranged to Wat Phra That Mae Yen, a hill top temple with a giant white Buddha statue. You will reach it by a 353 steps long staircase and the award for the effort are some great views to the Pai Valley. In the evening take the chance for a stroll over the walking street (night market). Overnight in Pai.

DAY 3 PAI - MAE HONG SON B/L

Leave Pai and travel along wonderful mountain scenery. First visit a Lisu hill tribe village. Then reach Ban Soppong and do a side trip to the spectacular Thum Lot Cave. Depend on the water level in the small river you will cross the cave on a bamboo raft, followed by a short walk back. Continue on winding roads through the wilderness towards Mae Hong Son. On route pass various Lahu hill tribe villages and chance to stop at one of them. Shortly before reaching Mae Hong Son take a walk over the bamboo bridge of Su Tong Pae through the rice fields. Later another highlight will be the boat trip on the Pai River to a village of the Paduang close to the Burmese border. Some of the women wear brass neck coils (that's why they are better known as longnecks). They belong to the Kayan, a sub group of the Red Karen and due to conflicts with the military regime in Myanmar they fled to the Thai border area some time ago. Finally check in at the resort in Mae Hong Son. Overnight.

DAY 4 MAE HONG SON - MAE CHAEM B/L

After breakfast visit two picturesque Shan temples, Wat Doi Kong Moo on a small hill top, which offers superb views and Wat Jong Klang at the small city lake. Then it is time to leave Mae Hong Son in southern direction towards Khun Yuam. A brief stop at the Shan Cultural Center & 2nd World War Museum can be done. From here continue through the mountain wilderness, passing Karen and Hmong hill tribe villages with brief stops at some of them. By late afternoon you will reach the small town of Mae Chaem, situated right at the foot of Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain of the country. There is some time left to relax or take a stroll in this rural town. Overnight in Mae Chaem.

DAY 5 MAE CHAEM - CHIANG MAI B/L

First drive up to Doi Inthanon National Park, which is also Thailand's highest peak with 2565 meters above sea level. Here you can see picturesque waterfalls, the two royal pagodas near the mountain top and a street market where Hmong hill tribe women sell vegetables, fruits and handicrafts. Close to the peak opportunity for a short walk on a nice trail through some dense mountain forest. After lunch break decent down towards Chomthong and along the Ping Valley back to Chiang Mai. Arrival at the hotel later in the afternoon. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

DAY 6 CHIANG MAI B

Transfer to the airport or railway station, depends on your further schedule.

PRICE INCLUDES:

Air-conditioned transportation during the tour, English speaking tour guide, all transfers and excursions as mentioned in the above itinerary, accommodation at middle class hotels and resorts incl. daily breakfast, all other meals as shown in the program (L = lunch), entrance fees as per program

NOT INCLUDED:

Drinks, tips and personal expenses