Real Lanna Experience 6 Days / 5 Nights

Lan Na translates a thousand rice fields and is the old name of the kingdoms of Chiang Mai and it surroundings. The glory days of the Lanna Kingdoms were in the 13th to 16th centuries when the great Thai civilizations grew up around the Muangs or city states of northern Thailand. Our journey immerses you in the lives of the people of Lanna who are more than pleased to introduce you to their proud history and a deep rooted culture.

Duration: 6 days/5 nights

Tour Code: MTSD06

Tour Valid: Until December 30th, 2013

Highlights: Chiang Mai - Mae Kampong - Doi Suthep - Mae Taeng - Phrao

• Day 1 - Chiang Mai

  Place Transport: Car->Boat 
  Meals: Lunch - Dinner

  Your day begins at Wat Sri Kong's boat landing where you will board a scorpion-tailed boat to take in the historic sites of the river including the old trader community of Wat Gatekaram. Stroll past old buildings and check out an eclectic collection of items dating back to the earliest days of Western trading with Chiang Mai. Enjoy the must-eat signature dish of northern Thailand - "Khao Soy" - and browse the wares of the nearby night bazaar before heading to your hotel.
  Stay overnight in Chiang Mai

  Day 2 - Chiang Mai - Mae Kampong

  Place Transport: Car 
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Today, we will take you through Chiang Mai's picturesque countryside to Mae Kampong village, and stop en route at a local market to select the ingredients for your lunch. You'll stroll through the community forest before enjoying lunch prepared by your host family. Relax with a Thai traditional massage and take a walk around the village to see the processing of fermented tea leaves and various handmade products before heading back to Chiang Mai. Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.
  

  Day 3 - Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep - Mae Taeng

  Place Transport: Car 
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

  You will visit Wat Prathat Doi Suthep. It is a Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai Province. Afterwards, we'll drive you up the mountain in a "songtaew" , pick-up truck to the Chang Khien Coffee Research Project and a traditional Hmong village. Then you'll head to the Mae Sa valley to visit an orchid farm and butterfly sanctuary before arriving at the Lisu Lodge where several interesting cultural displays await. Stay overnight at Lisu Lodge
  

  Day 4 - Mae Taeng - Phrao

  Place Transport: Car 
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

  Today, you'll visit a local elephant camp and enjoy a 1-hour ride through beautiful mountain scenery before embarking on a white-water rafting ride on the Mae Tang River. Stopping at a lovely waterfall en route, we will then bring you to Phrao where you'll be welcomed at Khum Lanna by local Lanna people and have a chance to relax before your first Thai cooking class. Enjoy the fruits of your labors with a full 4-course sit-down Thai dinner with your host and friends before capping the evening next to a relaxing campfire in the garden.
  Stay overnight at Khum Lanna.

  Day 5 - Phrao - Chiang Mai

  Place Transport: Car 
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Greet the sunrise with a bike trip along a rural country road to visit an early morning local market and Wat Pa Gee with its sacred Buddha image as you peddle past a local canal and rice fields. Upon return to the lodge, a local Lanna-style breakfast awaits to be enjoyed riverside before your culinary discovery continues with another Thai cooking class. Following a BBQ lunch with your hosts, the rest of the afternoon is enjoyed at your leisure with several activities available including a fruit carving, artificial flower making or a hot-pressed herbal massage. In the late afternoon, we'll transfer you back to Chiang Mai.
  Stay overnight in Chiang Mai

  Day 6 - Chiang Mai Departure

  Place Transport: Car->Airplane 
  Meals: Breakfast

  Chiang Mai - Departure (B)
  This morning, we'll bring you west of the Old City to Ton Payom Market and the 14th century forest temple, Wat Umong. You'll also enjoy the scenery at picturesque Wat Suan Dok before visiting the International Buddhist Studies center and have a unique opportunity to learn and exchange ideas with the monks. We will then transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.

  The Tour Inclusion:

  - 05 Nights Accommodation.

  - Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above.
  
  - Boat as indicated in the itinerary.
  
  - Domestic flight tickets as indicated in the itinerary.
  
  - The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary.

  - Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the program.

  - Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available.

  The Tour Exclusion:

  - Visas on arrival

  - International flight tickets and airport tax.

  - Dinners, except as specified above.

  - Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
  
  - Travel insurance 

  - Surcharge for peak season (if any) & other not mentioned in the above detail program.

  Additional Information

  Importance note
  - The itinerary is just a sample of our Thailand tours; we'll be pleased to design similar programs with dates and itinerary customized to your personal preferences in Tailor Made Tours section. Rates may vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs.
  
  What to bring?
  - Sun Block, Wide brim hat, Camera + Film, Comfortable shoes, Rain gear, Warm clothes, original Passport...
  
  How to start?
  - MinMax Travel is a fully escorted tour and best-available all year round; the only thing you need to prepare in advance is the international air-ticket from/to your country.
  - If you don’t have enough time to complete visa before your departure, we will help you to obtain Thailand Visa on arrival easily (getting visa at the airport, on your arrival).