Tour Category

 

Chiang Mai Package:

CGMD109 2 Day The Essential North

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PRICE FROM

(BAHT)

3,350 - 11,550

TOUR OVERVIEW


This package will visit Chiang Mai's most famous temple as well as getting you out of the city to Chiang Rai province to enjoy a morning with some very contented elephants as well as visiting some of the famous temples in Chiang Rai

TOUR DESCRIPTION


Day 1
Chiang Mai City Insight Tour
An early wake up call will be needed as we will be up and about with the city monks on their daily ,early morning alms rounds! You will be picked up at your hotel by the Curious Gecko guide and will travel by local transport the short distance to the local market where we will purchase some suitable alms supplies for the monks. We will then proceed to the old part of the city (or the Kruba Srivichai Monument) where you can have the opportunity in joining the alms giving to the monks. The monks rely on the the alms for their basic food needs and in return the alms giver gets a blessing from the monk. Following the early morning alms giving we will make at trip to Doi Suthep temple. Doi Suthep is without a doubt Chiang Mai's most famous temple and sitting on the mountain side of Doi Pui it affords some spectacular views across the city of Chiang Mai. The winding road is 18km to the base of the temples, from here it is recommended to take the 304 steps of the Naga staircase to the temple itself. Following Doi Suthep we will proceed back down the mountain to take a local breakfast Thai style! a couple of early morning temple visits will follow. Your transport during the morning session of the tour will be using what is locally available, (mostly tuk tuk and songtaew) your guide will escort you to visit Wat Phra Singh, this is probably the most import  old city temple and is always busy with locals paying their respects to one of the many Buddha images situated in the various buildings here. We will them move on to Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai's largest Chedi and once its tallest structure and the final temple will be Wat Si Suphan, this small temple has been adorned with silver work which is very typical of the area that this temple is situated in. Following the temples we will head for the local market where you can take the opportunity to try some local street food and visit the cities busiest and largest local fresh and dry foods market. the firt day's tour will end around 2:00pm and we will escort you back to your hotel.

Overnight
Chiang Mai

Day 2
Chiang Rai and Elephant Valley
An early start will be required as we have to make our way to Chiang Rai province. Our team will collect you from your hotel and depart Chiang Mai and head over the mountains that separte Chiang Mai from Chiang Rai. On route to Chiang Rai Elephant Valley we will make a quick coffee and toilet stop at Mae Kha Jan Hot Springs, before proceeding onto the elephant sanctuary. At the elephant sanctuary you will spend around two hours learning about the elephants which reside there as well as getting a bigger picture about the elephants which work the tourism industry in Thailand, you will also have some time to feed the elephants and get into thier enclosures to observe and photo thsese lovely animals. Chiang Rai Elephant Valley is a true elephant sanctuary where the welfare happiness of the elephant is put first. After our morning with the elephants it will be time to head off to see some other attractions that Chiang Rai province offers. Out next stop before lunch will be at Wat Rong Khun. This famous temple (usually referred to as The White Temple) is still a work in progress and on a sunny day the whole temple glistens in the refelcted sunlight. After Wat Rong Khun we will move onto Chiang Rai city where we will have lunch and then head north out of the city to see Wat Rong Sear Tean (The Blue Temple) the temple and Baan Dam (The Black house museum). Before we head back to Chiang Mai you may want to take the option to see the Paduang (Karen Long Neck) hill tribe..

ITINERARY


Day 1 - Chiang Mai City Insight Tour
• Pick up at your Chiang Mai Hotel 6:00am
• Early Morning Alms giving to monks
• Visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (Temple)
• Breakfast
• Visit Wat Phra Singh
• Visit Wat Chedi Luang
• Visit Wat Si Suphan
• Visit Warorot Market
• Local snacks/street food
• Return to your hotel approximately 2:00pm

Overnight
Chiang Mai

Day 2 - Chiang Rai and Elephant Valley
• Pick up from your hotel 6:30am
• Commence drive
• Coffee break at Mae Kha Jan Hot Springs
• Visit Chiang Rai Elephant Valley (Elephant Sanctuary) 2 hours
• Visit Wat Rong Khun
• Lunch
• Visit Wat Rong Sear Tean (Blue Temple) 
• Visit Baan Dam (Black house museum)
• Option - Karen Long Neck
• Transfer back to Chiang Mai hotel 19:00
    
 

PRICES


Child Discounts

Child below 130cm tall

 300 baht discount for each child

Infant (24 months and below)

 Free

This tour includes:
• Licensed English speaking tour guide
• Day 1 - Transportation costs
• Day 2 - Private transport by air con minibus/car
• Careful driver
• All listed activities
• All entrance fees
• Alms for monks
• Pick up and drop off at your hotel


This tour excludes:
• Hotel accommodation (see below)
• Option - Karen Long Neck 500 baht/person

Departures
Private tour: Departures on any date to suit your own schedule & no minimum requirement of persons
Private Tour
This tour is a private tour. We will run this tour exclusively for yourself and your group of family or friends
Operator
This tour is operated by Curious Gecko. Curious Gecko is Blugecko's own tour operation subsidiary. Blugecko is the parent company of Curious Gecko

Elephant Friendly!
This tour features elephants. Blugecko does not offer elephant riding or elephant shows and aims to work with only those elephant suppliers, owners and mahouts who provide a good standard of welfare for their elephants....read our full elephant policy here

HOTELS
No hotel accommodation is included in the price of this package. You are free to make your own hotel arrangements or if you prefer we can offer one of our contracted hotels, and included the booking in your package.

Chiang Mai

          
         
From 1150 baht
More info
          

TOUR DETAILS & FACTS
Groups
This tour is conducted as a privately escorted tour only you will be supplied with your own tour guide and private vehicle . Sorry there are no group departures for this programme.

Transport
Day 1
On this day you will not be supplied with air-conditioned transport but will make use of Chiang Mai's public transport options (including tuk tuks and songtaews (red trucks). Please be a bit flexible and be prepared to walk short distances. The reason for using public transport is to give you a deeper insight into the city of Chiang Mai.

If you prefer to do this tour in an air conditioned vehicle then it can be arranged (extra charge applies) please let us know on the booking form.

Day 2
For 1-2 persons transport will be a modern comfortable air-conditioned car or minibus
For 3-13 persons transport will be a modern comfortable air-conditioned minibus

Transfer
This tour includes transfer to and from your Chiang Mai hotel. Please be ready and waiting in the lobby of your hotel at the pick up time specified on your booking confirmation. Please specify your hotel and its address on the booking form. If you do not have a hotel booked we can still process your booking but please inform us of your hotel at least 3 days prior to departure. For private tours we can arrange transfers to and from all hotels (an extra charge will usually be incurred for outlying hotels). If there are any issues with your specified hotel we will inform you before we ask for payment and process your booking.

Accommodation
No accommodation is included in the above package tour. If you require Blugecko to arrange your accommodation with one of our partner hotels please let us know and we can provide a full quote.

Guides
This tour is conducted with an English speaking guide. The guides will be TAT licensed (Tourist Authority of Thailand)

Insurance
A limited amount of accident insurance is provided to cover some medical bills in case of an injury but it is advised that you have your own comprehensive accident insurance.
Dress Codes and what to wear

• The Northern Thailand climate is hot all year round. Wear light, cool clothes: Shorts (or long pants if you prefer), T shirt and a sun hat are ideal attire.

• On this tour you will be visiting Buddhist temples, respectful and neat dress is always appreciated at temples, please wear knee length shorts/skirt and a shirt which covers your shoulders

• Please be prepared for the occasional shower, luckily in Chiang Mai rainfall is mostly confined to short showers rather than prolonged rainfall. A lightweight easily packable raincoat is an ideal precaution

• Swim wear will be required on day 2 of this tour as there is an option to swim at the waterfall and you will get wet during the bamboo rafting.

Fitness
Day 1 - Exertion levels are light on this day with a few short walks between attractions. There are steps and slopes
Day 2 - Exertion levels are light on this day with a few short walks between attractions. There are steps and slopes

Meals
Lunches are provided as follows:
Day 1 - No (But breakfast is provided)
Day 2 - Yes
Vegetarians can be catered for

Tipping
There is no compulsory tipping. Tipping is at your own discretion and choice, but if you felt that you were served by the guide and driver well during your trip any extra income is gratefully received.