Your family will be inspired on this custom tailored tour through the landscapes of northern Thailand. You will be immersed in the spectacular wonders of nature and culture simultaneously. From remote hillside tribes deep within the forest to a tranquil town found near a seemingly endless canyon, you can ride down the river gliding over whitewater, and journey through the jungle alongside a herd of rescued elephants. Whether enjoying the comforts of a hammock or mountain biking along country roads,...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Chiang Mai - Friendly Adventure
Chiang Mai is a city snug within the jungle; a place where the outside world has crept into modern culture and spread in a beautiful way making the expansive urban center feel more like the calm and warm streets of a town. The mountains overlook the cityscape while the trees add vibrant greenery sweeping through neighborhoods and along the old fortress that brings the past to life. You will be met at the airport by a private transfer and taken to your hotel where you can get situated, acclimating to the new city and the diverse streets.
You will soon be picked up at your hotel by a traditional trishaw that will take you outside of the city walls to Wat Phra Singh, Temple of the Lion Buddha. The temple was constructed in the 14th century and continues to house two medieval Buddha statues. The complex is a major monastery accommodating around 700 monks who are always eager to practice their English with visitors. Step into Viharn Luang, the largest building on site, where you will find a three-aisled interior with a high red roof that stands out against the large white pillars. At the distant wall you can see a large Buddha cast in gold and copper seated in the enlightened position and glistening in the light. The monastic library seems small in comparison to the previous large hall but is interesting in its intricacy and architecture. The stone base helps protect manuscripts from pests and floods and is decorated with reliefs of Buddhist spirits and adorned with a wooden top tier.
Continue onward to a White Hmong village tribe known as Chang Khien. The lush greenery wraps around you and the scent of fresh jungle lifts into the air. The children are shy, wrapped in their vivacious clothing of colorful tapestries shimmering against black cloth. Flowers often grow in vibrant, wild colors around you as you learn about the traditions of the village and the people that have persevered over the centuries of regime, border, and cultural changes. Just before dusk you will come to the steps of Doi Suthep, the mountain overlooking Chiang Mai and the jungle beyond. The temple at the summit was built in the 14th century. The cool breeze brushes through the trees as you come to the snake figures that guard the 300 steps which lead to the temple’s base and line the stairway. At the center of upper terrace you will find the great chedi, a later expansion of the original ornament where a gold plated temple resembles what was once considered the greatest temple in the area, Wat Phra That Haripunjaya. From the lower terrace you can watch the sunset blaze a classic orange over the horizon.
What's Included:
Day 2
Chiang Mai - Breaking Free
Day 3
Mae Kampong - Through the Treetops
Day 4
Pai - Once More into the Woods
Day 5
Pai - Falling Surroundings
Day 6
Pai - The Deep Bend
Day 7
Pai - Adventurous Return
Trip Highlights
- Discover the unique and unchanged cultures and traditions surrounding Chiang Mai
- Visit an elephant sanctuary and come face to face with a gentle elephant before rafting down the Mae Taeng River
- Experience the various temples that decorate the cityscape and learn of their unique and powerful history
- Find the hidden luxuries of Pai, a charming city outside of Chiang Mai
- Witness the natural beauty that surrounds Pai, including tremendous Pai Canyon
Detailed Description
Thailand is your moment to bring the family closer together on this 7-day tour meant for family fun and adventure, cultural discovery and those moments of educational wonder that will have the kids learning without evening knowing it. Your time will take you through the sensations of Thailand’s second largest city and hiding away in a local town surrounded by natural splendor. The beauty of the jungle is inescapable, the marvels of hillside tribes are unbelievable, and your family will only be able to awe at the entire adventure.
Your family outing begins with your arrival in Chiang Mai. The wonders abound as you settle into your hotel and are picked up by a traditional trishaw. Within the city walls you can find the grandeur of a metropolis seemingly disguised as a town; outside the walls you find the ease and comforts of the countryside, including a coffee plantation and the White Hmong hill tribe village of Chang Khien. Soon you will ascend the mountain Doi Suthep to see the wonderful view that overlooks the entire city taking in your first sunset in Thailand with the family already in awe.
Your second day brings more adventure as you are taken to Lisu Village to pick up mountain bikes that will have you coasting along the country roads, from magnificent hillsides to paddy fields. Your guide will take you beside the Mae Taeng River bringing you to a wonderful lunching spot where you will dine surrounded by the luxurious landscape. After lunch you will climb aboard a raft and begin your adventure down the trickling waterway which soon trundles over rocks, streaming down into whitewater, and giving you a rush of energy amidst the fun loving family cries of “wow!”
The following day you will venture out into the jungle once again to witness the incredible Mae Kampong Village; a remarkable cooking course will unwrap the flavors of the most famous Thai dishes. You also have the option of sailing through the treetops with the Flight of the Gibbon experience. The following morning will have you venturing through the windy hills of the forest arriving in the delightful and tranquil town of Pai. The days are yours to explore the excellent landscape, from Pai Canyon to Pam Bok Waterfall; you could even experience a circus class. On your final day you will return to Chiang Mai to begin your journey home with the fantastic praise of the family endlessly on loop.
Starting Price
$2,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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