I’m a creature of habit. Once I become comfortable, I never want to change. I have to force myself (or be in the right mood) to try new things. That’s why even though I’ve been to Bangkok several times already, I rarely venture out to try new places or eat something completely different. That’s why I also haven’t explored Chiang Mai.
Bangkok traffic
But that’s about to change, because I’m going to Chiang Mai this October, and you have the chance to explore it with me! Together with Ivan Henares and EEI Global Holidays, we’re going to temple-hop in Chiang Mai, eat some really good Thai food, and do some early Christmas shopping!
The tour is on October 24-27, 2013. The jump off point for the tour is Bangkok, where we’ll have time for a little shopping before we board a sleeper train to Chiang Mai. In Chiang Mai, we’ll check in at the hotel (an Ibis Styles hotel!), and go on a cultural tour to the temples, visit the tribal villages, the check out the markets, and of course, eat yummy Thai food! The detailed itinerary is as follows:
October 24, 2013 (L, D)
06:25 – 08:45 MNL – BKK via Cebu Pacific 5J929
Meet and greet by local guide at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, lunch at local restaurant, shopping at MBK and Siam Paragon until transfer to train station, 19:35 departure from Bangkok, arrive in Chiang Mai at 09:55 the next day. Sleeper train to Chiang Mai (included in package cost)
October 25, 2013 (B, L, D)
Breakfast on board the train, arrive Chiang Mai at 09:55, proceed to hotel for check-in, visit Doi Suthep Temple, White Hmong Mill Tribe Village, Warrot Payom Market, lunch at local restaurant, Khan Toke dinner (Fingernail Dance, Dandle Dance, Sword Dance and Ramwong, tribes dances performed by the Akha, Yao, Lisu and Karen tribes). Overnight in Chiang Mai.
October 26, 2013 (B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel restaurant, visit the granite mass of Doi Inthanon (8,500 feet above sea level), highest mountain in the country. Doi Inthanon is the tail of Himalaya mountain range. Designated as a national park, the moist natural environment is a paradise for birds as it has almost 400 species, animals, flowers and fauna. Lunch at local restaurant, then proceed through Baan Khun Klaang, the biggest Hmong community of Doi Inthanon. Transfer back to Chiang Mai. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
October 27, 2013 (B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Sankampang District of Chiang Mai is the heart of the handicraft industry. Many of Thailand’s major producers are located here and you’ll find all of the traditional crafts of the old days and the new in the shops along the Chiang Mai – Sankampang Road. This half day tour will give you the opportunity to see quality local authentic artisan made products. Elaborate teakwood carvings, intricate silverware, lustrous black lacquerware, high-fired ceramics, famous Thai silk and cotton, paper-making and silk parasols in a rainbow hue of dazzling colors. Transfer to Chaing Mai Airport and flight back home.
18:40 – 19:55 CNX – BKK via Air Asia FD3440
October 28, 2013
00:35 – 04:50 BKK – MNL via Cebu Pacific 5J932
Tour notes:
- Tour costs $455 per person. This includes accommodation, guides, and indicated meals.
- Tour cost does NOT include airfare to Bangkok, airfare from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, and airfare from Bangkok to Manila. This gives you flexibility to arrive earlier in Bangkok or extend in Chiang Mai if you wish (accommodation and meals at your own cost, of course).
- Indicated flights are the suggested flights, so that you can join the tour group.
- Interested or got any questions? Drop me a line!
Btw, I’m giving away tickets via Tiger Airways. You just might score free tickets to Bangkok!