The White Temple reflected in its pond, Chiang Rai

Thailand · 5 nights, 6 days

Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

About this trip

Temples, hills and elephants in Thailand’s cool north, at an easy pace. Three nights in Chiang Mai, then the drive to Chiang Rai for its white and blue temples and the Golden Triangle.

One of our Thailand tour packages from Kerala. Flights quoted from your city.

Who this version is for

For a second trip to Thailand, and for older travellers who like culture and nature. Go between November and February; March and April are hazy. Days 2 and 5 are long drives, and seniors can skip the Night Safari. There are no Indian restaurants up north; we drive you to one you pick. With four nights, we do Chiang Rai as a long day trip instead.

Going from Kerala

Bangkok has non-stop flights from Kochi, about four hours, landing at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang depending on the airline. Phuket and Krabi are one change away, usually in Bangkok.

The Christmas break is the best time: cool, dry and sunny on the Phuket side, with Samui drying out after its rains. In the April–May summer break it is hot, and fine for the pool and the sea. The Onam break falls in the monsoon: green and fresh, wetter on the Phuket side, with lower prices.

Length
5 nights, 6 days
Route
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Thailand at a glance

  • Heritage
  • Wildlife
  • Adventure

Highlights

  • Doi Suthep temple above Chiang Mai
  • Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak, and its twin royal pagodas
  • An elephant sanctuary where you feed and bathe them, with no riding
  • Chiang Mai Night Safari
  • White Temple, Blue Temple and Black House in Chiang Rai
  • The Golden Triangle on the Mekong, looking over to Laos and Myanmar

Route

  1. Chiang Mai
  2. Chiang Rai
  • Hotel
  • Breakfast
  • Transfers
  • Sightseeing

Day by day

  1. Day 1:Arrive Chiang Mai & Doi Suthep

    Fly in from Bangkok, about 1 hour 15 min, and drive 20 min to your hotel. In the late afternoon you go up to Doi Suthep for the views.

    • Private transfer to your hotel in the Old City or Nimman
    • Private tour of Doi Suthep temple and a Hmong village (about 4 hours)
    • Please land by 1 pm, or the tour moves to day 3
    • Optional (extra cost): a khantoke dinner with Lanna dance
    • Night Bazaar on your own

    Meals:No meals

  2. Day 2:Doi Inthanon

    A full day, 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, on Thailand’s highest mountain. Bring a jacket: it can be 5–10 °C at dawn in winter.

    • Private tour: the summit, the twin royal pagodas and two waterfalls
    • Optional: a 2-hour trek on the Kew Mae Pan trail instead (November to May only)

    Meals:Breakfast

  3. Day 3:Elephants & the Night Safari

    A morning with elephants at a sanctuary, then an evening at the Night Safari. Both run by private car.

    • Elephant sanctuary half day, 8 am to 3 pm: feeding, a mud bath and a river shower
    • Night Safari, 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm: tram ride and shows
    • Optional: elephant care and white-water rafting (shared) instead
    • On a Sunday: Chiang Mai’s Sunday Walking Street, on your own

    Meals:Breakfast

  4. Day 4:Drive to Chiang Rai via the White Temple

    A 3-hour drive north, stopping at the White Temple, which is on the way. In the evening, the Clock Tower light show.

    • Private transfer from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
    • White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), open until 5 pm
    • Clock Tower light show at 7, 8 or 9 pm and the Night Bazaar
    • On a Saturday: the Saturday Walking Street, on your own

    Meals:Breakfast

  5. Day 5:Blue Temple, Black House & Golden Triangle

    A full day, 8 am to 6 pm, round Chiang Rai’s sights and up to the Mekong. From the Golden Triangle you look across to Laos and Myanmar.

    • Private tour: the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) and the Black House (Baan Dam)
    • Golden Triangle viewpoint on the Mekong
    • Coffee at Lalita Café, at your own cost

    Meals:Breakfast

  6. Day 6:Departure from Chiang Rai

    Check out and drive 15 min to Chiang Rai Airport for your flight home via Bangkok.

    • Private transfer to Chiang Rai Airport
    • Optional: drive back to Chiang Mai Airport instead

    Meals:Breakfast

What the price covers

Included

  • 5 nights: 3 in Chiang Mai, 2 in Chiang Rai, at the hotel level you choose
  • Daily breakfast
  • Private car for all airport transfers, tours and the drive to Chiang Rai
  • Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon and Chiang Rai temple tours
  • Elephant sanctuary half day and the Night Safari
  • Drives to a restaurant of your choice for lunch or dinner, food at your own cost

Not included

  • International flights
  • Flight within Thailand: Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai to Bangkok (fare on your quote)
  • Thailand visa (if applicable) and travel insurance
  • Meals not listed, drinks and personal expenses
  • Water sports, optional tours and tips

We can add

Thailand visa for Indians: what you need

Add a cruise

Sail before or after this trip. We put the cruise, the flights between and a hotel night near the port in one quote, and apply for your visa.

From our travellers

  • Rated 5 out of 5

    We recently traveled to Thailand with Ethan Holidays and had the most amazing experience! Every detail was taken care of, from airport pickups to hotel check-ins, island tours, transfers, and even local recommendations. They customized the itinerary based on our needs, and everything ran like clockwork. What really stood out was their attention to detail and how quickly they handled last-minute changes.

    Manisha Mohan

    Thailand trip · Google review

  • Rated 5 out of 5

    Trusted travel partner. Everything was handled with such ease that the entire journey felt seamless from start to finish. What impressed us most was the prompt communication, the smooth, hassle-free arrangements, and the continued support at every step. Ethan Holidays truly delivers a premium experience in the simplest, most effortless way.

    Gireesh Nambiar

    Thailand trip · Google review

  • Rated 5 out of 5

    Well arranged: flight, itinerary, package, food, vehicle. Good 24x7 support from start to end of our tour. We covered the Cordelia cruise and a Thailand trip with Ethan Holidays. We always recommend Ethan Holidays for an extraordinary travel experience.

    Hydarali AC

    Cordelia cruise + Thailand trip · Google review

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Before you ask

What does this trip cost?

Price on request. Tell us your dates and we send you dates, hotels and today’s price.

Do I need a visa?

Indian passport holders can visit Thailand visa-free for up to 30 days. Carry your return ticket and hotel booking, and in the three days before you land we fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online with you. Entry rules change, so we check them again when you book.

Thailand visa for Indians: what you need

When is the best time to go?

November to February is cooler and dry on the Phuket side; Koh Samui is driest from January. March to May is hot and sunny, fine for the pool and the sea. June to October is the monsoon: green islands and quieter beaches.

Can you change this trip?

Yes. Every package on this site is a starting point. Tell us your dates, pace, hotel preferences and budget in the form below and we rebuild the itinerary around you.

The White Temple reflected in its pond, Chiang Rai

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