Suggested Chiang Rai Itineraries
Chiang Rai is a very small town. You can see most of the sights of the city in one day. The town's main attraction is as a base for exploring the far north. Here are some suggestions for a short visit to Chiang Rai:
- Day 1 - City Tour
- Start at Wat Prathat Doi Tong,
proceed to Wat Ngam Muang,
then on to Wat Phra Kaeo.
A side-trip to the town's market can make an interesting diversion.
Move on to Wat Phra Singh,
and then down to Wat Kland Wiang.
If you've still got energy, you might also visit the Hill-tribe Museum. - Day 2 - Golden Triangle
- A visit to the Golden triangle is the reason most people come to the far north. There isn't a lot to see or do at the triangle itself, so most day trips to the area take in either the border town of Mae Sai or the ancient city of Chiang Saen.
Day Trips
You can generally book day trips to the Golden Triangle through hotel tour desks, or independent travel agents in town. In addition to the Golden Triangle, other popular trips include Doi Tung and a visit to hill-tribe villages.
Of course, the best way to ensure that you get the trip you want, and with a reputable tour operator, is to book in advance through an online agency such Viator, which offers a range of half-day and full day tours around Chiang Rai province. The following trips are currently available out of Chiang Rai:
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Chiang Rai Airport Arrival Transfer Shuttle | |
| Varies. Departs from Chiang Rai, Thailand | Starting from USD $11.50 per person | |
Travel from Chiang Rai International Airport to your hotel in Chiang Rai or a hotel in the Golden Triangle area. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Choose between a shared vehicle transfer, and your own private vehicle transfer. When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your accommodation details. Your transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. Vehicles used:
At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details:
Don't forget to book your Hotel to Airport transfer! | ||
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Chiang Rai Airport Departure Transfer Shuttle | |
| Varies. Departs from Chiang Rai, Thailand | Starting from USD $11.90 per person | |
Travel from your hotel in Chiang Rai or your hotel in the Golden Triangle area to Chiang Rai Airport. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Choose between a shared vehicle transfer, and your own private vehicle transfer. When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your accommodation details. Your transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. 24 - 48 hours prior to your Hotel to Airport transfer, you will be required to reconfirm exact pick up times and places (the contact number will be provided on your travel voucher).
At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details:
Don't forget to book your Airport to Hotel transfer! | ||
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Hill Tribes and Golden Triangle Private Tour | |
| 6 - 8 hours. Departs from Chiang Rai, Thailand | Starting from USD $55.93 per person | |
Start your full-day excursion to Mae Chan to visit the Yao and the Akha hilltribe villages. Your private guide offers you greater flexibility and a more exclusive experience. Drive on to Mae Sai, the farthermost northern border between Thailand and Burma, with its bustling market place. Buffet lunch is served. Drive on to the Golden Triangle area, where the borders of Thailand, Burma, and Laos convene, Visit the Opium Museum. Continue to the old city of Chiang Saen (A.D.1260) on the steep banks of Mekhong river, opposite to Laos. Witness some magnificent ancient ruins and temples. Return to your hotel. | ||
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Chiang Rai City and Temples Tour | |
| 4 hours. Departs from Chiang Rai, Thailand | Starting from USD $49.98 per person | |
Chiang Rai, northeast of Chiang Mai, lies in the very heart of the Golden Triangle and is particularly famed for majestic mountains and may high-altitude hilltribe villages. While on this tour visit the main market area, Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Rai, where the famous Emerald Buddha (in Bangkok) was found in A.D. 1434. The Emerald Buddha has a long history and is said to have resided in ANGKOR WAT. Also, visit Wat Doi Thong, with its Navel Pillar, overlooking the Mae Kok river and King Meng Rai’s Monument with its annual festival in February, and some other temples. Then visit Up-Kham Museum, some curios on display here include numerous ornaments, lacquer ware, ancient fabrics, traditional costumes for some Lanna courts. | ||
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Elephant Adventure, Hilltribes and Mae Kok River Trip | |
| 6 - 8 hours. Departs from Chiang Rai, Thailand | Starting from USD $71.40 per person | |
The Mae Kok River, 80 miles long, running through the heart of Chiang Rai, is said to be one of the most beautiful and unspoiled rivers of the world. It flows gently along jungle banks and towering mountain cliffs. Along its route lie several hilltribes and jungle-tribes of Chiang Rai. The people are friendly and the life aboard the raft relaxing. The many hilltribes who inhabit the area have long trudged the mountain passes between Northern Thailand and their home villages in Burma and China. Each tribe is district, with its own culture, religion, language, art, and dress and on today's journey you will have the opportunity to meet an array of cultures. First on this private tour you will leave the hotel for Mae Kok boat trip by long-tail boat to the Karen Hilltribe Village, where you start two hours elephant trekking up and down hill into the woods, to a Yao Hilltribe Village. Lunch will be provided and your private guide can give you a greater insight into today's touring. After lunch visit Yao and Akha Hilltribes, both fascinating people. Then trek to a waterfall, where you can swim and take a short rest. Return to your hotel, enroute visit Chiang Rai Handicrafts Center. | ||
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Chiang Rai City and Temples Private Tour | |
| 4 hours. Departs from Chiang Rai, Thailand | Starting from USD $32.53 per person | |
Chiang Rai, northeast of Chiang Mai, lies in the very heart of the Golden Triangle and is particularly famed for majestic mountains and may high-altitude hilltribe villages. While on this tour visit the main market area, Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Rai, where the famous Emerald Buddha (in Bangkok) was found in A.D. 1434. The Emerald Buddha has a long history and is said to have resided in ANGKOR WAT. Also, visit Wat Doi Thong, with its Navel Pillar, overlooking the Mae Kok river and King Meng Rai’s Monument with its annual festival in February, and some other temples. Then visit Up-Kham Museum, some curios on display here include numerous ornaments, lacquer ware, ancient fabrics, traditional costumes for some Lanna courts. | ||
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Doi Mae Salong and Akha Hilltribe Village Private Tour | |
| 4 hours. Departs from Chiang Rai, Thailand | Starting from USD $28.16 per person | |
Your private guide can give you a greater insight into today's touring. Leave for Mae Chan 40 kilometers away. Then drive uphill to visit Yao and Akha Hilltribe Villages. Continue driving up Doi Mae Salong to Santi Kiri KMT Yunan Chinese Refugee settlement, with its tea and coffee plantations and also co-op store where home made wines, medical herbs and other locally grown products are sold. The villagers are ethnic Chinese, descendents of KMT Nationalist Chinese army regiment that took refugees into Thailand almost 50 years ago when Communist Forces won the civil war in mainland China. Doi Mae Salong enjoys a cool and refreshing climate all year round. In January, Japanese Sakura flowers cover the hillsides. Afterwards visit Akha hilltribe at Lor Cha Village, then return to your hotel. | ||
