Northern Thailand Travel Guide

A countryside escape filled with Northern Thai food, mountain views and relaxing cultural experiences

Day 1 – Arrival in Chiang Rai

  • Arrive in Chiang Rai around midday and take a taxi straight to your hotel (Grab and Bolt both work well in Chiang Rai)

  • Where to stay: Recommend Riverside area for peace and quiet - Rive Vista is an excellent choice

    1. Stay in Old Town/Wiang area for a more lively atmosphere

  • Lunch: Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar for delicious Khao Soi and river views

  • Afternoon: Cool off with a swim back at the hotel

  • Evening: Take a short walk (a few minutes) to The Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) just before sunset

  • Relax at the hotel for a slow, easy first night

Day 2 – Temple Day in Chiang Rai

  • Morning Temple Tour: Most Grab/Bolt drivers will offer a full temple tour (around 1,500+ THB), but it’s very easy and cheaper to book separate Grab journeys between temples (approx. 100 baht a trip)

    1. Wat Huay Pla Kang (Big Buddha)

    2. The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

      1. After visiting, walk two minutes to Aramaboy My Slice for NY style pizza slices

  • Afternoon: Return to the hotel and relax by the pool

  • Evening: Take a Grab into Chiang Rai town for early dinner at Khao Soi Restaurant

  • Enjoy sunset beers at Chiang Rai Rooftop Bar overlooking the Clock Tower

  • Wander the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, listen to local Thai musicians and enjoy drinks and street food

Day 3 – Rural Tour

  • Full day tour (10am-4pm) exploring the Northern Countryside

    1. Recommend arranging via a Grab driver since the locations are more rural

  • Stop 1. Tea Plantation: Order the iced green tea or iced oolong tea with green tea steamed buns

    Stop 2. อาข่า พามิโอ้ (Akha PhamiO) – Mountain viewpoint restaurant overlooking an orange farm

    1. Buy a 90 THB ticket at reception and exchange it for fresh orange juice at the café

    2. Great spot for a local Thai lunch with stunning views

  • Stop 3. Black House Museum (Baan Dam Museum)

  • Evening dinner recommendation: Sunset riverside dinner at Flávio or head back into Old Town and check out a local restaurant e.g. Ban Chaownang or Winds Restaurant

Day 4 – Chiang Rai → Chiang Dao

  • Enjoy one last morning at the hotel soaking up the countryside and river views before driving through the mountains to Chiang Dao (arrange via Hotel or most drivers are willing to help - journey takes approx. 3.5 hours)

  • Coffee stop: Ban Lung Ma Coffee & Café on the border between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces — beautiful mountain scenery

  • Chiang Dao Hotel arrival - Recommend The View Hotel (rooftop restaurant & bar with views across Chiang Dao)

  • Dinner & craft beer at Microkosmos Brewery

Day 5 – Chiang Dao Nature & Temples

  • Full day (9.30am - 3.30pm) exploring Chiang Dao’s natural beauty (available to arrange via hotel / cost 1,200 baht)

  • Stop 1. Mountain temple visit

  • Stop 2. Sri Sangwan Waterfall (similar to Chiang Mai’s famous Sticky Waterfall)

  • Stop 3. Wat Tham Pha Plong (peaceful hilltop temple reached by a staircase / 500 steps)

  • Stop 4. Coffee break at Tassina – artisan coffee with mountain views

  • Stop 5. Chiang Dao Hot Springs (น้ำพุร้อน เชียงดาว)

  • Stop 6. Lunch at TATA Chiang Dao Café – excellent Pad Kra Pao with more mountain scenery

  • Afternoon swim at the hotel

  • Evening: Sunset and dinner at hotel rooftop

Day 6 – Chiang Dao → Chiang Mai

  • Take the local bus (1.5 hours) from Chiang Dao Bus Station to Chiang Mai (40 baht for local bus pp or 100 baht for mini bus)

  • Lunch stop: Michelin-recommended Khao Soi Maesai

  • Hotel recommendation: Old Town for short stays or Nimman for longer stays or a trendier atmosphere

  • Spend the afternoon by the pool or enjoy one of Chiang Mai’s many cafes

  • Dinner recommendation: Tasting menu at B Samcook Home16

Day 7 – Chiang Mai Culture & Temples

  • Morning: Book an early GetYourGuide tour (8am–12pm) to visit:

    1. Doi Suthep Temple

    2. Hmong Doi Pui Village

  • Lunch & Cool Down: Swim, then eat at Khao Soi Khun Yai

  • Afternoon temple walk in Old Town

    1. Wat Chedi Luang

    2. Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan

  • Evening:

    1. Explore the Chiang Mai Night Market

    2. 45 THB Pad Thai at PadThai Tha Pae (Original)

    3. Michelin-recommended roti at Roti Pa Dae

    4. Cocktails at Bar.San

    5. End the night at The North Gate Jazz Co-Op

Day 8 – Markets, Nimman & Cafés

  • Morning: Pool time

  • Late morning: Taxi to Baan Kang Wat – a creative village with cafes, crafts and relaxed spaces

  • Lunch: Adirak Pizza

  • Afternoon: Explore Nimman (short 10 minute Grab or TukTuk from Adirak)

    1. Wander One Nimman shopping complex

    2. Coffee with views at FOHHIDE

  • Evening drinks: Yoh

Day 9 – Final Day in Chiang Mai

  • Morning coffee: Light Beverage & MORE by the riverside

  • Lunch: Khao Soi + chicken satay at Khao Soi Islam

  • Coffee: Brewginning Coffee or Gallary Drip Coffee

  • Afternoon: Last wander around Old Town + massage + visit Kalm Village Art Centre

Chiang Rai | Chiang Dao | Chiang Mai |

Chiang Rai | Chiang Dao | Chiang Mai |