Investment
- Twinshare – $2690 AUD
- Single Room – $3190 AUD
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai & Cherry Blossoms Tour
- 10 - 17 January 2024
- 7 Nights / 8 Days
- Weather 14 - 31 C
- Fitness - Med - walk up to 5km a day
Chiang Mai
A sprawling, modern city has grown up around ancient Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่). The historic centre of Chiang Mai still feels overwhelmingly residential, more like a sleepy country town than a bustling capital. If you drive in a straight line in any direction, you’ll soon find yourself in the lush green countryside and pristine rainforests dotted with churning waterfalls, serene wát and peaceful country villages – as well as a host of markets, farms and tea plantations.
Chiang Rai
Its among the places to go in Northern Thailand. With its relaxed pace and beautiful temples, Chiang Rai is well worth the drive out of Chiang Mai. This city might be smaller than Chiang Mai but this northernmost city of Thailand is busy – it’s the last stop before Laos.
Cherry Blossoms
Across northern Thailand, over 500,000 blooming Wild Himalayan Cherry Trees rain pink petals down the streets of this outskirt Chiang Rai district that turn the mountains and valleys an enchanting pastel pink.
Trip Highlights
- Take a rickshaw ride around the Central Market Warorot area and to visit local temples
- Visit sacred temples and artefacts of spiritual significant to the Thai people
- Be inspired by local Cherry Blossom trees in bloom*
- Enjoy a playful 2 hour Tie Dye Workshop to create your very own patterned piece of fabric
- Shop at the Chiang Mai Sunday Night Markets
- Dine at a Michelin Star restaurant
- Walk with the Elephants
- Experience the Araksa Tea Estate Chiang Mai - includes tea tour, tasting and lunch
- Chiang Rai local tour - White Temple and Black House
- Wander the scenic Mae Fa Luangs Gardens and visit the Doi Tung Royal Villa
Book your Northern Thailand Tour
*FLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED
This tour has a $500 deposit and the remainder is due 75 prior to departure.
Inclusions
- All transfers to/from airport & hotel by a private air-conditioned vehicle on arrival 10 January 2024 and departure day 17 January 2024
- 7 Nights Accommodation
- All sightseeing and entrance fees as per above mentioned itinerary
- Transport to and from organised activities
- English-speaking tour guide during your tours.
- Meals as listed on the itinerary
- Transport to and from Chiang Rai at allocated times. Outside of this time self pay $150 private transfer.
What is not included
- International and domestic airfares
- Visa fees upon arrival in Thailand ( according to the Nationality of the travellers)
- Travel Insurance (which is compulsory)
- Personal spending, including lunches, drinks and dinners not included on the itinerary
- Other services are not mentioned in the program
- Airport transfers if arriving before the 10th or after the 17th of January 2024
- Tip for our tour guide, drivers etc. We suggest $20AUD per day per person, and collect this in currency at the beginning of the tour = $140 AUD. This does not include tipping for spa treatments or meals not included in the itinerary.
- Transfer back from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai if the group transfer at 10am on the 17th of Janaury doesn't suit. You can also fly out of Chiang Rai.
Meet Renae Johnson - Your Vibrant Women Host
Itinerary
Day 1 - 10 January 2024
Day 2 - 11 January 2024
Day 3 - 12 January 2024
Day 4 - 13 January 2024
Day 5 - 14 January 2024
Day 6 - 15 January 2024
Day 7 - 16 January 2024
Day 8 - 17 January 2024
Day 1 - 10 January 2024
Day 1 Welcome to Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand
Check in to the hotel– Bodhi Serene – chill, swim, relax, free day to explore your local surrounding. In walking distance to your hotel are cafes, bars, shopping and day spas. Walk out of the hotel to the right and and a 2 minute walk has you in the main stretch of the old town.
*You can arrive any time on this day. Some flights arrive quite late at night this is fine. We have set this day aside just for you to arrive and settle in, no activities are planned.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Bodhi Serene
Address: 110 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Day 2 - 11 January 2024
Day 2 – City Centre, Temple Tour and Tie Dye Workshop
Start the day with a rickshaw ride through the Chiang Mai streets taking us to Wat Prah Singh Temple and the temple Wat Chedi Luang.
Then head back to Raming Tea House for lunch followed by a playful Tie Dye Workshop. Create your own pattern and piece of fabric to take home as a memento.
DINNER – Dine at a quirky restaurant in the old Town called “House by the Ginger” offering Thai rustic colonial cuisine and a cocktail bar next door. *Also has a Michelin star! *Self-Pay
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bodhi Serene
Day 3 - 12 January 2024
Day 3: Araska Tea Plantation
After breakfast we will head around 2 hours to the Araska tea plantation. We will be greeted by our staff, who will explain the different processes and methods used to cultivate young tea plants. Their resident plucker will lead you through the process where you will learn you how to pluck tea then onto the the roasting station, we will demonstrate the art of making tea by hand from kneading to roasting tea leaves.
Followed by a set lunch at Araska, maybe enjoy a tea flavoured cocktail?
13.30 hr. After lunch head to the Kanjana Elephant Sanctuary. They have a small group of around 5 elephants. You cannot ride these elephants, you just have the opportunity to meet them and take a walk with them in their natural surroundings and feed them.
Return to hotel, time for a swim in the pool.
What to bring to the tea tour:
• Hat
• Long pants
• Sneakers or hiking sandals
• Sunglasses, sun block lotion
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Bodhi Serene
Day 4 - 13 January 2024
Day 4: Doi Suthep Temple and Cherry Blossoms
08.30 hr we will be picked up and transferred to Doi Suthep is the most famous of Chiang Mai’s temples and its most prominent sitting at 1685 meters above the city. Nestled on a small sub peak on Doi Pui mountain the temple affords spectacular views across the city and beyond. *At the steps before you head up to the temple via funicular there are women selling beautiful brass Buddhist bells, these are so sweet to bring home with you for your house or garden. They make a lvoely sound in the wind, you can get various sizes and they are cheap and cheerful.
After our visit to the temple we continue on to the gardens of Khun Chang Kian Highland Agriculture Research Center where cherry trees blossom usually between January and February. Wear comfortable walking shoes as you will be walking in and enjoying nature.
*Not guaranteed. Cherry trees are sometimes affected by bad weather, a warm winter or damaging frosts causing them not to blossom. In these circumstances we will return to Chiang Mai instead.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bodhi Serene
Day 5 - 14 January 2024
Day 5: Chiang Mai – Day in nature with the charming community of Tai Lue Luang (B, L)
Visit the charming community Tai Lue Luang Nue, an ethnic group who migrated from Sibsong Panna, China more than 600 years ago.
Hop on the local style transportation and explore the rush green community.
Back to nature, surround yourself with the beautiful nature of the rice field and the beautiful sky.
Walk along the rice field and visit a local farm. Learn about various types of local trees, vegetables and animals.
Get lost in the lush green of bamboo forest.
Have fun picking duck eggs, banana blossom right from banana tree and cooking breakfast from scratch, traditional style!
Enjoy local style breakfast with the unforgettable view.
Depart to the organic farm. Explore and learn interesting benefits of Thai herbs.
DIY natural body scrub; create scrub from nature to cleanse your tired skin.
Enjoy delicious plant-based local lunch. Fully recharged of energy.
Then after a refreshing swim we head out to the Sunday Walking Street Night markets. Chiang Mai kinda market! The region’s biggest and best night market, the Sunday sunset shopping experience in Chiang Mai Sunday night market is one helluva retail experience you’ll actually relish. With hundreds of stalls dotted along the main (and side) roads, the Sunday Walking Street night market offers some of the best crafts, arts and food that the Northern Thailand region has to offer.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Bodhi Serene
Day 6 - 15 January 2024
Day 6: Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
In the morning, after breakfast we drive 3 hours to Chiang Rai.
Check in to the hotel– The Legend Chiang Rai – chill, swim, relax, free afternoon.
Dinner at our favourite local restaurant Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar – we recommend the truffle burger and wasabi margarita 😉
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Legend Chiang Rai
Day 7 - 16 January 2024
Day 7: Chiang Rai Local Tour – Black House Museum, White Temple and Mae Fa Luang Garden.
Today we head out for the day to visit some of the local attractions. Starting with Doi Tung Royal Villa & Flower Garden (1.5 hour drive). A beautiful flower garden and residence built for the Late Princess Mother, Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindara (Somdej Ya). Where will have lunch *self pay
Followed by The Black House. The estate of renowned Thai national artist Thawan Duchanee consisting of black Lanna style buildings can be visited by appointment and is a fascinating museum of the contemporary artist’s extraordinary collections of sculptures and Southeast Asian artefacts.
Concluding with Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple). One of the most spectacular temples in Thailand, this entirely white contemporary temple designed by national artist Chalemchai Kositpipat is an extravagant, fantasy vision of the artists’ vision of Buddhist heaven, hell and nirvana. The majestic golden building that houses the public restrooms is just as beautiful as the rest of the temple, and there is a little market selling souvenirs and coffee next door.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Legend Chiang Rai
Day 8 - 17 January 2024
Day 8: Departure Day
Guests can depart any time this day. We will offer one complimentary shuttle to Chiang Mai Airport based on the time the most number of people are departing. Allow 4 hours to get back to Chiang Mai airport. If this time does not suit you to catch your flight then a private transfer is $150AUD and can be arranged at a time to suit you.
Guests departing from Chiang Rai can leave at any time.
* Please note that when booking things so far in advance that the program outline is subject to change, not usually but sometimes.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Legend Chiang Rai
Requirements:
This tour has a lot of walking and requires a moderate level of fitness. There are steep stairs, uneven roads and getting on and off boats and buses. Sites are large and sometimes hot, you may need to walk several kilometres around a single site. You need to be fairly fit to attend this tour.
4.5/5
"Firstly Renae was an amazing host! She was friendly, calm, knowledgeable, organised & fun. The food, accommodation & experiences we’re out standing & have created memories that will last a life time. Excellent value for $ Guides & drivers provided excellent service & local insights. Thanks for an amazing experience Vibrant Women, looking forward to my next adventure with you."
Linda P.
Jewels of Asia Tour 2023
5/5
"Fantastic trip - extremely well organised, beautiful accommodation and such interesting sights and activities"
Julie T.
Jewels of Asia Tour 2023
FAQ's
The Trip Notes on this link are always the most up to date version. When booking a tour in advance things can change, please always refer to these notes on the website as the most recent version of trip notes for your tour.
Previously Australians and 63 other countries could travel to Thailand Visa free for 30 days. At the moment things are changing regularly so please visit the Thai Consular for more details of what it currently applicable.
Up until 75 days before the start of the tour a $500 non-refundable deposit will be retained. For between 75 days and 45 days, 50% of the final payment, this is in addition to the non refundable deposit will be forfeited. For less than 45 days or for no shows the entire amount will be retained as we would have already had to pay for accommodation, transport, flights and activities, and this money will not be returned to us. Once the tour has commenced no monies will be returned to you. This is why travel insurance is compulsory.
Our rates do not include any kind of travel insurance and each guest must make sure to arrange their own necessary insurance prior arrival to Thailand. We will do everything possible to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. However, all travel involves some degree of risk we strongly recommend that you take out appropriate travel insurance for your adventure.
Your insurance protection should include cover for cancellation, medical, in particular Coronavirus and repatriation expenses, personal injury and accident, death and loss of personal baggage and money and personal liability. Insurance cover offered by credit card companies or reciprocal medical cover agreements are often not comprehensive please check this before travelling. Or contact our preferred Travel Insurance provider CoverMore
Flights
If you need assistance with FLIGHT BOOKINGS we use Kerstin Rheinlander – Contact details : Mobile: 0448 958 366 Phone: 1-300-024-856 Email: kerstin.rheinlander@travelmanagers.com.au
Kerstin can assist with flights and can also provide you with travel insurance and additional support if you want to extend your tours.
For our ground transportation our standard baggage allowance per person is 1 big bag (76x48Cm) + 1 Hand carry (which clients might need to carry with them on seat) *This is to and from the airport & to and from Chiang Rai.
In case if the clients exceed this assigned baggage allowance then the transport company holds the right to add another van or luggage truck with additional supplement charge (which have to be settled by directly by the clients) based on requirement to provide a comfortable experience to our clients.
Passport, Journal, Camera, Prescription Medication, Converter Plug & Chargers. Swimmers, sunscreen and hat. Shorts, t-shirts, dresses and comfortable walking shoes. Also weather may be cool especially overnight and early mornings. Bring long pants and cardigans and clothes that can be layered as it heats up during the day.
A moderate level of fitness is required to enjoy all the sites we visit. Some of the days we are out and about all day you do need to be able to walk up to 5km a day and sometimes at pace if we are heading somewhere we need to be on time. Other times its more of a stroll however please consider if you think you would hold the group up. We cannot unfortunately have women travel with us who require assistance to walk, for example if you use a walking stick you will not be able to get to many of the sites we visit. Footpaths are uneven and there are lots of stairs.
