Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai: Tea Hills, Temples and Doi Inthanon in 8 Days

You are met on arrival in Chiang Rai and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. In the evening, walk to the golden clock tower in the center of town, which comes alive with a light show after dark, and browse the stalls of the night bazaar for a simple northern Thai dinner.Overnight: Chiang Rai

Start at the local market to see the produce of the hills. Then visit Wat Phra Kaew, where the Emerald Buddha was first found, and Wat Phra Singh, home to a revered Buddha image. A short drive takes you to Baan Dam, the Black House of national artist Thawan Duchanee, a collection of dark teak halls filled with horns, skins and carvings. In the afternoon, see the contrast at Wat Rong Khun, the gleaming White Temple of artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.Overnight: Chiang Rai · Meals: B

Drive up winding roads to Mae Salong, where tea plantations cover the green hills, and taste the local tea at a family estate. Visit an Akha village and a Lisu village nearby to learn about their crafts and customs, then continue to the Mae Fah Luang botanical gardens at Doi Tung. Reach the Golden Triangle in the afternoon and take a boat ride on the Mekong, with Thailand, Laos and Myanmar on either side. Overnight in Chiang Saen.Overnight: Chiang Saen · Meals: B

Begin with a walk among the brick temples and old city walls of Chiang Saen, a Lanna capital founded in the 14th century beside the Mekong. Then head toward Thaton and visit a traditional Chinese medicine shop, where an herbalist explains the use of roots, plants and ointments. In the afternoon, drive south to Chiang Dao and walk through its cave temple, a maze of chambers full of stalactites and Buddha images. Arrive in Chiang Mai in the early evening.Overnight: Chiang Mai · Meals: B

Spend the morning on foot in the old city, starting at the moat and an old gate. Visit Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan Tao with its teak prayer hall, and the great brick chedi of Wat Chedi Luang. Ride a rickshaw along small lanes of traditional houses, then walk through Warorot Market. In the afternoon, drive up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for the golden chedi and the view over the city. The night market is yours to explore in the evening.Overnight: Chiang Mai · Meals: B

The cooking school team collects you at 8:30 for a morning class on their organic farm, shared with a small group of other guests. Visit a local market, learn about Thai herbs in the garden, cook jasmine and sticky rice, pound a curry paste from scratch, and make a curry, a soup, a noodle dish and a dessert. You eat what you cook for lunch. In the afternoon, take a two-hour boat trip along the Ping River, past old teak houses and green riverbanks.Overnight: Chiang Mai · Meals: B, L

Drive about two hours to Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand's highest peak. Hike for two to three hours along a narrow forest trail to a hidden waterfall, passing coffee plantations, flower farms and rice terraces. Stop in a small hill village for a cup of coffee grown on its own slopes. Then visit Wachirathan Falls, a thunderous 70-meter cascade, and the two royal chedis near the summit, built to honor King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. Return to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon.Overnight: Chiang Mai · Meals: B, L

Enjoy your last morning in Chiang Mai at your own pace, perhaps with a final coffee in the old city. At the right time, you are taken to Chiang Mai airport for your return or onward flight. The airport is only about 15 minutes from the old city, so even a short morning leaves time for a walk along the moat, a visit to Wat Phra Singh or a few last souvenirs from the market.Meals: B