Trip Description - Easy riding through villages on country roads.

All abilities, great for school classes and families with children

One of our most popular cross country jungle rides leaving the unexpecting traveler with a long lasting impression of Northern Thailand's pristine country side.

We start in Chiang Mai and drive to the quiet town of Doi Saket. Here we start with your experienced biking guide who will help you get know your bike. Everyone is encouraged to practice the newly learned techniques. We first ride on smooth paved roads before entering the forest.

We travel through plantations, eucalyptus, pine forest and tropical Jungle to to the Mae Ping River Basin, trip can be easily modified to suit all level of riders. This is because we know all the many trails and roads and can adjust the route at any time during the ride.

Once we get off the pavement we will ride on smooth country dirt roads at first passing beautiful rice fields. You will meet friendly Thai villagers as they work their fields.

We can then turn off on to trails and paths through beautiful forests. We travel through plantations, eucalyptus, pine forest and tropical Jungle to to the Mae Ping River Basin.

This trip can be easily modified to suit all level of riders. This is because we know all the many trails and roads and can adjust the route at any time during the ride. If you would rather stay on the smooth dirt road, no worries.

We will have a nice lunch in route and there are pleanty of places to stop and rest along the way.

Detailed Information

* When: Daily 9:30 am-3:30 pm. All year rain or shine

* Trip: Doi Saket... to Mae Ping River

* Biking time: approx: 3-4 hrs, 20-30km

* Location: 300 feet (100m)

* Flora: Plantations, eucalyptus, pine forest, tropical Jungle

* Levels: Beginners, families, children

* Riding Conditions: Rural paved country roads, farm road, single track

* Personal fitness: Okay

* Instructions: Yes

* EQUIPMENT PROVIDED for all trips:
FULL SUSPENSION MOUNTAIN BIKE, helmet, gloves, knee and elbow pads,chest protector, Bike Top.

* PROVISIONS PROVIDED
1 liter water , LUNCH at destination

* WHAT TO WEAR:
Shorts and shirt, sport shoes, extra shirt and shorts Light rain coat in rainy season .

* WHAT TO BRING:
Plastic to protect camera etc. day pack ( we have one for you if you don't have one)

Trip Description - Easy downhill, up country ride

Biking in the National forest and plantation access dirt road with ruts, rock gardens, mud and sand traps, some steep down hills at times but very manageable.

This is a great intro ride to off road mountain biking. The descent through Doi Suthep National Park presents us with great views of the Mae Ping Valley below and makes this one of the most scenic and popular rides.

Our 4 wheel drive transportation takes us to the top of Doi Pui mountain 1600m( 5400 feet) above the Palace and Doi Suthep Temple. After viewing Doi Pui Village below and some stretching, we prepare our Cycles and get ready to ride down to our favorite coffee plantation.

This first part of the trip helps us to evaluate your riding ability and we talk about techniques to make your downhill cycling even more enjoyable.

Everyone is encouraged to practice the newly learned techniques. The trail leads straight down the mountain with at times steep downhill riding, Absolute no lengthy up hills disturb the rhythm and spirit of the forest, At our many rest points we enjoy the beautiful views of Chiang Mai below.

The challenging terrain of the route capture our full attention. The wild growth of the forest hugs the path. Half way down, we leave the dirt path and head straight through the forest on single track over roots and rocks ,
A well deserved break at a secret waterfall, and then single track all the way to the lake for lunch. This ride, although not easy, is a great introduction to off road downhill mountain biking.

After Lunch we head back to Chiang Mai the lazy way, in the truck and full of great memories.

* When: Daily 9:30 am-3:30 pm. All year rain or shine

* Trip: Doi Pui to Hui Tung Thao Lake

* Biking time: Approx: 3 hrs, 25 km

* Location: Mountain 5400 feet elevation , above Chiang Mai

* Flora: Pine forest, jungle, plantations

* Levels: Beginners through experts

* Personal fitness: Okay

* Instructions: Yes

* EQUIPMENT PROVIDED for all trips:
FULL SUSPENSION MOUNTAIN BIKE, helmet, gloves, knee and elbow pads,chest protector, Bike Top.

* PROVISIONS PROVIDED
1 liter water , LUNCH at destination

* WHAT TO WEAR:
Shorts and shirt, sport shoes, extra shirt and shorts Light rain coat in rainy season .

* WHAT TO BRING:
Plastic to protect camera etc. day pack ( we have one for you if you don't have one).

This is a great north Thailand experience for those with little time and on a tight budget. Visit hill tribe villages, swim under waterfalls, ride elephants with exciting white water rafting. All in 1 day.

This is a joining group tour so you will meet many new friends and save money too.

8:30AM - Pick up from your accommodation in Chiang Mai Thailand and a drive by pick up truck for 1 hour 30 minutes to a Shan hill tribe village.

The Shan are a nomadic hilltribe peoples, and these are the people you see today living their lives in a traditional style. The Shan originated in Yunnan province China, migriated to Burma then here to north Thailand.

On the way to the Shan hill tribe village we visit Orchid & Butterfly farm where they raise beautiful rare orchids and colorful butterflies.

Around 10 AM you will then be droped off at the elephant camp with your guide where you will board the elephants. You will enjoy a memorable elephant ride through the jungle for an hour. Ask the Mahout if you can ride on the head. He will follow along to help you guide the elephant.

Around noon time - Lunch will be served. You will enjoy a delicious Thai food dish (fried rice or the famous Phad Thai noodle, bottled water and fresh in season fruit)

Now is a great time to make new friends who are on this adventure with you. Also you will have time to ask your guide about what is in store for the afternoon ahead.

Around 13:30 - We will go down to the Tang River and cross by a hanging basket.

We then start hiking through the beautiful forest 45 minutes to visit water fall, and take time under the falls and swimming.

Around 15:00 - a short hike to the raft station, safety orientation by the raft instructor for white water rafting.

We then enjoy an exciting a rapid White Water Rafting and Bamboo rafting for 1 hour.

16.30 - Drive back to Chiang Mai, Make a stop at Akha hilltribe village along the way. Drop off at the hotel at 6.00 p.m

Trekking through the jungle can be a wonderful experience or it can be a nightmare. If your guide has little or no experience it could wind up a disaster. The environmental impact of taking people in the jungle must also be taken into consideration.

Our guides have lived with the jungle for decades
and know of its importance for us, the wildlife, and other hill tribes. We need the jungle for harvesting herbs, spices, medicines, fruits, berries,mushrooms, and vegetables. We know of its rewards as well as it's dangers. We do only private treks with a maximum of six in a trek. We visit a particular area only once every three weeks so the jungle can recover. We do not cut down trees or leave anything behind to pollute. We will provide guides from our family and from the surrounding area for your safety and comfort on this great adventure.

Our 4 Day/3 Night All Inclusive Jungle Adventure
DAY ONE
You will depart Chiang Mai at 9 am by private vehicle and travel high in the mountains 90 Kilometers north of Chiang Mai to an altitude about 1400 meters. Along the way we will stop at a local market to purchase food needed for the trip. We will arrive at a beautiful quiet Lahu village where we have our lunch before we start hiking for about 4 hours in old growth forest trail with tall trees and beautiful vistas to another village and overnight.


DAY TWO
This morning after an all you can eat breakfast of toast, jam, eggs, fruit, coffee, and tea we start our journey. Your guide will purchase a live chicken to take along for dinner tonight. We will hike up into the mountains passing colorful hill tribe people working their Tea fields on almost vertical slopes. We will then follow a stream passing many waterfalls as we enter the jungle. We will stop many times to harvest wild fruits and berries along with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, herbs and spices. Your guide will explain the many medical uses for some of the plants growing wild in the jungle.
[harvesting wild berries]
We will stop at a waterfall to enjoy a hearty lunch the guides brought along for us. One of the guides will travel ahead of us to spot colorful birds, orchids, wild flowers, butterflies, and interesting wildlife to show to us. Around three or four in the afternoon we will reach our camp site where we will spend the evening. Our guides will place banana leaves on a bamboo frame that will be our hut for sleeping. All cups, rice bowls, chopsticks, spoons, and cooking utensils will be made out of bamboo. The rice will be wrapped in banana leaves and placed in bamboo. Vegetables and spices harvested from the jungle and food brought along with us will be placed in bamboo tubes for cooking. Chicken is placed on bamboo sticks and cooked over the fire. While the guides are preparing your delicious dinner, you can freshen up at a nearby waterfall. Dinner is served by candle light.
[making a glass] [making a hut]


DAY THREE
After a hearty breakfast we continue through the jungle for a 4 hour hike to our primitive bamboo bungalow in the forest.We will arrive in time for lunch then walk 10 minutes to a waterfall where you can relax for a while or take a swim. The back to the bungalow where you can make your own cups and bowls from bamboo, your guide will instruct you. You will then learn to prepare and cook Thai food for dinner. Dinner and overnight here at the bungalow. Cold beer and soft drinks are available for purchase to drink around the camp fire.


Day Four
This morning after a nice breakfast we walk along a stream for 3 hours to a nice village where you will visit the school and have lunch. Our vehicle will meet us here for the ride back to Chiang Mai and your hotel or guest house.


PRICES:
Trekkers Jungle Trek
1 persons 9100 Baht (about $267 US) each
2 persons 6500 Baht (about $191 US) each
3 persons 5000 Baht (about $147 US) each
4-6 persons 4250 Baht (about $125 US) each
** Approximate exchange rate is $1 US = 34 baht

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED and can be made through All Thailand Experiences or by E-mail. All treks are private treks. REMEMBER: maximum six persons per trek.

Thai Fried noodles is a favorite dish for visitors to Thailand. Now you can learn to cook this dish at home taught by Chef Chanrat Karatna, nickname Air, at his cooking school in Chiang Mai Thailand.
Thai Style Fried Noodles
Phad Thai

* 100g thin rice noodles
* 3 tbsp cooking oil (Soya Bean)
* 1 tsp chopped red shallots
* 20g pork minced
* 1 tbsp dried shrimp, rinsed and dried
* 10g firm bean curd, diced
* 3 tsp chopped salted Chinese radish
* 1 tbsp tamarind water/juice
* 50g Chinese chives cut 1 inch strips
* 2 tbsp crushed roasted peanuts
* 1 tsp roasted chili powder
* 1 lime wedge
* 2 tbsp sugar
* 1 egg
* ¼ cup bean sprouts
* 1 tbsp Thai fish sauce

Soak noodles in water for 5 minutes until soft then drain. Heat oil in a wok over medium heat and stir fry shallot and the roasted chili powder until fragrant and color changes. Add pork, stir until cooked then add bean curd, dried shrimp and salted Chinese radish. Push the mixture to the back side of the wok. Add noodles and toss them well then add the sugar, fish sauce and tamarind mixture, stir well. Break in egg and stir until done. Add Chinese chives and bean sprouts stir 30 seconds add peanuts and serve.

If you would like to learn how to cook Thai food from Chef Chanrat Karatna at his Thai cooking school in Chiang Mai Thailand, contact us.

Learning to cook Thai Spicy Seafood Soup is easy if you know the proper way to add the ingredients. Taught by Thai Chef Chanrat Karatna, nickname Air at his Thai cooking school in Chiang Mai Thailand.

Thai Spicy Seafood Soup
Po Taek

* 2 cups of water or chicken stock
* 50g shrimp or prawns
* 50g Sea Bass, skinned and cleaned
* 50g squid and cut into 2cm pieces
* 50g mussels in their shell cleaned (optional)
* 50g crab in shell cleaned (optional)
* 5 kaffir leaves torn
* 3 this slices of fresh or dried galangal
* 1 stalk lemongrass cut into 1 - 2 inch pieces
* 2 ½ tbsp Thai fish sauce
* 2 ½ tbsp lime juice
* ¼ cup sweet basil leaves
* Pinch of salt
* 3 green and red birds eye chilies
* 1 dried red chili, fried slightly and cut into ½ inch pieces

Wash, peel and de-vein prawns or shrimp, remove the heads but keep the tails intact. Bring water or stock to boil in a sauce pan over medium heat then add lemongrass, galangal and lime leaves. Cook until fragrant. Add all the seafood except the shrimp or prawns (DO NOT STIR) and wait until they change color then add the shrimp or prawns. Cook a few more minutes then add the sweet basil leaves, swirl gently and turn off heat.

In a serving bowl, (Do this while waiting for the sauce pan to boil) combine lime juice, chilies and fish sauce. Add the ingredients from the sauce pan when done to the serving bowl. Mix bottom to top and top with the dried red chilies and sprig of sweet basil. The soup should be spicy, sour and salty with aroma of sweet basil and dried red chilies.

If you would like to learn how to cook Thai food from Thai Chef Chanrat Karatna at his Thai cooking school in Chiang Mai Thailand, contact us.

hai Hot and Sour Prawn Soup is fast and easy once you learn how it is done. Learn from Thai Chef Chanrat Karatna, nickname Air,and his staff not only how to cook Thai Hot and Sour Prawn Soup but about the ingredients at his cooking school in Chiang Mai Thailand.

Hot and Sour Prawn Soup
Tom Yam Goong Recipe

* 2 cups water or chicken stock or vegetable stock
* 250g uncooked shrimp or prawns, unpeeled
* 1 stalk lemongrass, sliced
* 5 kaffir lime leaves stem removed and torn
* ½ cup straw mushrooms cut in half
* 1 cup pea eggplant (eggplant cubed into small pieces will do)
* 5 kaffir leaves stem removed and torn
* 2 1/2 tbsp Thai fish sauce
* 2 ½ tbsp fresh lime juice
* 3 thin sliced fresh dried or matured galangal
* 3 red bird's eye chilies
* 1 tbsp fresh chopped coriander (cilantro) leaves

Wash, peel and de-vein shrimp or prawns, remove the heads but keep the tails intact. In a sauce pan, boil the water or stock over medium heat. Add lemongrass, mushrooms, galangal, lime leaves and cook a few minutes until fragrant. Then add prawn and simmer until they have just changed color, turn off heat.

In the serving bowl add the juice from fresh limes, chilies and fish sauce. If you bruise the chili, the more you do the spicier the soup. Transfer the ingredients from the sauce pan to the serving bowl and mix.

The soup should be spicy, sour and salty.
If you would like to learn how to cook Thai food from Chef Chanrat Karatna at his Thai cooking school in Chiang Mai Thailand, contact us.

Thai Chicken and Galangal Coconut Cream Soup doesn't take long to cook. You can replace the chicken with any meat or seafood. Now you can learn to cook this dish at home using the below. Learn from Chef Chanrat Karatna, nickname Air, and his staff at his cooking school in Chiang Mai Thailand not only how to cook Chicken and Galangal Coconut Cream Soup but about the ingredients.

hai Chicken and Galangal Coconut Cream Soup
Tom Kha Gai

* ¾ cup chicken stock or plain water
* 200g chicken breast (skinned)
* 10g thinly sliced fresh young galangal
* ½ cup coconut cream
* ¾ cup coconut milk
* 6g kaffir lime leaves, stem removed and torn
* 10g red shallots. peeled
* 40g straw mushrooms sliced, substitute with chanterelles or oysters mushrooms torn
* 10 grams or 1 stalk of lemon grass bruised and sliced into 1 inch lengths
* 1 tbsp coriander or cilantro leaves
* 1 coriander root scraped
* 1 - 2 tbsp lime juice
* 1 - 2 tbsp Thai fish sauce
* 10g red bird's eye chilies

In a sauce pan, combine stock or water with coconut cream and coconut milk. Boil over high heat. Add the galangal, lemongrass, red shallots, chilies, coriander root and mushrooms.

Add the chicken and simmer until tender. Add the kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce and lime juice and continue simmering until fragrant. Remove from heat and transfer to the serving bowl. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve.

The soup should be rich and creamy, salty, sour and spicy.

If you would like to learn how to cook Thai food from Chef Chanrat Karatna at his Thai cooking school in Chiang Mai Thailand, contact us.

Thai Green Papaya Salad or Som Tam is a favorite for visitors to Thailand.. It is a favorite with Thai girls for lunch. Learn to cook this dish at home. You will be taught by Thai Chef Chanrat Karatna, nickname Air, and his staff not only how to make Thai Green Papaya Salad but about the ingredients at his cooking school in Chiang Mai Thailand.

Copy the recipe below then watch the making of Thai Green Papaya Salad video and take notes.


Thai green Papaya Salad
Som Tom Malakaw

* 2 cups green papaya peeled and shredded (substitute: green hard mango or carrot).
* 4 cloves garlic
* 1-2 birds eye chilies
* ½ cup long been or green bean, cut into ½ to 1 inch lengths.
* 2 tbsp dried shrimp, rinsed and dried
* 1-2 tbsp Thai fish sauce
* 1 tbsp lime juice
* 1 tbsp tamarind water/juice
* 1tbsp palm sugar
* 1-2 cherry tomatoes, quartered
* 2 tbsp crushed roasted peanuts

Peel the papaya and rinse under running water, remove the seeds and shred the flesh with a grater and set aside. In the mortar and pestle add the garlic, chilies and beans, pound for just a minute. The add the papaya, dried shrimp, fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar, tamarind water and tomatoes. Gently pound using a large spoon to mix as you pound until the palm sugar has melted. Put the ingredients on a serving plate then add the roasted peanuts on the top. Serve with cabbage wedges and sliced cucumber on the side.

Note: You can leave out the papaya and combine everything else and use as a salad dressing over fresh cucumber and onions (onions optional).

If you would like to learn how to cook Thai food from Chef Chanrat Karatna at his Thai cooking school in Chiang Mai Thailand, contact us at All Thailand Experiences.

Chiangmai, Thailand has many great restaurants, but the Chiangmai Floating Restaurant is my favorite for lunch. If you are not in a rush and want to try excellent Thai dishes in a wonderful atmosphere for an unbelieveable price, this place is for you.

Now if you are in a hurry, it's best to eat at a vendor's stall, as Excellent Thai food takes a lot of preparation and is cooked fresh. Almost all good Thai restaurants have beautiful flower gardens, waterfalls, or ponds with fountains, lots of orchids, and playgrounds for the children. For Thai people, eating out is a pleasure and the food takes a while before it comes to the table, so the atmosphere is very important. Taking family or friends to a noisy restaurant on a busy street is unacceptable and considered very rude for Thai people. Street vendors and busy street side restaurants are OK to purchase food to take home or if you are on your way somewhere, but never for pleasure dinning.



One of my favorite restaurants in Chiangmai, Thailand is Chiang Mai Lan Ahan Reampae, or Chiangmai Floating Restaurant. They now have two, one on Sankhampaeng Road and the other on the outer-ring road to Mae Rim. Since the one off Sankhampaeng road is near my home and closer to town, I always eat at this one.

# Here is the online video of us at the Chiang Mai Floating Restaurant. Come join us and see what your can order for under $10USD for 4 persons (not each).


When you first enter the restaurant, you will notice right away a sign with their health department number and government rating of 'Very Good". This puts us at ease knowing the kitchen and dinning area are clean with the food prepared with fresh ingredients.

You will be escorted to your seat in one of the three areas of your choice, one open-air and the other two, covered. The dinning area is floating on pontoons that are extended out into a large pond surrounded by fields and trees. During warm days, it is best to sit in the covered area where a sprinkler system is installed on the roof to cool the hot metal sheets.

They have an extensive Thai menu and a shorter English menu. If you have a Thai friend or your Thai guide along with you, ordering from the Thai menu is best, however, the English menu is sufficient.

My wife and I went there last Sunday with friends, five adults and two children, and had 11 different dishes including rice, soft drinks, and fruit shakes, and the total price was under $18. The dishes were Tom Yum Goog (Lemon Grass Soup with Shrimp), Gai Priew Waan (Sweet and Sour Chicken), Khai Jiew Pak (Vegetable Omelet), Pla Grapong Khao Neung Manao (Steamed Sea Perch with Chili in Lime Sauce), Poh Pia Sod (Fried Spring Rolls with Pork, Vegetable Filling and Tamarind Sauce), Paad Bai Gra-pow Gai (Sautéed Chicken with Chili and Basil Leaves), Gai Paad Med Ma-muang Himmapaan (Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts and Dry Chili), Paad Paak Boong (Stir-fried Morning Glory), Plaa Goong (Grilled River Prawn Salad Marinated with Peppermint and Lemon Grass), Gai Hor Bai Toey (Marinated Chicken in Coconut Milk, Wrapped and Baked in Pandan Leaves), and a large plate of mixed fruit.

Once we placed the order the drinks came first, then the soup and finger food such as the spring rolls then the food for the children such as the omelet. When eating Thai food DO NOT scrape one dish onto your plate. Each dish has it's own serving spoon where you take a little and put it on your plate then use your own spoon and fork. This gives everyone a chance to taste all the wonderful dishes. You are provided a small soup bowl, a plate, fork and spoon. Chop sticks are provided if you order a noodle dish.


The great thing I enjoy about eating Thai-style at a good restaurant is you never know what dish is coming next and when. The first two or three come rather quickly, and then comes the rice. Just as we are almost finishing one or two dishes, one or two more come to replace them.

Also, I love the service. There is always someone there to fill up your water or beer glass when it gets low or add more rice to your plate before you run out. All you need to do is enjoy your food, friends, family, and the beautiful, quiet surroundings.

There are many other restaurants in Chiangmai that I like for evening dinning. All have beautiful gardens and water features, while some have traditional live Thai music. But for lunch you can't beat the Chiangmai Floating Restaurant for cleanliness, quality of food, excellent atmosphere, and service. I recommend you take your friends or family here for a few hours to enjoy great lunch.


Fore more Thai restaurant reviews visit the Welcome to "Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai" magazine.

For information on tours, adventures, guides, hotels and travel in Thailand visit the All Thailand Experiences web site.

Excellent Thai food either on the street, restaurant or take out. From food vendors, small street stall, noodle shop or garden restaurant in Chiang Mai Thailand this should help you find the right place with delicious food. You will also learn how to order and eat Thai food along with a review of two of our favorite restaurants.

Do you ever wonder why there are so many Thai restaurants and food stalls in Chiang Mai Thailand? I did, and my Thai wife explains it like this. Why stay home and cook when you can get delicious, ready-to-eat food that is cheaper than cooking at home?

* Most Thais do not cook at home unless they have a big family. By the time you go to the market for fresh ingredients, prepare and cook and eat the food, hours have been wasted. Most of the ingredients last only a day or so, so much gets thrown out. The price of cooking gas just to cook for two persons is not worth it. So Thais get their food from vendors to take home or go to a restaurant. If you look into a refrigerator in a Thai home you would probably find only water and drinks.

Many of our friends that visit us in Chiangmai from other countries arrive with stomach problems. Why? Because they ate from a food vendor in Bangkok that was either not clean or the food stayed out in the warm air too long. I would like to explain how to find and choose very good Thai restaurants so this doesn't happen to you. Once you have been in Thailand a while, your body will adjust and you will be able to eat almost anything, anywhere. Even my Thai wife gets stomach problems from eating bad food at times and she admits she is not as picky as I when it comes to choosing a food vendor or restaurant but she's learning.

When choosing a good Thai restaurant, the first thing we think about is taste. During the lunch hour or dinnertime, we look for a restaurant that is full of Thai people. If the food doesn't taste good or people get sick, the restaurant won't have any customers. If the restaurant is full of tourists and no Thai people, we know the food is prepared for the foreigner's taste buds and not real Thai food.

Is the food prepared fresh or is it sitting out like a buffet? Is meat hanging in a glass box or in a covered heated pot? This is where most people get stomach problems. The food looks great sitting out, but how long has it been there? If the food has been prepared an hour or more ahead of time, you can get very ill. If it is not prepared fresh, stay away from it.

Next I look at the tables and floor - are they clean with no flies? Are paper napkins thrown all over the floor? I have gone to lunch with Thai friends that eat at these types of places and I refuse to order anything except a soft drink. Two hours later my friends are having stomach problems. Not me.

There are many fabulous restaurants and excellent food vendors in Chiangmai. If you are new to Thailand, be picky where you eat. A 3-day stomach virus is no fun. One important thing to remember is that ice that is round with a hole in it is OK. Stay away from shaved or block ice.
* Service at a small Thai restaurant or food stall is much different than what most foreigners are used to. Many places do not have a menu and specialize in a certain type food. Some may just serve noodle dishes and some just rice dishes. Their menu will be written on a poster on the wall.

After you have told your waiter or waitress your order they will probably repeat it back to you and ask the question "One". This means do I have the order correctly not the number one. You will also notice that they do not write your order down but just tell the cook.

As you eat your food and drink your drinks you will notice that they do not remove empty plates or bottles from your table even if you order a second helping or additional dishes.
This does not mean they are lazy. Because they don't write your order down on paper they need to keep all the dishes and drink bottles at your table. When it is time to pay your bill the staff will count the plates and bottles on your table and add the total.

Pay attention as they do this so you don't get over charged. That happens very rarely but it does happen. They will then tell you the total price. Please don't split up the table order and say "I am only paying for my food" not his or hers or theirs. This is very confusing for the Thais and takes up a lot of their time and change for larger bills. In Thailand one person pays for everyone and they figure it out who owes who how much latter.

Another thing is tipping. If you plan to come back to this restaurant it is a good idea to leave a nice tip. My wife and I always leave at least a 20 baht tip for a simple lunch. Everytime we return we are well taken care of and first.

Now if you are in a hurry, it's best to eat at a vendor's stall, as Excellent Thai food takes a lot of preparation and is cooked fresh. If you have the time there is nothing better than eating at a nice garden Thai restautrant. Almost all good Thai restaurants have beautiful flower gardens, waterfalls, or ponds with fountains, lots of orchids, and playgrounds for the children. For Thai people, eating out is a pleasure and the food takes a while before it comes to the table, so the atmosphere is very important. Taking family or friends to a noisy restaurant on a busy street is unacceptable and considered very rude for Thai people. Street vendors and busy street side restaurants are OK to purchase food to take home or if you are on your way somewhere, but never for pleasure dinning.
* One of my favorite restaurants in Chiangmai, Thailand is Chiang Mai Lan Ahan Reampae, or Chiangmai Floating Restaurant. They now have two, one on Sankhampaeng Road and the other on the outer-ring road to Mae Rim. Since the one off Sankhampaeng road is near my home and closer to town, I always eat at this one.

When you first enter the restaurant, you will notice right away a sign with their health department number and government rating of 'Very Good". This puts us at ease knowing the kitchen and dinning area are clean with the food prepared with fresh ingredients.

You will be escorted to your seat in one of the three areas of your choice, one open-air and the other two, covered. The dinning area is floating on pontoons that are extended out into a large pond surrounded by fields and trees. During warm days, it is best to sit in the covered area where a sprinkler system is installed on the roof to cool the hot metal sheets.

They have an extensive Thai menu and a shorter English menu. If you have a Thai friend or your Thai guide along with you, ordering from the Thai menu is best, however, the English menu is sufficient.

My wife and I went there last Sunday with friends, five adults and two children, and had 11 different dishes including rice, soft drinks, and fruit shakes, and the total price was under $18. The dishes were Tom Yum Goog (Lemon Grass Soup with Shrimp), Gai Priew Waan (Sweet and Sour Chicken), Khai Jiew Pak (Vegetable Omelet), Pla Grapong Khao Neung Manao (Steamed Sea Perch with Chili in Lime Sauce), Poh Pia Sod (Fried Spring Rolls with Pork, Vegetable Filling and Tamarind Sauce), Paad Bai Gra-pow Gai (Sautéed Chicken with Chili and Basil Leaves), Gai Paad Med Ma-muang Himmapaan (Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts and Dry Chili), Paad Paak Boong (Stir-fried Morning Glory), Plaa Goong (Grilled River Prawn Salad Marinated with Peppermint and Lemon Grass), Gai Hor Bai Toey (Marinated Chicken in Coconut Milk, Wrapped and Baked in Pandan Leaves), and a large plate of mixed fruit.

Once we placed the order the drinks came first, then the soup and finger food such as the spring rolls then the food for the children such as the omelet. When eating Thai food DO NOT scrape one dish onto your plate. Each dish has it's own serving spoon where you take a little and put it on your plate then use your own spoon and fork. This gives everyone a chance to taste all the wonderful dishes. You are provided a small soup bowl, a plate, fork and spoon. Chop sticks are provided if you order a noodle dish.

The great thing I enjoy about eating Thai-style at a good restaurant is you never know what dish is coming next and when. The first two or three come rather quickly, and then comes the rice. Just as we are almost finishing one or two dishes, one or two more come to replace them.

Also, I love the service. There is always someone there to fill up your water or beer glass when it gets low or add more rice to your plate before you run out. All you need to do is enjoy your food, friends, family, and the beautiful, quiet surroundings.

There are many other restaurants in Chiangmai that I like for evening dinning. All have beautiful gardens and water features, while some have traditional live Thai music. But for lunch you can't beat the Chiang Mai Floating Restaurant for cleanliness, quality of food, excellent atmosphere, and service. I recommend you take your friends or family here for a few hours to enjoy great lunch.

he safari park is a relaxing and educational facility where families can spend the day, or night, learning first hand about the habits of national, regional and international animal life.

The 1,000 or so animals from 200 different species appear to be healthy, happy and well cared for. I am neither a naturalist nor veterinarian, but am reliably informed that one of the foremost signs of a well-run zoo is when its inhabitants are producing offspring on a regular basis. This is happening with such regularity at Chiangmai Night Safari that serious consideration is now being given to the addition of a full-time maternity wing at the zoo's hospital.

On a tour of the safari park it soon becomes clear why the animals are so contented while out of their natural habitat. Young keepers charged with the animals' welfare have already developed the strong bond of trust that is necessary to make the beasts at ease in their new surroundings. Speaking softly to each of their charges as they move among them in their cages or enclosures, these young people instill confidence and trust with every word or gesture.

Go early to see some of the animals before dark on the Jackel Trail around the Lake. We then visited the resort there and checked out some of the rooms and bungalows. Then take the Tram on the night trails then watched the Lazer Lighted Fountain Show.

Night Safari is in fact a bit of a misnomer; it is a beautiful place to visit during daylight hours, and since not all of the denizens of the park are nocturnal there are many exotic birds and animals to see as you traverse the meticulously maintained grounds.

The entrance to Chiangmai Night Safari features the Lanna village; a collection of impressive buildings of an Afro-Lanna fusion of architectural styles that house souvenir and handicraft shops: a food court, a photo-corner where visitors can have their picture taken with either a baby lion, tiger or bear-and this area boasts the country's only "Fun Plaza - an airy terrace from where the delighted squeals of children can be heard as they run around in an attempt to avoid jets of water shooting upward at intervals from hidden spouts in the ground.

From here I decided to take the only walking trail of the three animal zones, the Jaguar Trail Zone; a 1.2 kilometer paved track that encircles the tranquil waters of the Swan Lake where spectacular musical fountain shows are staged day and night. Graceful black and white swans glide across the mirrored surface of the lake while a cheeky gibbon lopes around the shrubbery on a tiny, off-shore island, trying to attract the attention of my companion, Khun Prakaykaw-or Deaw, as she prefers to be known to her friends. Deaw is a young, public relations executive from Bangkok who came to work for the safari park and fell in love with Chiangmai, its people, her job, and yes-this mischievous gibbon. I have known public relations people who've tried to convince me that junk food was nutritious, but never one as knowledgeable and caring about her job. Deaw has a personal relationship with many of the park's inhabitants, and more than a few run to greet her as she calls out their names as we pass their enclosures.

The park has three animal zones: the Jaguar Trail, which we chose to walk, the Savanna Safari Zone, where animals from the African savanna can be seen close-up at night from a 60-seater electric tram-or mini-train as it purrs past the more than 300 herbivores (not the back-packing vegetarians that haunt Chiangmai's restaurants) or plant eating animals, such as Giraffes, Gorals, Wildebeests, Rhinoceroses, yaks and many others.

The Predator Prowl Zone, which has no connection whatsoever with Chiangmai's Night Bazaar, is the carnivorous animal zone where the hairs on the back of your neck tend to rise. As your tram carries you, in total safety, within yards of some of the world's most ferocious creatures you can't help but feel the power, majesty and grace of such animals as lions, tigers, Asiatic Black bears, crocodiles, African hunting dogs, and the elegant impala.


But back to the Jaguar Trail: Camels chase one another around a spacious corral, while a pair of Llamas in an adjacent enclosure chomp away on the abundant vegetation. We pass a little oasis where a giant tortoise from the Seychelles is trying to explain to a large, fluffy rabbit the moral of the story about the turtle and the hare. You don't know? Ask your teacher; that's what he or she is grossly underpaid to know!

There are some 400 animals from 50 species living along this route as it meanders around the Swan Lake amid immaculately landscaped gardens. I am aware that there are those who are opposed to the keeping of wild animals in captivity, and those who find it quite acceptable. These are not the pages in which such a debate should rage. Suffice it to say that the hyena I met on the Jaguar Trail was laughing.

Coming to a large, caged enclosure, I was delighted to get my first glimpse of a pair of rare white tigers. Zhaojin and his mate Lizhen were presented to Thailand by the Xiangiang Safari Park in southern China's Guangzhou, or Canton as it once was known. All manner of exotic beasts can be seen along the trail. Two magnificent jaguars lazed in the branches of a tree (the last time I saw two Jags up a tree was after a party in London's St. John's Wood district) But I digress. There were porcupines, otters, monkeys, a walk-through aviary, black leopards, and the only ring-tailed lemur in the country! I also noticed two pigmy hippos; or for the politically correct pedants out there, a pair of vertically challenged hippopotami.

There is a campsite and student accommodation; conference facilities and restaurants. Among the trees lies the Chiangmai Night Safari Resort; a collection of elegant bungalows, tastefully furnished and offering guests breathtaking views over Chiangmai. One can even retire to a four-poster bed and fall asleep to the night sounds of the jungle animals nearby. The resort is managed by Khun Pavit, who ensures guests of a most memorable stay among the forests of the Doi Suthep national park, of which the Chiangmai Night Safari and Resort is an integral part.

Contact All Thailand Experiences for more infromation and reservations.

An American missionary called Harold Mason Young, who began collecting wild animals during his time teaching the Thai border police forest survival skills, established Chiangmai Zoo. He kept his menagerie in his large garden until it became overcrowded and he asked the Thai Forestry Department for land to open a zoo. In 1955 he was given 60 rai of land at the foot of Doi Suthep and the animals were relocated. In 1977 the Royal Zoological Society of Thailand took over the operation of the zoo and it became the first place in Thailand where visitors could observe animals close up in a simulated natural habitat.

Today, the zoo is situated off Huay Kaew Road on 531 rai (250 acres) of hilly terrain in the shadow of Doi Suthep and is home to some 106 different species of mammal, 257 bird varieties and 31 reptiles. Some creatures including, the tiger and the remarkable but threatened serow are native to the country whilst others like the African Lion and Cape Fur Seal have been introduced. Its ideal location means that visitors can spend the morning wandering through the zoo followed by an afternoon enjoying the scenery in the cooler mountains. The zoo comprises four areas : the cage area, the open zoo, in which you will encounter spotted deer, Hog deer, Barking Deer, Brow Anther deer, Alpaca and Peacocks, among other animals.

The breeding area and the recreational area by a pleasant lake. This is an ideal spot for bird watching and also has picnicking and overnight camping facilities. A waterfall, Adventure station and nature trail are also located here. Staying overnight provides children with the opportunity to observe the nocturnal habits of some of the animals. Visitors have the option of walking through the grounds or driving for those less active. They can also travel by service car and benefit from the knowledge of the zoo guide. A network of well sign-posted and shaded paths connects the different sections and refreshments are readily available.

According to the Zoo Director Mr. Tanapat Pongpumarn the female panda, Lin Hui, is 70% certain to be pregnant judging from her behavior such as her growling has changed to sounding more like a goat. A female panda is fertile only three days per month. It's possible to implement artificial insemination if natural method fails. The Chiang Mai Zoo is now building an ice hill playground for the pandas. It will be the best environment for Lin Hui to raise her baby. A special nursery room will also be built and finished by January 2009.

At the moment another facility is under construction which wil be the aquarium scheduled for opening in mid year 2008 now about 70% completed. It will house both salt water and fresh water fish. Most well known of the salt water fish to be displayed are sea sharks while in the fresh water aquarium the massive pla buek from the Mae Khong River. These are so fascinating for western visitors to the zoo. The aquarium will be similar to popular "underwater world theme parks". The two types of water will be separated by acrylic panel divider. The sea water will have the largest area about 120 meters in length. The completion date will be in November 2008.

The most recent arrival to the Chiang Mai Zoo is the white lion which came before Songkran 2008. The young koala is popular with visitors. Adult koalas can mate easily. According to the web koalas are on the endangered list so the more born the better. There is a competition for the public to submit a name for the koala cub. Another competition for students is a photo competition. The subject is the koala mother posing with the cub so find out more about the competition and take photos youngsters.

During school break there are many families and children visiting the Chiang Mai Zoo. Western guests also visit the zoo in the rainy green season. Another popular time of year for visitors is the winter in Chiang Mai being a great fresh scented time to walk through the zoo's spacious hillside setting.

It's important for visitors to be in good behavior when visiting the pandas and all animals. Be mindful the animal residents do not like to be startled or hollered at. Photos can be taken but do not use the flash and remain calm around the animals.

There are many other attractions and exhibits to help keep visitors entertained, including the Humboldt Penguin enclosure and the fresh water Aquarium which is home to sixty different species of tropical fish, such as the Giant Mae Khong Catfish. There is also a small island inhabited by a colony of gibbons who live freely, unhampered by nets or cages and of course, there are many Asiatic Elephants.

Visitors can enjoy an elephant performance in which these remarkable creatures get to show off their dancing and harmonica playing skills much to everyone's amusement. Members of the public can also pat the elephants and feed them bananas. Another possibility is to take the Nakornping walk through the aviary with the chance to observe over 800 birds in 2.5 acres. Spending a day at the zoo is the perfect way to get acquainted with hippopotamus, zebra, giraffe, ostrich, Malayan tapir, sarus crane, barking deer and Indian rhinoceros. The list goes on and on.

A trip to Chiangmai Zoo is an excellent day out for children and adults alike and the entrance fee is very reasonable. It is a renowned center of research and conservation and is instrumental to the preservation of many endangered species. Visitors to the zoo can have a fantastic day out and feel confident that the animals are well looked after. The entrance fee is 100 baht for adults and 50 baht for children. Opening hours are 8.00-18.00 Hrs.


At the Zoo

A father and his small son were standing in front of the tiger's cage at the zoo. The father was explaining how ferocious and strong tigers are, and junior was taking it all in with a serious expression.

Dad, the boy said finally, if the tiger got out of his cage and ate you up. Yes, son? the father said expectantly. What bus should I take home? the boy finished.

This beautiful 8 bedroom Bed and Breakfast is done in traditional Thai Style. Because of its small size personal attention is given to each guest. Children have a large playing area in the courtyard safe from the small road out front through the locked gate.

The beautiful dinning area is richly decorated. A wide variety of food is available from Thai to your favorite western dishes for all meals. Breakfast is always free anyway you like it as early or as late as you please. Try the Banana Pancakes, everyones favorite.

A desk and computer with high speed access is also located in the dinning area.

4 bedrooms (two on each floor) are equipped with a safety lock box for your valuables. Each has it's own private bath with hot water, King size bed, balcony, desk, table, reading lamp and closet. Bath towels, soap, shampoo, shower cap and hair drier are provided

4 additional bedrooms also have a safety lock box for your valuables. Each has it's own private bath with hot water, 2 Twin beds, balcony, desk, table, reading lamps and closets. The twin bedrooms are a little larger than the King bedrooms.



Each floor has a dayroom in between the King bedroom and the Twin bedroom. The dayroom is equipped with a color TV, DVD player and refrigerator. Any meal can be ordered and eaten in the day room while you watch TV. Tops supermarket is a short 5 minute walk away for snacks and cold drinks to put in the refrigerator.

This is ideal for families and the children are right there in the next bedroom.

If you would like more information about The Nest Bed & Breakfast or any other accommodations in Thailand contact us at All Thailand Experiences.

Our recommendation is always the Eurasia Chiang Mai hotel and Resort. Not only is it children friendly, but also the price is very inexpensive. Lodging consists of 33 large private colonial style cottages with your own terrace surrounded by exotic fruit trees and 32 suites with your own private balcony. The Resort garden features Mangoes, Langan, Lychee, Papaya and Banana Trees which the Resort guests can consume direct from the trees or you can ask the friendly staff to pick the fruit for you.

No chance for your children running out onto the small street or unwanted persons getting in, very safe The quiet, large garden, lawn covered shaded grounds is surrounded by a high wall with two gates guarded with security personal 24 hours.

The location is only 3 minutes from the train station and Arcade bus station and 3 kilometers from the city center. It is very short walk to Tunghotel Road to catch a "Songteaw" or "Tuk Tuk" into town. They also provide a free service to and from the night bazaar in the evenings. Shops and supermarket are within walking distance to stock up on snacks and drinks to put into your mini-refrigerator in your suite or bungalow.

The facilities include the large swimming pool, games room, Jacuzzi, restaurant and small bar. They also have Thai massage facilities and baby-sitting services. The children watching service is great for those Moms and Dads who want to slip away for a romantic dinner or just get away for awhile. The bar and restaurant is open form 6AM to Midnight daily.

The restaurant has a very large menu and includes everything from Thai, Chinese, and Japanese food to simple hotdogs, hamburgers and French fries. Other European, All food prices are less expensive than the larger hotels but not as cheap as food stalls for Thai food.

Every suite and bungalow has individually controlled air-conditioning, fully stocked mini refrigerator, 220 Volt electricity outlets-50 cycles, touch button IDD telephone, Color television with satellite TV, safety deposit box, hair dryer, bathtub and shower with hot & cold water, Bathrobes & slippers, full set of toiletries, emergency torchlight, balcony (suite), covered porch (bungalow), facilities in-room fully adapted for the physically challenged, alarm clock, complimentary newspaper, coffee & Tea Making facilities, stationery, modem Data Port, message Service, Non Smoking Rooms, Turn Down Service, Wardrobe.

From April through October the cottage price is $56USD double occupancy and extra bed is $18USD and November through March, $70USD and still $18USD for an extra bed. The cottage is large enough for 2 extra beds. This includes daily breakfast.

The staff is super friendly, professional and caring. We always get excellent reports from our friends with small children and families about Chiang Mai Eurasia Resort.

The Rachmankha is much more than just a hotel. It is an experience.

The combination of Lanna art and interior design, and the temple style architecture has created a haven of peace - the kind that penetrates you and touches you heart. This is an ideal hotel for people in need of rest and relaxation.

There are 18 Superior rooms, 4 Deluxe rooms, and 1 two-Bedroom Suite. Each guest room is slightly different because the furniture is antique and each piece is different. There is also a 20 - meter swimming pool, which is lined with sun beds and bougainvillea flowers. The airy Pool Bar offers snacks and drinks, while the open-air room above provides a massage service.

The restaurant is illuminated by large Lanna lanterns, and beautifully decorated with nineteenth century paintings that describe part of the life of Buddha on a large cloth that hangs down from the ceiling. Antique Chinese tables and Ming Dynasty plates are placed tastefully along the sides of the restaurant. The focus of the cuisine is Thai, but there is also a large selection of fusion dishes that combine food, sauces, and flavorings from Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Europe. Next to the restaurant there is a small, shady courtyard where gusts can dine outside while listening to traditional northern Thai music.

The Bar is situated next to the restaurant and is decorated with a very rare Chinese antique liqueur screen, and lithographs by Henry Moore, Robert Motherwell, and other early twentieth century painters. The screen shows in gold paint the whole process of tea production from the bush to the ships exporting the packaged tea leaves.

Above the restaurant is the Gallery, which serves to educate guests about Lanna culture, and also to provide a meeting room. It is filled with silverware, lacqueurware, hilltribe jewellery, a sword collection, an eighteenth century Buddha image, and also with the post, plates, etc.,that were discovered when the hotel site was excavated.

The Rachamanka is located in the center of the old city of Chiang Mai. On Sunday afternoon and evening the
handicraft walking market takes place just outside the courtyard.

Tucked away in the old Chiang Mai's silver-making district off Walai Road is a Thai colonial house named Tri Yaan Na Ros. Here guests can stay in one of only eight rooms available in beautiful Thai style with excellent Thai hospitality.

Once you enter the reception area, you feel you are stepping back in time into the Lanna Kingdom before it was part of Siam. The first thing you notice is the wonderful decorative antiques placed in just the right areas. The warm smile from the receptionist in her traditional Lanna dress lets you feel at ease. Soft, local traditional music smoothes out the check-in process while you sip a delicious drink made from lynches.

As you are escorted out of the reception area into the courtyard, the beautiful garden with swimming pool invites you for a relaxing dip.
Wicker cloth-covered tables and chairs with Lanna-style umbrellas are smartly tucked away amongst the flowers and plants.

After removing your shoes, the thick, antique teakwood door is opened to your room, which is awash in stunning colors of red and gold. The large canopy covered bed is draped in silk. The bed sheets and pillows are also made of silk. Each pillow has a sweet-smelling jasmine necklace laying on it for you to place around your neck. Although the bathroom is not large, it is finely decorated and more than adequate. Fresh, fragrant, colorful flowers are in an antique bowl on the bathroom sink counter.

Once you have inspected your room, you are taken to the restaurant, which is in made with rich teakwood. Again, Lanna antiques are everywhere, and the walls have photos of Chiang Mai 100 or so years ago. The food here is very famous with the local people, and reservations for dinner should be made in advance. Most guests in the evening like to eat in the courtyard, where reservations are not needed.

On staff are professional massage therapists for the relaxing massage by the pool or in your room. Many herbs and spices are available for your massage, and your therapist will recommend the one best for whatever ails you.

Tri Yaan Na Ros is located at the Saturday evening arts and craft market. In the evenings the street is blocked off from traffic and vendors set up. Because of this location and they have only eight rooms, you should make reservations well in advance. The rack price is 3,500 Thai baht and should rise as it gets more popular.

Chiang Mai is starting to build more guesthouses like this, as they are becoming ever more popular for the independent traveler rather than the standard high-rise hotel.

While the Night Bazaar has its flashing neon signs advertising the western food chains and merchandise, crowded narrow walkways crammed with hawkers and tourists, the Weekend Bazaars offer a more relaxing experience. Large wide avenues are blocked off from vehicle traffic at 4pm until 11pm. Talented craft persons and northern Thai fresh food vendors politely sell they wares along the sidewalks and on colorful temple grounds.

Both weekend walking markets are excellent, however, each is different in the types of wares sold, atmosphere and experiences. The Saturday Bazaar on Wualai Road is the old city silver-making district and even today you can still hear the tapping of hammers as the silversmiths sculpture beautiful designs on bowls, cups, bracelets, rings, and wall murals. You can watch them make their beautiful creations as they sit on the street in front of their shops.

There are several silver shops on Wualai Road so look at all of them before deciding on a purchase. Plenty of food and drink vendors along the street and small restaurants where you can take a rest and take in the surroundings so no need to rush.

The Sunday Bazaar on Rajdumnern Road begins at Thapae Gate and ends at the city police station about 6 bocks west. About half way up, at Prapokklao Road, the Bazaar continues south past Wat Chedi Luang for another block and north to the 3 kings statue and the old Provincial Hall, which is now the Chiang Mai City Museum. A stage is set up on the grounds of the museum where northern Thai musicians and dancers in traditional costumes give live performances starting around 7pm.

Rajdumnern Road seams to have one temple after another. The temple grounds are where almost all the food stalls are set up. Here they have tables and chairs where you can sit and have everything from french fries to papaya salad, soups, and grilled Thai dishes. Lots of different foods and desserts you probably have never seen before are available. Soft Thai music is usually played on the temple sound system to add to the eating experience.

Both Bazaars are lots of fun and several hours can be spent here enjoying the culture, food, people, and atmosphere. Unlike the Night Bazaar with its copied brand products, fake jewelry, and handicrafts—made in China or Burma—both weekend markets have real handcraft persons selling their goods.

The real fun is not the shopping but the ambience. Every block has traditional Thai Music being played by elders and children. The rich colors of the surrounding temples, the smell of garlic, grilled fish, sausages, and chilies being cooked and roasted. People are eating, smiling, and just having a good time. Oh, one more thing. Get your snack and cold drink and take it to one of the many foot massage operations set up on the sidewalk. Sit back in the comfortable cushioned reclining chair and just watch, listen, and take it all in.

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One of Chiang Mai's most interesting and easily accessible markets is the Warorot Market, located several blocks north of the Night Bazaar where Changklan Road intersects with Changmoi Road. Parking is nearly impossible, so it's best to arrive via tuk-tuk or songtheaw.

If walking, you will no doubt be distracted from your destination by the abundance of shopping stalls on the blocks surrounding Warorot everything from gold jewelry to tennis shoes to fresh flowers.

Unlike the Night Bazaar, the Warorot building is not marked in English. Look for the pedestrian overpass connecting two 3-storey buildings. Enter on the west side of the street under the overpass at the ground floor, or climb the stairs to go directly onto the second floor. Warorot rivals the Night Bazaar in size and variety. The ground floor is devoted to foodstuffs and produce.

If you plan to stay awhile and have access to a kitchen, this is the place for pickled goods, herbs, spices and dried goods (More of these, as well as culinary utensils, produce, meat and fish, can be found in the Tohn Lumyai Market building just across the street).

Clothing, handicrafts, beauty supplies, shoes, and anything else you could possibly be looking for aside from high-end electronics are available on the second and third floors. There's even a modest food court on the third floor where you can relax with a very inexpensive Thai lunch, snack or dessert.

The Soi (alley) next to Warorot market is filled with excellent priced textiles, hill tribe clothes and textiles, silks, hat, beads that are higher quality than found at the night bazaar.

Shopping is one of the great pleasures here in Chiangmai. We have the famous night bazaar, Baan Tawai wood carving village, Bosang Sa paper and umbrella village and Sankampang with its many handicraft factories.

When friends visit, they always ask - what should I purchase and where? Here are some guidelines that I give them that may help you.

* The night bazaar has some excellent bargains but be careful. The night bazaar is great for t-shirts, fake designer clothes and watches but not handicrafts. Lacquerware and wood products purchased here will split and crack after a year or so. It is not real lacquerware but only painted with a couple coats of sprayed-on lacquer paint. Wood products are not treated correctly unless you are from a hot and humid climate like Thailand.

This is also a big problem when purchasing wood products from Baan Tawai. These products are made for Thailand and should be purchased by those living here only. The problem is the wood should be dried outside in the weather for two years then heat treated in an oven. This way if you take the wood home to a cooler and drier climate or keep it an air-conditioned home it won't crack or split. The wood products at Baan Tawai and the night bazaar are not treated properly.

For wood and lacquerware, go to the factories in Sankhampang. I recommend Sudaluck for wood products and Lai Thai for lacquerware. Here the wood is treated properly and the lacquerware is treated with real gum lacquer with seven coats. Every coat is dried and polished.

We have all heard about the gem scams Thailand is famous for. Make purchases of jewelry and gems from a reputable dealer or shop such as Princess Jewelry or Gems Gallery. The prices are a lot cheaper than western countries and the quality excellent. Remember, if the price seems too cheap to believe, then don't believe the gems or jewelry are real.

Silk is another great bargain here in Chiangmai and much cheaper than, say, Jim Thompson's in Bangkok. Here again be careful, if you don't know much about silk then make purchases from a reputable shop such as Jollie Femme. Most of the silk at the night bazaar is partially polyester or made by machine in Chinese factories. Real Thai silk is handmade so the weave is very tight and will stay together after many years of wear and hand washing. Much longer than Chinese machine made silk.

Tailor made suits and clothes are also perfectly made here if you go to the right tailor. Be careful of these one coat, two pants, tie and shirt deals for $99 USD. The material is very low quality and one sleeve may be longer than the other. The biggest complaint is the pockets are way too shallow. Niramit Tailors in Chiangmai is probably one of the best in Thailand.
* When shopping at the Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai, Thailand, you can save a lot of money if you know how to bargain Thai-style. There is a wrong way and a right way, so know before you go.

When it comes to the open markets of Chiang Mai, most newly arrived foreigners are steered directly either by guidebooks, travel agencies, hotel desk clerks, and even tuk-tuk drivers to the Night Bazaar on Changklan Road between Tha Phae and Loi Kroh Roads. This sizeable market, with a gigantic, well-lit sign in English and surrounded by many familiar food chains of the West, is no doubt most oriented to foreign tourists. It's here where most Western visitors get their first taste of a traditional Northern Thai shopping experience. Once amongst the tightly packed stalls, visitors very soon become acquainted with the bargaining game.

When it comes to bargaining, there are a few things to remember. Asians do not like to lose face, which is very important; however, they don't want you to lose face either. Here is how to bargain so no one loses face.

You first ask, "How much?" for an item. The vendor will come back with a price and you say, "Too much," and they will come back with a 20% lower price. You offer about 50% lower than the second price they gave you. They will smile and probably say nothing. This means they know what you are doing. After a few seconds, they will come back with a price around 20% lower again. You then put out a price 40% lower. They come back with maybe 25% lower. You go 30% lower and hold. They will most likely sell it to you. This way, you can get the item at the 50% discount you wanted, but they do not lose face - and neither do you.

Try to make purchases all from the same shop or vendor and you can get the price even lower. Do not pay for your items one at a time. Set your first purchase aside, then bargain for a few more items. Put all your items together and ask, "How much for all these?" When the salesperson gives you a price, make an offer for 10% lower. If they say no, start taking items off your pile and act like you just want to purchase just the first item you bargained for. Nine times out of ten they will say okay to your 10% additional discount.

There is everything available here, including handicrafts, food stuffs, clothing and shoes, jewelry, ceramic knickknacks, and more. Many of the items sold at shops inside the Night Bazaar building are of good quality and handmade.

The vendors on the street sell cheap copied products made in China or Burma and not true Thai handicrafts. One example is lacquer ware. The high-quality lacquer-ware houses of Chiang Mai today still apply at least seven coats of lacquer to each piece and allow approximately 1 week between coatings for drying. The lacquer ware sold by vendors is very cheap and painted with sprayed-on lacquer ware paint.

Remember, you get what you pay for. If you want T-shirts, knockoff designer brands, or imitation handicrafts, the Night Bazaar vendors have what you need. For high-quality handicrafts, textiles, shoes, and clothing at great prices compared to prices in your home country, go to the shops inside the Night Bazaar building.
* Chiang Mai's Unique Walking Markets on the Weekend on Wualai Road on Saturday and Rajdumnern Road on Sunday are much different than the Night Bazaar.

While the Night Bazaar has its flashing neon signs advertising the western food chains and merchandise, crowded narrow walkways crammed with hawkers and tourists, the Weekend Bazaars offer a more relaxing experience. Large wide avenues are blocked off from vehicle traffic at 4pm until 11pm. Talented craft persons and northern Thai fresh food vendors politely sell they wares along the sidewalks and on colorful temple grounds. Both weekend walking markets are excellent, however, each is different in the types of wares sold, atmosphere and experiences.

The Saturday Bazaar on Wualai Road is the old city silver-making district and even today you can still hear the tapping of hammers as the silversmiths sculpture beautiful designs on bowls, cups, bracelets, rings, and wall murals. You can watch them make their beautiful creations as they sit on the street in front of their shops.

There are several silver shops on Wualai Road so look at all of them before deciding on a purchase. Plenty of food and drink vendors along the street and small restaurants where you can take a rest and take in the surroundings so no need to rush.

The Sunday Bazaar on Rajdumnern Road begins at Thapae Gate and ends at the city police station about 6 bocks west. About half way up, at Prapokklao Road, the Bazaar continues south past Wat Chedi Luang for another block and north to the 3 kings statue and the old Provincial Hall, which is now the Chiang Mai City Museum. A stage is set up on the grounds of the museum where northern Thai musicians and dancers in traditional costumes give live performances starting around 7pm.

Rajdumnern Road seams to have one temple after another. The temple grounds are where almost all the food stalls are set up. Here they have tables and chairs where you can sit and have everything from french fries to papaya salad, soups, and grilled Thai dishes. Lots of different foods and desserts you probably have never seen before are available. Soft Thai music is usually played on the temple sound system to add to the eating experience.

Both Bazaars are lots of fun and several hours can be spent here enjoying the culture, food, people, and atmosphere. Unlike the Night Bazaar with its copied brand products, fake jewelry, and handicrafts-made in China or Burma-both weekend markets have real handcraft persons selling their goods.

The real fun is not the shopping but the ambience. Every block has traditional Thai Music being played by elders and children. The rich colors of the surrounding temples, the smell of garlic, grilled fish, sausages, and chilies being cooked and roasted. People are eating, smiling, and just having a good time. Oh, one more thing. Get your snack and cold drink and take it to one of the many foot massage operations set up on the sidewalk. Sit back in the comfortable cushioned reclining chair and just watch, listen, and take it all in.

Every year during the first weekend in February is the Chiang Mai Flower Festival. The city is awash with vibrant colors ranging from the electric orange and lilac colors of the bougainvillea to the velvety blossoms of petunias in all shades of pink, white and purple. The strident red of the poinsettias, bought by many at Christmas and New Years, is echoed by beds of scarlet salvias. Homes and shop owners alike line the city streets with colorful flower boxes. The sheer profusion of color that the flower festival and carnival brings to Chiang Mai aptly gives the city its name "Rose of the North".

On all three days of the festival, prize blooms are on display at Suan Buak Haad near the city center. Every type of flower, miniature tree and orchid is put on display for the judges to choose the best of the species. Landscape specialists put on an elaborate display, which includes patios and waterfalls with exotic decorative plants and flowers.

The best part of the flower festival is on Saturday. This is when we load our lawn chairs and ice chest in the pick-up and head to D.K. Bookstore along the moat in the city center. We go there because there is plenty of parking and excellent coffee and pastry shops.

On the way we passed the flower covers floats, Hill Tribes and Thais in their traditional dress and uniformed marching bands all getting in line to start the parade. We had to leave the house before 8 AM as the parade start around 9 AM. Although it would not be until 10 AM until the parade reached us we had lots of fun eating food from local vendors, relaxing in our lawn chairs at curbside and watching the world go by.


The parade lines up from the train station to Narawatt bridge so the police close most of Jarenmuang Road around 8 AM. The VIP viewing stand is right next to the bridge in front of the Chiangmai Governor's home. The Parade route goes down Thapae Road to the Gate and turns left and follows the moat to Suan Buak Haad City Park.

The parade moves at a slow pace and stops several times so there is plenty of time to take pictures of the colorful floats, pretty girls and hill tribe people in costume. The people in the parade hand out roses to spectators lining the road.

When the parade finishes everyone heads to Suan Buak Haad where all the floats, award winning flower growers and landscapers projects are all on display. There are plenty of food stalls located in the park and in late afternoon the Miss Chiangmai Flower festival starts. The party goes well into the evening until the new Flower Festival Queen is chosen.

This is a great time to visit Chiangmai, as the air is cool and the evenings fresh and clear. If you want to see the festival make sure you book your hotels and flights well in advance. The parade for 2010 will be on Saturday Feb. 6.

http://revver.com/video/1294895/affiliate/283890/chiang-mai-thailand-flower-festival-2008-part-3

Created by
All Thailand Experiences. and "Welcome to Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai" Magazine.

Loi Krathong is a special event for the Northern Thai people. It originated in Sukhothai and spread north and east. The other parts of Thailand celebrate this festival but nothing like in Chiang Mai.

If you like candles placed in colorful paper lanterns, fireworks, beautiful girls in traditional dress, parade floats, lots of food, and parties, do not miss the Loi Krathong festival. Of course, it is much more than this to the Thai people. Read on to learn more.

Here in North Thailand the Loi Krathong Festival is much different than anywhere in the Kingdom. In the small town of Mae Jo north of Chiang Mai they started the festival on Saturday night by launching hot air balloons called "Khom Loy".

This festival is held on the night of the 12th full moon of the year in most of the countries where it is celebrated, except in Laos, where it coincides with the 11th full moon at the end of the rains retreat, the Buddhist Lent. In many of the Thai provinces facing Laos across the Mekong River, there may also be a major festival of floating lights at that time, such as Nakhon Phanom's spectacular Lai Rua Fai (many illuminated boats). Loy Krathong may have originally been timed to coincide with the end of the life-giving rains, as a kind of harvest festival giving thanks for the abundance of the crop now filling the granaries and wishing for further bounty in the year to come. There is also a great deal of symbolism involved in the floating away of the Krathong, representing a cleansing of sins.

Loy Krathong has an unequalled charm and mystique, whether it is celebrated on a grand scale in a major city or quietly in a small village of just a few rude huts, but for a truly breathtaking experience, the north of Thailand is the place to go. Even from the end of Lent, the build-up starts with firecrackers banging and booming in the night and, gradually, there appear what seem to be moving orange stars in the sky. As Loy Krathong itself nears, coconut frond archways spring up at the gates of houses, earthen lamps glow in the night, and paper streamers and lanterns appear everywhere.
With the rainy season gone, the night sky is clear and coolness fills the air. On the night of Loy Krathong itself, the full moon sails over the horizon into a sky filled with light and sound, for the Lanna folk celebrate Loy Krathong in three dimensions. Giant hot air balloons, called Kome Loy, rise into the sky, their fires visible, like some galaxy of orange stars, into the far distance. Traditional rockets known as Bok Fai outdo the myriad of other fireworks crackling and popping everywhere in the crisp night air. And beneath this frenzy of noise and light, the gentle, quiet, and touching act of floating (loy) one's Krathong.

The traditional months of Lanna are different from the rest in Thailand, and Loy Krathong is always celebrated in Duan Yee - the second month - and the period of the festival is called Yee Peng. The decorations around houses and temples come alive during Yee Peng with the Kome paper lanterns glowing a host of bright colours. Walls surrounding compounds are decorated with the earthen lamps called Phang Patit. The number of these lamps must correspond with the total age of all family members combined, and their flickering yellow flames give warmth to the cool evening.

The Krathong are traditionally made from cut sections of bamboo, with neatly folded pieces of banana leaf around the edge, giving the appearance of a lotus leaf. Each must be decorated with a candle, an incense stick, and some flowers, though many are more elaborate. Often some grains of sand and good luck charms are placed on the Krathong, and a few coins are often added; though these usually end up as some young boy's extra pocket money. At home in the water, they swim from Krathong to Krathong and a little brown hand gropes around for what it may contain. In Chiangmai, there are raft races on the river on the first day, and boat races for the next two days. The Yee Peng opening ceremony takes place at Tha Pae Gate early on the first evening, followed by a lantern parade and contest at the Night Bazaar. Beauty contests will be held at Tha Pae Gate on the second and last evenings, and parades of individual Krathongs and giant Krathongs start from there on the second and third evenings. Every night, there will be fireworks, Kome Loy launchings, Lanna cultural performances at the Municipal Offices near the river, and, of course, there is nowhere better to loy your own Krathong.

Tradition has it that the very first Krathong was made by a beautiful young lady at the royal court of the ancient Kingdom of Sukhothai some 700 years ago. Her name was Naang Noppamart, and she was blessed with great artistic skills. Others imitated her and there was a competition on the night of the 11th full moon of the year. The king judged the competition. Naang Noppamart's talents were repaid as her Krathong was declared the clear winner. The king decreed that henceforth this one night of the year should become a festival of thanks and should be celebrated by the floating of boats in the shape and form of lotus leaves. The legend lives on and the beauty queen selected at each of the Loy Krathong celebrations around Thailand is, to this day, the winner of the Naang Noppamart parade.


Formerly, lantern decorations were commonly seen hanging on all mansions in the grand palace. The great numbers and the beauty of the lanterns reflected the status of the royal family members.

Up until the present time, a tradition developed wherein people sacrifice their time to design and assemble various kinds of strong, beautiful, and creative lanterns. The worshippers donated the lanterns to the temples, asking their wishes to be fulfilled.

The main structure of these lanterns are usually made with bamboo and covered with a coarse palm paper or cloth. Inside, a bamboo cylinder was necessary to protect the possible burning of the paper, since, altogether, 24 candles were required to light up the lantern. This large number of candles made illumination possible for about three hours. The creation of these lanterns is open for the public to see and study during this festival.

People thought that lanterns could only be lit during Buddhist holidays or ceremonies, but, actually, lanterns can be lit every evening or night. These lanterns can be hung on gates, fences, doors, windows, or the roof, or any place an individual wants to adorn with these delightful creations. There have been four different purposes for the northern Thais to hang lanterns. They are for beauty, to pay respect to Buddha images, to make one's home or mansion brighter, and for propitious purposes.

Nowadays, there are four traditional Komes in the north that attract visitors every year. They are 1) Kome Thuea (carrying lantern) or Kome Gratai (a rabbit's ear), 2) Kome Kwaen (hanging lantern), 3) Kome Paad (revolving lantern), and 4) Kome Loy (hot air floating lantern).

A Kome Thuea or Kome Gratai has a lighted candle inside. A Buddhist believer will carry it along during the Yee Peng Parade. When the parade is over, the worshippers will take the lanterns and decorate the temples, vihara, and other buildings. If there are other celebrations other than the Yee Peng Festival, beautifully made lanterns are used to decorate a stage. Usually, a lantern shaped as a lotus is used to pay respect and the citizens will pray to the Buddha images and make offerings to the monks.

The Kome Loy is a lantern that is similar to a hot-air-balloon. It is believed that by sending off these lanterns an individual can send one's sins and bad luck into the air. Usually before the lantern soars into the sky, an individual will pray that one's sin or bad luck will be transported on the lantern and floated away high into the sky. Sometimes an address is left inside. The purpose of this is when the lantern come back down to the ground, and individual can follow an address and seek for money from whoever wrote the address. Or even sometimes, the maker will put some money inside the lantern.

In Chiangmai, visitors will be treated to an air of festivity in the weeks leading up to Loy Krathong. People begin constructing their Krathong, a small raft to float down the river as an offering. They are traditionally cut in a circular slice from the trunk of a banana tree and decorated with intricate leaf-patterns and flowers. A candle, incense sticks and a few small coins are typically placed as offerings. Archways of banana stems suddenly appear outside homes and businesses, and hanging lanterns, or Kome, are hung anywhere possible. With their beautiful colors and delicate paper streamers, these lanterns glow with a warm charm in the night, along with yellow flames of thousands of miniature terra-cotta nightlights flickering on walls and gateposts in the city.

Songkran, or the Thai New Year, is still the most important of all the Thai festivals and holidays. My Thai wife and I usually have loads of friends from other countries to our home and we love to have them participate in all the traditional activities with us. Although we are not Buddhists we love to go to the temples to watch the activities, eat, drink, throw water and just have fun. Each year, the four-day celebration of Songkran consists of many activities, and these are briefly explained below.

April 12 is Wan Sungkharn Lohng. This is a day for house cleaning and general preparation for the New Year. In the evening it is traditional for Thais to dress up as a signal of the coming new year.

In Chiangmai, the Songkran procession is held on this day. This is a parade through Chiangmai comprised of Buddha images and attendants on floats, which are accompanied by minstrels and the town's people. Here is the streaming video of the Songkran Parade and waterfights. Today we load up the pickup truck with 50-gallon drums filled with water. After the parade we go to the ice house for a large block of ice to put in the water barrel. We then travel around the city joining others in the largest water fight on the planet.

April 13 is Wan Nao. On this day people prepare cooked meals and preserved food for the Buddhist merit-making that takes place on the following day. Activities at Wat Prasingh templecontinue on this day and in the evening local residents go to the banks of the Mae Ping River and gather sand to be deposited in piles topped by flowers in the temples. This practice is the ancient "raising the temple grounds" ritual, which was necessary in the old days because then Thai New Year was held at the end of the rainy season in the first month of the old Thai Lunar Calendar.

April 14 is Wan Payawan. On this day a grand new year begins with early morning merit-making at the temples. Preserved and cooked foods, fresh fruit, monks' robes and other offerings are made at the temples. In the home, people do the final cleaning of Buddha images using scented water. Traditionally this is the day that the pouring of water begins. It was once the practice to pour gently, but the fun-loving Thais have transposed this into a relative water free-for-all.

April 15 is Wan Parg-bpee. On this day homage is paid to ancestors, elders and other persons deserving respect because of age of position. This is called 'Rohd Nam Songkran', meaning 'The Pouring of Songkran Water', and the water is sprinkled on the elder persons while uttering wishes of good luck and a happy future.

In Chiangmai, this is the final day of the celebration and the day on which people have built up to a crescendo of water throwing. It is the day when all family and religious obligations have been completed and the people are totally dedicated to having fun.

The Songkran Festival is by far the largest water fight on the planet. This video below was taken in Chiang Mai Thailand and happens every year April 13-15. You have to see this to believe it.

No trip to Chiang Mai would be complete without visiting Wat Phra Thart Doi Suthep; the spectacular Buddhist temple that can be seen, from wherever you happen to be in the city, clinging to the mountainside near the summit of Doi Suthep.

Doi Suthep hill has been seen as a holy place for more than twelve hundred years. The original inhabitants, the Lua, believed that the souls of their ancestors resided on the hilltop. When Buddhism was embraced by the Siamese people, the hill became the epicentre of the universe, and the centre of Buddhism in Lanna.
The temple was built in the late 14th century under King Geu Na, and attracts many pilgrims and tourists, both local and international, throughout the year.

Overlooking Chiang Mai from its lofty perch, some 3,500 feet (1,053 meters) above sea level, the temple is best visited on days free of cloud or heat haze; the view of the city, and the Ping valley beyond, is breathtaking.

The temple lies roughly 15 kilometres from the city, and can be reached by road. From the car park across the road from the temple there are two ways of approaching this holy shrine: on foot, if you are fit enough to climb the 306 steps up an almost vertical Naga (serpent) staircase, or by the small cable car (20 20 Baht). Most people choose the latter.

Once there, the climb, or the wait for the cable car is rewarded by the grandeur of this magnificent Lanna-style wat. The main deck comprises several pavilions with red-tiled roofs. There were a tower of large bell and Sal ("Sala" in Thai) tree to the right (The tree could be reformed as an anspicious tree that provided Lord Buddha as a unborn baby who was about to be delivered by his mother). Move on the clockwise walk : A junior bell tower, a Shrine of Thao Mahaprom (Brahma) Statue, a Shrine of Hermit Statue of Sudeva whose name for Doi Suthep as well as Suthep road, a Bodhi tree ("Po" in Thai) was brought from India, Lord Buddha spent many years for self-taught under that tree. A white elephant statue, the symbol of the elephant who carried the Buddha's relic to the hilltop, gards the pagoda and welcome the visitors. Turning back and step through an archway from the main deck, one enters cool closters surrounding a stunning, golden painted pagoda, or chedi; one of the most sacred in all Thailand.

Our present king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, donated the glass tip on the golden lotus petals at the top of the pagoda in the Lanna Chiangsaen design. When the main Wiharn or chapel's renovation was completed 40 years ago, the king presided over the installation of the golden Buddha image.

In the north direction from the golden Pagoda, it is a smaller Wiharn.

As visitors walk through the rectangular shaped terrace around the main chapel and pagoda, they will see no fewer than 47 wall paintings.These murals illustrate the lives of Buddha and the Jataka(Shadok) tales of Buddha's past lives before he reached the state of Nirvana. Although he lived many lives, it is the ten immediately preceding his birth that are most important to Thai Buddhists.

Within the pavilions are living quarters and a school for monks. Novices are sent here to study the teachings of the Lord Buddha, and to be educated in broadly the same subjects as are taught in every other school in the country.

At the east side, there is a wooden Wiharn. Keep walking toword antichockwise, there are many small bells. It is believed that good luck will come to the visitor who strikes the series of bells to be found here. A white balustrade surrounds the main deck, providing excellent views of the surrounding countryside. There is a small museum containing ancient relics and photographs. Walking to the westside, there is a snack bar and souvenir shop. Opposite between the the snack bar and the souvenir shop, it is Bhote or Pra Ubosote where all ordination services and prayers take place.

A Ceylonese monk, Sumana, came to spread Theravada Buddhism to the people of the Srisajjanalai and Sukothai kingdoms. He dreamt that the supreme being appeared before him and urged him to unearth the Buddha's relic at the site of the pagoda's ruins.He took the relic to the king of Srisajjanalai who was delighted, and ordered that a special mansion be erected for the relic's safekeeping. Sumana was then invited to show the relic to the king of Sukothai, but when no miracle followed the king doubted the authenticity of the relic and told Sumana to take it away with him. As a devoted Buddhist, King Gue Na sent a delegation to Sukothai to invite Sumana to Chiang Mai. The monk traveled to northern Thailand, stopping at Lumpoon, where he stayed for two years. On arrival in Chiang Mai, he stayed at Wat Boobparaam, or Wat Suan Dawg, and discussed the building of a sacred pagoda to house the relic. When he removed the relic from its packaging, he found that it had split into two pieces. They decided that one piece should be housed at Wat Suandawg, and the other would be housed in a special place.

Legend has it that the site of the temple was chosen in a most unusual way. King Geu Na ordered that a relic of the holy Buddha was strapped to the back of a sacred white elephant, and the beast was turned loose. After crashing its way up the densely forested mountainside, the elephant stopped just short of the summit of Doi Suthep, trumpeted its last breath and fell dead to the ground.

The king ordered that a golden pagoda be built where the elephant lay, and the Buddha relic to be housed therein. The wat was then constructed around the golden chedi.

Indeed, the more hardy visitors, having reached the top of the Naga staircase, will find a memorial to the sacred white elephant to their left.

Later, in the reign of King Phra Muang Ketklao in 1552, the structure was heightened and modified to its present state.

The multi-faceted chedi is in the shape of a bell, in unique Lanna style.
The temple has withstood two earthquakes, suffering minor damage in the first and more serious devastation during the second, leading to extensive repairs being carried out. Owing to the vast amount of daily visitors to the temple, structural work has been completed to strengthen and support the grand terrace.

During the construction of the road up to the Temple of the Holy Relic, the builder monk, Kruba Sriwichai, created several temples along the route. From the bottom of the hill, where a memorial to this most revered monk is to be found on the left hand side, if the visitor travels but a short way he will find Wat Sisoda; one of three temples built to signify the attainment of enlightenment in stages, with the hilltop shrine of the holy relic representing the ultimate goal of Nirvana.

Wat Sakithakha and wat Anakha, sadly, did not survive; only Wat Sisoda remains there today.

People living in northern Siam, as it was then, firmly believed that the Lord Buddha's holy relic was on Doi Suthep. In the beginning, shrines were built in city centres in accordance with the Central region's Wat Mahathart as the mythological hill of Semeru, the epicenter of the universe.

Both beliefs were reconciled by animistic people who, in a later period, embraced Buddhism. Wat Phra Thart Doi Suthep is believed to be the model for similar places of worship built in hilltops throughout Northern Thailand.

Take a tour of North Thailand's famous temples with All Thailand Experiences

Chiang Mai has an exciting nightlife. Live music of all kinds can be found in the city, from classical Thai to jazz, rock, and country. Unlike most pubs in western countries, excellent food can be enjoyed as well.

Chiang Mai is famous for its nightlife, as well as the charming city and beautiful surrounding countryside. There are discos, karaoke bars, and live music everywhere. The area I like to go is along the east bank of the Mae Ping River on Charoenrat road. This is the area famous for jazz, rock, pop, Thai and country and western live music, along with fabulous restaurants serving Thai, western, and Chinese food.

If you are coming from the center of the city, just walk from the night bazaar across the Narawatt Bridge. From the bridge, you can see all the restaurants along the river on your left. Once you cross the bridge, turn left and, on your right, will be Chiang Mai's first church and a riverside park on your left.

The first place you will come to is The Chiang Mai Riverside Restaurant, 9-11 Charoenrat Road, telephone: 66 5324 3239. Everyone who has been to Chiang Mai eats at least once here. There is a large menu of Thai and western food. If you want a good homemade hamburger, this is a good place to get one. The live music starts around 7pm with dinner music from the Eagles, Beatles, or soft jazz. Starting at 9pm, the music changes to more rock and pop songs. Full bar service serving wine, beer, and spirits are available. The Chiangmai Riverside restaurant gets very crowded, so get here early to get a table.

If Thai food is more to your liking, no worries, just walk to the next restaurant only a few meters away to The Good View, 13 Charoenrat Road, telephone: 053 241 886. Thai and western varieties of rock, jazz, pop and country music entertain in the evening. Their extensive menu offers more than 150 Thai, Chinese, and western dishes, including curries, noodles, rice, and pizza. Soft drinks and a full bar serving wine, beer, and spirits are available. Again, if you want a good, riverside-view table get there early.

Now you're full of excellent food and want to really rock, no problem, just continue walking down the street to La Brasserie 37 Charoenrat Road, telephone: 053 241 665. This riverside venue is well known for nightly performances by a talented guitarist named Took and his band, who plays renditions of old Hendrix, Dylan, Marley, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and other favorites. Sit outside in the lush garden setting where acoustic guitar is played (7pm to midnight) or inside at the bar and catch the famous Took and Friends (11pm to 2am). There is also a good selection of cocktails and spirits. Not famous for food but the music is great.

Most bands in Chiang Mai play at one venue for about an hour, and then move on to another restaurant or pub. Don't be surprised if you see a band playing at the Chiang Mai Riverside and, one hour later, at The Good View.

There is no dress code however in the evenings you should always wear long pants or skirt, shirt with a collar (for men), socks and no flip flops or thongs. If you derss smart you will get a good table if not you may be put by the bathroom or a table next to a speaker.

Thailand Travel and Culture Group web site.

For more information about Chiang Mai and north Thailand visit the "Welcome to Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai Magazine"

For guided private tours of Chiang Mai visit All Thailand Experiences

For an excellent Thai dinning experience, a traditional Lanna Khantoke dinner is a must. Many believe this north Thailand dinner with music and dance was invented for tourists, but the Khantoke dinner dates back many centuries. Locals celebrate festivals and holidays in their homes with the Khantoke dinner today.

Sitting down to a well-presented meal of good and delicious food is something most of us enjoy. Then there are those stand-up occasions where we mix and mingle with other guests and enjoy cocktails and finger foods. Finger foods? Eating with one's fingers? Considered as neither polite nor hygienic in some circles, eating with our fingers is as old as the human race. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it, as we all do it perhaps without thinking.

In Thailand, many people still eat with their fingers and this has nothing to do with social strata. It depends, rather, on the place, the occasion and the meal that is being served. A Thai hostess will follow a set etiquette when offering a meal that will be eaten with the fingers, and those eating will be polite and delicate as they partake of the meal.

Traditional Thai meals are rarely one plate experiences, so the Western concept of having meat, two veggies, and gravy all on one plate is alien to Thai dining. Likewise, the use of an array of cutlery seems to be overkill in Thai minds (most Thais settle for a fork and spoon when not using their fingers). Unless one is invited to a Thai home, the closest most visitors get to dining a la Lanna (northern Thai) is at a Kantoke dinner, so this is something you might like to try.

Visitors who have been to a Thai dinner show in Bangkok usually decide to give Khantoke dinners a miss because they think the two are similar. The Khantoke Dinner Dance Show is much more enjoyable than other dinner shows because of the pervading informal atmosphere, really different style of cooking, and gentle slow-tempo dance entertainment.

Khantoke is a Lanna Thai tradition, not just something invented for tourists' amusement. Thai Lanna was a civilized Kingdom that existed in the area of present-day northern Thailand. King Mengrai was the king who founded the capital and the dynasty. He accomplished and contributed to the prosperity of the kingdom in several aspects, e.g. political science, Buddhist religion, art, and culture.

There are several traditions that eventually became northern heritage one of which is Khantoke. Even today, khantoke implies dinner or lunch offered by a host to guests at various ceremonies or parties, e.g. in the home - weddings, housewarmings, celebrations, novice ordinations, life extensions, or funerals. At the temple celebrations for buildings in a temple's compound, namely bhote, wiharn, sala; Grand Sermons annual festivals such as --- Khao Pansa, Og Pansa, Loy Krathong, and new year.

The wonderful thing about a traditional Lanna Khantoke dinner is the combination of classical Thai dance and music with excellent food. To describe Thai Classical Dance, in words, can never do justice to the art form. To view a performance, especially if many dancers are involved, reminds me of a field of sunflowers, or wheat, swaying in unison at the whim of an evening breeze. Or perhaps the soaring of seabirds as they ride the thermals, at one with the wind. Thai Dancing is a pageant of poetry in motion.

Stemming from the Royal Courts of Old Siam (not necessarily within the geographic boundaries of present-day Thailand), the influence of which extended as far East as the Khmer capital of Angkor, Classical Dancers entertained and soothed their local royalty as well as performing before visiting royals and nobility.

When you arrive for your Kantoke dinner, you will have to remove your shoes before entering into the spacious hall built of teak where decoration is from original materials and motifs only. Your hostess in traditional attire will guide you smilingly to your place, comfortably seated on cushions on the carpeted floor or at nearby tables if you prefer. Within moments, the attentive staff will bring your drinks and Khantoke. The Khantoke is the circular wooden tray set on pedestal that serves as a table. It will carry one of the most delicious meals you have ever eaten.

Using the fingers of the right hand, a small portion of sticky rice that is served in little woven bamboo baskets is kneaded into a bite-sized ball (it takes a little practice!) and the ball is dipped into the desired main dish (a portion can be melded onto the rice ball) before being popped into the mouth. The fingers shouldn't really enter one's mouth (the food shouldn't be crammed) as the movements are politely delicate. A rinse of the fingers and the process is repeated again and again. Thais from the humblest to the highest continue to dine in this traditional manner when the cultural or home occasion arises, and they are adept at making it look easy and gracious.

Start with the fried pumpkin as hors d'oeuvres and then alternate as you like between the mildly spicy red chili, tomato and minced pork dip, the succulent fried chicken, and a mouth-watering Burmese pork curry that is so gentle, so soft that you will gladly accept a second helping.

The chili dip is called Nam Prik Awng and is teased from its bowl with pieces of deep-fried crispy pork skin or freshly sliced cucumber, whichever you prefer. The chicken and Hangleh, as the pork curry is called, go well with the stir-fried cabbage and either the sticky or plain cooked rice. The Khantoke also contains a bowl of crispy fried noodles to complement the rice. Dessert, served separately, consists of fried rice crispies and, if you dare to break the spell of tradition, either coffee or tea.

About halfway through your meal, a classical orchestra will begin to accompany troupes of dancers in gorgeous costumes, or occasionally a solo dancer, as they perform the graceful movements of Thai classical dance for your pleasure. These are absolutely authentic Northern Thailand dances, quite distinct from those performed in Bangkok and Ayutthaya. They are rooted in the region's history, literature, and way of life.

While some, like the Fingernail Dance, which is usually performed only on special occasions such as a state visit, are slow, stately, and exquisitely graceful; others, such as the solo Sword Dance, have a flashing, ferocious beauty. Performances, such as the Magic Fowls Dance, meanwhile, are taken from local folklore and literature while a fourth genre that includes the Silk Reeling Dance depicts various aspects of daily village life.

In some cases, the dances were originally either choreographed or polished by northern court poets and dance instructors to celebrate a particular event such as the royal visits of King Prajadhipok and King Rama the Seventh to Chiang Mai in 1927. In others, members of the old Chiang Mai royal family were themselves the inspiration.

The Shan and Burmese courts are represented in other dances such as the Mahn Mui Chiangta Dance, while the Thai Lue Dance is originally performed by the Thai Lue people of Nong Bua village in Nan Province. The final dance is the Ramwong, or Circle Dance. This is a typical Thai folk dance that was popularised some 60 or 70 years ago. After a few introductory rounds so that you, the guests, can see how it is done, the dancers will invite you to join in on a cheerful, friendly finale to evening's program.

The total time takes about two hours to eat and enjoy the music and entertainment. This is a dinner you must do at least once while visiting Chiangmai. Many Thai people from Bangkok and other parts of Thailand always visit a Khantoke Dinner restaurant when in Chiangmai.

To make reservations for a Khantoke dinner contact All Thailand Experiences.

This is a lot of fun for the whole family and often included with our other tours. Since these are half day trips many of our clients enjoy elephant riding, lunch then the ATV Adventure in the afternoon.

We will pick you up at your Hotel or guest house and tale you to our starting point. Here you will be given a safety briefing, and instructions how to safely drive an ATV. You will then drive our training course so you know what to expect on the trail.

You will then depart driving your own ATV following our experienced guide , you will travel a mountain trail to the summit of Mount Khom Rong where the elevation of 1459 m. which usually provides cool and crisp mountain air and excellent scenery. You will pass through hill tribe villages along the way.

ATV Riding Programme

Two tours daily
07.45 - 08.15 pick up times 09.00 - 12.00 tour
13.45 - 14.15 pick up times 15.00 - 18.00 tour

Transfer to your hotel or guest house after the tour.

Tour Includes: Transfer by air-conditioned van, Personal Injury Insurance, Experienced guide, Soft drinks.

* Things to bring with you... Sun block
* Sun glasses
* Jacket
* Sport shoes



We Provide...
* Goggles
* First Aid Equipment
* Gloves
* One ATV per person
* Helmet

NOTICE: One driver per ATV. Passengers may be allowed if the local weather and terrain conditions will allow. Please ask about passengers when booking your ATV tour.

Contact us at All Thailand Experiences for more details and reservations.

Chiang Mai City Arts and Culture Center and Museum, Chiang Mai Thailand.

The Center and Museum was created to help local people and visitors understand the city's historical importance. It was also created to help discover the people's roots and foster a sense of pride in local identity, thus help preserve the beauty of local customs and culture. Also, the museum contributes to conservational tourism by preserving the heritage of the old city center and giving visitors the opportunity to know and understand the city of Chiang Mai.

The permanent exhibits are divided into important periods and topics in Chiang Mai history and region from pre-historic up to present times in 15 different rooms and stages. The city's proud identity, are presented using models, slides, photographs with text, digital video presentations in several languages and graphic displays. These exhibits will surely impress visitors and help them understand the origins and culture of the area and city.

Once you enter the museum there are arrows on the floor to direct you to the different stags of importance and time in Chiang Mai history.

1. The Video Room
A digital video presentation entitled "Chiang Mai Today" serves as an introduction to Chiang Mai from the past to the present.

2. Pre-Chiang Mai
The lives of early peoples in the region are shown through the remains of their habitat and tools they once used. Pictures and models show early cliff rock paintings in Lampang province some 3000 years old and pieces of archaeologist excavations by American Chester Norman at Tham Phi, "spirit cave", in Mae Hong Son Province dating back 12,000 - 7000 years ago. Archaeologists have also uncovered bronze and marble bracelets, iron artifacts as well as pottery and plates dating back 2,400 years.

3 and 4. Two River Civilizations and creating a New City
This exhibit illustrates how the principalities in the Kok and Ping river valleys were brought together by King Mangrai, the founder of Chiang Rai on the Kok River in 1263.
The story gets interesting on how King Mangri, using a planted spy, moved south to occupy and take Lumphun. He then consulted with two friendly local Kings over the founding of a New City.

The exhibit also portrays, with models and video presentation, the auspicious events that led to the site for this New City including the sighting of two white deer. Illustrations on how the city building plan followed a geometric pattern that was different from older cities. The New City, Chiang Mai, was strategically placed near the Ping River, surrounded by fertile plains and sheltered by mountains to the west. This placement allowed trade with the south via the Ping River and via the Kok River with other cities to the north including Chiang Saen and Yunnan in now present day China. The New City was officially established in 1296.

Models also show how ceremonies such as the coronation of King Mangrai and each corner of the old city wall, Thapae Gate, moat, city walls and the building of the many important city temples.

5. Environment, Culture and Relationships within the Region.
Using models and displays, this exhibit room shows how the blending of Theravada Buddhism with a rice growing economy and the geography of the region influenced the development of Lanna, "One Million Rice Fields", culture. Displays show clothing and implements of the period along with illustrations of the local language and literature. You will also learn how trade and location helped the city develop through trade and communication along overland and river routes.

Models will show the building of infrastructure projects such as the construction of unpaved roads, dams, water channels, irrigation canals and how water wheels were used. How skilled craftsmen and architects developed distinctive northern Lanna styles, making good use of natural resources such as resinous oils and wood for crafts like lacquer ware and stucco decorations. Lanna was also famous for making bronze Buddha Images and forging their own currency which are on display.

6. The Past Century of Chiang Mai and Lanna.
Transportation and communication were the themes for Chiang Mai around the turn of the 20th century as was most parts of the world. The construction of the railway from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in 1919 and the Khun Tan tunnel impacted the shape of the city. For the first time passengers and trade goods could travel to Bangkok and further afield safely, easily and quickly. Models, videos and replicas such as the steam train emerging from Khun Tan Tunnel, elephants and methods used in forestry along with how western business and Chinese merchants influenced the culture and growth. There is also a video on how Chiang Mai was incorporated into the Kingdom of Siam, a process that was largely a response to Western colonial expansion in the region. Wall displays explain the administrative changes that took place as Chiang Mai was integrated with central Thailand.

7. Impressions - The Best of Chiang Mai.
This room contains changing exhibits of photographs and artifacts from Chiang Mai. It illustrates the valuable and proud identity that the people of Chiang Mai have preserved from the past to the present.

8. The Chiang Mai Arts and Culture Building.
This room explains the history and importance of the location of the building together with the events that have taken place there since it was built in 1924.

9. Rulers of Chiang Mai
The customs associated with the Chiang Mai Kings, prince and rulers, "Chao", since King Mangrai to the last independent ruler through pictures and artifacts along with important events that took place during their reigns.
10. Life on the Banks of the Ping River.
In this room maps, pictures and models illustrate local architectural styles and show how traders from many different ethnic groups settled the communities along the banks of the Ping River. The land was rich, rivers full of fish and life was good. Detailed models show the typical Lanna home, also farming, and irrigation techniques, Lanna style boats and outlays of the traditional village.

11. Life in the old city
Here life size models are constructed of important markets including the one that used to exist in front of Wat Prasing temple. This depicts the character of trade and the way people made their living inside the city walls. To walk the streets was to enter a bustling communal world. In those days before electricity everyone form weavers to food sellers, repairmen and carpenters conducted their business outside as much as in. After the sun's heat faded near dusk gas lamps were lit and the smell of spice filled cooking filled the air. In the evenings music and dance were an important aspect of local culture. Young men courted women with songs called "Foi" accompanied with instruments such as the "Salo", a type of fiddle, the "Sueng", a type of guitar, or the Pia, a type of violin. Also in the evenings young boys would put rhinoceros beetles together to fight. All this is displayed with life sized models.

12. Buddhism In Lanna Culture
Buddhism began to flourish in Lanna during the 14th century when monks traveled to Sri Lanka to study the religion and its origin. Lanna Kings gave strong support to religious education and temples flourished. Buddhism remained strong in the 200 years when Lanna was under Burmese rule who introduced artistic and stylistic elements in temples and Buddha statues that can be seen today. In this room you will see the different Buddha statues and temples and how they have changes through the centuries by influences of the different cultures that lived in the region including Burmese, Shan and Chinese.

13. The Bai Sri Toon Pra Kwan and Phra Pokklao Room
"The Bai Sri Toon Pra Kwan" is a ritual ceremony is an original and ancient tradition of the Lanna People and explained in detail with a video presentation. The room is mostly dedicated to the memory of the official visit to Chiang Mai of King Prachadipok and Queen Rambnaibarni after the King's Coronation in 1925. The visit was highly symbolic as Bangkok and Lanna moved closer together to become the nation of Siam and later named Thailand.

14. Agricultural life.
This exhibit is dedicated to showing the way of life and the objects used by the farmers who live near the city both today and in the past. A video presentation shows aspects of life in the outlying communities in Chiang Mai province. There are many models, both life size and in miniature, showing a typical rural hillside farm scene. Photographs show various agricultural activities on various land altitudes and levels.

15. Life on the Hills
Pictures, and models in miniature and life size show the life style of the hill tribe people such as Karen, Yao, Homng lahu Akha and Lisu. Also on display are tools, clothing, bags, musical instruments and crafts made by the different groups. Each ethnic group have distinct yet related beliefs and have lived harmoniously in the hills surrounding Chiang Mai over the last 150 years. A Video presentation will teach you more about these fascinating people, their custom, traditions and way of life.

Summary
One of the first places you should visit while in Chiang Mai is the Chiang Mai City Arts and Culture Center and Museum. This will bring you much closer to understanding the local people their culture, customs, heritage and beliefs and make your stay in Chiang Mai a rich rewarding experience you will remember for a life time.

Address:
Located on Phra Pokklao Road behind the Three Kings Statue. Open 8:30 AM to 5 PM everyday except Monday. Admission is 90 Thai Baht.

Now when the rainy season is upon us, places with wet sandy beaches and cloudy rainy skies seem less appealing. However, the culture rich mountainous north is at its most attractive time of year.

There is a wonderful, scenic, and peaceful place where brief afternoon rain showers are definitely an advantage. This little known gem is the community of Ban Thaton in Mae Ai district and Chiangmai province.

Mae Kok river The spectacular scenery with the Mae Kok river snaking its way through the fertile Fang valley disappearing into tree covered mountains is a photographer's dream. The brief rain showers keep the air fresh and clean to offer unlimited visibility of this strikingly beautiful area. Big puffy white clouds decorating the mountain tops against a rich blue sky with numerous rainbows occur only during the rainy season. Colorful hilltribe people working in corn fields set on almost vertical slopes surrounded by many shades of green from the lush vegetation complete the picture.

You will be equally impressed by the hospitality and friendliness of the Thaton people. The area is a unique cultural mixture of Thai, Chinese, and hill tribe people who welcome western visitors but do not change traditions to please them.

Giant Buddha at Wat Thaton The first place to visit is Wat Thaton. The temple grounds consisting of over 400 rai of land is famous for it large Buddha statues over looking the town. The breath taking vistas from the upper temple grounds are unmatched anywhere in Thailand. The temple is a perfect place for meditation and study because of its quiet tree covered grounds and flower gardens. Contrary to popular belief, heavy rain showers only happen at night. Daytime showers occur only on the mountain tops. Between 5 and 7 p.m. the skies open up with torrent rain. These cool evening rains make it excellent for sleeping. The mornings are clean and clear with spectacular sun rise.

A popular mode of transportation in the area is bicycle. The paved country road which winds along the river and through mountain canyon is easy by bike. Its possible to enjoy a hot spring bath and visit Akha, Lahu, Yao, Lisu, Karen and Shan hill tribe villages in one day. Guest houses are located in a Karen and Lisu village for those wishing to stay with the hill tribe people of the area .

Local hilltribe village October through December is the best time of year for trekking. No need to worry about getting wet from brief mountain showers as your dry clothes are never far away at the guest house. Treks can last from a few hours to several days returning to the Lisu village or sleeping in a house built in the jungle or a different hilltribe village.

The cool season is also the time of year for bamboo rafting from Baan Thaton to Chiangrai. The rain adds excitement and adventure to the the beautiful Mae Kok river. The many rapids that seem a mere ripple during the dry season become white water thrills. The rafts are large, well built, and covered yet carefully designed to easily navigate the swift narrow rapids. Two experienced raft men guide you on this exciting journey packed with beautiful scenery, colorful hill tribe villages and friendly people.

Baan Thaton is regarded in most guide books only as a quick stopover before traveling to Chiangrai by long tail boat. Most visitors stay only a few hours waiting for the boat to depart at 12:30 p.m. to Chiangrai. The few that do stay in the area all comment that the Thaton area is the highlight of their Thailand journey. They are impressed with the friendliness of the people without the commercialism found in the heavily visited tourist area. Trekking seems the most popular attraction and the groups are small consisting of two to four persons. Some rules and restrictions apply to maintain village harmony, custom and tradition. The Thaton area has much to offer the visitor in the way of accommodations. They have inexpensive guest houses to lush garden resorts and everything in between.

In summary, Thaton is a wonderful place. A quiet place that believes in keeping its culture intact. It enjoys western visitors but does not change traditions to please them. Because of the few visitors who stay in the area the hill tribe people are shy but friendly so making friends is easy. Talk with them, smile with them and enjoy their hospitality and friendship. Here you can experience a way of life that is lost in present day Thailand.

Created by
All Thailand Experiences providing tours and soft adventures away from the normal tourist crowds.

This is an all exclusive package for those who like the outdoors, hiking and meeting friendly hill tribe people. We can adjust the trekking to any difficulty you like from very easy to hard. Length of time for hiking can be adjusted from just 30 minutes and up to 6 hours depending on the trail you choose. This makes this trek excellent for children, seniors as well as the very fit. Most of the trails are from 1500 to 2500 meters above sea level, which means the temperatures are much cooler than the normal trekking areas in Thailand.

Your guide during the hiking in the cloud forest and jungle is a local Karen Hill Tribe man who speaks excellent English. he can tell you about all the plants, animals, birds and wild flowers you will encounter during the trek. You will also tour his village and meet his family and friends.

Day 1:
We will meet you at the airport in Chiang Mai and take you to your selected accommodations. Or you can take the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, which is clean, safe, comfortable and fun. We can arrange both the air or train tickets for you.

Day 2:
If coming by overnight train you will arrive in Chiang Mai around 7 AM. We will take you to a buffet breakfast, which includes all you can eat Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Western food.
If you spent the evening in your selected accommodations in Chiang Mai, breakfast will be served to you there.

This morning we depart Chiang Mai in a private air conditioned vehicle with your guide and driver for the 90 minute ride to your private bungalow in the Park. The altitude here is around 1500 meters so the temperature is nice and cool in the evening.

Here you will meet your local guide and travel by vehicle up the mountain to the cloud forest above 2000 meters. You will then carry a lunch with you of sandwiches, fruit, snacks and water in your small day pack for a 3 hour hike through the forest and jungle. Your guide will point out all the wild plants, animals, birds and flowers to you. Some of the animals spotted on the trail are civet, sorow goat, asian black bear (very rare) and deer. This is also the home of the Green Tailed Sunbird, which is found no other place in the world and a common resident.We then return to the bungalows for a delicious Thai dinner and evening camp fire before retiring.

Day 3:
This morning we will have a Thai breakfast at a local clean restaurant in the park then a 2 hour hike to visit a waterfall. From here your guide will take you to tour his village and visit the coffee shop and see how they roast coffee and then the trout fish farm. We will then have lunch and visit the Hmong Hill Tribe Village and market where we will purchase fresh organic vegetables for dinner tonight. We then return to the bungalows to relax while your guides prepare a Thai dinner with several dishes and barbequed rainbow trout. You can join in if you like and learn how to prepare and cook Thai food.

Day 4:
This morning after breakfast you will have 2 option.

* Option 1: We can take a 5 hour hike in the jungle, lunch and shower before retuning to Chiang Mai.
* Option 2: We will drive to a very large waterfall excellent for swimming and wading. Here you will also enjoy a picnic lunch of barbeque chicken and papaya salad and fruit at the falls. We then return to Chiang Mai.

We return you to Chiang mai and selected accommodations. or we can transfer you to the train station for the evening train baclk to Bangkok or to the airport for your flight back to Bangkok.

Before we can quote you a price we will first need to know the options you would like, how many persons in your party, if you need air or train tickets Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Bangkok and type of accommodations in Chiang Mai if needed.

Most people visit Lampang by bus, private vehicle or on a group tour. What many do not know is you can go by train through beautiful mountain countryside, which makes getting there a totally different experience.Once you arrive there are several wonderful temples that should be visited that are not on the normal tour circuit. Also, Lampang is famous for it's ceramics industry so a visit to at least one of the factories should be included. Here is my story.


It was a wonderful, cool sunny morning as I headed to the train station in Chiang Mai Thailand. I arrived around 6:30 AM and purchased my ticket to Lampang for 23 Thai baht one way for the 2 and ½ hour ride. This train only had 3rd class seats but that was fine for the short trip. I planned to have breakfast in the dinning car once the train was in the mountain countryside and enjoy the view.


Leaving the city behind we rode through lush rice fields with farmers plowing their paddies pulled by their buffalos. The bright morning sun shimmering on the water filled paddies in contrast with the dark green mountains in the background and the stunning orange and gold temples with red roofs was a colorful sight.

I decided to make my way to the dinning car so I walked slowly from car to car swaying back and forth with the loud click clack as the wheels clambered on the tracks. I entered the dinning car to find the staff fast asleep on the table tops. I made my way to the rear of the car and talked to one of the cooks. She told me that they had worked most of the night on the evening run from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and didn't get to sleep until 4:30 this morning. She asked me what I wanted and I said just a simple omelet with vegetables over rice.

Twenty minutes later she made a place for me to sit at a table and brought my breakfast, which she didn't have to do. I ate among the snores of the tired staff thinking how hard they must work for so little income day after day night after night. When I finished I paid for my meal with a courteous thank you and a generous tip.


We were entering the mountains as the train slowed as the weight of cars resisted the incline against the pull of the engine. I left the dinning car and went to the back of the train where the door was open offering a fantastic view of the valley slipping away in the distance. The rest of the trip would be through dense forest, across streams over high trussed bridges with sheer drop offs and through tunnels.

We made a few stops on side spurs as we waited for the special express and rapid trains to pass on their way to Chiang Mai from Bangkok. As we waited vendors from the nearby villages walked the isles selling Thai sweets and fried rice dishes and fried chicken and barbeques pork.

Coming down the mountain we picked up speed as the tracks straightened out. On the outskirts of Lampang, again there were beautiful rice fields lined with tall palm trees, small temples and farmers working feverously in the paddies. One last bend in the track and we were in Lampang. I was greeted by my driver and formed a plan to visit 4 temples, a ceramics factory and the Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital.

In the heart of the city you will discover a different form of architecture. The buildings are old, constructed of brick, stone or wood, and columns from floor to roof are a distinctive feature. Balconies adorn the upper levels and large window and door shutters are a predominant characteristic. In many Thai cities, modern day constructions have replaced the buildings of the past, but in Lampang many forms of Lanna architecture can still be seen in old shops and homes that have been retained and preserved. The river is another place to view authentic and ancient constructions. At intervals, old stone bridges straddle the two banks and some of them have been painted in a most attractive blue and white. With one bank bordering the inner city and the other facing onto mainly residential and rural scenes, a trip on a boat down river is an interesting and worthwhile venture.

Lampang also has more than its fair share temples, but it is the diversity of the architecture that make these old places of worship so interesting. Many temples have strong Burmese overtones as a result of the 300-year occupation of both Chiangmai and Lampang, but there is also a strong Lanna influence as that of well as that of the early Haripoonshai period:


Wat Phra Chetuwan is a classic example of Lanna-Thai style, and wooden carvings along the top of the main wiharn are simplistic yet attractive. In a very good state of repair, this temple is worth a look and is only five minutes walk from the city hall on the regular horse-drawn carriage route.


Wat Chedi Zao Laang is one of Lampang's most famous temples as well as being one of the oldest. Dating from the Haripoonshai period (11th - 13th century) one of the many magnificent features of this temple is a large compound holding no less than 20 sparkling white Chedis. This temple is five kilometers out of the city.


Wat Phra Gaew Don Tao is a classic,old style Burmese temple. The wiharn,which is carved from wood, and a gleaming white chedi with a golden spire are at the center of this temple. A visit gives you a better feel as to just how pronounced the Burmese influence was on the Buddhism of the region.


Wat Phra Thart Lampang Luang once housed the famed Emerald Buddha, which rested there for 30 years. The Emerald Buddha has occupied many temples over its history including the Luang Phrabang Buddhist center in Laos and Wat Chedi Luang in Chiangmai. It is now in Bangkok at Wat Phra Gaew. Wat Sri Choom is another Burmese style temple and the center of attraction here are the many wood-carved lintels on the temple buildings. It is also one of the few temples in Thailand that retains the classic Burmese gilt work on the walls and ceiling of its main wiharn.


Lampang is also the center of Northern Thai Ceramics and many of Lampang's kilns are situated on the road leading out of the city to the north. This area, known as Tambon (subdistrict) Hangchat, is composed of traditional northern Thai houses, many built in small compounds housing a number of families, the early version of today's housing estates. Bordering the main road you will find over 20 ceramic kilns in a distance of 2 to 3 kilometers.

Unlike the Chiangmai ceramics industry, which concentrates on glazed products and the famous Celadon, Lampang covers the whole range of items including stoneware. Blue and White glazed ceramics are the type for which Lampang is famous. Some kilns specialize in simple clay pottery, red and brown colored bowls, vases, and other vessels that are seen so much in everyday use in Thailand, while others make elegant gold-washed blue and white overglaze items. Lampang's own five-color Bencharong ware is another distinctive and attractive product.


Apart from these specialized products, the majority of Lampang's kilns concentrate on painted earthenware items ranging from miniature ornaments, watermelons, chili peppers and lemons, through to flower vases and planters of every shape, size and design imaginable. Everything from dinner services to a vast array of individual coffee cups and mugs are available and every piece is not just hand painted but has also been hand crafted and shaped, even the miniature items. A visit to Lampang must include a visit to some of the kilns, which are an attraction to both commercial buyers and the ordinary person interested in fine ceramics and glazed stoneware.

This is an excellent 2 or 3 day trip away from the normal tourist crowds in North Thailand. You will be experiencing Thai and Hill Tribe culture in one of the most beautiful areas in Thailand. You will also enjoy elephant riding in the rain forest and white water raft in the Grand Canyon of Thailand at Ob Luang Gorge National Park.

Day 1
This morning we will greet you at your hotel and take you to Mae Wang for a 1 hour elephant ride. We then go to Doi Inthanon National Park for lunch at the birding center. We than take a trail for 3 hours to a beautiful waterfalls and visit a Karen hill tribe village and coffee shop. We then travel to Mae Chem and visit the local market and then to your bungalow. Across the road from the bungalows is an hill tribe childrens orphanage home, which you can visit with us if you like. Overnight in your bungalow with fan or air conditioning. The facilities at the bungalows include a very large swimming pool, childrens pool and restaurant serving local Northern Thai and western dishes (L)

Day 2
This morning we travel to Ob Luang National Park and walk the 1.2 kilometer trail to see 3000 year old rock paintings. We then board rubber rafts for the 1 hour white water raft trip through the mountain canyons. We will then have lunch and return to Chiang Mai(B,L,)

OPTIONAL Extra Evening and Day
After lunch at Ob Luang we travel to Doi Tao Lake. Here we will board our very comfortable raft with toilet. The raft will be pulled by a small long tail boat around the lake. Overnight will be on the raft with an excellent vew of the stars at night. Fishing equipment will be available for those wishing to fish. Dinner and breakfast will be prepared on the raft and we can cook the fish you caught. We will supply comfortable tents, matress, pillows, sheets and blankets on the raft. A generator and electricity is available or just candles, up to you.

Day 3
Return to Chiang Mai with lunch along the way. (B,L).

When it gets too hot to stay in Chiang Mai city, no worries, just go to Doi Inthanon National Park a short 90 kilometers away. Bring a jacket, believe it or not, you will need it.

Soon after entering the park gate, the road climbs steeply through a cutting before leveling out, passing the Doi Inthanon National Park Information Center, overlooking the Mae Klang river on the left. The road passes through open dry forest and after crossing over to the left bank, follows the course of the river, overlooking it. In the dry season, the leaves of the trees become yellow and red, before being shed.

As the road climbs gradually, an evergreen gallery forest begins develop along the banks of the river, supporting many tall and stately trees. Soaring birds of prey can sometimes be seen over the steep ridge on the north side of the road. The more level areas in the vicinity of the river are now cultivated and support small areas of orchard or vegetable gardens.

Above the waterfall, the road once again crosses over the Mae Klang River and continues to ascend the mountain, following the north bank. The surroundings change very abruptly in character, and pines predominate in many areas.

The next area supports Hmong and Karen villages, there are many government offices and residential buildings, including the headquarters of the National Park and various highway and construction works. Here is where the campsites are but you first must check in at the Park Headquarters. There are also cabins for rent however most are rented well in advance.

Here we are above 1500 meters and the temperature is like a beautiful spring day. Time to find a camping spot. Its lunchtime, so we travel up the road about 100 meters from the Park Headquarters to the Doi Inthanon Birding Center. There are several restaurants near the park headquarters but the food is not very good. Mr. Dang and his wife at the birding center are excellent cooks and fun to be around. Here is where all the bird watchers gather to talk about sightings. We will talk about bird watching later.

From here the road winds uphill sharply and past a park checkpoint. Just a little further is a mountain ridge with excellent vistas on both sides of the road. If the weather is clear, at one spot you can see the city of Chiangmai on your right. Just a little further on your left is the twin Chedi dedicated to the King and Queen. These beautiful Thai structures are a must visit. You will need to walk up several flights of steps to reach them but well worth it.

Next stop is the summit. Here we get out of our vehicle and walk up the steps to the shrine dedicated to the Lanna Thai King who first designated this area as a national park. Walk behind the shrine to a concrete pillar and stand on it. You are now on the highest point in Thailand.

Your first stop should be the Visitor's Center a kilometer or so past the park entrance on the left side. There they have more information and many exhibits and a slide show about the park in English. You need to know the park rules that levy stiff fines if broken (such as for picking flowers); these rules are written on the back of all the maps and brochures. After getting all the information we needed we headed straight to the Park Headquarters at Kilometer marker 31. As we approached the booth for accommodations reservations both we noticed a thermometer and found it was a perfect 26 degrees C. We decided to spend our first night in a tent and second night in a bungalow. We made our reservations for the bungalow. Since we were going to ride around the park the park ranger kept our bags for us and we proceeded to the campgrounds to pitch our tent. Tents can be rented for 60 baht and blankets at 15 baht each.

After putting up the tent we were getting hungry and headed back to see our friend Mr.Dang at the Doi Inthanon Birding Center. Mr. Dang's restaurant is open from 7 am to 8 pm serving delicious Thai food at great prices. While having lunch we were told that a 7- man soccer match was being played this afternoon on the soccer field next to the restaurant on the Park Headquarters grounds. The match was between a Karen hill tribe village and a Hmong hill tribe village located in the park so we stayed and watched the action under the shade trees drinking ice-cold beer. We made plans to do some hiking on the Gew Mae Pan Trail near the Doi Inthanon summit (above 2000 meters tomorrow) so today was for relaxing, which I myself am very good at doing.

Just before dark we ate our dinner, again at Mr. Dang's, got our things from the park ranger and went to our campgrounds. In May there aren't many people in the park so a secluded place to put our tent was easy to find. We built a nice campfire and I spent the evening reading while my wife did her crochet. The only sound was that of the crickets and with the smell of pine and clean fresh air drifting off to sleep was a total pleasure I haven't experienced in many months while living in the crowded city. The next morning we awoke early and packed up the tent and returned to the park ranger and again he kept our bags for us. I checked the thermometer and it was a cool 18 degrees C.

We had our breakfast at the birding center headed toward the summit passing fruit and flower stands owned by Hmong Hilltribe people. Here we stopped to have a look and across the street were green houses filled with beautiful flowers. The growing of flowers is a Royal Project so the hill tribe people can live in harmony with the park's conservation plans instead of doing their traditional slash and burn farming.

The 2.5-kilometer Gew Mae Pan Trail begins about half a kilometer past the twin Chedis at kilometer marker 42. We decided to leave our vehicle at the Chedi and walk the horseshoe shaped trail to the end and return the same way. This turned out to be a good idea as the mountains were covered with mist and clouds and the view although beautiful was limited on our way out. On the way back the clouds had lifted and the view was spectacular.

The trail begins through dense forest with lush ferns and moss covering the tree trunks. Wild orchids and colorful birds are plentiful. It's uphill most of the way, crossing streams and climbing over and ducking under logs. The temperature is perfect for hiking and the sounds of the many birds and creeks are very enjoyable. After about an hour you come upon a clearing looking toward the west. When we arrived clouds were rushing up from the valley floor to meet us.

The next portion of the trail is through dense forest again crossing several streams. The park has provided small bridges to make crossing the streams easy. The last part of the trail is through a lovely evergreen forest with pine trees much different and larger than those found at our campsite.

We returned the way we came following the trail to the clearing and this time the clouds had lifted leaving a spectacular view of the valley floor and surrounding mountains. Two hawks were circling above, diving to the valley floor then lifting again on the air currents along the cliff edge, their screeching echoing through the canyon below.

We spent a total of six hours on the trail and saw only two other people. They were Thai photographers doing a story for a nature magazine. We could have stayed longer but hunger was setting in so we returned to the restaurant at the Birding Center.

This evening was spent in our comfortable bungalow. We made reservations the day before. The bungalow has electricity and is equipped with a king size bed in the bedroom and a single bed with table and chairs in the living room. It has a big but simple bathroom with shower and Thai style toilet. Simple accommodations for only 300 baht per night and the bed was very comfortable and the night quiet.

The next day we spent visiting the many waterfalls in the park. The first one was very close to our bungalow and actually two waterfalls named after the King and Queen and called Siriphum waterfalls. The next two waterfalls were also close together and the road getting there was a little difficult but worth the effort. We went just past the second check point at kilometer marker 38 and turned left toward Mae Chaem and traveled about 8 kilometers. Here there is a sign where you turn right and travel the dirt road for 2 kilometers to the ranger station. From there it's a 500-meter walk to Mae Pan waterfall and 200 meters to Huai Luaeng waterfall.

Our last stop was on the way out of the park at Mae Ya waterfall. To get there you need to go back to Cham Tong and just before you get to highway 108 you will see the sign Mae Ya waterfall. Follow the signs for about 14 kilometers from here. There will be a checkpoint where they collect a 200 baht fee to enter. Just tell them you have been staying in the park and show them the receipt and they will let you in for free. This waterfall is great for photographs and over 250 meters tall. Try to go on a weekday, as the weekends are very crowded with Thais picnicking and swimming.

We had a great time although we didn't see everything such as Brichinda cave. We would also like to spend some time bird watching.

You can do this tour by contacting All Thailand Experiences

Here is a real exciting 4 day soft adventure which includes a 4 wheel ATV experience, elephant and ox cart riding, overnight in a Lisu Hill Tribe Village, real white water rafting and an exciting day of flying through trees on a Zip line hundreds of feet above the forest floor.

Day 1
Today we will depart Chiang Mai at 9 am by private vehicle with guide and visit the Hill Tribe Museum then on to a quiet elephant camp for an Ox cart for a 20 minute ride. We will have lunch then a 1 and 1/2 hour elephant ride through streams and over mountains near a Lisu hill tribe village. We then walk about 100 yards to the village. Everything will be brought to the bungalow where you will spend the evening with your guide and host villagers. You will take a 1 hour hike around the jungle near the village a see how they harvest fruit and vegetables from the jungle for you to try. Tonight (weather permitting) the villagers will play traditional music and you can dance with them around the camp fire. There is no electricity in the village but clean toilet and shower (cold water is available. Overnight and dinner at your bungalow in the village(L,D).

Day 2
This morning we return to the elephant camp by walking 100 yards then by vehicle. Here we will have breakfast take you to our starting point for the ATV adventure. Here you will be given a safety briefing, and instructions how to safely drive an ATV. You will then drive our training course so you know what to expect on the trail. You will then depart driving your own ATV following our experienced guide , you will travel a mountain trail to the summit of Mount Khom Rong where the elevation of 1459 m. which usually provides cool and crisp mountain air and excellent scenery. You will pass through hill tribe villages along the way. We then travel to the small village of Mae Ao in the National Forest where you will have a village home stay and ready for the next day flying through the trees. (B,L,D).

Day 3
Here in the National Park, cables have been strung between tall trees up to 80 meters in length and 100 meters above the forest floor. If you are afraid of heights this is not for you. You are put into a harness, given a helmet and a safety briefing. We are then driven in a van about 5 minutes to the starting point. Here another safety briefing is given along with what to do. The two guides will do everything for you. They will hook the pulley and safety cable up to the suspended cable. They show you where to hold on and off you go. The first one was kind of scary but after that the next 13 runs were lots of fun. At one point we had to repel from a higher stand to one a little lower in the same tree then cross a swing bridge to another tree. At the end we repel down to the ground. we then have lunch walk through the forest to a waterfalls then return to to the village home stay.

Day 4
This morning after breakfast drive through unspoiled villages in the Mae Teang area. Lunch will be served, then prepare yourselves to go on the rafting. At our camp you'll be outfitted with helmets and life jackets. After our staff brief you about the instruction on paddling and river safety. We will then experience a unique and unforgettable journey through winding gorges, luscious jungles, and magnificent terraced rice fields. Paddle through breathtaking canyons for unparalleled fun on the river. At the finish point, enjoy a shower and coffee break before returning to Chiang Mai. (B,L)

Most of our clients come to Chiang Mai first then travel with us to spend one night in Sukhothai visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Park and continue on to the starting point of the safari. To save time, you can also fly to Sukhothai or take the overnight train to Pitsanulok from Bangkok where we will greet you and take you to the starting point.

Because of the remoteness of the Wildlife Sanctuary everything we need will be transported by elephant. Daily supplies such as fresh food will be delivered by 4 wheel drive vehicle to a pick up point where elephants will then deliver them to us. Only 150 persons per day are allowed in the Sanctuary to avoid over crowding and damage to the fragile environment. Some waterfalls we will see have been discovered in 1989 and Thee Lor Su waterfalls is the largest in Southeast Asia and the 6th largest in the World. There are links to many more pictures of Sukhothai and the Safari at the end of the itinerary below.

DAY ONE

We will greet you at the airport or train station in Chiangmai and transfer you to your selected Hotel or Guest House. Tonight at 7pm your will enjoy a Khantoke Dinner with Thai and Hill Tribe music and dance. Overnight in selected Hotel or Guest House in Chiangmai.

DAY TWO

This morning we depart at 9 AM for the Ancient City of Sukhothai with it's beautiful temple ruins dating back hundreds of years. We will first stop at the Asian Elephant Conservation Center and Hospital in Lampang then have a delicious all you can eat lunch of traditional thai food consisting of many wonderful dishes and local fruit in a garden restaurant. Tonight we will explore the Sukhothai night life and markets then enjoying a delicious dinner. This evening accommodations are in Sukhothai. (B,L,D)

DAY THREE

This morning we wake up early to pay respects to the Monks. We will stand out in front of the hotel and give food as alms to the Monks as they pass by. Then after another hearty American Breakfast we then leisurely walk among the ruins in the UNESCO World Heritage Park in Old Sukhothai.and depart for Umphang stopping for lunch in Mae Sot and then a Hmong hill tribe village. Over night will be at a resort in Umphang in nice cabins with a delicious all you can eat dinner along the river. You will also meet and talk with the local guides that will be joining us on this adventure. (B,L,D)

DAY FOUR

This morning enjoy an American Breakfast served on the banks of the Umphang River with it's beautiful morning mist and surrounding mountains. We then board the raft for a leisurely 3 hour journey through canyons with high limestone cliffs and many waterfalls. We will travel by 4 wheel drive to the forestry camp then walk (30 minutes) to Thee Lor Su Waterfalls, the largest in Thailand. Here we will have lunch then start our 3 hour (easy) leisurely walk through Bamboo forest and along a beautiful stream. Many colorful birds, butterflies and wildflowers are seen on this trail including Kingfishers and Flycatchers back to the Karen village and overnight. Dinner and evening will be in our own Karen style house so as not to disturb the people and fragile culture. Your bed will be again comfortable with mosquito nets and toilets and shower are available here. (B,L,D)

DAY FIVE

We will ride elephants over the mountain and through the rain forest to the river then board the rubber rafts across the river to another Karen village for overnight. You can ride the elephants for a while and walk a while. Walking is faster and our experienced local guides will walk with you and tell you about the different plants, flowers, birds and wildlife. This village is where we get fresh supplies and you will have an excellent all you can eat family style Thai dinner prepared for you including fresh fish caught in the very clean river. Your accommodations are traditional bamboo bungalows. Toilets and showers are available here.(B,L,D)

While enjoying the river it is very common to see elephant with their infants coming to the stream to drink as the village has many elephants. Hundreds of colorful butterflies are also there to drink from the moist sand on the bank. Children after school also come by to enjoy the cool water. You may also visit the village school if you wish.

DAY SIX

This morning we go for an exciting 4 hours of white water rafting. The elephants will go on ahead to take the camping equipment to where the raft journey ends. We will also pass many beautiful waterfalls along the way. Wild animals such as elephant, tiger, gibbons, lemurs, deer and bear have been spotted while rafting this section. We will ride elephants to our camp site over night tonight in comfortable tents and have a delicious dinner beside the river or in a cave. Where we stay for the evening depends on the river conditions or weather (riverside or cave). (B,L,D)

DAY SEVEN

There are no roads or villages in this area as it is in the UNESCO World Wildlife Sanctuary. For this reason, after breakfast, we will need to ride elephants and /or hike for 4 hours with lunch along the way to reach our camping spot along a clear stream with small waterfall excellent for wading and swimming. Overnight here. (B,L,D)

DAY EIGHT

This morning we walk and ride elephants for about 2 hours to our pick up point then return to Umphang to shower and lunch then on to Mae Sot for the evening at Mae Sot. Tonight will be at a very famous Thai restaurant in an incredible garden setting with black swans on a beautiful pond, waterfalls and exotic plants. (B,L,D)

Day Nine
Today we return to Chiangmai visiting a hill tribe market and lunch along the way. Arrive in Chiangmai in time for your late 17:15 flight, TG115 to Bangkok. (B,L)

-- End of Tour --

This tour offers the best in culture and nature Thailand has to offer combined with a wonderful soft adventure. Only 6 persons will be on each adventure so you enjoy the best experienced possible and not damage the fragile environment.

Day 1,
Tonight at 9 Pm you guide will meet you at your hotel in Bangkok or Chiang Mai and transfer to the bus station for the air conditioned VIP overnight bus to Mae Sot. Your guide will travel with you

Day 2,
This morning you will be met at the bus station, breakfast then transfer by vehicle to Umphang passing a refugee camp of around 40,000 Hill Tribe refugees from Burma. You will have lunch and settle into your bungalows. Your local guide will brief you on the terrain and obstacles you will be facing during your trek. This will also include safety briefing, do’s and don’ts and a white water rafting lesson. Overnight here (B,L,D)

Day 3,
This morning enjoy breakfast served on the banks of the Umphang River with it's beautiful morning mist and surrounding mountains. We then board the raft for a leisurely 3 hour journey through canyons with high limestone cliffs and many waterfalls. You should see many families of monkeys climbing the cliffs n the mountain canyons. We will stop and have lunch then raft again to a Karen hill tribe village for the evening. You will have an excellent all you can eat family style Thai dinner prepared for you including fresh fish caught in the very clean river. Your accommodations are traditional bamboo bungalows. Toilets and showers are available here.(B,L,D)

Day 4,
This morning after breakfast we go for an exciting 2 and ½ hours of white water rafting to our camp site along the river bank. After lunch we raft and hike to another waterfall and return to the camp for dinner and the evening. (B,L,D).

Day 5,
Today we must use elephants to carry supplies and porter us across streams and marshes. This area is so remote it takes almost 2 days to get to the nearest road. There are no trails so your guides will cut their way through the jungle in some areas. To cross over a mountain range you can ride the elephants if you wish as the trail is almost straight up and down. The elephant need to use their elbows and knees in some places to get up the mountain. Lunch will be on the trail. Tonight will be camping again along a stream where everyone can clean up and swim. Dinner will be cooked for you here. You guides will have picked many vegetables and herbs from the jungle and other interesting food such as insects, fish and reptiles for you to try. (B,L,D)

Day 6,
This morning we join the guides in washing the elephants in the stream and breakfast before hiking for about 2 hours to our pick up point then return to Umphang to shower and lunch then on to Mae Sot for the evening bus back to Bangkok or Chiang Mai. (B,L,D))

End Tour,

Doi Inthanon National Park near Chiang Mai Thailand is by far the best birding area in the Kingdom. Our local guide lives in the Park, speaks English very well and knows the locations of various birds. This saves you valuable time thus seeing more species per day. There will also be time to enjoy the hill tribe villages and hiking on beautiful trails. Here is a list of the birds that I spotted at Doi Inthanon between Nov. 2005 and Jan. 2008. It will give you a good idea of what you can see on a 2 day trip to the park. See a Video and pictures taken at the park of the Silver-eared Mesia, Small Niltava, Verditer Flycatcher, Black-backed Sibia and the Green Tailaed Sunbird.

We provide transportation to, from and in the Park from Chiang Mai Thailand. A guide from Chiang Mai and driver will also go along with you. We suggest a minimum of two days one night in the park however 3 days 2 nights is recommended to cover the entire park. Because of the different altitudes from 100 to over 2000 meters, a wide variety of species can be seen. Accommodations are in a clean Bamboo Bungalow with private toilet and shower. Meals will also be provided to meet your taste. You will be given the colorful Birds of Thailand field guidebook along with a Doi Inthanon Birds Checklist.



* Includes: Airport or train station transfers in Chiang Mai, hotel in Chiang Mai before and after the birding trip if needed.
* Transportation by private air conditioned vehicle throughout the birdwatching trip.
* 1day or several nights in the park in comfortable bamboo bungalow with private bath.
* English speaking experienced local birding guide who knows all the birds by sight and sound and knows where that special bird you want to see resides in the park
* All meals, breakfast, lunches, and dinners
* All entrance fees and taxes.
* This is a private bird watching tour.