Thailand
Cool air, a mountain road, and elephants that are not there to perform.
Three nights in Chiang Mai and one in Chiang Rai — a full day at an ethical elephant sanctuary, Doi Suthep on the mountain above the city, the old walled centre, and then the road north for the white temple and the hill country. The north reads nothing like the islands: three hundred metres up, cool after dark, forested ridges instead of limestone, and a kingdom that predates Bangkok by five centuries.
Day by day
Arrive, transfer, check in. Nothing scheduled — the old town inside the moat is small enough to walk in an evening.
Chiang Mai
A full day at an ethical sanctuary: preparing food, feeding, and walking out into the forest with the herd and their keepers, with lunch there. There is no riding and no bathing show. What the elephants choose to do that day is up to them, which is the point of the place.
Up the mountain road to Doi Suthep in the morning, the terrace and the view back over the valley, then down into the walled centre — Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, the moat and the old gates.
About three hours north through the hills, with the white temple, Wat Rong Khun, on the way in. The afternoon is in the hill country around Chiang Rai, and you sleep there rather than driving back.
Transfer to Chiang Rai airport. The trip arrives at one northern airport and leaves from the other.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive, transfer, check in. Nothing scheduled — the old town inside the moat is small enough to walk in an evening.
Day 2: Sightseeing
A full day at an ethical sanctuary: preparing food, feeding, and walking out into the forest with the herd and their keepers, with lunch there. There is no riding and no bathing show. What the elephants choose to do that day is up to them, which is the point of the place.
Day 3: Sightseeing
Up the mountain road to Doi Suthep in the morning, the terrace and the view back over the valley, then down into the walled centre — Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, the moat and the old gates.
Doi Suthep · Wat Phra Singh · Wat Chedi Luang
Day 4: Transfer
About three hours north through the hills, with the white temple, Wat Rong Khun, on the way in. The afternoon is in the hill country around Chiang Rai, and you sleep there rather than driving back.
Wat Rong Khun (the white temple)
Day 5: Departure
Transfer to Chiang Rai airport. The trip arrives at one northern airport and leaves from the other.
Visa for Indian travellers: fee, stay and documents in our Thailand visa guide
Tell us when and who is travelling, and we price this exact route for your dates. A specialist replies within 4 working hours.
Make it yours
This is a starting point, not a fixed product. Different dates, a better room, an extra island, one grandparent who can't manage stairs — say so and we rebuild it around you.
All 7 at your island sanctuary · All meals
For the person who cannot switch off, which is a different problem from being tired.
All 7 at your wellness resort · All meals · Airport transfers
A timetable, an expert behind each session, and a measurable week.
All 5 at your wellness centre · All meals · Airport transfers
For the person who wants the numbers first.