4 Days of Unearthing Chiang Mai

You're likely to arrive via domestic flight in the early morning (AirAsia offers tons of cheap flights from Bangkok that you can book just a couple of days in advance unless it's a holiday). I highly recommend staying in the Old Town so you have easy access by foot to many of the city's highlights.

If you need help finding the perfect hotel, send me an email and I can find you the best option for your budget.

Take some time to settle into your new space. If you're craving a coffee or snack, Old Town has a huge variety of coffee shops and boutique restaurants to fill that belly void.

Around midday, visit the scenic remains of Wat Chedi Luang. This is an ancient temple that once hosted the sacred Emerald Buddha (Now located at the Royal Grand Palace in Bangkok).

One more worth checking out is Wat Phra Singh, a 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold and copper Buddhas, murals and ancient manuscripts.

Head back to your hotel by 2:00 pm and change into some comfortable and loose clothing. Tonight, your eyes will be bigger than your stomach, but Grandma’s Cooking School is one of my favorite experiences in Chiang Mai and cannot be missed!

I recommend the half-day course evening session which runs from 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm and should be booked at least one day in advance. The price per person is 1,390 THB ($37.81).

After a long night of feasting on your DIY Pad Thai, Khao Soi, Mango Sticky Rice and more, go sleep off the uncomfortably full stomach as you prepare for your next full day immersed in the daily life of an elephant.

You have more options than you may know what to do with when it comes to Elephant Sanctuary tours in Chiang Mai.

Here are three of my favorite ethical options if you need to narrow down your decisions:

1. Elephant Nature Park: A leading elephant rescue and rehabilitation center. Feeding elephants only.

2. Chai Lai Orchid: A resort and sanctuary for rescued elephants from abusive practices (if you so choose to stay at this unique bamboo hut, be prepared to be awoken with a hungry trunk peeping through your bedroom window!). Includes feeding, washing and swimming with them in the river.

3. Elephant Rescue Park: Rescued from circuses, logging industries and unfortunate accidents. Includes feeding, bathing and walking with the elephants.

These parks offer half and full-day tours, or an overnight option if that's a necessity for you. Since they're all about one hour away with transportation included, I recommend deep diving into the full day tour to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience with these gentle giants.

Get after it early today with a visit to the highest peak in Thailand (2,565 meters above sea level!). This park is one of the most well-renowned in northern Thailand and home to a diversity of forest types for the opportunity to snap many unique shots throughout the day.

Many of the English-guided tours offered will take you to the King and Queen Pagodas, Wachirathan waterfall and Hmong hill tribe market.

There is also the optional Kiw Mae Pan trail (which takes about two hours to trek) if you're striving to close those rings!

You'll end your tour in the early evening, just as the Night Bazaar is coming to life. Grab some street food here and a Singha or three to reward yourself for a long day of hiking.

When I came to Chiang Mai with a group of girlfriends and we made it to day four, all we had on our minds was to relax and have a drink. So if you’re also ready to surrender to the beauty of Chiang Mai, I can’t recommend the Grand Canyon enough. A waterpark with inflatables that make you feel like you're on an episode of Wipeout and rum buckets to get the Sunday Funday started. This place is as much fun for adults as it is for kids, and you'll have a blast just doing whatever the heck you want until you're sore and utterly exhausted.

If a Wipeout Edition: Grand Canyon isn't your style, maybe the Sticky Waterfalls could be a fun and easy half-day activity.

Or for history buffs, Wat Buppharam is a historically famous temple and fan favorite to visit, along with the National Museum of Chiang Mai for some background on the city's past.

If you still need to get your shopping in, the Talat Warorot Market is the largest daytime market for food and clothing.

For art lovers, the Art in Paradise Museum offers 3D optical illusions to blow your mind.

And lastly, for those that need a good fight, Muay Thai fights run almost every night in different spots throughout the city and could be the perfect way to end this trip before your next Thailand destination.

Additional Days

If you choose to stay longer and need inspiration for day trips or other local excursions, send me an email and let's get in touch!

If you're planning on staying a bit longer in the north, but ready to explore outside of the Chiang Mai district, contact me for more details on a day trip to Chiang Rai (for its intricately designed temples), or for an overnight camping trip to Nan. Both were thrilling experiences for me, but may vary for you depending on your travel style!