06 DAYS, NORTHERN THAILAND WITH ELEPHANT CAMP

Itinerary

Itinerary in detail:

DAY 01: BANGKOK/CHIANG MAI  (D)

Upon arrival, meet and transfer to The Chedi Hotel. 
Enjoy some relaxing time at the hotel after an early morning start. This afternoon, we begin our tour of Chiang Mai with a visit to the Hilltribe museum. This provides a good introduction to the various hilltribe people in Northern Thailand. As the day wanes, we would spend time at Doi Suthep, the city most sacred temple situated on a hill overlooking the valley.
This evening, you will be treated to a traditional Khantok dinner with cultural performance and do not miss out the night bazaar tonight! 
THE CHEDI CHIANG MAI
Strategically located on the banks of the renowned Mae Ping River in central Chiang Mai, The Chedi Chiang Mai features 52 exquisitely appointed Deluxe Rooms and 32 Chedi Club Suites. Contemporary-Asian in design, with stylish furnishings and muted tones, the allure of the resorts accommodation is elegantly understated. (www.ghmhotels.com)

DAY 02: CHIANG MAI (B)

A morning of adventure awaits your family. Get off the beaten track and pump your adrenalin while you enjoy the scenic hills, valleys and waterfalls on rugged ATV quad bike. The route begins with easy track for warm-up before you start to attempt the exciting and upper difficult track which go through the hill tribe village. You can observe the lifestyle of Hmong tribal village and enjoy the excitement of off-road riding. 
Besides the lovely scenery and minority hilltribes, Chiang Mai is also well known for its handicrafts. This afternoon, visit the famous handicraft village and factories where you will see the local silk and cotton weaving industry and observe how deft fingers transform bamboo, paper, silk and paint into beautiful umbrellas and learn more about the skills in woodcarving and how to make lacquered boxes and silverware.

DAY 03: CHIANG MAI / GOLDEN TRIANGLE (B)

After breakfast, drive to Chiang Dao, literally translated as ’the City of Stars’. En route, we shall make a stop at the local market at Mae Malai, which is frequented by several hilltribe minorities. In Chiang Dao, we spend time exploring the caves before continuing our drive for about 3 hours to Chiangrai. Enjoy a short city tour and drive about another 45 minutes to Anantara Resort & Spa, located right at the Golden Triangle area, bordering neighboring countries of Laos and Myanmar. 

ANANTARA RESORT & SPA
Set on top of a hill ridge above the confluence of the Mae Khong and Ruak Rivers in the heart of the Golden Triangle with commanding views over the surrounding countryside and the resort’s 160 acres of landscaped tropical gardens and lush bamboo forest. (www.anantara.com)

DAY 04: GOLDEN TRIANGLE (B,L)

Enjoy one of the country’s most rural areas by boat. Board a typical long-tail boat for a one-hour boat ride to small but interesting villages and hamlets along the Kok River. Arrive at the Baan Ruammit, a fair-sized Karen village. The Karen is the largest hill-tribe group in Thailand. Continue by boat to Tha Ton and transfer to Mae Sai, a border town with Myanmar. It has a distinct outpost atmosphere and a vibrant bazaar.

DAY 05: GOLDEN TRIANGLE - MAHOUT TRAINING (B)

Today’s activity would be one that your family would treasure as you embark on a full day mahout training course. Wake up at wee hours and follow your mahout into the forests to collect your elephant and help to feed your elephant before giving her a nice good bath to wash away the night’s mud. 
After, it’s time to learn the basics of climbing up and driving your elephants before riding back (the mahout will ride behind young children) to the hotel for your breakfast. During the day, visit the Opium Hall located next to the resort. Enjoy the refreshing pool while mum and dad indulge in a spa treatment! 
In the early afternoon, return to camp and practice what you learnt this morning. Take your elephant for a long walk through the forest before ending up in a bathing area and give her - and yourself - a cooling soak! Finally, you get to drive your elephant back to the forest before bidding her farewell!

DAY 06: GOLDEN TRIANGLE / DEPARTURE

Enjoy your last morning at the resort before transfer to the airport.