DAY 1

We start northwards, the first stage of our trip being BANG PA IN, where the summer palace of the King of AYUTTHAYA is situated, about 70 kms from the capital. There, we'll discover various architectures (european, khmer, chinese and thaïe), then we'll set out again by pirogue on the river Chao Praya, entering the kingdom of AYUTTHAYA, the capital of Siam for centuries. We'll visit the ruins of the temples destroyed by the Burmese people after the 1767 war, and also the 17 metre tall Buddha, dating back from the 15th century. After lunch, we visit LOPBURI, with its free-ranging monkeys and its 11th century temple.
In the afternoon, we'll resume our journey towards PHITSANULOK, where we'll spend the evening and the night at the Topland Hotel (or a similar one).

DAY 2

After breakfast, we'll enjoy visiting the famous MAHATHAT temple of PHITSANULOK with its gilt bronze Buddha. Then, we set off to SUKHOTHAI. We shall ride bicycles across the first capital of Siam passing through the city park and its four royal temples until time to have lunch.
We start again northwards. On our way to NAN, we'll stop for a little while at the Phra That Suton Mongkon temple, built "heartily and skillfully" near the town of PRAE. We shall also enjoy the Jorn Sawan temple, in the town center, famous for its Buddha made of bamboo and its burmese architecture. Then we'll reach NAN, the capital of one of the remotest provinces of the Kingdom of Siam. It is an unforgettable area, owing to its natural beauty and the great kindness of its inhabitants.
We settle at the DHEVRAJ HOTEL. Dinner will be had in a popular restaurant of that charming provincial capital.

DAY 3

Breakfast, followed by a jaunt on a "bicycle rickshaw" to discover the most beautiful temples in the town. First, we shall visit the Phumin temple, the symbol of that lovely city, then Phrat That Chang Khan, which shelters a huge sitting Buddha. At last, we shall have a very cultural stop at the National Museum of Nan. Your guide will introduce you to several centuries of local history ( archeology, architecture, royal emblems, weapons and pottery will illustrate his talk). We'll also observe the articles used daily by the different ethnic groups of the area through the ages. Before setting off, you'll be able to have a look at the local crafts : Thaï Lu style weaving, embroidery, baskets or mats made of bamboo.
We shall resume our journey along that Northward road which presents us with its spendid landscapes dotted with rich valleys where rice, vegetables, tobacco and fruit are grown.
On our way, we shall stop a little while at the Nong Bua temple, to admire its magnificent wall paintings. We'll lunch at Poi. Before reaching CHIANG RAÏ, we shall indulge a short stop in the small town of Chiang Khan. It does not attract many tourits, but is worth your stopping a little (coton weaving for instance, etc).
On arrivinf in Chiang Raï, we settle at the Legend Chiang Raï Hotel ( or a similar one if there are no vacancies), a superbly charming, quite new hotel on the banks of the river KOK.

DAY 4

A Difficult from June to September, as the track is often unfit for traffic. After breakfast, we set off on the track along the river Kok, through Karen and Lahu villages. We stop for lunch at the Pakwang forest station, and carry on along the mountain track. Visit of an Akkha village and stop in a Lahu village at the top of a mountain. Dinner and night in an Akkha village with very few visitors.

B We set off towards Wiangchai along a very pretty flowery road, through rice-fields and typical Thaï villages. We lunch at Thoeng and visit its market, then proceed on the mountain track which runs along the Lao border, the historical site of poppy growing. Visit of a yet unknown Hmong village, and meeting with its inhabitants. At the end of the afternoon coming out of the track we drive through very rustic Thaï villages watch numerous country scenes and encounter the river Mekong for the first time. We take the road to Chiangkong, have dinner and spend the night in a Guest-house by the river.

DAY 5

A We drive down towards the Mae Chan valley, and stop at a Chinese village. After a short walk, we reach an Akkha village, different from the previous ones. We carry on to the road, stop for some refreshments, and climb up the track as far as Doi Maesalong. On our way we visit another Akkha village. We lunch at Santikiree, a Chinese town, visit its picturesque market and enjoy the landscape over Burma. Then, we return to our usual vehicle and drive to Chiang Mai. Nous reprenons le véhicule habituel pour poursuivre de notre route jusqu'à ChiangMai (difficile de juin à septembre car piste souvent impraticable).

B We get up early in the morning to visit the mist-covered market, watch the sunrise over the river Mekong and the monks going from house to house. We go back to the hotel for breakfast, then visit the Lao border station. We drive 45 kms on the track along the river Mekong with many view-points. We visit the Wat Prathat Pra Ngao, a high up temple and very important buddhist centre. Lunch at Chiangsen and short cruise on the Mekong to watch life in Lao and the 3 borders. (Golden Triangle). We return to Chiang Raï by road and drive on to Chiang Mai.

In the traditional capital of the North, we have selected a charming hotel to spend two nights : the Tamarin village Hotel (or the like).
Dinner in town, on the river-side.

DAY 6

After breakfast, we visit the most sacred temple in the area, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep with its golden Chedi. The temple towers on a 1053 metres high hill. The legend tells that the white elephant trumpeted three times on arriving at that stop, which then became sacred. We'll be able to take part in the ceremonies at the monastery.
After having had lunch, we shall spend the afternoon discovering the craft villages in the suburbs of Chiang Maï (lacquer-ware, sun-shades, silver-ware, teck-wood articles, silk-weaving). "Kantoke" dinner with a traditional mountain dances show and return to the hotel.

DAY 7

Breakfast at the hotel and early departure towards PAI which we'll reach in the middle of the morning. We settle in our simple but roomy bungalow on a table-land over looking the splendid valley of the river Paï.
We shall quickly set off again, driving as far as the top of the river Pai to reach the place where the bamboo rafts are kept. After about one hour's descent, we shall be met by the car which will drive us back to the hotel. You will have a delicious lunch and enjoy the pleasure of relaxing at the panoramic restaurant. In the early afternoon, we shall take the road to the most important water-fall in the area, which provides the town and an orchard with water. On our way, we'll go through the villages of the Kuo Ming Tang and Lisu ethnic groups, to end up in a Lahu tribal village, situated on the hill.
There we'll have the opportunity of telling you about the origin and the traditions of those people. At the water-falls you'll have the time for a swim and relaxation.
After having reached the other side of the valley, we shall drive through little Shan villages then after a few more kilometres we discover the hot waters springs.
Next, we suggest an elephant ride, maybe a very funny experience in your life if you choose to play in the river with that mighty friend. If you had rather stay on the ground, you will experience a trip where those pachyderms will show you their ability to climb the hill with an amazing sense of balance.
On our way back to Pai, according to the time left, we might visit the training centre of the Karen community, and stop at the Pai canyon, to admire the sunset over the down valley. Then, back to the hotel, where we advise you to relax, before dinner, with a traditional thai massage.

DAY 8

After a good night and a hearty breakfast, we take the mountain road again towards Mae Hong Son. Our first stage will take us to the large Than Lot chalk cave. It is one of the two largest underground galleries known in South East Asia. First, we shall walk a few metres inside it, then we'll slip on the underground river, on a bamboo raft. Thanks to a torch light, we shall admire the thousands of stalactites and stalagmites which beautify those famous caves.
We shall proceed as far as the little Mac Lana village, locked up at the bottom of a deep valley. The mountain landscapes are magnificent. Last, before entering Mae Hong Son, we'll stop a little while in the National Park of Thampla, or Fish Cave. The water-filled cave harbours carps which can be one metre long. Near at hand, a Hondu statue protects the sacred fish. We shall soon reach our hotel, The Golden Pai, for a short relaxing time before an evening tour to discover the small Mae Hong Son town.
Dinner in town, to taste the typical Burmese cooking which is served in this area bordering Burma.

DAY 9

We get up very early, to meet the monks who come and fetch their daily food from the daily town market. Breakfast, then we'll set off and head towards the last town of our tour : Mae Sot.
Half-way we'll stop at the KAEWKOMON caves, near the Mae La Noi village. You will be surprised by four rooms of those misappreciated caves.
Then we shall go through numerous villages inhabited by people of different ethnic origins. 45 minutes off MAESARIAN, we shall stroll for a few minutes through a red Karen village called BAHN MAE WA LUANG and watch typical housing and daily life.
After the winding mountain road, we'll reach a wider way along the border river on the banks of which you'll be able to catch a glimpse of some huge shanty towns on the hill sides, where thousands of Burmese are living as refugees. Quite dismaying !
At night fall, we'll end up our day with the last visit : the DON KAEN temple with its Burmese marble Buddha. A little later, we'll arrive at MAE SOT. We'll settle at the Central hotel to spend the night. We'll have dinner in town.

DAY 10

After breakfast, we'll walk around the streets of Mae Sot, where you'll pass crowds of people of different ethnic origins (Burmese men wearing sarongs, bearded Hindu-Burmese, Karen or Mong women wearing their traditional costumes).
You'll be able to get some bargains, unless you'd rather wait until we go to Burma to discover its teck industry, trade and local life.
We shall take the road again to arrive in Bangkok in the evening. On our way we'll indulge us last stop at the mountain tribe market with numerous stalls, tropical fruits, spices and asian dishes with their various flavours.
Lunch is planned during the journey.