Thailand Tour - Self Drive Package North

Self Drive Package: Circle of The North - 7 Days / 6 Nights

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Chiang Rai - Doi Tung - Mae Sai - Golden Triangle - Mae Salong - Pai - Tham Lod - Mae Hong Son - Nam Piang Din - Khun Yuam - Mae Chaem - Doi Inthanon - Chiang Mai

Our 7-day Self Drive Package Circle of the North Thailand tour offers you an unmatched opportunity to explore northern Thailand's remarkable blend of rolling mountains, lush landscapes and distinctive cultures. We provide car rental, hotel bookings, a detailed road map and a book of suggested excursions to ensure a hassle-free vacation. All you have to do is to pick up the car and begin your journey.

Your Thailand tour begins in Chiang Rai, the northernmost province in the country. Follow the scenic roads up to Doi Tung, a picturesque mountain known for its royal agricultural project and splendid panoramas. Head to Mae Sai, a bustling border town, and drive along the Mekong River to the infamous Golden Triangle confluence and ancient town of Chiang Saen. Near Chiang Rai town, we recommend a stop at Wat Rong Khun, an unconventional Buddhist temple adorned entirely in white. At Mae Salong, learn about its chequered history and sample tea or other locally-grown products at this frontier town founded by former Kuomintang soldiers.

A breathtaking drive via Thaton and Chiang Dao leads to Mae Hong Son, a mountainous province with significant Burmese cultural influences. A night's stay at Pai gives you a glimpse into a picturesque riverside town with a laidback vibe. Explore the plethora of limestone caves in this province, including the enormous caverns of Tham Lod and the fish-filled creeks of Tham Pla. A visit to the lakeside Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham affords insights into the distinctive Shan style architecture of Mae Hong Son. We recommend visits to long-necked Karen villages, as well as Mae U Khor for its large fields of blooming sunflowers during the winter months and Surin National Park for its impressive waterfalls.

The last province in your self-drive northern Thailand tour is Chiang Mai, also known as 'Rose of the North'. A must-visit is Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand famous for its diverse bird life and lush forests. Other attractions include the iconic Doi Suthep hillside temple, the handicraft villages specializing in Lanna crafts making, the Elephant Hospital in Lampang and Mae Sa Elephant Camp for its elephant demonstrations.

Driving at your own pace, a fascinating array of sights and activities await your discovery in this northern Thailand package tour. Although this self-drive journey entails negotiating many hairpin bends, you will be rewarded with some of the most dramatic vistas in the Kingdom.

To complete a perfect Thai holiday, spend a few days on the idyllic beaches in southern Thailand or explore the pulsating capital of Bangkok.

Self Drive Package: Circle of the North - Thailand Tour Map

Day 1 - Chiang Rai - Doi Tung - Mae Sai - Golden Triangle

Pick up your car at Chiang Rai Airport or your hotel and set off with a drive north toward the Golden Triangle area. Your drive is filled with scenic views and passes areas such as Doi Tung Palace, the Mae Sai Burmese border and the quaint town of Chiang Saen. Loop back to Chiang Rai for your overnight stay.

Overnight in Chiang Rai

Day 2 - Chiang Rai - Mae Salong - Pai (B)

Your self-drive adventure continues today with a drive to the charming, riverside town of Pai. En route you will pass tea and coffee plantations at Mae Salong, waterfalls and hot springs- all of which are great stops to make.

Overnight in Pai

Day 3 - Pai - Tham Lod - Mae Hong Son (B)

This morning, drive to the Tham Lod Caves and explore the enormous chambers on foot and by bamboo raft. Wind your way along spectacular country roads to Mae Hong Son, stopping to visit Burmese-style temples and enjoy scenic views from the roadside.

Overnight in Mae Hong Son

Day 4 - Mae Hong Sorn - Nam Piang Din - Khun Yuam - Mae Chaem (B)

Drive into the mountains toward Huai Dua boat landing for an exhilarating long-tailed boat ride to a small Thai-Burmese border village. As you continue by road to Mae Chaem, there are opportunities to see a long-necked Karen village, towering waterfalls, weaving workshops and, if the season is correct, endless fields of sunflowers in bloom.

Overnight in Mae Chaem

Day 5 - Mae Chaem - Doi Inthanon - Chiang Mai (B)

Start your day with a drive to Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak. We recommend visiting the summit and taking a short trek along Michael's Trail for scenic mountain views. Later this afternoon, continue driving to Chiang Mai with a recommended stop en-route at Wat Phrathad Chom Thong temple to see its holy relics and ancient treasures.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

Day 6 - Chiang Mai (B)

Today is free at your leisure to explore Chiang Mai and its surroundings. We recommend an excursion to the hilltop temple of Doi Suthep and a unique craft village. For animal lovers, a trip to Mae Sa Elephant camp or the Lampang Elephant Institute is a must

Overnight in Chiang Mai

Day 7 - Depart Chiang Mai (B)

This morning, after breakfast, transfer to the airport to return your car and catch your onward flight. If prior arrangements have been made, we can also arrange for you to leave your car at the hotel.

Tour Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Tour Operates: Year Round / On Demand
Tour Price: Available upon Request

Rates vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs.

Our Self Drive Package: Circle of The North Thailand tour prices include:

Accommodation in half-twin sharing room as per mentioned
Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast)
7 days Car Rental (Unlimited kilometres)
One way drop off charge

Our Self Drive Package: Circle of The North Thailand tour prices do not include:

Fuel used
Entrance fees for all sites
Other meals than mentioned.
Personal Accident Insurance
International and domestic flights
Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature
Baby seat (available upon requested, plus applicable surcharge)

Creating Unique Touring Experiences
All the touring itineraries on this website have been carefully crafted by our in-country management teams and represent a series of experiences we can certainly recommend. However, we understand that every travel experience should be as unique and individual as each traveler. Our consultants are waiting to hear from you so that we can tailor or custom design a Thailand tour to your individual specifications.

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TRAVELLER REVIEWS

I have to thank you again for brilliant service on our trip and helping us with the Bangkok problem. We will use ...>> Read more

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EXOTISSIMO BLOG

Traveler's Review

Nicole Niedik & Patrick Zuechner

Dear Mr. Granier,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

On the occasion of our journey in northern Laos from 5th to 15th of November we like to thank you and the overall Exotissimo team for the wonderful time. We find it helpful to go into detail concerning some involved team members and provided services to express our complete satisfaction.

Your company was recommended to us by Mr. Vanhphenh Sengnham who we know well from our last year's journey. Beginning with the very helpful websites we could easy find our preferred way of travelling based on a set of various useful hints and proposals.

Our first idea was checked and completed by Mr. Jean-Yves Paille. We like to express our special thank to Mr. Paille. He respected all of our wishes, gave a lot of helpful details and answered all of our questions in a comprehensive, and courteous and uncomplaining way. We enjoyed both his great flexibility and his obligatory service.

We used the transport service offered by Exotissimo from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong boarder station. We had a warm welcome in Thailand and a speedy but save ride and arrived just in time although our time schedule was ambitious. Mr. Sengnham collected us right at the ferry pier therefore also the immigration was unproblematic.

For the next days we had a comfortable and save ride every time. In Luang Namtha we spent a night in The Boatlanding which is a nice resort even. A special day for us was the biking trip in the surroundings of Luang Namhta on 7th of November. Our special thanks go here to the local guide from Green Discovery who made the day an unforgettable event introducing us local villages and surrounding highlights as well as cultural background and workaday life. The trip was well selected and scaled, the bikes in a good condition.

The very highlight of the whole journey was the 3 day trekking trip to the Akha villages round Muang Sing. We first have to thank the Exotissimo Muang Sing Office for the warm welcome and the safekeeping of our remaining luggage. Our special thanks go here to all involved people who offered a various range of services to us (planning/organising of the trip, preparation of accommodation and meals, massage etc.) especially to the local Akha guide. He shows an excellent example of his people's hospitality and proudness of its own way of life. He was always a good leader and bridge to his people and answered all of our questions in an unorthodox and professional English spoken way. We had a good board and lodging. Complementary to the local table the Akha guide and Mr. Sengnham show oneself as talented cooks. Especially the evening together with the villagers in Ban Lao Khao was an unforgettable experience. They let us feel their spirit and we had always the feeling to be a most welcome part of the community and their life.

We enjoyed this way of tourism very much and are proud to have the change to get part of it. We have the greatest respect for the founders and operators of the project as we could consider many hurdles on the way to this nearly perfect organisation resulting from language and cultural differences. We go to any lengths to give all of our friends a better understanding of the project and the life of the Akha as an example for the way of living of minorities in Laos in accordance with both own history and nature and environment. As a slight notice we would appreciate the purchasing of some new mosquito nets to replace older ones.

Our following night we spend in Phetsoksai in Pakbeng as backup for originally proposed Pakbeng Lodge. We found the hotel very nice, didn't miss anything and are therefore able to recommend this hotel.

Our remaining nights in Luang Prabang we spend in the Villa Maydou which is a very nice place and typified for the spirit of Luang Prabang from our point of view. In the Exotissimo Luang Prabang Office we had a great time exchanging experiences with the very friendly team members.

But our very special thanks go to Mr. Vanhphenh Sengnham. Without him the whole trip won't be such a great experience because he was always our bridge to the local people and their culture. He selected the appropriate local restaurants according to your wishes. He managed all the small problems resulting from booking mistakes or other things which could happen at such a trip with great professionalism and in his smooth manner.

We appreciate his friendly behaviour and his deep knowledge of country and culture. In addition he speaks German really like a native speaker and this will make a trip much easier for us. Most important we admire Mr. Sengnhams very individual and personal style. You don't need to ask but he will know your wish before. We are sure to travel with an old friend at any time.

Sincerely yours,

Nicole Niedik & Patrick Zuechner
Dortmund (Germany), 16th of December 2008

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