Any suggestions please for day trips from Chiang Mai

[Keith5588]

I am from the UK aged 67. I have been living in Khon Kaen for the past 3 years with my Thai gf. We have not visited Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai before.

During the first half of August we will be spending 9 nights in Chiang Mai (inside of the old city) and then 6 nights in Chiang Rai.

We are both reasonably fit and do not mind walking a reasonable distance and hopefully will join the Hash House Harriers on a run or two.

I intend to hire a motorbike but not a car.

Places like Doi Inthanon, do you think it best to book a tour or to visit independently. I have read that it would be a bit too far and steep to do it comfortably on a motorbike?

Also maybe a trip up past Pai to the Lod cave, could we travel there on a Songthaew?

Any help and suggestions much appretiated.

Thank you

Keith

[Pilotman]

On our last visit there a few years ago, we rented A 4X4 and set off up into the mountains to the west. We took a wide circular route on the map and what a wonderful day.  We ended up on cart tracks through villages that hardly see a Thai never mind a Farang.  Set off at first light and it was dark when we got back to our hotel.  Great adventure.  

[Tarteso]

Hill tribes in Mae Taeng, ( 50 kms way north chiang mai way to Chiang Dao). Karen tribes have a nice market close elephant’s camp. CM Town  Have a second hands market.. if you like buy olds things. Trip to Pai. Trip to white and Black Temples in Chiang Rai...Enjoy the food like Kao Soi kai or a good and inexpensive Australian beef and good wine in a few Restaurants. Post me... I will tell you the very best in CM old town. ????.

 

Chiang Mai Night is dead because of Covid. Walking street, Loi kro road... empty

[Paiman]

Depends how confident you feel on a motorbike.

Doi Inthanon would be a nice trip with a bike. It will be a bit cooler up there.

 

To the Lod cave from Chiang Mai takes around 4 hours, you might consider staying a night somewhere, otherwise it could be torture. Many curves take their time.

 

Pai canyon, Mae Hong Son Loop, just some ideas.

 

[tiocfaidh]

Cuddling tigers at tiger Kingdom was one of the most wonderful moments of my life (I tell my kids it was their births) although maybe not too ethical.

Quad biking up into the mountains was excellent too.

[Lacessit]

Chiang Mai actually does not have all that many attractions. Doi Inthanon is a full day return trip by car, there's San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, Doi Suthep, Mae Tang and the Samoeng loop.

That's about it. IMO Chiang Rai makes a better takeoff point for the Mekong, Pu Chi Fa, Doi Angkhan, Doi Mae Salong, White Temple, Singha Park, Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan and the Mae Sai markets.

[Keith5588]

Hi,

Thank you all for your suggestions.

 

I ride a scooter around Khon Kaen and am confident at least for short distances. I’m not so good at long distances as I tend to start falling asleep, and not really want to ride or drive for hours especially after dark as I think it then becomes a bit too dangerous.

 

I do intend to rent a bike and to visit Doi Suthep. So after that I guess I should make my own judgement if I want to ride further.

 

I know some people love it but I don’t think I would enjoy 4 hours of riding, having to concentrate all the time. Riding something like the Mae HongSon Loop would be too much riding for me – I think.

 

I was lucky with the Air Asia flights. They started direct flights taking about 1 hour Khon Kaen to CM from  1 Aug. I booked the flights 2 weeks ago. About 1 week ago I looked and there was no availability at all in August. The only other flights mean going to Bangkok first, taking over 6 hours and paying more than double the Air Asia cost.

 

I have looked a bit at things to do from Chiang Mai but not yet from Chiang Rai. I suspect that Lacessit is right and there are more different sorts of places close to the border, I will investigate.

 

We do play Petanque almost every day in Khon Kaen, anyone know of a Petanque club in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai?

 

Thanks again for all your suggestions

Keith

[Lacessit]

If your Thai GF is reasonably broadminded, and it is open, Chiang Mai Erotic Gardens is a hoot. Near the start of the road to Tiger Kingdom. Here's a sample.

I'd suggest hiring a scooter around Chiang Mai, 150 baht/day at KPD Rent on Loi Kroh Road. You could then hire a Honda City for 800 baht/day in ChiangMaiLand, next to Assist Thai Visa, for getting to Chiang Rai and beyond.

[A1Str8]

You don't need to book a tour. Unnecessary. Get a bike and have fun. Use the map on the phone.

Places: doi inthanon, 

Chiang dao cave, mae rim, four seasons hotel, doi pui, pai, moncham.....

 

 

[Trujillo]

 Doi Inthanon, do you think it best to book a tour or to visit independently.

 

Always travel on your own. Do the planning and the world's your oyster. 

You can do it on a motorbike, but with 2-up, you need something more than a Wave (although it's done all the time) to really enjoy the ride. 

 

Pai -- contrary to popular belief -- is a dead loss. There is one small road that would have some backpacker tourists, but will be deserted now. There's nothing to see, the view is hugely overrated and ... well, it's a nice little place for a lunch or coffee, that's all if you are passing through.

 

Lod Cave is okay and there is a resort nearby that's always empty and is quite quaint.  

 

Could we travel there on a Songthaew?

You're kidding, right? 

 

So....all these above are not "day trips." 

 

For those, I would suggest the following: 

 

Mok Fa Waterfall (น้ำตกหมอกฟ้า)-- On the way to Pai about 55km from Chiang Mai. Very picturesque tri-falls with easy access. Bring a picnic or stop at the Pankled Coffee for a nice Thai meal (at the top of the lane to the falls). 

 

Wat Tham Chiang Dao (วัดถ้ำเชียงดาว) aka the Chiang Dao Cave (75km from Chiang Mai) -- The temple is quite small but has a natural creek running in front of the cave with a pool of amazing turquoise colored water with very large fish (which you can feed -- usually an old lady will sell you some vegetable scraps to throw in there for them). The cave itself has some pretty structures inside, and is still a "living cave." You will be required to hire a lantern holder/guide for a nominal fee, which adds to the "country feel" of the adventure. 

Don't forget to look just outside the entrance to the cave in the car park for the many dozens of flower bulbs for sale. Very cheap and make for unique gifts. 

 

Samoeng Loop ('แถวสะเมิง') (about 100km around) -- Easily the best motorbike route you can do in a day. Best to Google it and find all the things you can do along the way; there are quite a lot, from shooting a machine gun (expensive) to the Insect Museum (more interesting and fun than you might think) to the The Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden (well worth a stop) to the Maesa Elephant Camp (interesting if elephants are your thing) to the Mae Sa Waterfalls (10 cataracts, very nice with small rows of BBQ at the bottom in the car park you can take to some of the lower falls (food used to be banned in upper levels; not sure about today). I think there is two-tiered pricing to get into the falls but you have to just suck it up and pay, unfortunately. Again, this is a good motorbike ride. There are more things than you can do in a day, so you will have to make a plan before hand, which you can modify as you go. 

(Ironically, the loop doesn't actually go to the village of Samoeng, although you can go there; but there's nothing there to see.)

 

Those are the top three I'd say. There are other things too, depending on what blows your hair back. ????

 

 

[Keith5588]

Thanks again,

Lacessit - I will have a look to visit the Erotic Gardens, could be good for some holiday photos.

 

A1Str8 – I agree and usually like to be more flexible than a tour allows.

 

Trujillo – Thanks a lot for all the suggestions, much appreciated. Concerning the Songthaews I am a bit confused on how convenient they are or not. Now deciding with all the help that it is best to travel on the hired motorbike. But I was serious about using a Songthaew because I had looked at this web site

https://www.chiangmaitraveller.com/chiang-mai-public-transport-songthaew/

 

An extract

The yellow songthaew has specifically designated routes going between Chiang Mai city and the other towns. They do not roam around Chiang Mai city but only wait for passengers at the bus terminal. Here is the routes and bus terminal information of the yellow songthaew:

Route: Chiang Mai – Chom Thong
Depart from: Chang Phueak Bus Terminal
Hours: 8.00am – 16.00pm
Point of interest: Hang Dong district, San Pa Tong district, Wat Phra That Si Chom Tong, and transit to Doi Inthanon National Park, Mae Klang Waterfall, Wachirathan Waterfall.
Fare: 20 – 30 Baht

Route: Chiang Mai – Wiang Kalong – Wiang Pa Pao
Depart from: Chang Phueak Bus Terminal
Hours: 6.00am – 18.00pm
Point of interest: Khun Chae National Park, Chiang Rai Hot Spring

 

The orange songthaew plies the route from Chiang Mai to Fang district, where the beautiful Doi Ang Khang National Park is situated.

Route: Chiang Mai – Fang District
Depart from: Chang Phueak Bus Terminal
Hours: 6.15am – 18.00pm
Point of interest: Doi Ang Khang, Fang Hot Spring
Fare: 40 – 80 Baht

Etc.

 

So they do travel long distances but I accept they would not always be good for a day trip.

Also the Songthaew that goes to Doi Inthanon I assume would not stop at the waterfalls? I guess?

Sorry if I am being a bit stupid.

 

Thanks again for all the help

Keith

[Trujillo]

Forget songtaos. 

 

The main reason, other than the fact that they are on their own routes, not yours, is that you are sitting in a poorly ventilated back of a truck with a shell -- you have no view whatsoever unless you crane your neck down to look through the small window, or the scene of the road behind you. They are not even a consideration. 

 

Again, you can go to Doi Inthanon, but it's a long drive and you would not want to just turn around and come home. You would have no time to look around much at all. 

(Having said that, nine days is a long time and you could have a couple days on the road, but that's another thread.)

 

The three trips I mentioned are easy to get to, have some nice scenery on the way, and are well within being able to have a decent look around and still get back home. 

 

There are other things around, but sort of lower on the list of "wow" factor, such as the various hot springs. 

 

If you are comfortable riding a bike, that would be a good way to go, but renting a car is also possible. A Honda PCX is a nice bike for a day trip. I don't know any good places to rent bikes, but if you PM me, I can tell you an outfit that has been around for years that I have been told from several sources to avoid. 

 

If you are into the bizarre, you might try the "Hell Temple" in Maejo not far from the university. It's good to have a Thai reader along, if you are not, since there are some very odd things going on that are not so easy to figure out without reading the texts. 

 

Here are a few sample photos and a map. I don't recall it being signposted from the main road: 

 

Wat Mae Kaet Noi

 

 

 

 

[orang37]

I second Trujillo's recommendation for Wat Tham (cave temple) in Chiang Dao.

 

Going further north on the road to Chiang Dao, #107, into Fang, about 10 km. south of Chai Prakan, is Wat Tham Tub Tao which has caves that are, imho, as mysterious and compelling as Chiang Dao.

 

I can't imagine two-on-a-bike going up the highroad to Doi Ang Khang, but the scenery is beautiful: at 1400 meters elevation, it can be cold at night.

 

Check these places out on Trip Advisor and other sites for more information.

 

cheers, ~o:37;

[Lacessit]

The temple at Doi Saket off the 118 has a series of small billboards with Thai proverbs and sayings in English and Thai, quite interesting.

As far as temples go, Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan off the 118 near Mae Suai knocks every other temple in the two provinces into a cocked hat. Started by the Engineer Monk, who built the road up to Doi Suthep, it just keeps growing and growing.

You may be able to get the Green Bus to Mae Suai, then get a songthaew from there to the temple.

[HerewardtheWake]

You might want to go to Azalea Village Resort

in Chiang Dao, about a 90 minute drive  north. Azalea is an oasis of tranquillity and the food is wonderful.

[BritManToo]

11 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Chiang Mai actually does not have all that many attractions. Doi Inthanon is a full day return trip by car, there's San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, Doi Suthep, Mae Tang and the Samoeng loop.

 

Sticky Waterfalls, one of only two in the world.

Huay Tung Tao lake, nice for lunch, waterfall nearby.

Mae wang, waterfalls and elephants.

Queen Sirirat Botanic gardens, free entry for over 50s.

Mon Chairm hilltop gardens.

 

To name just a few.

[Lacessit]

8 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Sticky Waterfalls, one of only two in the world.

Huay Tung Tao lake, nice for lunch, waterfall nearby.

Mae wang, waterfalls and elephants.

Queen Sirirat Botanic gardens, free entry for over 50s.

Mon Chairm hilltop gardens.

 

To name just a few.

I'd agree Mon Cham is worth a visit. I'm talking about top class attractions. Not interested in exploited elephants and tigers.

Never heard of Sticky Waterfalls, where is it?

 

[prism]

A couple of additions:

Royal Park Rajapruek, beautiful gardens. 

MAIIAM contemporary art museum, interesting modern art.

Wat Ban Den, very large and spectacular temple complex.  

[prism]

3 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I'd agree Mon Cham is worth a visit. I'm talking about top class attractions. Not interested in exploited elephants and tigers.

Never heard of Sticky Waterfalls, where is it?

 

Google Bua Thong waterfalls. It's about 60kms north of CM on route 1001. Great place to visit, I assume they've open back up by now. 

[mike787]

DO NOT go during burn season (4-6months long)...You WILL get lung cancer.  My only good advise. Quiet, nice, and very quiet. No people up there.  

[Keith5588]

I will look out and try some Kao Soi kai.

 

Such a lot of helpful suggestions. Thank you.

 

Because of what happened concerning Air Asia in that the flights very quickly sold out and also I heard that the VIP Green buses also needed to be booked in advance. I think it’s all due to not being at full capacity straight away after the easing of the lockdown.

So I booked the VIP green bus to Chiang Rai to spend 6 nights in ChiangRai, and also the return trip back to Chiang Mai.

I also reserved all hotel rooms, they can be cancelled without charge but I am quite happy with what I have done for a first visit.

I think this time we will have a good look around Chiang Mai and also join 2 Hash runs during the 9 nights.

If we come again then plan to sleep at other places to make travelling more relaxing and leave the booking of rooms until we need them.

 

I would not want to visit a zoo but the Elephant Nature Park sounds good.  Visit  Mae Tang at the same time if have enough time.

 

Definitely  Doi Suthep  and Mok Fa Waterfall 

Maybe ride around the Samoeng Loop

 

Trujillo, I realise you are right concerning using Songthaews for long trips, they would not be as good own transport.

Thanks for the information concerning the “Hell Temple” …… I will show it to my girl friend but for me I think I would give it a miss, too gruesome.

 

Now reading comments from orang37 I will try to visit the cave temple as suggested by Trujillo.

 

I’m now going to get ready to go and earn some money playing Petanque ……. Hopefully.

 

Cheers

Keith

Ps I haven’t read the few latest posts

[BritManToo]

46 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I'd agree Mon Cham is worth a visit. I'm talking about top class attractions. Not interested in exploited elephants and tigers.

Never heard of Sticky Waterfalls, where is it?

 

40Km north of CM on the 1001, empty weekdays, full of Thais at weekends, entrance free.

https://goo.gl/maps/qeAmGKBXW6MbnkLP7

 

 

[Thailand]

Contrary to previous posts we love Pai and go there regularly with our dogs to a couple of dog friendly resorts.

 

Easy to simply veg for a couple of days but then we all have different requirements from our travels. Plenty of bends on the road, but also quite a few decent "break" areas.

[Trujillo]

Be prepared for the dual pricing for dirty farangs. 

 

Keep posted by the FB site: 

2PriceThailand

[ExpatOne]

Motorbike to Pai is pleasant but that trip sucks in a car. I can’t imagine doing it in the other ways...nightmare.

 

Doi Inthanon is good in a car or bike but it takes a while to get there on a bike. 
 

There are waterfalls all around here but I also recommend the flower gardens...really pretty and easy to get to on a bike. Go when they first open so you can see everything in full bloom. 

[DFPhuket]

On 7/9/2020 at 8:57 PM, Keith5588 said:

 

I was lucky with the Air Asia flights. They started direct flights taking about 1 hour Khon Kaen to CM from  1 Aug. I booked the flights 2 weeks ago. About 1 week ago I looked and there was no availability at all in August.

I think you're going to have a problem, since AirAsia has pushed back their start date for Khon Kaen to Chiang Mai. When they first released their schedule, they listed daily flights to a lot of destinations beginning August 1. Since then they have reduced their schedule - but they don't seem to notify passengers of a flight cancelation until closer to departure. 

 

I was booked on the direct Chiang Mai/Phuket flight on Sunday, August 1, but I noticed they will actually only fly 4 days per week (and not on August 1). It was by chance I noticed. I contacted them by Twitter direct message and told them that I could see my flight had been canceled (even though it still showed it was fine) and they agreed to either move me to Monday's flight or give me a voucher. 

 

If you start a new booking and use flexible dates, you'll see they are only beginning Khon Kaen to Chiang Mai on Sept 2. I'm certain they aren't flying the route in August. 

 

[Burma Bill]

On 7/9/2020 at 8:32 PM, Lacessit said:

Chiang Mai actually does not have all that many attractions. Doi Inthanon is a full day return trip by car, there's San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, Doi Suthep, Mae Tang and the Samoeng loop.

That's about it. IMO Chiang Rai makes a better takeoff point for the Mekong, Pu Chi Fa, Doi Angkhan, Doi Mae Salong, White Temple, Singha Park, Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan and the Mae Sai markets.

As an ex-Tourist Police Volunteer based at Chiang Rai, the excellent suggestions listed above are ALL worth visiting, but some could be ambitious on a motorcycle. Many are served by song taews and a frequent bus service from Chiang Mai travels north on route 107 to Thaton, on the Burmese border, where there is a giant hillside Buddha overlooking the River Kok valley. This bus also serves Chiang Dao on its way north, where Wat Tham and its caves containing Buddhist shrines is a "must". You can explore the cave system but please note "agility" is essential as you have to crawl on all fours in some parts of the system (as I know too well!). Nearer to Chiang Mai City, and if you like extensive parks and gardens, south there is the Royal Park Rajapruek off route 121 and north, The Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens which can be reached by turning left off route 107 at Mae Rim and keep going on route 1096, passing Tiger Kingdom, Mae Sa Elephant camp and many other "tourist" attractions. Between Chiang Rai and Mae Sai on route 1, there are also 2 other additional attractions to those listed above. First Doi Tung with its Royal Villa and extensive gardens in the mountains created by HRH the late King Bhumibol's Mother. There is an adjacent Akha Hill Tribe Village. Second, left off route 1 just south of Mae Sai, the now famous Tham Luang National Park with its renowned cave and museum complex.

[Keith5588]

4 hours ago, DFPhuket said:

I think you're going to have a problem, since AirAsia has pushed back their start date for Khon Kaen to Chiang Mai. When they first released their schedule, they listed daily flights to a lot of destinations beginning August 1. Since then they have reduced their schedule - but they don't seem to notify passengers of a flight cancelation until closer to departure. 

 

I was booked on the direct Chiang Mai/Phuket flight on Sunday, August 1, but I noticed they will actually only fly 4 days per week (and not on August 1). It was by chance I noticed. I contacted them by Twitter direct message and told them that I could see my flight had been canceled (even though it still showed it was fine) and they agreed to either move me to Monday's flight or give me a voucher. 

 

If you start a new booking and use flexible dates, you'll see they are only beginning Khon Kaen to Chiang Mai on Sept 2. I'm certain they aren't flying the route in August. 

 

Thank you DFPhuket.

I booked Air Asia flight 1 Aug Khon Kaen to Chiang Mai and also flight 21st Aug CM to KK.

This Friday just gone I received an email cancelling only the flight on 21st Aug, the reason being due to covid-19. When I looked at my bookings with Air Asia it still shows the flight for 1 Aug to Chiang Mai but the flight on 21st has been removed. 

I followed instructions and had my money credited as a voucher for the flight on the 21st.  

I then booked a flight with Thai Smile for the 21st, over twice the price and goes via Bangkok.

Now after reading your post I think I should check that my flight on the 1 Aug is actually flying.

Actually I might just wait for 5 more days and do the self check in online which should confirm if the flight is actually flying. I don't think Air Asia would issue me with a boarding pass if the flight was cancelled ........ but you never know.

Thanks for the information

Keith

[Keith5588]

Thanks again DFPhuket,

I have just logged into Air Asia to check my booking again and I have no upcoming flights.

I click on my Credit Account and just have a blank screen so I don't know how much they have credited me with. 

This is the first time this has happened so I need to calm down and try to learn how best to contact Air Asia.

I just tried and get this automated AVA which just seems to waste time. Maybe it is because I am 67 years old.

After they informed me they were only cancelling my return flight on the 21st I left it a couple of days. My outgoing flight was still showing so I booked the Thai Smile flight.

If I have known Air Asia were cancelling both flights I wouldn't have booked the Thai Smile flight.

I am beginning to hate Air Asia!

[orang37]

5 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

Wat Tham and its caves containing Buddhist shrines is a "must". You can explore the cave system but please note "agility" is essential as you have to crawl on all fours in some parts of the system

 

You can visit the main shrine area inside the cave easily; you can walk down a well lighted and maintained path into the cave for some distance,

 

In the main shrine area, you'll find guides for hire with lanterns who can take you exploring the cave, and, yes, possibly take you through some narrow passageways.

 

~o:37;