Chiang Mai 6 Day Itinerary: Doi Inthanon, Elephants and Chiang Rai

After check in, start with the most revered temple in town, from 1345, on the west side of the old city. Step into Viharn Lai Kham, the wooden chapel at the back, for its 19th century Lanna murals and the Phra Singh Buddha. Cover shoulders and knees; an hour is enough.

Ten minutes' walk away is the 15th century brick chedi that reached 80 metres before an earthquake took its top in 1545. It once held the Emerald Buddha, now in Bangkok. Entry is about 50 baht.

In the late afternoon, look for the monk chat tables, where student monks talk with visitors in English about Buddhism and temple life.

Head to the north of the old city for the temple King Mengrai founded in 1296, when he created Chiang Mai. The chedi supported by brick and stucco elephants is the photo; it is usually almost empty late in the day.

Finish at the east gate of the wall. On Sundays the Sunday Walking Street starts here at 4pm and fills Ratchadamnoen Road into the night, with crafts and street food. On other days, have dinner nearby.

Leave at 7.30am, ahead of the tour groups. Red songthaews leave from Chang Phueak Gate and climb the 15 km road in 40 minutes. At the top, take the staircase of over 300 steps between two nagas, or the funicular. Entry is 30 baht.

The 14th century temple keeps a Buddha relic under its golden chedi. From the terrace you see all of Chiang Mai on a clear day.

On the way down, ask to stop at Wat Pha Lat, halfway down the mountain. A monks' temple with moss covered statues and a stream sliding over stone slabs, it is the quietest stop of the day. If you have the legs, walk down the Monk's Trail from here, about 40 minutes to the bottom. Free.

At the foot of the mountain, Wat Umong hides 14th century brick tunnels with Buddha images under an old chedi, in a park whose trees carry signs with proverbs. Free, one hour.

Next door is Baan Kang Wat, a village of local artists' studios and cafés; in the evening, eat in Nimmanhaemin, the young district 10 minutes away by car.

Hire a car and driver for the day, for 2,500 to 3,500 baht, and leave at 6.30am: it is two hours to the summit, at 2,565 metres, the highest point in the country. Bring a jacket, because from December to February it is around 5 degrees at the top.

The Ang Ka boardwalk, about 400 metres long, crosses a cloud forest covered in moss and orchids. Park entry is 300 baht.

Eight kilometres below the summit stand the two chedis built in 1987 and 1992 for the 60th birthdays of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. The flower gardens and mountain views are as good as the pagodas. There is a separate fee of about 100 baht.

On the way down, stop at this waterfall of about 80 metres, a few steps from the road. From November to January it still carries plenty of water after the rains. The stalls in the car park serve a good lunch before the drive back to Chiang Mai.

The Mae Taeng sanctuary, 60 km from Chiang Mai, looks after elephants rescued from tourism and logging. There is no riding and there are no shows: you walk with the herd, feed the animals and watch their daily routine.

The full day programme costs 3,500 baht, with hotel pickup between 7.30am and 8am and return around 5pm. Book weeks ahead on the official site, and be wary of anywhere that offers rides.

After a shower, head to the night market on Chang Klan Road, open every day. It is more touristy than the weekend markets, but it has the most craft stalls and a food court with live music. Haggle politely.

Leave Chiang Mai at 8am. By car with a driver it is three hours to the White Temple, 13 km before Chiang Rai; by bus, Green Bus takes three hours to town and a Grab does the rest. Entry for foreigners rose to 200 baht in 2026.

Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat began the work in 1997 and it is still unfinished: cross the bridge over hundreds of reaching hands and, inside, look for film characters in the murals.

After check in, go 13 km north of town. Artist Thawan Duchanee gathered some 40 dark buildings here, filled with hides, horns and bones, a sombre counterpoint to the White Temple. Entry 80 baht, closes at 5pm.

At 7pm, 8pm and 9pm the golden tower in the centre, also designed by Chalermchai, changes colour to music. It is five minutes from the Chiang Rai night market, good for dinner.

Arrive early, around 8am, when light fills the blue and gold hall and there are no groups yet. The temple, finished in 2016 by a pupil of Chalermchai, is free and has a white Buddha inside. One hour.

Ten minutes west, the white statue of the goddess of mercy dominates the hill, next to a nine storey pagoda with dragons. Entry is free. From here it is 20 minutes to Chiang Rai airport, in time for a 1pm flight to Bangkok.