Travel from your Bangkok accommodation to Hua Lamphong train station and board the morning train to Chiang Mai. Second class travel enjoys the comforts of air-conditioning and recliner seats so sit back and relax on the nine hour journey. Enjoy the scenery as you travel north through Thailand’s heartlands and also take the opportunity to converse with the locals. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

Dusit Princess Hotel, Chiang Mai

Snacks may be purchased on board the train

Today is free to explore Chiang Mai at your own pace. Thailand’s second city is famous for its friendly people, cooler climate and stunning mountain scenery. Use your time to explore some one of the 300 temples, among them some of the most beautiful and revered in the Buddhist world. Or alternatively ask about adding a tour to explore the region with lots of activities on offer including elephant sanctuaries and river rafting. Don’t miss the night bazaar with its vast array of stalls, great for that souvenir hunting.

Dusit Princess Hotel, Chiang Mai

Breakfast

After breakfast, join a group tour to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours and travels through rural landscapes, agricultural areas and forested hills. On arrival, the group will be met by a local guide who will give an introductory lesson about elephant anatomy, history and behaviour, before meeting and interacting with the elephants in their natural home.

Enjoy a lunch of traditional Thai food and fresh fruit and then learn how to make herbal medicine balls that are fed to the elephants. One of highlights of the day will be walking the elephants to the river, bathing and brushing them. Join the elephants for a therapeutic mud spa, swim in the river and take lots of photos.

Dusit Princess Hotel, Chiang Mai

Breakfast and lunch

After breakfast enjoy a morning at leisure, before transferring to the airport for your onward flight.

Breakfast