The Chiang Mai Loy Krathong Tour

The Chiang Mai Loy Krathong Tour

Day 1: Sunday, November 26,  2023

Wat Doi Suthep, the temple on the mountain

Our guide and driver will meet you at the airport (morning flight) or hotel. It is the start of your Chiang Mai Loy Krathong Tour. The nationwide Loy Krathong Festival is one of the most popular and colorful festivals in Chiang Mai. Today is the first day of the Loy Krathong Festival aka the Yee Peng Festival in the north. Drive to Doi Suthep/Doi Pui national park by car. Visit Wat Pra That Doi Suthep, the most famous temple of Chiang Mai. Walk up the 300 steps to the temple. The views from the temple over Chiang Mai are spectacular. Your guide will explain the history of this temple.

Return to Chiang Mai to check into your hotel for the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Your guide will meet you at the hotel at 1730. Walk to the Three Kings Monument and join the festivities. There will be dancing performances and probably a lantern procession. This evening you will have to be flexible with your dinnertime. Your guide will advise you of one of our favorite restaurants.
Return to the hotel. Overnight at De Lanna Hotel

Day 2: Monday, November 27, 2023

Tour by Samlor, the living heritage of Chiang Mai

This is the second day of your Chiang Mai Loy Krathong tour. Today is the full moon day. Our guide and driver will meet you at the hotel at 0800. Transfer by local taxi to Thapae Gate where your samlor driver will wait for you. You will explore the old city of Chiang Mai by a traditional bicycle taxi, the samlor. You will visit some of the most famous markets in Chiang Mai. First of all, this tour will take you to Wat Loi Kroh, a lovely temple. We continue to the famous Iron Bridge over the Ping River. Before we cross the bridge, we briefly look at the Ancient Lanna House, which has been recently reconstructed. Our next destination is the First Christian church.

The unique San Pakoy Market

We continue to the San Pakoy market, a market where very few tourists go. We wander around this small market and taste some of the typical Thai delicacies. Chat with some of the vendors before we get back in our samlors. After this, we cross the busy Charoenmuang road and wind our way through small alleys in the direction of Wat Ket. Many of the first Westerners settled in this area.

We briefly stop at the Bain compound, formerly the offices of the Borneo Company. The next stop is Wat Ket Karaam, a temple that houses a fascinating museum with old pictures and artifacts. Jack Bain, son of William Bain, the last manager of the Borneo Company, founded this museum. We will continue on foot and cross the Ping River via the restored Chansom Memorial Bridge to bring us right into the Tonlamyai Market.

Kad Luang, the big market

We wander through Kad Luang, as the complex of the Tonlamyai and Warorot Markets is called. Kad Luang is, without a doubt, the most famous fresh food market in Chiang Mai. We get on our samlors for the last stretch back to Thapae Gate, where the tour ends. Your vehicle is waiting for you. Enjoy lunch in one of our favorite restaurants.

Wat Chamathewi aka Wat Kukut

Lunch will be in a local restaurant. After lunch will continue to the local fresh food market of Lamphun, where your guide will take you along and let you taste some delicacies and chat with the vendors. We will leave the market to burn some incense and candles at the statue of Queen Chamathewi before we visit Wat Ku Kut, one of the oldest religious structures in Lamphun.

Lamphun: markets and ancient temples

First, we will visit Ku Chang, a chedi that contains the relic of the war elephant of Chamathewi, the first queen of Haripunchai. The next stop will be Wat Phra Yuen, a quiet temple with palm trees. We will visit the tiny but delicate Tai Yong textile museum. Many of Lamphun’s inhabitants are Tai Yong. These people migrated about 200 years ago from Northern Shan State (now Myanmar) to Lamphun. We walk through the “OTOP” (one district, one product) market to Wat Hariphunchai, one of the most revered temples of North Thailand.

We will transfer you back to the hotel at 2200 or return to the hotel on your own. Overnight at Chiang Mai Gate Hotel.

Day 3: Tuesday, November 28, 2023

The lovely Chiang Mai Doll Museum

Drive to Sanpatong, where you will visit the Chiang Mai Doll Museum. This is a hidden gem of North Thailand. Not only can you witness the most exquisite dolls being handmade here, but there is also a stunning exhibition of dolls from all over the world. Drive back to Chiang Mai along the Ping River. Our last stop today will be the ruins of Wiang Kum Kam. We will stop at Wat E-Kang, Wat Pu Pia, and Chedi Liam. Return to the hotel to freshen up for the Loy Krathong festivities. Evening free at leisure.
Tonight you will have the opportunity to watch the Parade of the Big Krathong at Thapae Road between 1800 and 2000. Transportation this evening can be either by tuk-tuk or local transfer.
Return to the hotel on your own.

Day 4: Thursday, November 10, 2022

Free morning. Checkout time is noon. It’s the end of your Chiang Mai Loy Krathong Tour.
We will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.
End of the program

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At this moment, this tour is on request. It will go on sale soon. If you are interested, please send us an email: info@chiangmai-alacarte.com