

Chiang Mai

Best time to go
The best time to visit Egypt is between October and April, temperatures are cooler but you are still guaranteed sun. During summer (June–August), daily temperatures can reach 40°C- perfect for snorkelling but too much for Cairo.
Redseaholidays, JTA holidays, Classic Packages, Instantholidays, Olympic holidays (especially if they have discount code offers),back office activities.
Sharm el Sheikh Hurghada
Nabq bay (Main Strip). Downtown (Historic, 10 mins from airport)
Royal Albatros Moderna Hurghada Marriott Beach
Steigender Alcazar Hilton Hurghada Plaza
Rixos Premium Seagate Sunrise Holidays (Adults)
Charmillion Club Aquapark Grand Palace
Parrotel Aqua Park Resort Seagulls
Rixos Sharm el Sheikh (adults)
Sahl Hasheesh (Main strip)
Naama Bay (Lively, bars, shops) The Oberoi
Naama Bay Promenade Old palace
Stella di Mare Beach Hotel & Stay Gravity Sahl Hasheesh
Rixos Premium
Old Town (Historic, better shopping)
Aqua Blu Sharm Makadi Bay (Best snorkelling)
Tivoli Hotel Aqua Park Steigenberger
Serenity Fun City
Soho Square (Upmarket) Grand Waterworld Jaz Aquaviva,
Four Seasons Jaz Makadi Gardens (adults only)
Royal Savoy
El Gouna (Upscale-more for couples)
Sheraton Miramar
Movenpick Resort
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Recommended Resorts:

Must do activities/excursions
Sharm El Sheikh
Recommended Activities
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Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai:White+Black+Blue Temple+Golden Triangle+Boat Trip
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Whitewater Rafting Adventure
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Sunrise, CM.city views, Doi Suthep temple, Alms to Monks Wat Pha lat & Wat Umong
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Full-Day Chiang Dao Kayaking, Caving, and Jungle Tour from Chiang Mai
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Small-Group Chiang Mai Evening Street Food Tour
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Zipline+Sticky waterfall tour
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Grand Canyon Water Park Ticket
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Chiang Mai Night Safari Tour including Round-Trip Transfer- Tigers, Cheetahs and Lions
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Half-day Ping River and rice paddies E-bike adventure (flat land, GUIDED)
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Chiang Mai Instagram Photoshoot By Local Professionals
Doi Suthep
Doi Suthep is about 12km outside of Chiang Mai and is a mountain that has a fantastic view over all of the city. Standing at 5400 metres the mountain also houses Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a 13th century temple that is home to a large white elephant shrine as well as a replica of the Emerald Buddha.
Nimmanhaemin Road
The trendiest part of Chiang Mai, full of fancy bars and restaurants it is the place where all the up and coming citizens of the area hang out. The main road has several high end bars.
San kamphaeng Road
'Handicraft Highway’ a 10km stretch of road where you will find outlets famous for their pottery, silverware, lacquerware, sculpting, wood carving and silk products. The area is especially famous for its pottery which is known as Celadon, it has a green glaze which in turn makes it look like Jade, there are several outlets on this road where you can pick these up. Not many know but Chiang Mai is famous for some of the best silverware in Thailand and if you stop into Louis Silverware you will be able to watch the master artist carrying out his work.
Doi Inthanon National Park
Highest mountain in all of Thailand, an extension to the Shan Hills and made mostly from granite. Stunning and home to most species of birds in Thailand.
Boat Trip On The Mae Ping River
A boat trip along the Mae Ping River is an excellent way to spend an afternoon, you get to watch as the scenery along the river changes, you will also get to see many beautiful traditional teak houses as well as a lot of rural greenery along the wat. Some include stops for lunch at local house.
Coffee At The Cat Café
Popular in China and Japan, Chiang Mai now has its very own Cat Café and it is aptly named Catmosphere, the café is designed to fit in with its name with pictures of spaceships and cats floating around in UFO’s adorning the walls.
Chiang Mai’s Very Own Grand Canyon
Old soil quarry this place is still very much unknown, it is a huge canyon that is now filled with water and has some absolutely staggering views. The Canyon is very deep and the water filling it is collected rain water that is now estimated to be forty meters deep. At the entrance is a nice restaurant to stop for a drink in before you start off on your adventure.
Bartering At The Night Bazaar
Chang Klan Road is just another road during the day, but at night the whole place lights up as the stall holders drag out their stalls and get set up for the night. Hundreds of traders line the road selling various goods such as fake designer items, lanterns and other handcrafted goods. A lot of things will not have a price on and bartering is openly encouraged.
Wat Phra Singh
A Buddhist temple and monastery that was founded in the 14th century. Known as the Temple of the Lion Buddha it houses two Buddha statues. There are 700 monks living in the temple who regularly come to talk to the tourists and are normally very friendly.
Ruins Of Wat Chedi Luang
Before the temple was in its current state it used to be the home of the Emerald Buddha, the holiest religious object in all of Thailand. An earthquake in 1545 damaged large amounts of the temple and when the Burmese captured Chiang Mai five years later the temple was left to fall into ruin.
Bai Orchid And Butterfly Farm
Situated just outside Chiang Mai, visitors can marvel at the year rounds exotic blooms as well as buying seedlings. The souvenir shop has fresh orchids that have been dipped in gold and made into different jewellery items. The Butterfly Farm is just next to the orchid farm and houses thousands of butterflies in their natural habitat.
San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
At the hot springs are mineral baths and a traditional mineral water swimming pool. The waters in the springs have Curative powers due to the high sulfur content in the water. Whilst you are there pampering yourself you can also take advantage or a full body Thai massage or bizarrely you can buy eggs to boil in the water for your lunch.
Traditional Thai Massage From An Ex-prisoner
The Woman’s Prison in Chiang Mai has various programs that are run where the soon to be released women are taught life skills and one such program is the ex-prisoner massage parlor that has been set up. The women are watched over at all times without it being intrusive and is an excellent opportunity for the women as finding their way into work after prison life is over is often incredibly difficult.
Read insider tips for more info on this.
Places to Visit


Best time to go
The ideal time to visit Chiang Mai is between October and April. Weather during this period is mostly cool and pleasant with light breeze, which is also why it's peak tourist season.
Major Travel, JTA- for tours-Newmarket, Contiki, Explore, Wendu Wu, Trafalgar, Railbookers
Chiang Mai
One of the historical cities located in the north of Thailand, also referred to as “Rose of the North”. It is famous for its historical temples, picturesque mountains, cool weather, and scenic views.
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Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai-30-minute drive from the city, amid the mountains surrounding the Mae Valley. Elephant experiences, Thai cooking classes, and bespoke art tours are some of the offerings here, and guests can also sign up for hot air balloon rides and excursions to nearby waterfalls, temples, and farms. Shuttle service to Chiang Mai city too. Family friendly.
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Le Méridien Chiang Mai-views of the Doi Suthep Mountain Range, family friendly.
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Shangri-La Chiang Mai- 0-minute walk from the Night Bazaar, Tha Phae Gate, and Sunday Walking Street. This family-friendly hotel has a great pool with a waterslide.
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Na Nirand Resort- romantic resort close to the night market, free bike rental here.
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Anantara Chiang Mai Resort-walking distance of the temples and markets of Chiang Mai’s old city. The hotel is family friendly, and extra cots and beds for kids can be arranged (sometimes with a fee). Babysitting is also available.
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RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort Chiang Mai- beautiful views of Chiang Mai’s Mae Ping River, Thai cooking classes and tour arrangements. Free shuttle to Night bazaar.
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Phor Liang Meun Terracotta Arts - 400 metres from Chiang Mai Gate)-Popular points of interest near the hotel include Chedi Luang Temple, Three Kings Monument and Wat Sri Suphan. Temple like decorating.
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Where to stay and why

Activities/excursions
Insider tips
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Food you must try- Khao Soi
It is a coconut and curry flavored soup filled with yellow egg noodles and chicken, sitting on top of the soup are crispy fried egg noodles giving a real mix of textures to the dish. At the side of soup bowl you will be given a small plate that has chopped red onions, pickled green mustard and a wedge of lime. If there is no other local food you try whilst you are in Chiang Mai you cannot leave before trying Khao Soi, it is absolutely delicious.
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A Traditional Khantoke Dinner
When you arrive at the dinner you will be seated on the floor at a large round table (called a toke) and traditional northern Thai food will be served. During the meal you will be treated to traditional Lanna entertainment. Depending on where you choose to go for your dinner you may also be treated to some classical Thai orchestral music.
Check if there are festivals running at the same time as clients stay. Such as:
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Loi Krathong festival- an annual event that ties in with the twelfth lunar month. A Krathong is a basket that is shaped like a lotus and has a candle sitting in the center of it, these are placed in the water of the moat that surrounds part of Chiang Mai and left to float of into the distance, this is done to show respect to Buddha. At the same time as the Krathongs are being released you will see thousands of lanterns filling up the sky above.
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Party At The Songkran festival-Happens each year between the 13th and 15th April and is the Thailand traditional New Year celebration. However Chiang Mai takes the celebration to another level where the celebrations can go on for five or six days and sometimes even longer than that. Songkran has a religious meaning with Thai’s believing that the throwing of water will cleanse your sins. Chiang Mai can often come to a complete standstill during the celebrations with people standing at the side of the roads with buckets of water ready to soak every passer-by. People will often visit the many temples during the festival to pray and give food to the monks living there. You will see many images of Buddha paraded through the streets during the festival with locals throwing water over them, this is also to help with the cleansing of sins.
Example Itinerary:
Day 1 – explore the Old City. Temple-hop, eat khao soy, drink coffee, have a massage and visit night marketsGrab breakfast at Blue Diamond down a quiet side street near Wat Chiang Man Temple. I love the ambience of this garden cafe with its shady streets and sounds of running water.
1)Temple hop- dress modestly:
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Wat Chiang Man- free entrance
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Wat Chedi Luang- largest temple, most famous one, here you can talk to a monk if you wanted.
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Wat Sri Suphan-entirely made of silver, displaying intricate carvings telling tales of daily life and historical events.
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Wat Phra Singh- entry free but to enter temple hall it costs.
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City Arts and Cultural Centre: right in the heart of Chiang Mai beside the Three Kings Monument, this is the best place to learn about Chiang Mai and general Thai history including Burmese rule, royalty, and life in days gone by. Entry is 180 baht. If you’re hungry after, head next door to Kiet O Cha to eat some of the best satay and fried chicken in the city.
2)Shopping: Visit The House by Ginger (199 Moon Muang Road) for homeware, clothes and accessories designed by local artisans.
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Tha Phae Gate: there are four gates at each corner of Chiang Mai but this is the most impressive, dating back to the 13th century when it protected the Lanna Kingdon from invasion from the Mongol Empire. There are lots of street food stands here and on Saturday evenings, a live band plays.
3)Lunch: Khao soi is served everywhere in Chiang Mai but my personal favourite was at Khao Soy Khun Yai, a modest restaurant set inside the grounds of Wat Khuan Khama temple. They’re only open from 10am-2pm but it’s worth fitting around their schedule to try this spicy, rich dish topped with crispy fried egg noodles. You’ll only pay 50 baht.
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Kao Soy Nimman. Although it’s aimed at tourists, there are so many combinations and the flavours are out of this world!
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Grab a massage from a prisoner (context: as Thai laws are very harsh, women are imprisoned for very minor crimes, they find it hard to find their feet because of this. Where? Training Center Of Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institution on the corner of Ratvithi and Jhaban Road. Because it’s so popular, it’s advisable to swing by first thing in the morning to book a massage for later the same day.
4)Coffe breaks:
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My Secret Cafe in Town – a very swish cafe with a beautiful interior, hot and iced drinks, and some decadent desserts like Oreo cheesecake.
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Fahtara Cafe – this pretty coffee shop in a garden is a relaxing place to drink iced coffee and Thai tea.
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Akha Ama Coffee – the ultimate hipster coffee shop with aircon and excellent flat whites.
5)Explore a night bazaar- Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Day 2 – Thai cooking class, Doi Suthep temple
1)Morning – take a Thai cooking class
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Doi Suthep-I’d recommend visiting early to beat the crowds. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple sits on top of Doi Suthep mountain at 5,400 metres above sea level and looks down over the city.
2)Evening – catch some jazz
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A fun and different evening activity in Chiang Mai is to watch talented young jazz artists at The North Gate Jazz Co-Op. All you need to do in order to watch jazz all night is buy a drink at this atmospheric bar where people spill out into the open air.
3)For the ultimate night out, Zoe in Yellow - popular with backpackers.
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Chiang Mai’s Ladyboy Cabaret Show beside the Night Bazaar is always a classic. With singing, dancing and audience participation, it’s always a lively night!
Day 3 – Doi Inthanon National Park
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Exploring a lesser-known temple that requires a hike to reach. Although it’s uphill, the relatively easy hike to Wat Pha Lat, translating as Monastery at the Sloping Rock, is along a beautiful, peaceful track with impressive views out over Chiang Mai. Follow the orange strips of monks robe tied to trees to find your way. The hike takes about an hour and will bring you out at Wat Pha Lat where you can explore temple buildings, Buddhist statues and a naga serpent staircase-Tip for Wat Pha Lat – bring a sarong or coverup for your legs and shoulders because there’s nowhere to hire one when you arrive.
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Alternative option – Sticky Waterfalls-Also known as Bua Tong Waterfall. Due to unique mineral deposits which make them feel sticky to touch, you can climb up them rather than down.
Day trip:
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Elephant Nature Park and Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary are two of the most ethical sanctuaries in Chiang Mai. The first is well-known so expect it to be busy while Kindred Spirit is much quieter. At these sanctuaries, you cannot ride or paint elephants or any of the other unethical activities some places allow.
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Chiang Rai: If you’re travelling around Northern Thailand, I would really recommend Chiang Rai which is two hours away by bus. The best things to do in Chiang Rai include visiting funky modern temples, unusual museums and the giant Buddha statue in the countryside. Take the bus from Chiang Mai or a guided day tour.
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Pai: this peaceful town in the mountains has a hippie vibe and excellent night markets. But the highlight is the countryside around it encompassing attractions like Pai Canyon or visit Pai Waterfalls.
SMOG ALERT
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Burning season! In February and March, farmers burn the remains of last season’s crops, sending ash into the air. The whole of Chiang Mai is engulfed in smog so I would suggest avoiding these months if you can. November, December, January and April are better.
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Rainy season is May-October. You can still visit but bring your rain gear.
What NOT to do in Chiang Mai
Sadly, there are some unethical activities in Chiang Mai. These are:
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The Tiger Temple – this is an abhorrent place where tigers are drugged for tourist photos.
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Long Neck Tribe tours – many of these people are Burmese refugees being kept hostage. They’re not likely to receive much or any money from the tours so such villages/activities should be avoided.
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Any elephant sanctuary/tour where elephants can be hidden, painted etc. Elephants go through a rigorous ‘spirit crushing’ to allow them to be ridden. It’s heartbreaking.