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Northern Cultures
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| Trip
Id: |
TCNX0561
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| Destination: |
Chiang Mai, Thailand |
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| Activity: |
Active tours, Arts & Culture, Cooking & Culinary, Hill tribe visit, Historic sites / Temple visits, Nature & Adventure |
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| Price: |
start from $662 per person
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| Duration: |
4 Days / 3 Nights |
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| Operate: |
Daily |
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| When? |
TODAY - 31 Oct 2008 |
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Discover the well-preserved cultures of Thailand’s northern region. Experience a wide range of activities such as visiting temples of ancient architectural design, gallery featuring Buddhism-related artworks and Lanna handicraft center. Also enjoy an ox-cart ride, a dinner with local family and learning how to cook traditional Thai northern foods.
Minimum 2 persons travellingChiang Mai Guide, More Tours in Chiang Mai.
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| Tour Rates: |
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Period |
Single |
Double |
Triple |
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25 May 2008 - 31 Oct 2008
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- NA - |
662 |
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| Rates
include 7%
VAT tax and 10% hotel service
charge. Major credit cards
accepted. No
extra charge, no minimum |
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Note:
Booking should be made at least
7
days in advance.
The Triple rates are based on a twin sharing room with an extra bed for the third person.
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| Itinerary |
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| Day 1: Chiang Mai - Lamphun - Chiang Mai (Lunch, Dinner) |
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Upon arrival at Chiang Mai airport, transfer to Fondcome Village Resort. Then depart for the old kingdom of Lamphun to visit Wat Chammadhevi, built in the mid-700s in the Lawo (Lopburi) style. The Chedi has a square structure similar to the Buddhagaya in India. Around the Chedi are levels of arches holding a total of 60 Buddha images and relics of Queen Chamthewi are enshrined within the Chedi. Afterwards visit Wat Phrathat Haripoonchai, considered a fine example of Lanna architecture. The temple is dominated by a 46-metre tall golden Chedi, the ancient-style brick arch adorned with fine designs, the pair of sculptured lions at the door and a Khmer-style Buddha statue. Continue to visit the Dhamma Park Gallery, set in a beautiful garden with traditional Thai houses. Run by the British artist Venetia Walkey, it offers an opportunity to learn about the spiritual journey from ignorance to enlightenment by the humorous and satirical sculptures in the gallery. Explore the metal and wooden sculptures in the “Heritage Garden” of Thai artist Khun Inson Wongsam. Lunch at the Dhamma Park.
In the afternoon, visit Ban Nong Nguak, a handicraft centre famous for its handmade cotton materials. Before returning to Chiang Mai, visit Wiang Kum Kam, the ancient city built in 648 and later abandoned due to a great flood in 1458. The city is seen as a “prototype” for the city of Chiang Mai.
In the evening, dinner with a local family in a traditional Thai house.
Overnight at Fondcome Village Resort.
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| Day 2: Chiang Mai - Lisu Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
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Breakfast at the resort. Morning visit at Chiang Mai City Art and Cultural Center (close on Monday). Learn about various aspects of the city from its pre-history to the present. Then, visit Doi Suthep temple, the most famous landmark of Chiang Mai with golden pagoda shrines on the hilltop overlooking the city. Continue to Daraphirom Palace Museum (close on Monday) located in the Dara Rasamee Border Patrol Police Camp in Mae Rim District in Chiang Mai. The palace was built after King Vajiravudh (King Rama VI) who gave a petition to Jao Dara Rasamee to return to her hometown after King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) passed away. Jao Dara Rasamee used her home to perform many good deeds in the fields of agriculture, culture and arts. She also supported Buddhism and was a major influence in developing Lanna's handicrafts which made Chiang Mai a famous town of fine handicrafts today. Lunch at Lisu Lodge.
In the afternoon, a tour at a hill tribe village of Lisu includes Ton Lung temple and herbal garden. Stop at the shaman's house for a tea-break and get some ideas of traditional medicine. The tour is guided by Lisu people who will be a translator and accompany you for all activities in the village. Then, get on an oxcart and ride through orchards and farms to the village of Ban Pang Mai Daeng.
Dinner and overnight at Lisu Lodge.
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| Day 3: Lisu Lodge - Khum Lanna (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
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Breakfast at the Lodge
Morning visit at Thai Buffalo Training Camp in Mae Tang, a tourist destination with a difference. The only one of its kind, this camp aims at showcasing the life style of the Lanna or northern Thai people. There is a mock-up village fully equipped with household utensils, a barn, a hay-stack, a water wheel and paddy fields as far as the eye can see. The main attractions are the buffaloes - once a common sight in Thailand they are now rare to find. Then drive to Khûm Lanna. Upon arrival, be greeted by local Lanna people. A tasty welcome drink (herbal tea or fruit juice from the garden) will be served.
We take you on a garden tour around the compound in preparation of our Lanna country-style BBQ lunch; you collect different seasonal herbs, vegetables, and fruits for cooking. If you wish, you can also learn how to ride a water buffalo.
Get your free sample of our “Khum Lanna Thai Recipe Book” before the first Thai cooking class begins. Share an informal Lanna country-style BBQ lunch that you have prepared with your host.
Experience hot-pressed herbal massage (consisting of 8 kinds herbs; ginger, zingiber, lemongrass, plantain, tamarind leaves, soap pod, camphor and Aom Kiew).
Late afternoon, free at leisure until the second Thai cooking class in the early evening takes place. Enjoy the fruits of your labors with a full 4-course sit-down Thai dinner with your host and friends. Watch a million stars in front of a campfire in the garden. Overnight at Khum Lanna.
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| Day 4: Khum Lanna - Chiang Mai (Breakfast, Lunch) |
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Coffee/tea will be brought to your room for your wake-up call before we start our Sunrise biking trip along the rural country road via San Kwang village. Visit a morning market where local coffee is available. With the help of your guide, you may buy local cookies and flower garlands for temple offering on the way back. Then walk to a farmer’s rice and traditional tools shop, chat with the owner and learn more about the rice legends and differences and properties of the varieties of rice. Cycle back to Khum Lanna with a stop to visit Wat Pa Gee. Pay respect to the Buddha image under the sacred tree. Continue biking to Khum Lanna along the local canal with a stop to see the rice fields and get more information about the rice-growing process. Upon return, breakfast is served on the riverside.
You will learn food carving lesson with fruits or vegetables. Time at leisure until Thai lunch.
In the afternoon, visit a brick factory and a big reclining Buddha image at the cave temple Wat Tham Dork Kum. Afterwards, return to Chiang Mai airport or the hotel in town.
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| Notes |
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Prices include:
- Transfers and tours as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle – car with English speaking guide, EXCEPT transfers, tours and activities operated by Lisu Lodge and Khum Lanna will be on join-in basis.
- Meals as specified as well as local coffee at local market on Day 4.
- Accommodation in air-conditioned room at Fondcome Village Resort and non air-conditioned room with electric fan at Lisu Lodge and Khum Lanna based on sharing twin-bedded room.
- Baggage handling.
- Prices exclude:
- Personal expenses
- Other services not mentioned in the program
- Domestic air ticket to and from Chiang Mai
- Airport tax
Remark
* Chiang Mai City Art and Cultural Center and Daraphirom Palace Museum are closed on Monday while Mae Pan Din Phor Tham Suan is closed on Wednesday.
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| About the
Package |
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Chiang Mai
Thailand’s second city, Chiang Mai is a comfortable yet sophisticated city and gateway to the mountains of northern Thailand.
Historical Center
Originally settled by the Mons, King Mengrai founded Chiang Mai as a Thai kingdom in 1296. Centuries later it was absorbed into the Lanna Thai kingdom and became a major center for religion and culture. The Burmese controlled the city from 1556 until King Taksin redeemed it in 1775, placing it permanently under Thai sovereignty. With all this history, there is plenty to hold your attention in Chiang Mai: walk around the old walled city, see traditional temples, trek through rural mountain villages, visit cultural centers and go shopping for exquisite handicrafts.
Northern Capital
These days, Chiang Mai is Thailand's northern capital. Various countries have consulates here, and visitors have an excellent choice of accommodation. The climate is pleasantly cooler than Bangkok's, even cold at night around New Year. Still, the days are hot, and along with the city’s public pools, big hotels open theirs to non-guests. The nightlife here is good and varied, as is the array of international restaurants. There are plenty of Muay Thai, meditation, yoga and massage centers for anyone seeking something unusual.
Ancient Temples
Many Chiang Mai temples are centuries old, displaying fine examples of northern art and architecture. Some interesting temples to visit: Wat Jet Yot (mid 15th C) was built to replicate the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India, where the Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. There are seven spires marking the number of weeks he spent there. Wat Chiang Man (1296) is the city’s oldest temple. Begun by King Mengrai, it houses two ancient and significant Buddha images under huge teak supports inside the main sanctuary. On Chiang Mai’s holy mountain, Doi Suthep, stands Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (1383). After a short drive from the city, visitors climb the 300-step Naga staircase that leads to a tour de force of marble and gold with exhilarating city and country views.
Museums & Handicrafts
The Chiang Mai National Museum (open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday – Sunday) contains Buddha statues, pottery and other relics. Not far away is the Tribal Museum, with information on the history and culture of each hill tribe as well as their traditional handicrafts. You can buy handicrafts and everything else at the famous Night Bazaar.
Lisu Lodge
Named after the hill tribe village called ‘Lisu’, settling nearby the lodge, Lisu Lodge is part of a project to conserve the natural heritage of hill tribes of northern Thailand. The lodge won awards and international acclaims.
During the tour, a family elder will guide you around the village to sample a portion of Lisu customs and culture. You will view the local shrine, admire the work of skilled silversmiths and marvel at fine embroidery work, and may be invited into someone's home for a cup of local tea. Lisu is one of the hill tribes that migrated from southern China and Tibet in the early 20th century.
As evening falls, the sounds of dancing and traditional music, strummed on banjos by Lisu villagers, echo around the village. An activity at Lisu Lodge includes a bicycle ride up and down the hill and a wild ride tour on an oxcart.
read feature story
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