This tour takes you on an unforgettable drive through many different parts of the city, passing markets, residential areas, foreign consulates and establishments, government buildings and Ta-Pae, Chiang Mai's main street. Visit four of the most important temples: Wat Chiang Man (AD 1297), the oldest temple within the city walls; Wat Chedi Luang (AD 1411), where the Emerald Buddha was once enshrined; Wat Phra Singh (AD 1345), housing a very sacred 1,500 year old Buddha image; and Wat Suan Dok (AD 1371), where the ashes of Chiangmai's Royal Family are interred.

Pick up and departure from hotel in Chiang mai, drive up to Doi Suthep mountain to visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. The temples located 15 kilometers from the city, 3520 feet above sea level and dates from 1383. The temple is approached by climbing a steep Naka staircase comprising more than 300 steps. (the less energetic may ascend by funicular cars). The temple's golden pagoda contains holy Buddha relics and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world through-out the year. The temple compound offers an exhilarating view of Chiang Mai town and surroundings the country side.

Chiang Mai is Thailand's main handicraft centre and is ringed by small cottage factories and workshops. On this tour a visit is made to the San Kamphaeng district, heart of the silk and cotton home industries, to witness the fascinating process of making and weaving these popular fabrics. Continue on the Bor Sang, the umbrella making village, where the delicate Thai paper umbrellas are produced and hand-painted. From here, onwards to Thai Celadon, about 6kms north of Chiang Mai, where exquisite ceramics are produced. These are modeled on the Sawankhalok pottery that used to be made hundreds of years ago at Sukhothai and exported all over the region. With its deep, cracked glazed finish the style is very distinctive and some pieces are exceptionally beautiful. Last but not least, are stops to observe the intricacies of both the lacquerware and silverware craftsmen.

A pleasant morning spent in the company of these magnificent gentle giants. In present day Thailand, elephants are only used as tremendously powerful beasts of burden but, in earlier times, they were a vital part of the King's army and played a very important role in Thai history. The tour , you will be witness to the traditional techniques still used in the training process. Wonder at the delicacy and preciseness of such gigantic creatures in action. For a small fee, the adventurous can also enjoy an short but unforgettable elephant ride! On the return journey to the hotel a stop is made at one of the region's orchid farms displaying a full variety of some of Thailand's exquisite blooms.

This trip is a gentle way to see Chiang Mai Buddhist people life; Rise early before breakfast to take part in a daily Buddhist ceremony "Tak Bat" or merit making by giving food and other daily items to monks on their arms-rounds at the statue of Kruba Sri Vichai, the holy monk of Northern Thailand. Then visit the morning fresh market where you can find some requisites of life to the monks. Proceed to Wat Suan Dok, this temple was built in a 14th century and the large central stupa contain relic of the Lord Buddha. Several of the white stupa contain ashes of Chiang Mai's former royal family. Continue to merit making by giving requisites of life to monk and receiving blessings from him on this special time. Return to the hotel for your breakfast.

Visit a local farmhouse outskirts of Chiang Mai. Take a leisurely stroll around the grounds before cruising along the rural Mae Ping River by "Long-tail Boat" for 30 minutes. Softly moving along the river, you will see wooden houses and modern residences with colourful scenery and lifestyle of the local people.

Continue by walk to visit the largest central market called "Warorot Market" (Kad Luang) where you can buy local products at a reasonable price. Then take a "Samlor" [trishaw] ride along Thapae Road down though the Old City Walls and visit to "Wat Phra Singh", built by King Pha Yu to house the bones of his father King Kam Fu. The temple contains marvelous examples of Lanna art including a Lanna style viharn, "Viharn Lai Kham" and the finest small scripture repository of its type in the north.

Wiang Kum Kam was a settlement long before King Mangrai's capital around 1287- 90. Frequent flooding caused Mangrai to move, but the place remained important throughout the Lanna period. The site was later buried under mud when the river changed course during the Burmese period. The area was restored as a historical park during the 1980's. Surrounded by paddy and village houses, the extensive site has a pleasant rural feel, yet it is very close to Chiang Mai.

The best way to see it is by bicycle. Continue on Kop Klang Road to visit Wat Sri Bun Ruang, the old viharn of this temple has been given a new roof and is brightly decorated. The result is an ornate and very colorful building that mixes the old and the new. Wat Kan Thom, located at the heart of Wiang Kum Kam. The temple contains the remains of former Wat Kan Thom as well as a spirit of King Mangrai. The temple has a Lanna style chedi and a finely decorated new viharn built in 1987. Wat Chedi Liem, the main feature of interest is the Haripunchai - style chedi built around 1286. It is a square stepped chedi with Buddha images in niches at each level. The chedi is a replica of the Mahapol Chedi at Wat Chamadevi in Lamphun.

Drive through a corridor of beautiful Gum trees to the quiet old capital of the 7th century Haripunchai Empire. Lamphun, formerly Haripunchai, situated 30 Kms to the south of Chiang Mai, is amongst the oldest cities in Thailand and predates Chiang Mai by several centuries.

A glimpse of the past can be seen at the two most important temples, "Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai" where we can see the great pagoda which its top was placed with gold weighing approximately 6,498.75 grams, and "Wat Jarmmathewee" (the temple was named after the queen who first ruled the Hariphunchai Kingdom). Then drive on to visit the small town "Pasang" noted for Thailand's most beautiful women and most skillful in hand cotton weaving..