One Week Northern Thailand Itinerary – The Ultimate Travel Guide

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Thailand is a very popular tourist destination as we all know it. So planning a trip to Thailand is on everyone’s to-do list once in a lifetime. While most of us only think of Bangkok and Southern Thailand as top destinations to visit, I would like to focus the attention on the north. So, I have put together this ultimate Northern Thailand Itinerary to spend a week exploring beautiful Northern Thailand.

I understand that a trip to Thailand is not complete without visiting Island resorts and beaches. However, the north is filled with ancient temples, ruins, and culture giving you a different experience. In my opinion, if you don’t visit Northern Thailand then you are seriously missing out.

Visa Information

Thailand currently offers visa-free travel to nationals of 64 countries and territories. The number of days one can stay in Thailand varies based on your nationality. Some of the country’s citizens can stay for 90 days without the visa while the majority for 30 days and a few for 14 days.

Thailand also offers an on-arrival visa for 18 countries. You can stay for only 14 days with an on-arrival visa. The cost of an on-arrival visa is 2000 TBH (65 USD). To promote tourism, the Thailand government keeps on waiving the visa fees from time to time so I suggest checking beforehand.

Thailand has also started issuing tourist e-visas valid for 15 days in a simplified procedure to visitors from countries whose citizens are eligible for visas on arrival. However, only major airports in Thailand accept e-visa. So in case you are planning for an e-visa, do check your entry and exit point in Thailand.

For more information, check here.

Best time to visit Northern Thailand

The best time to visit Northern Thailand is during the cool season between November and March. The first week of April is also fine but if you travel between mid-April to May, it gets extremely uncomfortable. The temperatures can rise up to 40-degree celsius with high humidity.

The rainy season is the longest and it starts in June till October. If you have more time, this can also be a good time to avoid crowds and see the lush green countryside of the Northern region.

How to get around in Northern Thailand

By Taxi — Chiang Mai has metered taxis but taxi drivers are generally not willing to use the meter, so rates are fixed. You can take taxis from Chiang Mai to neighboring cities, but it will be pricey. There are no Ubers but a similar service GrabTaxi is available. Downloading an app called Grab will be useful.

By Bus — A large number of buses of different classes operated by numerous companies run between Chiang Mai and other northern cities. They are frequent and inexpensive. With local, express, VIP, and VIP24 buses, all ranging in comfort and ticket price you have a wide choice. To save time and energy, you can book online with 12go Asia.

If buses are not your type of transport and you prefer a quicker transfer, there are minivans and tourist buses which serve the most popular routes.

By Scooter — Scooter or motorbike rental is very common in Thailand. If you are an inexperienced driver or not very comfortable with driving scooters or motorbikes, I suggest you keep them for day trips only. If you are an experienced driver then get yourself at least a 150cc engine so that it can get up the hills easily.

By Rented Car — My best advice is to rent a car which is the most convenient option and gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. You can pick up the car from the airport after you land.

The roads in Northern Thailand are big and well kept and there is absolutely no problem driving around. The traffic is not crazy like Bangkok and having your own mode of transportation makes it more comfortable with the heat and humidity of Thailand.

Both Budget Car Rental and Avis have branches in big cities like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. While these big companies have good cars and insurance policies, they can be a bit expensive for backpackers. The local companies can be a good option in terms of budget but in case of accidents, it can cost you much higher.

Northern Thailand Travel Itinerary

Northern Thailand is geographically characterized by several mountain ranges, which continue from the Shan Hills in bordering Myanmar to Laos, and the river valleys which cut through them. As it is surrounded by mountains, it is cooler than the rest of the country.

Northern Thailand is divided into 15 provinces out of which only 4 are the most popular provinces. These are Chiang Mai Province, Chiang Rai Province, Mae Hong Son Province, and Sukhothai Province and they are also the main cities in this region.

The main highlight of Northern Thailand is Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai so this itinerary is majorly focused on covering them.

You can adjust the itinerary according to the amount of time you have and the timing of arrival in Chiang Mai.

DAY 1 – Landing In Chiang Mai

As Chiang Mai is the main airport in the North so you will be landing here. After getting the sim from the airport, the first thing to do is to pick up the rental car (considering you are going with this option). In case, you are renting a motorbike for getting around Chiang Mai and will opt for another mode of transportation to transfer within other cities, take a taxi to the hotel.

You can also take a shared taxi which is called Songatheaw, literally meaning ‘2 rows’ in Thai. Songthaews are covered pickup trucks with rows of seats in the back and are cheaper than a taxi.

Depending on the time of arrival and the urge to explore, you can either rest or explore nearby night markets as it is more likely that your hotel will be in the old town.

How many days to spend in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the largest city in the north and it is more about experiencing the northern Thailand culture and doing some temple hopping. With over 300 temples to see and it is not possible to cover them all, I suggest you stay for 3 days in Chiang Mai for that perfect Chiang Mai itinerary.

DAY 2 – Explore the temples in Old Town

Wat Phra Singh

Start your day early with this second oldest temple which is highly visited by tourists. Even if you are not a photography enthusiast, you should visit here before 8 am to feel the peace and positive vibes of this temple.

If you visit early morning you will see a lot of monks praying. They are very friendly and love talking to tourists in English to brush up on their skills.

Wat Chedi Luang

Possibly the largest structure in ancient Chiang Mai and the value of the Lanna identity, Wat chedi Luang is unique. The top of the chedi was destroyed by either a 16th-century earthquake or by cannon fire during the recapture of Chiang Mai from the Burmese in 1775 (nobody knows for sure). ⁣

There are four Naga stairways in each of the cardinal directions. It is assumed that this temple was built in 1928 – 1945 and has been restored several times, especially the pagoda. According to ancient Lanna beliefs, the city pillar is erected at the epicenter of the city, to mark the center of the universe, which in the past was the Lanna Kingdom.⁣

Night Market

The night scene in Chiang Mai is a combination of lively music, local food, and an amazing atmosphere. These markets are considered the most famous in the whole of Thailand and a trip to Chiang Mai is not complete without visiting them.

You will be thrilled to see so many vendors selling clothes, souvenirs, handicrafts, etc. A wide range of street food and sometimes alcohol depending on the location of the market is available.

No matter how much time you have in Chiang Mai, you should definitely ensure to squeeze in one evening to visit the night markets. The markets start becoming vibrant by sunset and stay busy till about midnight. 

DAY 3 – Explore the temples outside Old Town

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

This is the most sacred and famous temple of Chiang Mai overlooking the city and is situated on a mountain top. You need to climb 300 steps to reach the top of it or you can take a tram.

The entrance fee is 30 baht and when the sunlight falls on the big golden Cheddi it glows beautifully. This is an important and sacred temple to monks and the locals, so be silent when you visit. The fragrance of incense sticks and all the lite lamps create a magical atmosphere.

Wat Suan Dok

Wat Suan Dok is one of the prettiest temples that’s famous for its many white chedis. The big golden Cheddi in the main temple complex is 48 meters high and contains the relic of Buddha.

A large number of white chedis contains the ashes of members of several generations of the Chiang Mai Royal Family. 

Wat Rajamontean

This temple is not famous among tourists and is my favorite temple in Chiang Mai. The beautiful golden work on red looks stunning. There is no entrance fee and there is a big Buddha in the complex.

DAY 4 – Silver Temple and Padung Village

Wat Sri Supan

Wat Sri Suphan is a silver-colored temple full of intricate details. Most of the work is carried out using alloy and zinc with detailed silver panels. Women are not allowed inside this temple and the reasoning is:

“Beneath the base of Ubosotha in the monastic boundary, many precious things, incantations, amulets, and other holy objects were buried 500 years ago. Entering inside the place may deteriorate the place or otherwise the lady herself. According to this Lanna Belief, ladies are not allowed to enter the Ubosotha.”

For a detailed informative post about all the best Chiang Mai temples, Read ‘Best Temples in Chiang Mai, Thailand‘
This post includes some extra temples if you have more time here along with opening hours, location, entrance fee, and my best tips.

Long Neck Ethnic Hill-tribe

Ever wondered what life in a day looks like for people of the hill tribe? Visiting the small Padung Village which is located 19 km from the main city of Chiang Mai is such an experience. If you don’t know what the long neck tribe is, it is a hill tribe of Kayan people who are refugees from Myanmar.

The women wear brass rings around their necks, wrists, and ankles as part of their culture. Girls start wearing it when they are 5 yrs old and as they grow up the coil is replaced with a longer one which means more turns to the coil to make the neck long.

They make handmade shawls and clothes for livelihood and there is a small school inside the village too. It is a debatable topic whether one should visit here on not so do your research.

There is an entrance fee to visit this village which makes some people think that one is basically going to see a human zoo. I personally feel that since they are refugees and they can’t work outside their village it would be nice to see them and buy some souvenirs to help them in my personal capacity.

If you go to explore the village then be respectful and try to talk and understand their culture and way of life. The kids are so adorable and very interested in talking.

Spa at Green bamboo Massage and Spa

When in Thailand, massages are absolutely necessary. After all the temple hopping and fun at the night markets, getting a massage is the best feeling ever.

While there is a massage parlor at every corner in Chiang Mai, I highly recommend getting yourself pampered from Green bamboo massage and Spa. It is more expensive than the street massages or the normal parlors but 100% worth it. I recommend calling them and booking in advance.

DAY 5 – Excursion to Chiang Rai & White temple

Chiang Rai is the northernmost city in Thailand which is around a 3.5-hour drive away from Chiang Mai. It is a mountainous region with rivers and jungles, so there is a lot of beautiful nature surrounding the area.

Leave the hotel from Chiang Mai after breakfast and embark on this journey. It isn’t very scenic but you will see a lot of big and unique temples on your way.

Tip: If you easily feel hungry then keep some snacks with you as there are hardly any on the way.

How many days in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is fairly small and mainly offers 4 unique and amazing temples along with a thing or two, so it can easily be covered in 1.5 days.

White temple

The most popular place in Chiang Rai is Wat Rong Khun which is also known as the White temple. It is a must-visit spot when in Chiang Rai. Though it is called a temple, in reality, it is a privately owned art exhibit in Buddhist style owned by Chalermchai Kositpitat.

This place is overly crowded all the time and situated 13 km outside the Chiang Rai City Center. It’s best visited on your way from Chiang Mai. The entrance fee is 50 Baht for foreigners.

For more important information about this temple, how to shoot, when to visit, etc you may want to read this other detailed post “White Temple Chiang Rai – Everything you need to know“.

DAY 6 – Wat Huay Pla Kung & Black House

Wat Huay Pla Kung

This beautiful temple complex is located on top of a hill and is comprised of 3 temples – Guan yin, the 9 tier temple, and the mini white temple. All the 3 temples are built in their own space hence this complex is huge.

Amongst all the 3 temples, Guan Yin is the most beautiful one that will have your attention immediately as soon as you will reach there. With 23 stories high statue of the Goddess of mercy and the staircase leading to that statue being surrounded by enormous dragons sculptures, it is breathtaking in every sense.

Visit here early morning for peace and tranquility. Also, if you are into photography sunrise is the best time to shoot here.

Black House

Commonly known as the Black Temple, Blackhouse is a museum that showcases the work of Dhawan Duchanee. You will find a lot of animal remains like Animal skins, skulls, and bones everywhere during your visit.

DAY 7 – Marvel at Blue Temple & Visit the tea plantation

Blue temple

My absolute favorite temple in Chiang Rai is the Blue temple which is also known as Wat Rong Seua Ten. It is sapphire blue in color but not too vibrant to hurt your eyes. The interior and architecture of this temple are mind-blowing with all the gold work and intricate details. There is no entrance fee to this temple.

I have a detailed post on all the beautiful temples in Chiang Rai. This post contains every useful information like how to reach there and opening hours.

Choui Fong Tea Plantation

Tea is an important part of Chiang Rai and there are a few tea plantations outside the city. Choui Fong Tea Plantation is under the administration of Choui Fong Corporation Ltd, the biggest tea producer in Chiang Rai.

It is located 41 km around a 1 hr drive outside the city and is a well-known tourist attraction. I would advise visiting immediately after your visit to Blue temple. However, if you don’t mind a few tourist buses then visit after breakfast.

The scenic view of the vast plantations along with tours, tastings, and restaurants is a great experience at the end of the trip. If you are a tea lover then try their drinks and desserts like a green tea cake or green tea smoothie.

There are also tea leaves and tea powder for sale besides foods and drinks and every product is guaranteed to be fresh and of good quality.

Final Thoughts

I highly recommend visiting Northern Thailand. It is beautiful and less chaotic. Even if you don’t have a week to spare, 3 days will still be good to experience what this region has to offer. You can spend 2 days in Chiang Mai and 1 day in Chiang Rai. You shouldn’t miss these temples at all.

Until the next post.

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