Smiling Albino s Chiang Mai Adventures
Chiang Mai Evening Excursion This is a great way to begin your adventure in Chiang Mai after arriving earlier in the day. After checking into your hotel and freshening up, we ll take you on a unique adventure exploring a large swath of Chiang Mai s evening attractions. The fun and quickest way is as a passenger on your guide s motorscooter. They ll skillfully pick the best routes through town allowing you to see and experience much more than you would be able to by foot or even a four-wheeled vehicle. We ll enjoy a northern Thai feast for dinner and end up at one of the night markets or walking streets depending on the day of the week. Optionally, you can sit back and relax and enjoy the same experience aboard our six-seater tuk tuk. Time: approximately 17:00-20:00, flexible Meals: Dinner
Chiang Mai Life and Legends Chiang Mai means "New City" and was so named because it became the new capital of the Lanna Kingdom when it was founded in 1296. Today, we ll explore key historical sites that tell the story of Chiang Mai s colorful history while getting to know the local life, customs and fabulous northern Thai cuisine. We ll start by ascending Doi Suthep, a 1,676 metre (5,499 ft) mountain overlooking the city of Chiang Mai. It is an important and revered site with an intriguing legend and a perfect vantage point to plan the day s adventure through the ancient city below. On the way back to town, we ll stop off at Wat Umong, a 700 year-old temple set in tranquil shaded woods, famous for its tunnels. Next we ll stop off at one of our favourite local restaurants to indulge in some northern culinary specialties before visiting the other landmark temples and strolling through some of the charming streets of the Old City. Time: approximately 9:00-16:00, flexible Includes: snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, cool towels, all entrances fees, transport costs and a professional host. Meals: Lunch
Pedaling and Paddling the Ping Get ready for a great day in the saddle! The perfect sequel after exploring the vibrancy of Chiang Mai city is a two-wheeled adventure exploring the gorgeous surrounding countryside. Today s ride sweeps through the communities and great outdoors of the Mae Rim valley along the Ping River north of Chiang Mai City. We ll cycle mostly flat roads with mild hills, through rice paddies and lush valleys while viewing wonderful mountain landscapes. After a satisfying local northern Thai lunch, we ll have two options to return to town on the Ping River. For those who have had enough exercise for the day and prefer a more leisurely afternoon, we ll board a chauffeured bamboo raft fitted out with seats and umbrella. Tea and local snacks will be served as we drift down river watching the jungle and riverside life sweep by. Alternatively, we can hop in a kayak and paddle down the river. Whichever you choose, the support van will be following nearby and we can stop whenever you like and complete the trip by van. Note: bicycles are well-maintained, high-performance bikes with front suspension, helmets, gloves and water bottle. Biking: 25 km (paved roads, adjustable) Rafting/kayaking: 1-2 hours Time: 9:00-15:00, flexible - earlier the better Meals: Lunch
Chiang Mai Counrtyside Walk and Rafting This morning, we ll enjoy a leisurely excursion that explores the Chiang Mai countryside, villages and jungles. Starting off on foot from a scenic spot just a short drive from the hotel, we ll walk along the Mae Ping River through local villages. We can stop and chat with locals at their home and learn about their seasonal agricultural harvests or homemade weaving products. We ll visit Baan Mor Ha to see our friend, Doctor Ha, and experience a herbal sauna and learn about his alternative medical treatments. The walk is flexible and can be as long or short as you wish. After our walk, we ll jump on bamboo rafts and enjoy the shady scenery of rich jungle slipping past on both sides as we drift down the river. This one to two hour flexible rafting experience is the perfect way to relax after the morning s walk. After a local lunch, we ll head back to the hotel. Walking: up to 6 km (2.5 hours including stops) Rafting: 6-12 km (1-2 hours) Meals: Lunch
Rafts and Chiang Dao Caves A quintessential Thailand experience the Chiang Dao mountain range is overflowing with rivers, abundant forests, hilltribe life and lots of options for caving, trekking as well as bamboo rafting. A great day of family adventure in northern Thailand. From our rafting expedition we can continue to see the Chiang Dao Caves. This is a series of deep caves which channel through porous limestone cliffs in the Chiang Dao region of Chiang Mai. We ll make our way through beautiful stalagmite-filled caverns and come across several old Burmese-style Buddhist sculptures. An eerily impressive expedition, the cave adventure consists of passing through 4-cave halls with a traditional Thai lantern. Time: 8:30 16:30 Drive: Approx 1 hour each way Trekking: 1 hour Rafting: 1 hour Meals: Lunch
Treks and Rafts at Mae Wang National Park Mae Wang National Park is a 1 hour and 20 minute drive southwest from Chiang Mai. This 700 square kilometer national park is great for those who enjoy the beauty of nature and love to experience moderate to active adventure. Our excursion starts with a two-hour long trek through the forests and villages. This is a good opportunity for you to get acquainted with the local tropical flora and fauna. We ll stop and have a peaceful picnic lunch at a small waterfall. After lunch, we ll continue our adventurous trek 2-3 more hours to Mae Wang Base Camp. We ll round the day off with a bit of bamboo rafting on the Mae Wang River. Enjoy the shady scenery of rich forests slipping past on both sides as you raft down the river. This one hour rafting experience is very relaxing after the day s trek. Note: changing room facilities are available Time: 8:30 17:00 Trekking: approximately 4 hours Rafting: 1 hour Drive: approximately 1h20min each way Meals: Lunch, simple picnic
Elephant Love! Today you will have an opportunity to participate in a wonderful elephant experience at Patara Elephant Farm located in Hang Dong Valley, 50 minutes west of Chiang Mai city. This hands-on, interactive experience is a great day out which allows you to be with, learn, take care for elephants as what's an elephant caretaker would do daily to keep an elephant healthy. After bonding with your elephants, you will have an opportunity to learn basic communication with them, walk through the jungle withthem and bathe them. At the end of the day, you ll leave the Farm with a memorable relationship you have created between you and your amazing creature. Dress: to get wet! Time: 7:30-14:00 Driving: approx 50 minutes each way Meals: simple Thai lunch
The Smiling Albino Service Difference We understand implicitly that a perfect adventure is much more than nice hotels, great meals and hassle-free logistics. It is the fine details which our guests appreciate most, like cold face towels after a walk, electrolyte beverages for your day cycling, and wine uncorked when the moment is right. From local maps to bottled water and colorful anecdotes on the areas we visit, a Smiling Albino adventure is a thorough, intimately hosted experience. You ll be treated with executive care during your Smiling Albino adventure. Contact us for prices and bookings here. We look forward to hosting you! The Team at Smiling Albino Smiling Albino - Bangkok, Thailand info@smilingalbino.com - www.smilingalbino.com Ph: +66-2-107-2542 "See a different part of the world, differently"