Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai Holidays
Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai are located in Northern Thailand. In complete contrast to the southern islands, these resorts are surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. Home to skilled craftsmen, fascinating hill tribe villages and working elephants, the culture is unique. As we’re independent we can offer you any hotel in Northern Thailand, and can offer advice to help you choose the right one. Generally this destination is combined with other destinations around Thailand so our Thailand specialists will help you put together the most suitable itinerary for your needs.

Weather
The weather has three seasons, the rainy season June to October, the hottest season is from March to May, and the cool season is November to February. The average temperature throughout the year is about 26C but in the hottest months can rise in to its 30s. By Day
There is so much to see and do you will have plenty to take in, the culture, history and villages of Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai have to be seen. Go trekking through the mountains, which are home to the hilltribes or take an elephant ride through the forest, Visit the museums, walk through the national parks and Zoos or you can chill out whilst listening to the magnificent waterfalls. If you are feeling brave Chiang Mai offers bungee jumping but if you are more of a budding golfer, both the places many golf courses.By Night
Chiang Mai has a good choice of nightlife, plenty of bars and restaurants to visit, most will have music or live bands playing, you can go and see a cabaret show or sing along in a Karaoke bar, for the more lively you can go on to gogo bars and discos till the early hours.
Chiang Rai is more on the quieter side where the nightlife is mainly around the hotel bars.
Top Attractions
• There is lots of amazing Buddhist templesto see, some dating back to the Period of Phra Chao Proma 1345-1400
• See Wat Chaing Man - This temple was built in 1297 at the site King Mangrai used when he supervised the building of Chiang Mai.
• A City Tour is popular with visitors.
• Visit the Hilltribe villages where you will see clothing, religion and culture.
• The Elephant Nature Park is a unique project set in Northern Thailand. Established in the 1990's, providing a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants in Thailand.
• In Chiang Mai you can see the Hot springs and Chiang Rai hosts the Tat Mok waterfall, which is the highest and most beautiful in the province.
• Visit the Zoos and see some magnificent wildlife
Events
Chiang Mai - The Lantern Festival & Loi Krathong Festival, this is held on the full moon night of November and is said to be the most charming of all in Thailand

Chiang Rai – The Songkran festival is the traditional Thai New Year, this is held in April, you will be impressed by the parades of decorated floats and beauty contests, and there are boat races held on the Mekong River among 4 countries--Thailand, Laos, China and Myanmar. Local Flavours
In Northern Thailand the Khantok dinner is the traditional dinner set out in a lot of restaurants, it’s a dinner of cuisine, music and dance. The people will sit on the floor and use their hands to eat as the food is served on a low table.
Northern Thailand is famous for its handicrafts, such as wooden carvings, silverware, silk and ceramics.
History
The Kingdom of Thailand was known until 1939 as ‘Siam’, a mysterious land full of wonder and amazement founded in the 13th century. The modern duty name for the Siamese people is ‘Thai’ meaning ‘Free’. Thailand has a colourful history and its peoples ancestry can be traced back to southern China when the Mongol hordes conquered the Chinese and the people migrated south. Thailand has a strong Buddhist influence which can be seen through the many breathtaking temples and the teachings of Buddha go some way to experiencing the culture of these laid back, friendly people. Size & Location
Located in Northern Thailand, about an hour flight away from Bangkok, Chiang Mai is the 2nd largest province of Thailand with a total of 20,107 sq km. Chiang Rai is 11,678 sq km and is administratively divided in to 16 countries.