Chiang Mai
The first big city up north from Bangkok. A place that has a lot to offer but mostly is famous of all the elephant rescue sanctuary's in the area. Besides seeing elephants in the wild you can do some other nice things in and around Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai to Pai
Another popular destination in the north of Thailand is Pai and there are multiple options to get here. But I do believe the most fun and beautiful options is to rent a motorbike and do the trip on your own with a few pitstops in between. Aya services offers not only motorbikes but also offers mini van's to bring you from Chiang Mai to Pai and has the amazing service to let you go on a motorbike and they will deliver your big backpack to the other city. The total price for renting the motorbike and letting your backpack dropped of at the other destination is 650 bath. Must do's on your way to Pai or if you choose to do the trip from Pai to Chiang Mai are the sticky waterfalls close to Chiang Mai and the Mok Fa waterfall. Two places where you can go for a walk and enjoy the cold water of the waterfalls. Really refreshing and a nice wake up call during the long drive ahead. The total drive is around 3,5 hours without stops.
The drive is a high recommendation with a scenic route through the mountains!
Chia Lai Orchid elephant sanctuary
It is easy to find an elephant sanctuary in the area of Chiang Mai but it is harder to find an ethical elephant sanctuary. That's why I would like to highlight this rescue sanctuary in the area of Chiang Mai. You can observe the elephants and feed them banana's and because they are rescued they are used to people walking everywhere. You are allowed to touch the elephants here and you can join them in the river but they are free to go wherever they want to and they don't have any robes or chains around the head or leg. You can check it out on their website. We did the half day tour which included feeding them, swimming in the river and going for a small walk in the jungle. after that we got a big lunch with Pad Thai and fresh fruit. The tour starts with a pickup at 08.00h and you will arrive around 09.30h at 13.00h they bring you back to Chiang Mai and drops you off at your hotel/hostel. The price for a half day tour is 2500 bath which is around €68,00.
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Another ethical rescue sanctuary is Elephant nature park.
Night market
Every Sunday there is a big afternoon/night market in the old town of Chiang Mai. You can buy different things here like jewelry, souvenirs, clothes and so many more things but there is also a big food market there as well. To many delicious options for food and really cheap as well so definitely go there for some good food. The market starts every Sunday afternoon around 16.00h and finishes around 22.00h. Go get yourself some nice things from Chiang Mai or enjoy the vibrant energy that is going around here.
Zoe in Yellow
Zoe in Yellow is the most popular bar/club in Chiang Mai and definitely worth a visit. Don't expect all techno music though. It is a nice mix of 90's and 00's combined with good beats to dance on. The drinks are affordable and you will have the opportunity to meet locals and tourists here. Go out and have fun! Just one small side note, the bar closes at 01.00h. After this you can continue your journey to Sicy bar that stays open till around 02.00h.
Nearthepark hostel
Need a cheap place to stay in Chiang Mai? Nearthepark hostel is your place to be. Don't expect luxurious rooms but they are comfy and you have everything you need. Benefit it is also including breakfast. We stayed at two different places of the hostel because we went in between to Pai but the first night we paid €3,00 for one night for a four people bed room and the second night we paid €1,40 for one night in a six people bed room. Nearthepark hostel 2 is the cheapest one. From here it is also easy to discover the old town of Chiang Mai, you are close to the most popular club Zoe in Yellow and you have the 7-eleven just around the corner for some snacks and drinks.
