Chiang Mai Itinerary 3-4 Days

Day 1 — Old City Temples

Morning: Old City Temple Walk (8:00–12:00)

Start early before heat and tour groups. The Old City is walkable — hire a bicycle (฿60–100/day) or walk.

• Wat Chedi Luang (฿40): Best in morning light. The ruined chedi still stands 60m high. Monks are available for conversation on weekdays.
• Wat Phra Singh (฿20): The finest Lanna-style architecture in the city. Beautiful gilded bot.
• Wat Chiang Man (free): Chiang Mai’s oldest temple, founded 1296. The white chedi has two sacred Buddha images.

Afternoon: Doi Suthep (13:00–17:00)

Take a songthaew from the Old City (฿60–80 each way, negotiate at the pickup point near Wat Phra Singh).

At the summit: climb the 309-step naga staircase (or take the funicular for ฿50), see the sacred chedi, watch afternoon prayers.

Evening: Sunday Walking Street (if Day 1 is Sunday)

Tha Phae Road transforms at 4pm. Best street food, crafts, and atmosphere. Otherwise try Chiang Mai Gate night market for local evening food.

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Day 2 — Elephant Sanctuary

Full Day: Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

Book the full day experience (8am–5pm). Your chosen sanctuary will collect you from your accommodation.

A full day typically includes:

• Morning elephant feeding and interaction
• Learning about elephant welfare and rescue stories
• Lunch
• Afternoon walk with elephants through forest
• Optional mud bath experience (most ethical sanctuaries no longer offer riding)

Book: Elephant Nature Park (most reputable), Elephant Retirement Park (smaller, more intimate)

Cost: ฿2,500–3,500 including transport and meals.

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Day 3 — Doi Inthanon & Waterfalls

Full Day Tour: Doi Inthanon National Park

Book an organized tour (฿1,200–1,500) or hire a driver for the day (฿1,500–2,000).

• Wachirathan Waterfall: Thailand’s most impressive waterfall. The spray reaches 100m.
• Twin Royal Chedis (Naphamethanidon and Naphaphonphumisiri): Built to honor the King and Queen. Extraordinary mountain scenery.
• Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail: 3km loop through alpine meadows and cloud forest. Gorgeous.
• Hill tribe villages: Karen and Hmong communities in the park area.

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Day 4 (Optional) — Cooking Class & Nimman

Morning: Thai Cooking Class (8:00–13:00)

Most classes start with a market visit to buy fresh ingredients, then spend 3–4 hours cooking 4–5 dishes.

You’ll take home recipes and the skills to recreate dishes anywhere.

Book: Thai Farm Cooking School (includes farm visit), A Lot of Thai, Baan Thai Cookery School.

Afternoon: Nimman Road Coffee and Crafts (14:00–18:00)

Chiang Mai’s trendy neighborhood. Excellent independent coffee shops, boutique galleries, handicraft shops.

MAYA Mall has good international food court if you need air-conditioning by afternoon.

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Related Guides

• Chiang Mai travel guide
• Thailand travel guide
• Best time to visit Thailand