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Trekking
A center for treks into the mountainous
northern areas, especially home of hill tribes, Chiang
Mai offers unique opportunities for the adventures.
Lush hills and virgin forests are scenic backdrops that
will make your trekking by foot or on elephant back
truly memorable. The most popular trails are in Doi
Inthanon National Park where over 300 bird species and
a wide variety of orchids and other flowers can be seen.
Elephant Shows
Elephant shows are generally held in
the morning at 9.40 a.m., and begin with elephants bathing
before continuing with displays of forestry work and
other skills. Elephant rides are usually available after
the show. Open from 7.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Tickets range
between 120 to 1,000 baht (depending on activities).
Contact
- Tha Phae Mae Taman and Maesa Elephant Camp, Km.10
Mae Rim - Samoeng Road, Mae Rim district, Tel: 0 5320
6247- 8 Website : www.maesaelephantcamp.com
- Chiang Dao Elephant Training Centre, Tel: 0 5329 8553,
0 5386 2037
- Mae Taeng Elephant Camp, Tel: 0 5320 6047, 0 5320
6454
Bird Watching
Endowed with rich natural deposits,
Chiang Mai has a lot to offer to bird lovers. Its forests,
perfect wildlife sanctuaries, are good observation spots
for bird watching activities. Among several popular
places are Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep. Contact your
local agents for more information.
Cycling tours/ Mountain biking
Chiang Mai's mountainous terrain and
scenic destinations make the province perfect for both
cycling and mountain biking. Many tour companies offer
biking tour programs that include guides, food and overnight
equipment. There are also an increasing number of travel
agents providing full-day cycling tours to several interesting
destinations.
The tours usually head north from the
Asian Games Stadium through the Mae Sa Valley. Alternatively,
it is possible to experience the scenery along Maenam
Ping, which flows peacefully through villages, old temples,
farms, etc. For those who are serious about cycling,
a longer route to Chiang Rai is available which includes
visits to small villages of Lahu, Lisu and Akha hilltribes.
Call 053 234239 for more information.
Jungle reviving
Experience the rugged terrain of Chiang
Mai on an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), imported 4-wheel
motorbikes. The tour offers daily treks. Call 053 939113
or visit MAC ATV Tour at Km. 10 Mae Rim Samoeng Road.
(near the Maesa Elephant Camp)
Rafting
Chiang Mai also provides good opportunities
for rafting using bamboo or rubber rafts, as there are
lots of rivers and streams flowing throughout the province.
Popular routes include Mae Kok, Mae Chaem, and Mae Tuen
rivers. All rives flow through lush forests and hill
tribe settlements. Contact your local agents for more
information.
Boat trip
To see most of Chiang Mai from a different
perspective, take a leisurely boat trip from the Nawarat
Bridge. The trip operates five times daily, 10 a.m.,
12 noon, 2 p.m., and 5.30 p.m. Call 01 885 0663 for
more information.
Sightseeing in the air
An alternative way to get a bird's
eye view of Chiang Mai is to board a Micro-light craft
to see the city's environments and its localities. Flights
are available daily from 6 to 12 noon and 3 6 p.m. The
pilot, your guide, will point out and explain places
of interest visible from the air. At the end of the
flight, you will receive a photograph taken by a camera
mounted on the planes wing. For more information, call
053 868 460 or visit the Chiang Mai Sky Adventure at
143 Moo 6, Chiang Doi, Doi Saket sub-district.
Go-kart
Enjoy the speedy go-kart at 254 Mu
8, Hang Dong District. There are 4 types of rides available,
ranging from beginners to competition models. Call 053
430059 for more information.
Cooking classes
Thai cooking classes are fun and delightful.
An increasing number of foreign tourists join Thai cooking
classes to learn new skills that can be used at home.
The Banthai Cookery School offers mostly vegetarian
cooking lessons, conducted in an old-Lanna style house.
It is located on 11 Ratrchadamnern Road Soi 5, opposite
Wat Pan On. Call 053 357339 for more information.
Alternatively, the Chiang Mai Thai
Cookery School (tel. 054 206388) offers a 5-day course
that includes an introduction to Thai ingredients, paste-making,
a tour to the market and vegetable carving. Call 053
206388 for more information.
Holistic healing for your wellness
and well-being
There are plenty of stress relief services
such as traditional Thai massage, Swedish, Shiatsu and
Aromatherapy massages available in spas in the city
and in resorts. A highly recommended place, which offers
a renewed sense of wellness, is the Tao Garden located
on Doi Saket. The Tao Garden offers appropriate therapy
to balance the body and mind, thus enhancing a peaceful
inner self. The spa offers five unique therapies including
aromatherapy, Chi Nei Tsang massage, Ayurvedic oil,
and acupuncture as well as body wrapping. Tai Chi Chuan
offers an intensive 10-day course three sessions daily,
7.00 to 9.30 am, 1.00 to 2.00 pm & 4.00 to 6.30
p.m. Call Keith at 0 5330 6012 ext. 201
Yoga and meditation class
After a long adventurous day, one may
choose to be pampered in one of the spas in the area.
Alternatively, it is possible to achieve freedom from
the routine and mundane life by finding your inner path
through either yoga or meditation lessons. Take time
to heal the body, mind, soul and spirit and let time
stand still. Many tourists and locals have found the
practice extremely beneficial and awakening. Contact
Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidialai (053 278967) for more
information on a 2-day program on meditation for foreign
visitors. It is offered at Wat Suan Dok and Wat Phalad.
Yoga enthusiasts can call 053 271555, Hatha Yoga Center,
www.hathayogachiangmai.com, for more information.
Bungee jumping
For an adrenaline rush, Bungee Jumping
in Chiang Mai operates in accordance with New Zealand
Standards. It is a fully licensed and insured company,
which operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Call 053
298442 or 01 885 1912 for more information. The site
is located at 229 Mo 1, Mae Rim District. A lakeside
bar and restaurant are also available. |
