Chiang Mai Travel Forum

Hello there.............i am planning for our trip in July and have got some qoutes from 2 agents for the following itinerary. I feel that it is expensive, could i get cheaper rates, please advise.
Day 1
Doi Suthep temple/ Huan Huay Kaew restaurant
Old city temples ( Wat Chedi & Wat Pra Singh)

Day 2 (rate includes tickets for entrance fee)
Chiangrai day tour
- Golden Triangle
- Mae Sai
-Chiang Saen
- Hilltribes
-White temple

Day 3
Ban Tawai Shopping
San Kampheang Hot Springs
San Kampheng

The rates i got are for THB5,400 per person and the other was THB4,500.

Any advise, including the itinerary would be much appreciated.

Thanks

HI THERE,
TRAVEL TO CHIANGMAI FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS,I THINK YOU DON'T NEED TO ARRANGE TOURS FROM ABROAD.ONLY THE HOTEL (I THINK EMPRESS HOTEL IS THE BEST).PRICES ARE VERY CHEAP THERE AND YOU CAN DEAL A LOT.THERE ARE SO MANY AGENCIES IN EVERY ROAD AND YOU'LL FIND REALLY GOOD PRICES. ALL THE TRIP YOU WANT TO DO ARE A ROUTINE THERE.A GOOD IDEA IS TO VISIT LAOS FOR 2 DAYS ALSO,IF YOU HAVE TIME.I PREFER THE AGENCIES ON THAPAE ROAD.ASK THERE.AN EASY AND VERY CHEAP WAY IS TO HIRE A SHONGHTAW FOR A WHOLE DAY.LAST YEAR IT COST ME AROUND 500 BAHT.IT' S ANOTHER FLEXIBLE WAY.ENJOY CHIANGMAI.IT'S THE MOST LOVELY CITY IN THAILAND.

Usually (for Thailand) tours you buy when you are in a different country are more expensive than what you can get in Thailand.

Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Pattaya are some of the easiest places to get tours. Travel agents act as representatives of the local tour companies. You find the nearest travel agency to your hotel and look at their selection of tours. You choose and pay for the tours you want and the tour company picks you up at your hotel and returns you there at the end of the trip.

If you wait until you get to Thailand to get your tours you have more flexibility! There may be a time that you have paid for a tour and you simply have a change of mind and you don't want to go and you are stuck!

When you choose your hotel make sure you can walk to the night market and other places in town instead of being so far out you have to use paid transportation. Some hotels also have tour desks and can set you up with a tour or at least give you some information that you can use at a cheaper travel agent.

Tours to the Golden Triangle, hill tribes, Long Neck villages, Chiang Rai and other places are pretty routine! Whenever you leave your hotel for a long ride make sure you have some toilet paper and some wet-nap hand wipes in your walk-around bag. Many toilets may not have water or TP, quite possibly the toilet could be a quiet place on the side of the road, behind a tree!

I used the Montri Hotel, near the Thapae Gate several times. Various priced rooms, all with air, hot water, TV and private toilet/shower. Close to internet shops, restaurants, cooking schools (another option instead of a tour,) and Seven Eleven type stores. Easy walk to the Night Market and travel agencies. Montri located across from the Thapae Gate at 2-6 Ratchadamnoen Road.

Good luck.

I agree with the other writers, book your tours when you are in the region. This will save you a lot of money.

Here something to consider.
From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is a 3 hour drive minimum (and with the road in reconstruction at the moment many times even longer....).
Things not to miss when you visit this northern-most part of Thailand:
- Wat Rong Khun (the White temple)
- Golden Triangle
- Chiang Saen
- Doi Tung Royal Villa and Gardens
- Long Neck Karen and other hill tribes
- the coffee plantations
- Doi Mae Salong
etc...

So my tip:
Stay a couple of days in Chiang Rai, the friendliest town in Thailand.

Have fun with planning your trip. If you want more information about Chiang Rai you can email me: changgarden@asia.com

Astrid.
chang-garden.com