Gay Thailand Travel: Soft Adventure in Chiang Mai

Arrive in Chiang Mai and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early you might like to relax at your hotel or explore the temples, shops, and winding alleys inside the moat-ringed fortress walls of the Old City. This evening your guide will accompany you on a treat-filled evening tour. Why not start with a cocktail by the quiet Ping River, or a feast of Northern Thai specialties, while being pampered with Lanna hospitality? Afterwards, enjoy our introduction to the bustling bazaars and delightful charms of Northern nightlife.

After breakfast your guide and private car will transport you to the mountain summit of Doi Suthep to visit a spectacular golden temple that can be seen from practically anywhere in Chiang Mai. Climb the undulating dragon stairway to Chiang Mai's famous temple-in-the-clouds for a sweeping view of the gorgeous countryside and an up-close look at one of Thailand's most revered religious places.

Later in the day, your guide will take you to explore sacred shrines and ancient temples which dot the city, and introduce you to the town's historic and shopping areas. Your evening is free to dine at an historic teakwood mansion, a riverside beer garden, or a street-side food stall. Sharpen your bargaining skills to obtain arts and crafts hawked in the colorful Night Market, or try some of the local beer bars, which attract many friendly local people.

Just an hour and a half from Chiang Mai, the Mae Taeng river is without a doubt one of the most exciting thing you can do in Thailand. and challenging rapids without it ever getting past the point of recreation.

The Mae Taeng is a steep and continuous mountain stream; a unique combination of exceptionally fun. The thundering of the next rapid is never far downstream and the occasional pools of calm give a chance to reflect on the awesome beauty surrounding the river. Emerald green fields of rice are terraced high above the river and curious villagers are amazed as we plunge through cascading waves and chutes of foam.

At the river everyone is fitted with rafting gear, then the trip leader and safety kayaker give a lesson in river safety, paddling technique, and what to do if you suddenly find yourself not sitting in a raft anymore. You are going to get wet.

At the end of the trip is the lovely village of Mae Kampong, set in a lush, green Alpine valley. After lunch take a short trek to see waterfalls tucked away in the surrounding forest. You have the choice between spending the night here in a "homestay" or returning to Chiang Mai. (Cost is the same but we need to know your choice in advance. You keep your hotel room through the entire stay so you can leave your luggage there.)

Start the day with a healthy breakfast and followed by short jungle trek by experienced guide. The highlight of the package is  a three hour, two km "air trek" high up in the rainforest canopy using ziplines and "skybridges" to take in the glory and majesty of old growth, high altitude pristine rainforest.

Before you return to Chiang Mai there is an afternoon snack with locally grown organic Arabica coffee. Then it is into a VIP minibus and back to civilization, arriving mid-afternoon.

Free time until it is time for us to take you to the airport. Where next? How about Luang Prabang or Thailand's Golden Triangle.

You can easily add extra nights and see even more of Chiang Mai, especially if you want to visit hilltribe villages or ride elephants in a forest elephant camp. Click on "Side Trips" below to see the possibilities.