Thailand: Between Land and Sea

Example of a tailor-made journey, fully customisable

Country

Thaïlande

Suggested duration

9 days / 7 nights

The spirit of the journey

In northern Thailand, breathtaking landscapes alternate between plains, forests and mountains. This remarkable journey will take you to discover its finest remnants, bringing to life the great moments in this country's history.

You will go from encounter to encounter, sampling religious, cultural and artisanal traditions alike.

Whether gliding across the water, riding on elephant back or walking through the forest, let yourself be carried along by this unique atmosphere.

Day by day

Example of a tailor-made journey, fully customisable

Day 1: Paris – Bangkok
Departure from Paris around midday for Bangkok. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 2: Bangkok – Chiang Mai
Arrival at Chiang Mai airport in the morning. Welcome by your guide and transfer to your hotel.
In the early afternoon, departure for a tuk tuk tour through the streets of the old town before visiting the highly revered Doi Suthep temple at 1,056 metres. Access is via a grand staircase with naga (mythological serpent) balustrades; from the temple terrace the view takes in the whole valley.

Day 3: Chiang Mai
Departure for Chiang Dao, located about 1 hour north of the city. Visit to an elephant training camp in a beautiful setting. You will see the elephants bathing and set off for a ride on elephant back through the surrounding forest. Day 3: Chiang Mai = Phrao – Chiang Mai Excursion with English-speaking guide (French-speaking guide subject to availability).
Departure at 8am from your hotel in Chiang Mai (transfers are made in an open-sided truck) heading towards Phrao. This corner of Chiang Mai province takes you along beautiful roads, far from the crowds of tourists. Along the way you will pass a scenic road running alongside Lanna National Park, a teak forest and farmland. You will continue north to a Karen village, one of Thailand’s most significant minority groups. You will then set off on foot for a walk through the mountain forest.
You will learn more about the plants and the environment, forest products, and may encounter locals gathering produce along the way.
You will eventually reach the Nature Lodge (an eco-lodge working with villagers from the Lahu minority), after a walk of around 3 hours.
Picnic lunch.
After lunch, you will continue on to Buatong waterfall, set in a beautiful environment; depending on the time of year, you may be able to cool off there.
Return to Chiang Mai afterwards, arriving in the late afternoon.

Ambiance de Chiang Mai, Thailande © Shutterstock

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, la "ville nouvelle", situé au nord de la Thaïlande, a connu un développement tardif mais rapide qui explique son surnom. Située aux abords de l'ancienne route de la soie, elle affiche toutefois un certain nombre de richesses culturelles : on peut notamment citer les nombreux temples (ou "wat") qui s'y trouvent, tels que le Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, revêtu d'or, ou le Wat Phra Singh, finement décoré, mais on s'attarde volontiers au plus moderne "Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center", qui retrace l'histoire du royaume.
Dans ses rues animées, on profite également de ses innombrables salons de massages ou du Night Bazaar, le marché nocturne de l'agglomération. En quittant lesdites rues pour explorer la campagne environnante, on pénètre dans un paysage montagnard parsemé de plantations de riz, plus calme. Au détour d'un chemin, il n'est pas rare de voir passer un éléphant ou un moine, qui semblent vivre ici depuis des siècles.