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Chiang Mai to the Golden Triangle: 6-Day Plan You Can Actually Do

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The 6-day version for December: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 6-day plan · best time to go.

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6
days
320 km
distance
8.6 h
in transit
15
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Chiang Mai public heritage day

1 curated stops
Transit
none
Finish
~15:00
Temperature
13.6°C–24.3°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
10.9h
09:00
Chiang Mai public heritage circuit tourismthailand.org map ↗
Use a bounded public Chiang Mai heritage circuit before the separately reserved road journey.
300 min · Chiang Mai public heritage day · Confirm current admission, reservation and access conditions
14:00
Relish reasonably-priced Japanese meals, including spectacular set options.
60 min · Chiang Mai public heritage day
Overnight here
e.g. 2230 Hostel · 7 Century Guest House

Day 2 Chiang Dao reserved transfer and public town day

3 curated stops
Transit
2h13
Finish
~18:00
Temperature
12.6°C–22.8°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
10.8h
10:40
Chiang Dao reserved transfer and public town circuit tourismthailand.org map ↗
Use the confirmed road transfer and a bounded public Chiang Dao town-and-temple circuit; no summit trek is assumed.
240 min · Chiang Dao reserved transfer and public town day · Confirm current admission, reservation and access conditions
14:55
Giant Trees Alley search map ↗
Capture photos among the towering trees in this popular alley.
50 min · Chiang Dao reserved transfer and public town day
16:10
Wat Pa Bunnak search map ↗
Enjoy a scenic half-day hike through rice fields to a lone temple.
50 min · Chiang Dao reserved transfer and public town day
17:00
Khumpanna Cafe search map ↗
Enjoy panoramic rice field and mountain views in a relaxed cafe.
60 min · Chiang Dao reserved transfer and public town day
Overnight here
e.g. Chiang Dao Hut · Nature Home Guesthouse

Day 3 Tha Ton reserved transfer and public riverside day

2 curated stops
Transit
2h24
Finish
~16:20
Temperature
11.9°C–23.2°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
10.8h
11:15
Tha Ton reserved transfer and public riverside circuit tourismthailand.org map ↗
Use the confirmed road transfer and a bounded public Tha Ton riverside-and-temple circuit; no boat is assumed.
240 min · Tha Ton reserved transfer and public riverside day · Confirm current admission, reservation and access conditions
15:30
Wat Thaton wat-thaton.org
50 min · Tha Ton reserved transfer and public riverside day
Overnight here
e.g. M2 Apartments · Old Tree's House

Day 4 Chiang Rai reserved transfer and public city day

4 curated stops
Transit
2h36
Finish
~17:15
Temperature
13.1°C–25.0°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
10.8h
10:55
Chiang Rai reserved transfer and public city circuit tourismthailand.org map ↗
Use the confirmed road transfer and a bounded public Chiang Rai orientation circuit.
180 min · Chiang Rai reserved transfer and public city day · Confirm current admission, reservation and access conditions
14:05
Wat Phra Kaew search map ↗
Stand in the temple that once housed the famous Emerald Buddha.
50 min · Chiang Rai reserved transfer and public city day
15:15
Wat Huay Pla Kang facebook.com read more map ↗
Behold a giant statue and a nine-story pagoda in a Guan Yin temple.
50 min · Chiang Rai reserved transfer and public city day · 40 THB to take the elevator and see through the statue's eyes
open: daily 07:00-21:00
16:25
Art Bridge Chiang Rai (ABCR) search map ↗
Explore provincial art in a modern gallery space.
50 min · Chiang Rai reserved transfer and public city day
Overnight here
e.g. Akha Hill House · Boon Bun Dan Guest house

Day 5 Chiang Rai public art and temple day

1 curated stops
Transit
0h01
Finish
~15:05
Temperature
13.1°C–25.0°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
10.8h
09:05
Chiang Rai public art and temple circuit tourismthailand.org map ↗
Use a bounded public Chiang Rai art-and-temple circuit and confirm current admission and opening.
300 min · Chiang Rai public art and temple day · Confirm current admission, reservation and access conditions
14:05
Doi Chang search
Sipper rich, famous coffee and explore a menu of Western and Middle Eastern dishes.
60 min · Chiang Rai public art and temple day
Overnight here
e.g. Chat House · Easy House

Day 6 Chiang Saen reserved transfer and Thai-side heritage day

1 curated stops
Transit
1h22
Finish
~15:25
Temperature
11.7°C–24.3°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
10.8h
10:25
Chiang Saen reserved transfer and Thai-side heritage circuit tourismthailand.org map ↗
Use the confirmed road transfer and Thai-side heritage circuit; no border crossing or Mekong boat is assumed.
300 min · Chiang Saen reserved transfer and Thai-side heritage day · Confirm current admission, reservation and access conditions

🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

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