You will experience elephants up close and personal with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Hands-on interaction will include feeding them vitamin balls and bathing them or watching them bathe themselves under the manmade waterfall. Develop an understanding of herbal treatments, and learn how to make the elephants’ herb ‘n’ fruit vitamin balls. Tour the Elephant Culture Museum and learn about their heritage, their anatomy, their amazing abilities, and the profound relationship between these gentle giants and people. On the return to the hotel, there will be a stop for lunch at a local restaurant where you can indulge in delicious Thai fusion dishes. This is sure to be a memorable day!

Chiang Mai is not only well known for its beauty and its people, but it’s also famous for its unique artisanal arts and crafts. The techniques and traditional ways of making them have been passed down from one generation to the next for hundreds of years. Explore two communities and watch local artisans create their own original pieces. Loang Him Kao Alley is a community that follows the self-sufficiency economy promoted by the late King Rama IX.  By opening their village to tourists, they are able to look after their families and the entire community. Each shop in the alley is unique, and workshops are held—such as cloth dyeing, cooking and jewelry making. The key color when you walk into the community and the market is indigo; products sold use natural dyeing, and almost every vendor is dressed in white and natural blue. Participate in an indigo coloring workshop and create your own indigo scarf based on old dying traditions. Afterward, enjoy lunch a short walk down the road at a local restaurant. On the return to the hotel, visit Studio Naenna, home to a dye shop featuring eco-friendly Thai-Lao crafted textiles and experts in the natural indigo fermentation process.

The Araksa Tea Garden is located on a scenic evergreen hill in the Mae Tang District, specializing in the production of high-quality Assam tea. As one of the oldest tea gardens in Thailand, the Araksa Tea Garden covers 111 acres and contains tea plants that range from 40 to 70 years old. Today, they are producing excellent organic tea leaves, as the tea plants have never been exposed to chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Walk through the lush tea garden and learn all about the tea-growing process. You will be invited to join resident tea pluckers to learn how tea leaves are processed according to age-old traditions. During your visit, you will view the factory and enjoy a cup of tea and a homestyle cooked Thai lunch at Araksa’s Tea House, featuring locally sourced and organic produce.

Blue Elephant Cooking School invites you to discover, relish and learn to create the many culinary wonders of Royal Thai cuisine. The classroom is fully equipped with the necessary facilities, and you will be guided by an experienced and knowledgeable instructor. A typical day will commence with a visit to the morning market accompanied by the instructor, where you will learn to carefully choose the perfect ingredients for Thai cooking lessons. This is followed by class conducted by the instructor, and you’ll end the session with a delightful meal in the restaurant, where you will sample your own cooking.

The jungle of Chiang Mai is one of the best places to go zip lining. The lush forest features very tall trees, and the rolling hills present a spectacular view from high above. The view only gets better when you are soaring through the air like an eagle on one of the 14 zip lines. As you navigate your way around the course, you will pass many obstacles, including the monkey bridge, timber balancing beams and climbing nets. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant serving Thai fusion dishes in a tropical atmosphere. This is sure to be an exhilarating day for adrenaline junkies! NOTE: There is a 125-kg (300-lb.) personal weight limit for this activity.

Nestled in historic Bangkok lies Kudeejeen, a community full of history, cultural heritage and the peaceful coexistence of three religious groups. The Portuguese–Thai community has settled in Bangkok for more than 200 years, and they have amassed a wealth of culture, history and tradition to pass on to subsequent generations. It’s a unique community that harmonizes Buddhists’, Christians’ and Muslims’ way of life together with diverse Thai and Chinese cultures. Hence, this cultural variety makes Kudeejeen a unique and charming community for everyone to experience. In Kudeejeen, each religion has its own sacred place of worship. For Buddhists, Wat Kalayanamit Wora Maha Vihara and Wat Prayoon are important temples for the community as well as tourist attractions. Close by is the Santa Cruz Church, a Catholic church erected more than 250 years ago. Also visit the Kuan An Keng, one of the oldest shrines. The shrine has been praised for its perfectly preserved wooden carvings and mural paintings. Tour includes lunch at a local restaurant.

The remarkable historical beauty of Chiang Mai remains unparalleled. The northern Thai state of Lanna, the kingdom of a million rice fields, was founded five centuries before Bangkok came into existence; however, a strong Lanna identity endures in Chiang Mai, 250 years after Lanna was subsumed into the kingdom of Siam. Traditional Lanna culture can still be seen and felt on almost every street and alley in Chiang Mai City, in its cuisine, temples, festivals and language. View Chiang Mai from a unique local perspective, as you visit the 500-year-old community of Wat Gate. This fascinating community has four religions—Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Sikh—living together peacefully. As you stroll the streets, you’ll discover hidden gems such as Wat Gate Karam, a temple that was established by King Sam Fung Gan of Chiang Mai in the 15th century. Check out some of the lovely architecture and visit a few fascinating shops, restaurants and galleries, such as Vieng Joom On Teahouse, Woo Café & Art Gallery, and Kalm Village. A final stop will be made at a Lanna-style restaurant featuring local cuisine.

A thrilling outdoor adventure awaits! Stray from the beaten path on an ATV ride through Chiang Mai’s picturesque countryside. Traveling by ATV gives you access to off-road terrain that traditional vehicles can’t reach. With the help of professional guides, explore the luscious jungle terrain, with its stunning scenery, and discover hidden gems. After crossing the stream and traversing the jungle, you’ll ride up the mountain for an amazing panoramic view. All that adrenaline is sure to build up an appetite! Enjoy some regional Thai seasonal dishes surrounded by exquisite scenery. This tour is appropriate for beginner to intermediate drivers.