Johnnyman7

Hey all,
I'm heading to Thailand in December, and I'm planning on leaving 5 days for Northern Thailand. But there's so much to do up there, I'm having a hard time planning everything!

I'll be going solo...25 years old. First time to Thailand. As such, I thought my five days would go like this:

Day 1: Arrive (morning) in Chiang Mai
Day 2: Chiang Mai
Day 3: Elephant Conservation Center (can see elephants in other cities too if you think). Travel to...???...or stay in CM.
Day 4: ???
Day 5: ???
Day 6: Morning flight from Chiang Mai

Now, what the heck should I do with ??? . I was thinking driving to Pai and maybe doing a whitewater rafting trip. Or I could fly to Mae Song and tour the area. Or I could tour the Golden Triangle area. With 2-3 days (depending on the elephants), which one would you recommend? I want a rural experience since the rest of my trip will be in big cities (Tokyo, HK, etc).

Also, I was thinking of hiring a guide, but I'm a total NEWBIE to that...and the freedom of having my own rental car sounds liberating. Recommendations? And if I hire a guide, what exactly will I have to pay for? Obviously their daily rate, but what if it's an overnight trip? How much have you spent on an overnight guide before? And will it be awkward with just me and the guide???

Thanks in advance!

rhkkmk

have not had an overnite guide...some have had poon and one person had her sleep with their daughter in a seperate room..

why would it be awkward??? would the guide find you uncomfortable?? just joking...

the golden triangle is interesting...we stayed at the anantara which is expensive and lovely....you can then take day trips from there, including a cross over to myanmar and laos if you desire--without the car....you need transportation up there however...doi tung is the king's mother's former estate and it is worthy of 1/2 day...the opium museum is one of the best museums i have ever been into...they have elephants at anantara...they also have a fantastic cooking school....

rhkkmk

driving is very easy in the north country...parking in CM is very difficult however...there are not lots of roads so getting around is quite easy...north of chiang rai there is almost not traffic at all...

Gpanda

Take a look at ChiangMaitours.com. Sergeant Kai was very helpful in customizing our visit to CM. He responds quickly to E-mail. He's relatively inexpensive.

Johnnyman7

Thanks all for your suggestions. Looking into the Sarge and everything, I just dont think a personal guide is for me. Not yet anyway...

I'm thinking instead of arranging my own transport from CM to Pai (via bus or rental car).

In Pai, I'm thinking of doing the elephant thing (over on Lonely Planet they gave a suggestion for a cool place where the elephants roam free)... and then going on an overnight rafting trip to Mae Hong via the Pai River.

However, there was just a major flood in that area and I'm concerned they will not be recovered by December. Furthermore, I'm scared of what the website advertises is "Class V" rapids on the Pai River.

Has anybody gone on a whitewater rafting trip up in this area? Any recommendations? Should I be scared?

suds

hey there, we're leaving for Thailand next week. We are also interested in doing a rafting trip. Have you gone already or heard of any recommendations?