Hello all! I am looking for help with my Thailand itinerary and was wondering: is it feasible to do a day trip through the Golden Triangle from Chiang Mai? I have three to four full days for Chiang Mai. If I needed to add time to my stay in Chiang Mai, how much would I need? As it is now:
1 day - Wat Doi Suthep temple
1 day - elephant camp and orchid farm
1 day - other temples
1 day - ???

Is there anything else in Chiang Mai that I should look for?

Yes it is possible to go to the golden triangle as a day trip but it will be a very long day of driving,

You might want to take a cooking class

You might want to visit some of the craft workshops

You might want to visit some of the musuems -- especially those connected to the hilltribes

You might want to visit some hilltribes

You might want to shop

You might want to visit some of the local markets

You might want to visit one of the wonderful spas

I just spent 10 days in Chiang Mai and it was my 6th or 7th time there and I wish I had spent more time.

If you want to go to the Golden Triangle, do plan to spend at least a couple of nights there. It's really too far from CM to make a good day trip.

Thank you for the ideas. Looking at my itinerary I may have to skip the Golden Triangle on this trip. I'm sure I will be back to Thailand one day (I say that even though this will be my first trip)!

I'm interested in the cooking classes but was looking at taking one in Bangkok. Has anyone done this and found one to be better than the others? Would it be worth it to take one in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai? Thanks!

I'd take it in Chiang Mai -- there are many wonderful cooking schools and they tend to be cheaper than the ones in Bangkok and rated as high or higher.

I took a day trip with T.P Travel - 99/8 Loi Khroh Rd., Maung Chiangmai 50100

This is a good trip if you want to renew your Thai visa because you cross the border to Burma and Laos.

It cost me 700 baht fo reverything including transportation, lunch and pickup/dropoff from/to your hostel/hotel.

This trip includes the Golden Triangle where all 3 countries meet.

This day trip was nothing exceptional can't really say anything good or bad about it. The guide wasn't that great either but if you want to say you've been to Laos and Burma...hey why not?