Impression of tour suggested by Sergeant Kai...what should we eliminate/add?
May 18th, 2007, 10:19 AM
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Impression of tour suggested by Sergeant Kai...what should we eliminate/add?
Here is the itinerary sent to me from Sergeant Kai. (keep in mind this is our first trip to Thailand, and though I know everyone goes on and on about how you can do all of this on your own- we'd prefer to go this route)
Day 1
> Welcome to Chiang Mai at 10.00am.
> Transfer to hotel before a 17 km journey up Suthep
> Mountain to the west of the city. Near the summit is
> the magnificent Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. This
> temple, one of the most important of the province,
> and an enduring symbol of Chiang Mai, is a place of
> fascinating history and legends. The temple grounds
> afford excellent views over Chiang Mai city and
> valley.
>
> Lunch will be taken at a real Thai restaurant,
> where you can sample some of the food this country
> is famous for. Afterwards, we'll travel to the
> handicraft villages of Bor Sang and Sankamphaeng to
> see the umbrella making center, silk, lacquerware,
> silverware and celadon factories.
>
> By now you should be ready for a Lanna style
> banquet, or Khan Toke dinner, in which local food is
> served on low wooden tables while you enjoy
> traditional dancing and music performed by local
> tribes.
>
> Day 2
> In the morning leave your hotel for the journey
> south to Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain.
> Travel through the luscious forest on the way up the
> mountain to the twin chedi dedicated to the King and
> Queen of Thailand. Along the way, stop off at Hmong
> and Karen tribal villages. We'll enjoy a picnic
> lunch by the spectacular Wachiratharn waterfall
> within Doi Inthanon National Park. Return to your
> hotel will be in the late afternoon.
> The evening has been left free for you to practise
> your bargaining skills at the night bazaar, and to
> experience a little of the city's exciting night
> life.
>
> Day 3
> After Breakfast, leave town for the Sanpatong
> District. Take an elephant ride along a trail in the
> forest for about 1 hour before heading to a
> spectacular waterfall where you can swim if you
> wish. Enjoy a picnic lunch together in this tranquil
> setting.
> After lunch, we'll move on to a remote Karen
> village. From here we'll take a bamboo raft along a
> particularly beautiful stretch of river passing
> through dense forest, and then head back into town.
I'm thinking I would like to eliminate some of the shopping and include Chiang Dao- but I'd appreciate any suggestions!
Day 1
> Welcome to Chiang Mai at 10.00am.
> Transfer to hotel before a 17 km journey up Suthep
> Mountain to the west of the city. Near the summit is
> the magnificent Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. This
> temple, one of the most important of the province,
> and an enduring symbol of Chiang Mai, is a place of
> fascinating history and legends. The temple grounds
> afford excellent views over Chiang Mai city and
> valley.
>
> Lunch will be taken at a real Thai restaurant,
> where you can sample some of the food this country
> is famous for. Afterwards, we'll travel to the
> handicraft villages of Bor Sang and Sankamphaeng to
> see the umbrella making center, silk, lacquerware,
> silverware and celadon factories.
>
> By now you should be ready for a Lanna style
> banquet, or Khan Toke dinner, in which local food is
> served on low wooden tables while you enjoy
> traditional dancing and music performed by local
> tribes.
>
> Day 2
> In the morning leave your hotel for the journey
> south to Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain.
> Travel through the luscious forest on the way up the
> mountain to the twin chedi dedicated to the King and
> Queen of Thailand. Along the way, stop off at Hmong
> and Karen tribal villages. We'll enjoy a picnic
> lunch by the spectacular Wachiratharn waterfall
> within Doi Inthanon National Park. Return to your
> hotel will be in the late afternoon.
> The evening has been left free for you to practise
> your bargaining skills at the night bazaar, and to
> experience a little of the city's exciting night
> life.
>
> Day 3
> After Breakfast, leave town for the Sanpatong
> District. Take an elephant ride along a trail in the
> forest for about 1 hour before heading to a
> spectacular waterfall where you can swim if you
> wish. Enjoy a picnic lunch together in this tranquil
> setting.
> After lunch, we'll move on to a remote Karen
> village. From here we'll take a bamboo raft along a
> particularly beautiful stretch of river passing
> through dense forest, and then head back into town.
I'm thinking I would like to eliminate some of the shopping and include Chiang Dao- but I'd appreciate any suggestions!
May 18th, 2007, 11:55 AM
#2
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My experience with SK is that he is very open to modifying his tours. If you want to skip the shopping, just tell him and see if he can whatever else you would like. BTW, the plan he mapped out is a classic first visit to Chiang Mai. Doi Suthep really is as wonderful as he makes it sound.
May 18th, 2007, 12:17 PM
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Thanks for the input. My husband and I are typically not interested in the usual "touristy" stops, but I don't want to miss something wonderful like Doi Suthep.
Is going to the villages and seeing their handicrafts worth doing? I guess I am basing my concern about this because on our recent trip to Egypt our guide in Cairo took us to places like a "perfume factory" and a "Papyrus Institute"- sites that were portrayed as one thing but ended up purely being a case of the shop paying the guide to take us there.
Is going to the villages and seeing their handicrafts worth doing? I guess I am basing my concern about this because on our recent trip to Egypt our guide in Cairo took us to places like a "perfume factory" and a "Papyrus Institute"- sites that were portrayed as one thing but ended up purely being a case of the shop paying the guide to take us there.
May 18th, 2007, 01:17 PM
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The handicraft "villages" are in fact, factories. Indeed, they were factories 20 years ago. If you are in the market for celadon, for instance, then go to the two major celadon places. If you aren't interested in purchasing any of those things, skip it.
May 18th, 2007, 03:54 PM
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The only way to see anything resembling authentic hill tribes is to take an overnight trek. My son and his wife arranged a 3 day/two night trek throught Sergeant Kai. They loved it. They saw no other farangs. they slept on mats in huts and helped make the meals.
The tour SK described to you is a standard quick overview of Chiang Mai and its activities. This is designed for tourists. The activities are pleasant and fun. I'm not ashamed to be a tourist and enjoyed them. It depends on what you want. If you want an overview and high degree of comfort, you sacrifice authenticity. Sergeant Kai can arrange whatever you want. It's best to be clear about what you want. he can help you plan. His prices are very competitive.
The tour SK described to you is a standard quick overview of Chiang Mai and its activities. This is designed for tourists. The activities are pleasant and fun. I'm not ashamed to be a tourist and enjoyed them. It depends on what you want. If you want an overview and high degree of comfort, you sacrifice authenticity. Sergeant Kai can arrange whatever you want. It's best to be clear about what you want. he can help you plan. His prices are very competitive.
May 18th, 2007, 04:34 PM
#6
Another recommendation for Sgt Kai - he's wonderful and very flexible. Willing to do pretty much what you want. Plus, he's personable and easy to be with. His English is excellent, his stories are funny, and he has a knack for knowing if you want to go off on your own for awhile - he'll give you distance or stay close by. We had one day with him and one day with one of his guides (Sutee - spelling probably wrong, but that's how it sounded) and he was wonderful also. We did some of the things you're doing and very much enjoyed them. We substituted the Elephant Conservation Centre near Lampang on recommendations from this board and had a great time there. Also, we took about a 3-hour hike to a very untouristed village (saw no other tourists, no one at the village spoke any English at all, and nothing was for sale except coffee) - we LOVED it! Doi Suthep is definitely worthwhile - a highlight of a Chiang Mai visit. My trip report is at the link below (it's long, though!).
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34762799
Pictures (to include some of our Chiang Mai experiences) at:
http://kbutler8.photosite.com/
Good luck - you'll have a wonderful time.
Karen
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34762799
Pictures (to include some of our Chiang Mai experiences) at:
http://kbutler8.photosite.com/
Good luck - you'll have a wonderful time.
Karen
May 19th, 2007, 04:09 AM
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Yet another recommendation for Sgt Kai. We used him in Feb this year, and he was excellent. Like mentioned already, he's very flexible and he will be more than willing to modify your itinerary as per your preferences.
May 19th, 2007, 08:02 PM
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This is too sterile a 3+ days.
You can go and see some hill tribes but Karen are really down near Chiang Rai. There are communities you can drive throg within 90 min. of CM and see some natives going about their business and avoid tourist show. Elephant Conservancy in Lampang is far superior. Go for the morning demonstration and a 2 hour elephant trek that will give you the exposure you want. If you are there on a Sunday the walking market begins about 4 pM till I think after midnight. It is fun to walk for 2-3 hours then dinner. It is like the night market but maybe 25+5 more vendors though many have the same items.There are many pretty good restaurants. I would not go for a tourist buffet unless that is you style. Check CM restaurant on this thread for good suggestions. There are 4-6 good places under $40$45USD for dinner for 2.
Doi Suthep is well worth a visit. It is only 20 minutes from CM and 60-90 minutes there we found ample so it shold e a 2 1/2 hr. outing. The umbrella etc. is not that interesting in our opinion. Hong Dong (spelling?) about 40 minutes out of town is the furniture and antique center of Norhern Thailand. But lots of fake antiques and many genuine items. If you like a piece and they say it is 200 years old it would be very valuable but it could be 50 yrs. old, If it is < $250-$300 and you like it buy it but do not expect it to be 200+ yrs. old. Furniture is very interesting to look at but many types of wood will crack in cool or cold US climates and shipping costs are very high.
What Kai has laid out can really be done in 2 10 hr. days in y opinion. The zoo is not worth a visit nor the butterfly farm.
Just our thoughts based on 2 visits in the past 6 yrs.
You can go and see some hill tribes but Karen are really down near Chiang Rai. There are communities you can drive throg within 90 min. of CM and see some natives going about their business and avoid tourist show. Elephant Conservancy in Lampang is far superior. Go for the morning demonstration and a 2 hour elephant trek that will give you the exposure you want. If you are there on a Sunday the walking market begins about 4 pM till I think after midnight. It is fun to walk for 2-3 hours then dinner. It is like the night market but maybe 25+5 more vendors though many have the same items.There are many pretty good restaurants. I would not go for a tourist buffet unless that is you style. Check CM restaurant on this thread for good suggestions. There are 4-6 good places under $40$45USD for dinner for 2.
Doi Suthep is well worth a visit. It is only 20 minutes from CM and 60-90 minutes there we found ample so it shold e a 2 1/2 hr. outing. The umbrella etc. is not that interesting in our opinion. Hong Dong (spelling?) about 40 minutes out of town is the furniture and antique center of Norhern Thailand. But lots of fake antiques and many genuine items. If you like a piece and they say it is 200 years old it would be very valuable but it could be 50 yrs. old, If it is < $250-$300 and you like it buy it but do not expect it to be 200+ yrs. old. Furniture is very interesting to look at but many types of wood will crack in cool or cold US climates and shipping costs are very high.
What Kai has laid out can really be done in 2 10 hr. days in y opinion. The zoo is not worth a visit nor the butterfly farm.
Just our thoughts based on 2 visits in the past 6 yrs.
May 20th, 2007, 08:37 AM
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Thanks, Stan- I appreciate your input.
We don't REALLY have 3 days- we arrive in Chiang Mai at 10 am on the 28th of Dec. (Friday) and leave at 6 pm the 30th (Sunday). Sergeant Kai is picking us up from the airport and we will begin our tour immediately. I think he is trying to give us a good sense of the area in the short time we have there.
What would be another suggestion I could give him to go to after Doi Sutep that would be in the area?
Should we ask if we could include Chiang Dao, or not bother?
We don't REALLY have 3 days- we arrive in Chiang Mai at 10 am on the 28th of Dec. (Friday) and leave at 6 pm the 30th (Sunday). Sergeant Kai is picking us up from the airport and we will begin our tour immediately. I think he is trying to give us a good sense of the area in the short time we have there.
What would be another suggestion I could give him to go to after Doi Sutep that would be in the area?
Should we ask if we could include Chiang Dao, or not bother?
May 21st, 2007, 03:29 AM
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Firstly check that Sgt Kai will take your tour - he sent one of his other guides for our 4 days even after we confirmed with him days prior. Having said that the guide was very nice and we were happy with him. The day tour to Doi Inthanon was very ordinary and I would definitely drop that. We enjoyed our tour to Chiang Rai and Golden Triangle visiting some off the beaten track local tribes along the way. We also enjoyed the Mae Sai Elephant park near Chiang Mai. I would recommend Sgt Kai's tours, they were very prompt, flexible and very helpful.
Sep 16th, 2007, 01:46 PM
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|I have contacted him at [email protected]
I have him reserved for 5 days end of October
I have him reserved for 5 days end of October
Sep 17th, 2007, 09:11 PM
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BeniciaChris - Thank you for Stg Kai's info. I have contacted him and provided him with a list of places of interest. He will be putting together a schedule and estimated cost. Will be there in October too. 
