Chiang Mai Holidays

Chiang Mai is famous for its elephant sanctuaries, which are ever popular with travellers seeking an ethical elephant experience. A number of centres in this region have led the way in Thailand with their rescue and rehabilitation programs and humane treatment of elephants. So you can witness these gentle giants, safe in the knowledge they’re well looked after.

Get up close and personal at the Bush Camp, only a short drive from Chiang Mai.

You should set aside a couple of days of your trip to visit the perfumed temples and traditional hill tribe villages around Chiang Mai. Each village has its own fascinating culture, and gives you the chance to appreciate a much simpler way of living.

There’s plenty to do here after dark, too. Spend your evenings browsing the incredible Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, where endless stalls are piled high with everything from souvenirs to swords. Vendors set up their stands at sunset for a few hours of bargain-hunting, before wrapping up around 10:30pm.

The cuisine here very much reflects Chiang Mai’s laidback lifestyle. Food in Northern Thailand – sometimes called Lanna food – is notably less spicy than elsewhere in the country. Instead of chilli-filled dishes, you can expect salty, bitter flavours. Sticky rice is generally served in favour of jasmine rice, and you’ll notice that pork is far more common than seafood – an effect of being far from the coast. There’s a whole range of delicious dishes you should try in Chiang Mai. The most famous one is probably Burmese-inspired khao soi – a mild noodle soup served with either pork, beef or chicken. Sai oua – also known as ‘Chiang Mai Sausage’ – is another favourite. Infused with lime leaves, lemongrass and chilli, these tasty sausages are often sold at Thai street food stalls, so keep your eyes peeled.

To immerse yourself in Thailand’s traditions, it’s best to tie in your holiday with a cultural event. And Chiang Mai Flower Festival is one of the best. On the first weekend of February, this three-day extravaganza sees exotic blooms take over the city. You can look forward to impressive flower arrangements, floral floats and beautiful ornamental plants. Meanwhile, the Thai New Year – called Songkran – falls in mid-April. In Chiang Mai, the celebrations include a colourful Buddhist procession and a giant water fight by Thapae Gate. But the calendar highlight is Loi Krathong in November. This ‘Festival of Light’ sees hundred of candles float down the river, while lanterns are released into Chiang Mai’s sky. It’s a time to move on from any misfortunes, and make wishes for the coming year.

Like the rest of the country, Chiang Mai has a tropical climate – but some months are much better than others. November to February is the best time to visit this part of Northern Thailand, when the days are dry and warm. With nine hours of sunshine and an average temperature of 25°C, it’s the perfect climate for hiking through the region’s hills and visiting shaded temples. Plus, if you travel in the first half of November, you’ll be able to incorporate the incredible lantern-lit festival of Loi Krathong into your holiday.

April and May are extremely hot – temperatures regularly reach 40°C – while the monsoon rains hit between June and October.