One Week - Chiang Mai

This is an itinerary I created in '23 for somebody planning to go with me.  We ended up doing ten days.  But if you only have a week, this is pretty good.

One full week. Don’t forget some quality sneakers and Ultrastrength Bengay. 😆 🤣 Again, put massages every day....but up to you. If you opt not to do a massage, that's a three-hour block of time to do whatever you want: rest, temples, coffee shops, hiking, King Cobra wrangling, waterfalls, etc.. We'll do one week in Bangkok, then take overnight train to Chiang Mai. After that, durian in Malaysia should be calling. 😆 

One day (weekday)

*Four temples

*Lunch - the best bowl of Khao Soi

*Massage

*Chiang Mai Night Bazaar (CMNB)

One day (weekday)

*Explore Warorot Market (Kad Luang), near river, sample food

*lunch - the best laap we can find

*massage

*Explore smaller night markets near CMNB: Anusarn Night Market, Pavillion Night Market, Kalare Night Bazaar and Ploen Ruedee Night Market. Chill Square food court at Anusarn Night Market is a nice place for dinner. Kalare also has a great food center.

One day (weekday)

*Monk Hiking Trail to jungle temple Wat Pha Lat and back (1.8 miles rt 600+ feet elevation gain)

*Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai's most famous temple

*massage

*Kad Kongkao Walking Street market (Friday only)

*Bar Scene

One day (weekday)

*Doi Ithanon National Park - highest peak in Thailand and a few waterfalls

*Massage

*Langmor Night Market (near Chiang Mai University)

One day (weekday)

*Four more temples

*Lunch

*Massage

*Chang Puak Gate Night Market (dinner served by Cowboy Hat Lady - featured in many documentaries and on Anthony Bourdain)

One day (weekend)

*San Patong Buffalo Market (Sat only, right at sunrise)

*Mae Hia Fresh Market - brunch/lunch

*Massage

*Chiang Mai Gate Market (south gate) - briefly look it over before and after Wua Lai Walking Street

*Wua Lai Walking Street (Saturday only) - walk, eat and shop, plus tour Wat Sri Suphan (silver temple)

One day (weekend)

*Ton Phayom Food Market

*Wander around the Old City

*Massage

*Thae Pae Sunday Walking Street - eat in courtyard of Wat Muen Lan

Some foods we will try:

Khao Soi

Nam Phrik Num

Pork Rinds

Laap (several types)

Mixed grilled meats

Northern Thai sausage (Sai Ua)

Nam Ngiao

Gai Neung

Aeb Pla

Tandoori pork belly

Other possibilities:

Nimman night market

Kad Luang Market

Elephant sanctuary