From Bangkok or Ayutthaya, you can get overnight buses to Chiang Mai. If you are leaving from Ayutthaya, make sure you check the exact pickup location; we had to cross half a bridge and wait under a little roof in between two lanes of the road. (Check on 12goasia reviews to find this out.)

Chiang Mai is amazing, and you need at least three days to do everything.

Accomodation

Punkei home-Chiang Mai if you’re looking for a cheap, central, chill accomodation with a very local feel. I’d highly recommend it for if you’re travelling with a friend or couples.

I didn’t personally stay here, but I’ve heard that if you’re looking for a bit more of a social/party vibe with a low price tag that Slumber Party Chiang Mai is a pretty good shout.

Itinerary

Okay I’ve kind of stopped putting itineraries here all the time as I realise that often we don’t do things in the BEST order but Chiang Mai worked super well. So, if you’re getting the overnight bus in, here’s a suggestion of how to spend the three days. All of these activities are much more detailed below.

Day 1

  • Breakfast out
  • Drop bags off at the hostel
  • Old Town and Central Temples
  • (Sleep if you need to!)
  • Cooking Class

Day 2

  • Hike up Monk’s Trail
  • Wat Prathat
  • Doi Suthep
  • Meal at the top of the mountain
  • Back to central Chiang Mai in a Songthaw

Day 3

  • Elephant Sanctuary
  • Street food and local markets in the evenings
  • Zoe in Yellow bar for evening drinks

Activities in Chiang Mai

Doi Suthep Temple

The Doi Suthep temple is a must do while you’re here – amazing views, in the mountains and a famous Naga staircase. My recommendation would be to get a Songthaw (one of the little shared red buses) from Wat Prathat Doi Suthep or from central Chiang Mai. I would advise HIGH caution if you want to walk from Wat Prathat to Doi Suthep: it is possible however SO many all trails reviews mention being chased by packs of dogs on the last stretch near the temple. We decided not to risk it and just walk the monk’s trail instead.

The Monk’s Trail and Wat Prathat

This is a lovely, safe walk (no dogs sighted) up the old monk’s trail in the forest to Wat Prathat. This was one of my highlights and being outdoors in the forest is a really lovely experience. You can pay the small entrance fee to the Monk’s Trail in cash at the gate from Chiang Mai. It’s a nice out-and-back walk but if you’d prefer to get a Songthaw back to the city that is another option.

Elephants

Highlight of the whole trip maybe? We spent ages researching how – IF – there was any way to see elephants ethically as so many sites are using ‘ethical’ as a buzzword without necessarily following all the regulations to protect the elephants that you’d hope they might. We ended up going with Elephant Dream Project and I would encourage anyone who can to go with this company. I will be writing another post solely on finding ethical ways to see elephants in Thailand however Elephant Dream Project ticked all of our boxes: no bathing, no riding, small groups and supporting local communities (the elephants have been cared for by the same local mountain village for generations).

Elephant Dream Project

Cooking Class

If you can’t tell already, Chiang Mai is filled with different activities. Thai cuisine is varied region by region (I will link a food post asap) and we loved the Khao Sok up north. So, we decided Chiang Mai was the best place to go and learn to cook.

Old Town and Central Temples

Similar to most places in Thailand, there are plenty of temples in the centre to explore. I’d recommend a half-day to go, get your bearings, have a few stops for Thai milk tea and enjoy the atmosphere of central Chiang Mai.

Nightlife

If you want to meet other backpackers, Zoe in Yellow is a great bar with a couple of dancefloors that literally EVERYONE seems to end up at. It’s decently cheap, though as a general recommendation please make sure you’re aware of the risk of alcohol/methanol in south east asia. Me and my friend stuck to beers the whole trip to be on the safe side.

Want more of Thailand?

Check out the rest of the Thailand series below:

Bangkok – The Ultimate 5 Minute Guide to Thailand’s capital