72-Hour Dusty Adventure in Chiang Mai During Songkran

Chiang Mai isn't just about numerous attractions and cultural festivals; it's also a destination for celebrating Songkran (Thai New Year) with its unique traditional charm.

72-Hour Dusty Adventure in Chiang Mai During Songkran

This article aims to advise you on a 72-hour itinerary for dusty adventure travel in Chiang Mai during Songkran (13-15/4).

Getting Around

Flight tickets from Vietnam to Bangkok cost approximately 100-150 USD round trip per person.

From Bangkok to Chiang Mai, you have 3 options to choose from:

Bangkok - Chiang Mai Flight: The lowest ticket price is 230 USD round trip per person.

By Car from Bangkok to Chiang Mai: Travel time is approximately 9-12 hours, ticket prices range from 250-550 baht one way per person.

By Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai: Travel time is about 11-13 hours. Ticket prices range from 121-158 baht one way per person.

From the bus station or train station, you can catch a tuk-tuk to your hotel. It's advisable to negotiate the price beforehand.

In Chiang Mai: Besides buses and taxis, you can also rent a motorbike or bicycle for independent exploration.

If you rent a car, you'll need to leave a deposit of around 3,000-5,000 baht. The car rental price is about 200 baht per day.

Where to Stay During 72 Hours of Dusty Travel in Chiang Mai During Songkran?

Many tourists visit Chiang Mai during Songkran, so it's advisable to book accommodation through websites beforehand to get affordable rates and avoid accommodation worries upon arrival.

What to Eat During 72 Hours of Dusty Travel in Chiang Mai During Songkran?

Must-try dishes here include khao soi, sai oua, kaeng hang lei pork curry, nem chua, khanom jeen nam ngiao, kaeng khanun, yum moo yor, miang kham, and more.

Itinerary for 72 Hours of Dusty Travel in Chiang Mai During Songkran

Day 1

9:30 AM: Depart from the airport after immigration procedures.

3:30 PM: Check in at your hotel in Chiang Mai. Take a 30-minute rest.

4:00 PM: Visit Wat Chedi Luang Temple on Prapokklao Road. The temple was built in 1401 under the orders of King Saeng Ma Muang. In 1454, King Tilo-Garaj expanded the pagodas to a height of 86 meters. The temple collapsed during the earthquake in 1545. From 1991-1992, the temple was rebuilt with a budget of several million baht. The highlight of the temple is the harmonious combination of Lanna dynasty architecture and Northern Thai art.

6:00 PM: Dinner. Explore Chiang Mai on a motorcycle at night or visit Tung Park, which was once a prison for drug offenders.

10:00 PM: Return to the hotel to rest.

Day 2

Two options available

1. Engage in Songkran festival activities such as Buddha processions, washing Buddha statues, building sand pagodas by the river, and participating in temple ceremonies, beauty contests, and dinner with family.

2. Continue exploring Chiang Mai's attractions including:

8:00 AM: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple is located 18 km from downtown Chiang Mai. The temple sits on the slope of Suthep Mountain at an altitude of 1,073 meters and was built in 1383. The highlight of the scenery is the large golden pagoda, the 290-step Naga staircase, and the beautiful view of the city from above.

11:00 AM: Visit Mae Sa Elephant Camp located about 30 km from the city. Here you can ride elephants around the camp. Have lunch here.

1:00 PM: Chiang Mai Zoo, home to over 200 species of animals. Here you can find Lin Hui and Xuang Xuang, goodwill ambassadors of Thailand and China.

5:00 PM: Take a break at a tea house inside the zoo, enjoy tea, watch the sunset, and observe various birds returning to their nests.

Day 3

April 15th is the day of the water-splashing festival.

According to tradition, Thais used scented water to splash on family members, symbolizing washing away the past year's misfortunes and welcoming freshness and luck in the new year. Due to its unique nature, this ritual has expanded to splashing water on all family members as well as tourists both domestic and international.

Things to Do at the Water-Splashing Festival:

You can splash water on everyone during the festival, except children and monks.

Avoid splashing dirty water.

Always smile when you get splashed with water.

Learn to say Happy New Year in Thai: “Sawasdee Pee Mai!”.

Do not splash water on someone directing traffic.

9:00 PM: Depart from Chiang Mai airport, concluding the 72-hour dusty travel itinerary in Chiang Mai during Songkran.

According to Zing News

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour