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Early Morning Mingle in Chiang Mai: An Insight into the Life of Locals

Chiang Mai

Immerse yourself in the local life of Chiang Mai residents with an early morning alms giving ritual, a visit to the largest market, and a relaxing boat trip on the Ping River. Join a guided tour led by a local resident.

Duration: 5 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Chiang Mai - To grasp the essence of how Chiang Mai wakes up, a very early morning starts is required in getting fully immersed and join city residents in their daily routine. Together with your local guide, the day starts with a morning visit to a Buddhist temple to offer alms to the monks, one of the most unique rituals a tourist can experience in Thailand. Each morning, monks in saffron robes, carrying their alms bowls, walk silently along the virtually empty streets to receive rice and condiments from local people. Guests have the opportunity to participate in this very special Thai custom by personally presenting alms at the Srisoda temple and receiving the monks’ blessings in return.

After this enlightened morning, we head by local minivan back to your hotel for breakfast before we move on to Chiang Mai’s oldest and largest market.

Warorot Market (Kad Luang) - Also known as Kad Luang, Warorod Market is the city’s largest market within easy access from downtown. The market is known to boast a large collection of vendors selling fruits, vegetables and a wide choice of regional snacks and dishes. The market has a distinctive Chinese feel, being located in the Chinese enclave in the city.
Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre - From the market, we settle ourselves in an awaiting trishaw and head towards the Chiang Mai Art & Cultural Centre. This landmark is dedicated to the various forms of traditional art and handicraft of which Chiang Mai and surrounding regions are so well known for.
Mae Ping River - From here, we leave our trishaw behind and board a so-called ‘scorpion-tail’ boat for a 45-minute relaxing morning journey over the Ping River, one of the main tributaries of the Chao Phraya River in the north. Life from the water will give you a different city perspective.

At around 11:30 am, you will head back to your hotel.

What's Included

Inclusive of all applicable taxes and service charges
Comfortable air-conditioned transport with a professional driver
Includes all entrance fees for the mentioned tour sites
Guided half-day tour with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide

What's Not Included

Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees
Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
Supplements for pickup/drop-off of customers from resorts outside Chiang Mai city
Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)

Additional Information

An insight in the local life of Chiang Mai residents cannot be better portrait than during an early morning rise to give alms to monks, see local trade being conducted at the largest market and get a glimpse of river life during a relaxing boat trip.

Join the locals during an early morning alms giving ritual
Visit Chiang Mai’s largest and oldest market
Cruise over the Ping River for a view of Chiang Mai
Mingle with the locals during an early morning tour
Guided by a local Chiang Mai resident

This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply
Transfers are only operated within the downtown Chiang Mai areas and restricted to main hotels only. Regions outside the central business district such as Mae Rim, Hang Dong, Doi Saket, Mae Taeng and Chiang Mai International Airport are excluded and supplementary charges apply.
We regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users. Guests are advised that some walking is required during this excursion; we always ensure that we take the most comfortable ways from the entrance of the sight to the sight itself.
During this tour, we will enter religious sites where a dress code may be applicable. Please dress respectfully by wearing clothing that cover the knees and shoulders, avoid wearing clothing with bright, fluorescent colours of any kind, obscene prints or pictures, beach wear or strapless sandals / flip flops. Failure to comply may result in denying access into these sites.
We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation. For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
Please note pickup and drop-off services may not be confirmed for customers staying at private residences, apartment complexes, or other non-registered tourism accommodations. Customers may be asked to meet at a nearby hotel for pick-up and drop off.
Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It is the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this.
Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 24 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 24 hours may be on request.
In the event of no-show or change of accommodation without prior consent and confirmation from us within 24 hours may result in the applicable cancellation charges as outlined in the terms and conditions.