Chiang Mai itinerary — 72 hours backpacking in Chiang Mai on occasion of Songkran water festival

Chiang Mai is not only famous for its landscapes, unique cultural festival, but also is an ideal destination for watching Songkran water festival (New Year festival of Thais) with distinctive traditional features. Let’s check it out our Chiang Mai itinerary — 72 hours backpacking in Chiang Mai on occasion of Songkran water festival.

The following article aims to give you some pieces of advice on planning 72 hours backpacking in Chiang Mai on the occasion of Songkran festival from 13th to 15th April.

How to get to Chiang Mai

Airfares from Vietnam to Bangkok is at a cost of $ 100-150 USD per person/roundtrip.

From Bangkok – Chiang Mai has 3 fights:

• Flight Bangkok – Chiang Mai: Lowest fare is 230 USD per person/ round trip.
• Car from Bangkok – Chiang Mai: Travel time about 9-12 hours, fare from 250-550 baht ( about $ 7- 15.5 USD) per person/ one way.
• Train from Bangkok – Chiang Mai: Travel time about 11-13 hours. Fares from 121-158 baht ( about $ 3.5- 4.5 USD) per person/ one way.

From the bus station or train station, you can get tuk-tuk to move to the hotel. You should bargain in advance.

In Chiang Mai: In addition to buses, taxis, you can rent a motorbike or bicycle to explore freely.

If renting a car, you will pay a deposit of about 3,000-5,000 baht. Car rental about 200 baht ( about $ 5.5 USD) a day.

Where to stay during Songkran water festival?

There are many visitors getting to Chiang Mai on the occasion of Songkran water festival. Therefore, you should make a reservation through the website before coming to Chiang Mai to get lower prices and not worry about a place to sleep.

Shangri-La Hotel – 5-star hotel

• Address: 89/8 Changklan Rd., Muang, เชียงใหม่ 50100, Thailand
• Phone: + 66 53 253 888
• Price: $ 136 USD per night.
• You can check rates & availability for this hotel on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

Holiday Inn Chiang Mai – 4-star hotel

• Address: 318/1 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road Tumbol Wat Kate, 50000, Thailand
• Phone: + 66 53 275 300
• Price: $ 42 USD per night.
• You can check rates & availability for this hotel on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

Eurasia Chiang Mai Hotel – 3-star hotel

• Address: T. Nong Pakrang, Amphur Muang 1 Likkasithradvidhee Rd, Nong Pakrang, Muang, เชียงใหม่ 50000, Thailand
• Phone: + 66 53 247 790
• Price: $ 24 USD per night.
• You can check rates & availability for this hotel on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

What to eat?

The specialties that you should try include: khao soi, sai oua, Kaeng hang lei pork curry, fermented pork roll, Khanom Jeen nam ngiao, Kaeng khanun, yum moo yor, Miang kham ..

Chiang Mai itinerary: Day 1

9h30: Departing at the airport, doing check-in procedures.

15h30: Get a hotel room in Chiangmai. Rest for 30 minutes.

16h: Visit Wat Chedi Luang temple in Prapokklao road. It was built in 1401 by the order of Saeng Muang Ma King. In 1454, Tilo-Garaj King expands the stupas to 86 meters high. This temple collapsed in an earthquake in 1545.

In 1991-1992, it was rebuilt at a cost of several million baht. Special characteristics of the temple are the harmonious combination of the architecture of Lanna dynasty and art of Northern Thailand.

18h: Have dinner. Wandering by motorbike to explore Chiangmai at night or drop by the Tung park where was used to be a prison for drug traffickers.

22h: Back to the hotel to rest.

Chiang Mai itinerary: Day 2

There are 2 options:

1. Participate in the activities of Songkran festival like welcoming Buddha statue, cleaning Buddha statue, covering by sand by the river as well as some other activities such as taking part in the temple ceremony, watching beauty pageants, having dinner with beloved ones …

2. Continue the journey to explore the fabulous sights of Chiang Mai:

8h: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple is away 18 km from Chiangmai city center. It is located on the slopes of Suthep at an altitude of 1,073 m and is built in 1383. The highlight of the landscape is the huge gilded stupa, the path is 290 Naga stair steps, beautiful city view from above.

11h: Visit Mae Sa Elephant Camp, away about 30 km from the city. Come here, you will have a chance to drive an elephant around the camp. Have lunch here.

13h: Chiang Mai Zoo is home to more than 200 species of mammals. There are Lin Hui and Xuang Xuang, Goodwill Ambassador from Thailand and China.

17h: Stop at a tea shop inside the zoo premises, drinking tea, watching the sunset and watching the birds flying back to their nest.

Chiang Mai itinerary: Day 3

15th April is the day celebrating the Water Festival.

Traditionally, in the old days, Thais use scented water to fall on family members with the concept of washing away bad things in previous years, receiving the freshness and good luck in the new year. Due to the uniqueness, this ritual has expanded to splash all members of families as well as for foreign and domestic tourists.

Things need to know when participating Songkran Water Festival:

• You can water onto everyone, except children, the elderly and the monks.
• You should not use dirty water or ice water onto people around.

• Always smile and enjoy the fun that festival brings.
• Learn the phrase “Happy New Year” in Thai is “Sawasdee Pee Mai!”.
• Do not water on people who are driving because this can cause accidents.

21h: Get to the Chiangmai airport, end 72-hour schedule backpacking Chiangmai on the occasion of Songkran water festival.

Here are more photos about Songkran water festival:

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Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Chiang Mai you can refer to

• Private Chiang Mai International Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Mai and More
• Private Chiang Mai International Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Mai by Thai Rhythm
• Private City Transfers between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai
• Private City Transfers for Chiang Mai
• Private City Transfers between Chiang Mai and Pai by Thai Rhythm
• Private Chiang Mai International Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Rai
• Private City Transfers between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
• Chiang Mai City & Temples Half Day Tour by Tour East
• Chiang Rai One Day Tour from Chiang Mai
• Doi Suthep-Chiang Mai City Temple Tour
• Classic Chiang Mai Doi Suthep Half Day Tour
• Chiang Mai Custom Tour: Chiang Mai Night Safari, Doi Suthep, Elephant Sanctuary, Zipline Adventure, and More
• Private Car Charter Between Chiang Mai and Pai
• Doi Inthanon National Park Day Tour in Chiang Mai
• [SALE] 4G Sim Card (Thailand Pick Up) for Thailand
• 4G SIM Card (BKK Airport Pick Up) for Thailand (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Pocket WiFi (Bangkok and Phuket Airports Pick Up) for Thailand
• 4G Portable WiFi for Thailand from Uroaming (Unlimited Data)

Are you looking for more Chiang Mai travel guide and top things to do in Chiang Mai? Let’s read: Chiang Mai travel blog — The fullest Chiang Mai travel guide for a great trip to the “Rose of the North” of Thailand.