The Best of Northern Thailand - Wellness & Culture

You'll begin day three with a nutritious breakfast and a wellness activity at your hotel. Then, you'll embark on a relaxing tour to Wat Chai Mongkok Pier to start a cruise of the Mae Ping River by local long-tail boat. This river shows its true rural identity as the city view will be replaced by scenes of wide water and green trees. You will see traditional wooden houses interspersed with modern residences and colorful scenery while witnessing the local lifestyle along the river banks. On your tour, you'll stop in at a traditional local-style teak wooden house with a vegetable and fruit garden. Agriculture remains Thailand’s largest source of income and here you’ll discover the basic elements-rice, local herbs, fruits, and fishing-all thriving in a chemical-free environment.Enjoy a locally-prepared lunch and then stop in at a fresh food market to see the abundance of crops grown in this fertile area. From the market, take a 3-wheeled trishaw, in Thailand called a Samlor, along Tapae Road, through the city wall gates into Chiang Mai historical old town, passing ancient Buddhist temples, along Rajdamnern Road to see the Three Kings Monument before having lunch.The rest of your day is at leisure to continue exploring or enjoy another wellness activity.

Early this morning, take part in an alms-giving service where monks wearing saffron robes walk quietly along the streets carrying bowls to receive boiled rice and other food donations from bystanders. In return, the people receive holy blessings. Afterwards, back to the hotel for breakfast and a wellness activity.This afternoon, visit Suan Dok Temple (Flower Garden Temple), site of dozens of small white chedi, about three to six meters high. These house the ashes of many of the Chiang Mai Royal Family and Buddhist relics.After exploring the temple with your guide, visit the ‘monk-chat’ area. This is an initiative by the temple in order to have monks talk with foreigners, to give them more of an insight into their religion. It’s an open forum and a fascinating way to learn more about Thai Buddhist religion, culture and traditions.

Begin your morning with a fitness class and breakfast at the hotel. Spend the rest of the morning at leisure relaxing or meditating.After breakfast, relax by the pool of the hotel or indulge in some Thai massage or other spa treatments. The day is yours to explore Chiang Mai independently and engage in any last-minute souvenir shopping.After an optional afternoon wellness activity, join your group for a Farewell Dinner.

It's time to say farewell to your Thailand retreat! Today, you'll savor one more breakfast and wellness activity in Chiang Mai before your transfer to the airport for your flight home.