Chiang Mai in Thailand

hybie

Just checking out anyone's views on Chiang Mai in Thailand and is worth travelling up to. I'm in Krabi at the south of thailand at the moment so would have to travel up to the very north of the country and none of my group are interested in going.

I met a few other people who are very friendly and are heading up there and offered for me to go with them for about a week and then return down to the southern islands.

I've been told that the trekking through the jungle and the bamboo rafting and white-water rafting (even though i'm a poor swimmer) is great fun and I wouldn't mind seeing some historical stuff for a few days rather then just lie on the beach for the next 3 weeks.

shopaholic

We'd 5 nights in Chaing Mai as part of our honeymoon (also co incided with the military coup in september). In one day we did the elephant jungle treking, bamboo rafting and ox carting. You just really sit there and the guides do everything but it is definitely an experience you don't get to do at home and Chaing Mai was my favourite part of Thailand! Dunno if you've been on a thai cookery course but thats also worth a shot in Chaing Mai...we did a day of that too.

Colonel Sanders

spent 3 weeks in thailand, chaing mai was the best place we visited for activities etc. Not as sleazy as some spots such as koh samui etc (if thats what you're looking for!!) but worth a visit for white water rafting, bungee jumps etc!

Glowing

Chang Mai is great, a lot to do!

Please don't jump on the bandwagon and do an elephant trek though, you can choose to do a regular trek, which is great, but don't support the cruelty to these animals. The stories I heard would bring a tear to your eye.

If you want a great experience with elephants, spend a day with The Elephant Nature Park, they're a sanctuary for old and injured elephants and don't exploit them for money. There are no shows/rides etc. You can help prepare their food and walk with them and wash them in the river, but nothing they'll not do naturally. Great great place.

www.elephantnaturepark.org

Beware of other 'refuges' who offer rides and logging shows etc, they obviously are just interested in making money at the animals' expense.

Edit: These guys are based in Chang Mai and will pick you up from your hotel in the morning, its about an hour drive. Their office details are on the website.

Lisapeep

Would highly recommend Chiang Mai. If you include a Sunday in your stay there then you'll get to experience the incredible Sunday market which literally extends for miles and miles. You could also go on a trip to visit the long-neck tribes in the hills (the ones with all the rings around their neck). We did a day trip which involved elephant riding, bamboo rafting, a trip in an ox and cart and a visit to a long-neck tribe. It was organised by one of the many guesthouses in Chiang Mai.

You could check out www.airasia.com for cheap flights into Chiang Mai airport. We got flights from there to Bangkok for €20 including taxes. Have fun!