Photography Tours of Northern Thailand

9d/8n Northern Thailand Photo Tour - Sample Itinerary
This is a sample itinerary only. We can fully customise a trip for your photography style and needs. Please contact us

Day 1) Chiang Mai - Phayao

• From Chiang Mai we’ll head north to Phayao Lake, a vast and serene freshwater lake. Surrounded by tree lined streets and old teak wood houses of this charming lakeside town has a very local feel - well off the tourist trail, you’re unlikely to see any foreign tourists here. We’ll visit a Buddhist temple by the lake, then have time to capture the natural beauty of the lake and even the occasional fisherman casting his net. Sunset shots at Phayao Lake, before dinner at one of the lakeside restaurants to try local fish. O/n in Phayao, local guesthouse.

Day 2) Phayao - Chiang Saen

• After breakfast, we will explore local life by the lake, and visit nearby villages to see local handicrafts such as reed weaving. Then we depart Phayao to see the famous White Temple and Black House, a showcase of local art and architecture. Our last destination for the day is Chiang Saen, a traditional town by the Mekong river, sunset pics by the Mekong. O/n Chiang Saen, local guesthouse

       
Day 3) Chiang Saen - Golden Triangle - Mae Salong

• Sunrise pictures by the Mekong river. Then onto enjoy the historical beauty of Chiang Saen, such as the orange-brick ruins of the ancient walls and temples of this former ancient capital. Onto the famous Golden Triangle, where we’ll visit the best viewpoint overlooking the confluence of the Mekong river, and the meeting point of 3 countries; Thailand, Laos, Myanmar. Then a brief visit to Wat Tham Pla (Fish and monkey cave) before a drive through the rolling hills up to Mae Salong. A quaint Chinese village, where Mandarin Chinese is widely spoken here and many signs are in Chinese. Most of the inhabitants here are descendents of the Kuomintang party that fled communist rule in China. Nowadays, it’s famous for its Oolong tea production and idyllic terraced tea plantations. O/n in Mae Salong at a local guesthouse or descend to stay at a Karen Hilltribe homestay.

Day 4) Thaton - Doi Angkhang

• Enjoy sunrise pictures from Mae Salong or Thaton temple. Visit to Ban Lorcha Akha hilltribe Community based tourism village, one of our favourite villages, unlike commercialised hilltribe villages, Ban Lorcha is owned and run by its own community members where profits from entrance fees goes back to the village. A chance to capture traditional village scenes and colourful traditional Akha costume. After this we will visit an authentic Karen hill tribe village, learn about the Karen culture and way of life. Then we will head to Doi Angkhang mountain (approx. 2hrs drive), enjoy the landscapes as we drive up and through this sweeping mountain range that borders Myanmar. A cluster of peaks and valleys this is home to colourful minorities such as the Palong and Lahu hill tribe. O/n Doi Angkhang, local guesthouse

Day 5) Doi Angkhang - Pai

• After breakfast we’ll visit an outlook point overlooking the mountain range that forms the Thai-Burma border. Then we’ll visit traditional Palong and Lahu hill tribe villages, the villagers here still live in triditional bamboo stilt houses and hold belief in the spirits. We’ll descend Doi Angkhang and head onto Pai (apporx 3hrs drive ). Sunset shots at the impressive Pai Canyon and Memorial bridge. O/n Pai, local guesthouse

          
Day 6) Pai - Ban Rak Thai

• Depart Pai for Mae Hong Son, enjoy the beautiful landscapes on one of the most mountainous and scenic routes in Thailand (apporx 2hrs drive). We’ll stop at the best viewpoints for pics along the way. Visit to a traditional Lahu hill tribe village, then onto Ban Rak Thai (Mae Aw) Chinese village by the Thai-Burma border, (approx. 1hr drive). This traditional village is another outpost of the Kuomintang party from China, characterized by its rustic mud hut tea shops around a serene lake – Try traditional Yunnanese cuisine for dinner – o/n Ban Rak Thai, at local guesthouse

Day 7) Ban Ruam Thai - Kayan Long Neck -Mae Hong Son

• Enjoy sunrise pics as the early morning mist drifts upon the lake, before heading to Ban Ruam Thai- a Shan village given the nickname ‘Switzerland of Thailand ‘ because of the European style climate and geology. Then we’ll visit to Pang Ung Lake, where the misty lake surrounded by towering pine trees and occasional elegant swan passing by, forms a picture-postcard scene. Visit to Pha Sua waterfall and then to Su Tong Pae bridge. This is the longest bamboo bridge in Thailand, picturesquely set amongst sprawling rice paddy fields and a backdrop of limestone mountains – another photographic beauty. Onto Mae Hong Son town to visit Jong Kham Temple a traditional and ornate Shan style temple, located in the center of town beside Jong Kham Lake. Then we will head to a Kayan Long neck hill tribe village, nearby the Thai-Burma border. To reach the village we will take a long tail boat - enjoy the tropical scenery and nature, along the banks of the river - arrival at the village, – o/n Long neck hill tribe homestay.

       
Day 8) Mae Hong Son - Mae Chaem

• After traditional breakfast the homestay, we will learn about the fascinating culture and way of life of the Kayan long neck hill tribe women. We will explore the village, for example, visit to the village school, and see the women weaving. We will have time to capture village scenes and the beautifaul long neck women in a natural setting – depart the village and onto Mae Chaem. O/n Mae Chaem, local gueshtouse

Day 9) Mae Chaem - Doi Inthanon - Chiang Mai

• After breakfast we will visit Doi Inthanon National Park. The summit of Doi Inthanon mountain is the highest point in Thailand. The variety of bird species, makes it a popular spot for birdwatchers. We'll take a short walk on the Angkha nature trail, a great place for nature shots. Then we'll depart Doi Inthanon - on the descent we will visit the mighty Wachiratharn waterfall, another photogenic natural beauty. We'll finish the tour in Chiang Mai, and drop off at your hotel.

Northern Thailand Photo Tour - Pics

 Highlights

• Flexible itinerary to take advantage of impromptu photo opportunities along the way
• Access to intimate photo opportunities through our local guides
• Our guides personalise the trip along the way to meet your photography style and needs

Notes
- This tour starts+ends in Chiang Mai. We can pick up+drop off at your hotel/airport/train station in Chiang Mai
- The itinerary is an outline only, it is not fixed, this leaves opportunity to explore local life along the way
- This itinerary can be customised. Please contact us for more details

Testimonials

EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT!!! Melissa, the tour coordinator and Pat the tour guide for Hilltribe Holidays were very good at understanding and communicating our specific desires as photojournalists and foodies for authenticity with wanting to visit the different cultures in Northern Thailand. This company is down-to-earth, original and honest. I highly recommend them and they will be our our holiday card list as friends! (Michael Bracey, USA, March 2017)

" Memorable Day " (Tripadvisor user, Reviewed Feb 2017)
" A Day to Remember Forever "  (Leanne & Charlie, Australia - Jan 2018)
" Authentic Experience - Great for Kids as well ! "  (Frances - Dec 2017)

Please contact us for more information

Testimonials of Photo Tours
Click on the link to open up the Testimonial
A Life Changing Holiday !  (Jo Barker, Australia)
Review of our Northern Thailand Journey  (Michael Bracey, USA)
Unique & Exceptional, Highly Recommended (Clare Rowntree, UK)

Please contact us for more information

If you are interested in in this tour please fill out the form below Please remember to check your spam folder. If you do not receive a reply within 48hrs please send an email direct to info@thailandhilltribeholidays.com.

Click on each picture to enlarge