Once a fortified Lanna capital, Chiang Mai is now Thailand’s northern cultural heart—an old city ringed by a moat, gilded chedis, monk-tended forests, and a café scene as serious as any capital. Its history stretches back to 1296, and you’ll feel it in the slow rhythm of temple bells and morning alms. Yet beyond the walls, jungle-covered mountains promise hiking, waterfalls, and star-filled nights.

Expect a foodie heaven: khao soi curry noodles, charcoal-grilled chicken, fragrant northern sausages, and vibrant night markets where you can eat for a few dollars. Coffee is an art form here, with beans grown in nearby highlands and roasted by baristas who win global competitions. The vibe is friendly and creative—craft studios, jazz bars, and local artisans abound.

Practical notes: dress modestly at temples (shoulders/knees covered), carry small bills for markets, and check air quality during “burning season” (roughly Feb–Apr); an N95 mask helps for hikes if AQI spikes. Getting in is easy by plane or overnight train. For flights, search deals on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Bangkok, the scenic sleeper train to Chiang Mai takes ~11–13 hours; check options via Trip.com Trains.

Chiang Mai

Base yourself in the Old City for temples and markets, or Nimmanhaemin (“Nimman”) for trendy cafés and bars. Riverside stays are quieter and leafy. With a 14-day canvas and an adventurous spirit, you’ll trek cloud forests, climb karst hills in Chiang Dao, zipline across canopies, and still have time to learn to cook a perfect khao soi.

Where to stay (value to mid-range): For Old City access, look at Aksara Heritage (boutique), BED Chiang Mai Gate (great service), or 99 The Heritage (design-forward). In Nimman, Stay with Nimman is reliable value; U Nimman is a stylish splurge. By the Ping River, Rimping Village blends calm with bike rentals. Browse options on Hotels.com (Chiang Mai) or find entire homes and teak houses on VRBO (Chiang Mai).

Days 1–3: Old City temples, Doi Suthep hikes, coffee and markets

Start with the Old City’s trio: Wat Chedi Luang’s 14th-century brick stupa, Wat Phra Singh’s elegant Lanna architecture and revered Phra Singh Buddha, and Wat Chiang Man—the city’s oldest, with elephant-buttressed chedi. Each reveals a chapter of Chiang Mai’s Lanna kingdom past.

At dawn, hike the Monk’s Trail through bamboo forest to Wat Pha Lat, a mossy hillside sanctuary, then continue (or taxi) up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Aim for early morning when the bells and chanting float through the mist and the city spreads below like a map.

• Breakfast/Coffee: Blue Diamond (healthy bowls, house-baked breads), Akha Ama La Fattoria (direct-trade hill-tribe beans), Graph One Nimman (experimental pours, sleek design).
• Lunch: Khao Soi Khun Yai (rustic, closes early—arrive before noon), Khao Soi Mae Sai (Nimman favorite), SP Chicken (charcoal-roasted gai yang with papaya salad).
• Dinner: Huen Muan Jai (northern set menus—try gaeng hang lay pork curry), Tong Tem Toh (herbal laab kua; expect a short wait), Goodsouls Kitchen (excellent vegetarian northern dishes).
• Night: Sunday Walking Street (Tha Pae to Ratchadamnoen) for crafts and snacks like grilled skewers and kanom krok; North Gate Jazz Co-Op for live jams; Tha Phae East bar for cocktails with local DJs.

Getting around: Red songthaews are cheap (20–40 THB in town), Grab/Bolt are easy, scooters rent ~250–350 THB/day (helmet essential; check license). Bicycles are great inside the moat.

Days 4–5: Ethical elephants, zipline or waterfalls, and Mae Sa valley

Spend one day at an ethical elephant sanctuary such as Elephant Nature Park (day visits and volunteer options; book ahead). You’ll feed, observe, and walk alongside rescued elephants—no riding—while learning about rehabilitation.

Pair the other day with adrenaline: zipline the rainforest with Jungle Flight or Skyline Adventure (2–3 hours of platforms and sky bridges, ~1,800–2,500 THB), or cool off at Bua Tong “Sticky” Waterfall where mineral grips let you walk up the cascade (bring water shoes; 1–1.5 hours from town).

• Breakfast/Coffee: The Baristro x Ping River (aesthetic riverside space), Ristr8to Lab (award-winning latte art; bold roasts).
• Lunch: Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden café after the canopy walkway, or simple bowls at Mae Sa Waterfall vendors.
• Dinner: Huen Phen (Old City classic; go early for the rustic dining room), Dash! Restaurant & Bar (teak house, northern tapas and curries), The Riverside Bar & Restaurant (live music by the river).

Mae Sa valley extras: Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden’s treetop canopy walkway and Mae Sa waterfall tiers make an easy combo with ziplines. Expect 45–60 minutes from town by car/scooter.

Days 6–7: Doi Inthanon overnight—cloud forests, waterfalls, and stargazing

Venture to Thailand’s highest peak in Doi Inthanon National Park (2–2.5 hours from Chiang Mai). Hike the Kew Mae Pan nature trail at sunrise for cloud sea panoramas (typically open Nov–May; guide required, small fee), then visit Ang Ka boardwalk, Wachirathan and Sirithan waterfalls, and the King/Queen pagodas.

Stay in a Karen or Hmong village homestay near the park for cool nights and starry skies. Tours run ~1,500–2,200 THB per person; self-drive is straightforward on Route 108/1009. Pack layers—the summit can be 10–15°C cooler.

• Food notes: Simple homestay dinners (sticky rice, grilled chicken, forest mushrooms) are hearty. On the road, stop at Chom Thong markets for sesame snacks and seasonal fruit.

Days 8–9: Chiang Dao basecamp—caves, hot springs, and jungle ridges

Head north to Chiang Dao, a karst-studded valley and hiker’s haven (bus/minivan 1.5–2 hours from Chiang Mai; ~60–150 THB; self-drive is easy). Climb the forest stairs to Wat Tham Pha Plong, a serene meditation temple tucked into the limestone.

Explore Chiang Dao Cave’s caverns with a lantern-bearing local guide, then soak at Pong Arng hot springs or paddle a gentle stretch of river. For dinner, The Nest 1 and The Nest 2 restaurants serve surprisingly refined Thai-western dishes in a mountain setting.

• Stay overnight: Search rustic bungalows and guesthouses via Hotels.com (Chiang Dao) or look for bamboo huts and farm stays on VRBO (Chiang Dao).
• Budget tip: A Chiang Dao overnight costs little—think 800–1,500 THB rooms and meals under 200 THB.

Days 10–11: Adventure sports—mountain biking, rock climbing, rafting, and recovery

Test your legs on Doi Suthep-Pui’s singletrack with a guided MTB ride (Trailhead Thailand and other operators; half-day from ~1,800 THB including bike/helmet/shuttle). Beginner to advanced trails roll through pine, bamboo, and red-dirt switchbacks.

Alternatively, climb limestone with Progression Vertical (formerly CMRCA) at Crazy Horse Buttress—top-rope classes welcome first-timers. In rainy months, whitewater raft the Mae Taeng River (Class II–III; ~1,800–2,500 THB). Wrap each day with a Thai massage: Lila Thai Massage (social enterprise) is affordable; Fah Lanna Spa is a treat.

• Breakfast/Coffee: The Barn: Eatery Design (garden vibes), Roastniyom Nimman (solid espresso, pastries).
• Lunch: Khao Kha Moo Chang Phueak (the “Cowboy Hat Lady” braised pork leg on rice), The Swan Burmese Cuisine (tea leaf salad, mohinga).
• Dinner: Ginger Farm Kitchen (farm-to-table Thai), Huen Jai Yong (San Kamphaeng—reservations advised for dinner), or Anchan Vegetarian (blue butterfly pea pad thai).
• Night: Beer Lab Nimman (taps and Thai bar bites) or Lost Hut (laid-back cocktails inside the moat).

Days 12–13: Crafts, cooking, Muay Thai, and markets

Devote a day to Chiang Mai’s artisan belt: Bo Sang umbrella village (hand-painted parasols), San Kamphaeng for silk and silver, and Baan Kang Wat artist village for indie studios and cafés. It’s the best place to buy quality souvenirs directly from makers.

Balance with a hands-on Thai cooking class—Thai Farm Cooking School or Asia Scenic are excellent (1,200–1,500 THB; market tour + 4–5 dishes). For a different sweat, try a beginner Muay Thai session at a reputable gym (group classes ~400–600 THB).

• Breakfast/Coffee: My Secret Cafe in Town (French toast, quiche), Flour Flour (sourdough and cruffins), Akha Ama Wat Ket (quiet branch near the river).
• Lunch: Rustic & Blue Garden (Nimman; creative salads/bowls), Khao Soi Islam (halal khao soi and satay near Night Bazaar).
• Dinner: Huen Muan Jai or Khao Soi Nimman for a final northern feast; then browse the Saturday Wua Lai Market or the Night Bazaar for last-minute gifts and snacks.

Day 14: Slow morning, spa time, and departure

Enjoy a final temple stroll to Wat Umong’s forest tunnels or a cappuccino by the river. Pick up coffee beans from Akha Ama or Ristr8to as souvenirs and get a foot massage before your flight or train.

Departure logistics: Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) is 10–20 minutes from most hotels. Check airfare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; for Bangkok-bound overnights, see Trip.com Trains. Expect 1h15m by plane to Bangkok (~$30–$80) or 11–13h by sleeper train (~$25–$70).

Budget snapshot (fits your 43/100 target): Street food meals 40–100 THB, sit-down dinners 150–350 THB, cafés 60–120 THB, massages 250–700 THB, day tours 1,200–3,500 THB. Comfortable daily spend: $35–70 excluding big-ticket adventures.

Quick safety and etiquette: Remove shoes at temples; avoid touching monks if you identify as female; keep shoulders/knees covered at sacred sites. Carry cash for markets, and drink bottled or filtered water.

Booking hub: Stays on Hotels.com (Chiang Mai) or VRBO (Chiang Mai). Flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; trains via Trip.com Trains.

Two weeks in Chiang Mai lets you blend mountain adventure with deep culture: sunrise at Doi Suthep, cloud forest ridgelines, caves and hot springs, and bowls of khao soi you’ll dream about later. With thoughtful choices and local flavors, this itinerary keeps costs down while dialing up experience.