10 days backpacker north: Chiang Mai loop itinerary
Sleep inside the Chiang Mai moat, pay 210 to 250 THB for the Pai van, then ride the Green Bus (about 301 THB coach or 422 THB VIP). White Temple is 200 THB since 1 January 2026.
Buses, not scooters, carry this north loop for travellers who want wats and ridges instead of a beach. Sleep four nights in the Old City. Doi Suthep at 07:00 is 30 THB plus songthaew 60 to 100 THB. Where to stay lists guest houses inside the moat.
Van to Pai on Route 1095 in 3 to 4.5 hours. Sleep three nights using Pai where to stay. Return to Chiang Mai, then Green Bus about 3.5 hours to Chiang Rai. White Temple day is 200 THB since 1 January 2026. Blue Temple is free. Baan Dam is a separate ticket.
Day by day
1 Land CNX, Old City
Guest house inside the moat. Wat Chedi Luang.
2 Doi Suthep 07:00
30 THB plus songthaew 60 to 100 THB. Night market after.
3 Sanctuary or cooking class
Named ethical half-day or a class. Sunday moat if the calendar lines up.
4 Buffer and pack
Laundry. Book the Route 1095 van.
5 Van to Pai
3 to 4.5 hours. Sleep town.
6 Canyon day
Viewpoint and springs. No night scooter.
7 Pai buffer
Cafe morning. Evening van or dawn return.
8 Back to CM, bus to CR
Green Bus about 3.5 hours. Sleep Chiang Rai town.
9 White, Blue, Baan Dam
White Temple 200 THB since 1 January 2026. Blue free. Baan Dam extra.
10 Exit CEI or bus south
Fly CEI or bus back to CNX. Same-day long-haul is tight.
Moat, canyon, then art wats
For a slower version see 10-day slow north loop. Highway 1095 is a van road on a first Thailand trip.
| Block | Sleep | Move |
|---|---|---|
| Nights 1 to 4 | Chiang Mai Old City | Doi Suthep 07:00 |
| Nights 5 to 7 | Pai | Route 1095 van 3 to 4.5 hours |
| Nights 8 to 9 | Chiang Rai | Green Bus about 3.5 hours; White Temple 200 THB |
Keep going
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- White Temple fee in 2026?
- Foreign adults pay 200 THB since 1 January 2026. Confirm on the White Temple day page before you go.
- Scooter the Route 1095?
- Not on a first loop. The van is 3 to 4.5 hours and skips 762 bends on a hired bike.
- Add Sukhothai?
- Not on ten north days. Use the Sukhothai and Chiang Mai week if ruins are the point.