8 days in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai itinerary
White Temple is 200 THB since 1 January 2026. Ride the Green Bus about 3.5 hours (about 301 THB coach or 422 THB VIP), and keep Route 1095 on its own day. Fits travellers who want the north trio.
The north trio is moat wats, a White Temple morning, then a Pai canyon finish, with no beach. Start in Chiang Mai with three nights using where to stay. Dawn is Old City wats: Wat Chedi Luang is 50 THB. Add Doi Suthep at 30 THB plus a 60 to 100 THB songthaew if you leave at 07:00.
Ride the Green Bus for about 3.5 hours and sleep two nights in Chiang Rai. The White Temple day is 200 THB for foreigners since 1 January 2026. Return to Chiang Mai, then take the Pai van and sleep two nights so Route 1095 is worth the bends. Leave the Andaman off this calendar.
Day by day
1 Land CNX
Old City or Nimman. No Route 1095 on landing day.
2 Moat wats
Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang (50 THB). Sunday is Ratchadamnoen.
3 Doi Suthep
Leave 07:00. 30 THB plus songthaew 60 to 100 THB.
4 Green Bus to Chiang Rai
About 3.5 hours. Sleep in town.
5 White Temple morning
200 THB. Blue Temple in town after.
6 Back to CNX, van to Pai
Route 1095 takes 3 to 4.5 hours. Sleep in town.
7 Pai canyon
Songthaew, not a first scooter on the bends.
8 Return CNX
Van back. Fly CNX. Same-day long-haul is tight.
City, temple town, then the ridge
Pai and Chiang Rai both need a night. For a slower ten-day version see slow north loop.
| Block | Sleep | 2026 clock or fee |
|---|---|---|
| Nights 1 to 3 | Chiang Mai | Suthep 30 THB; Chedi Luang 50 THB |
| Nights 4 to 5 | Chiang Rai | White Temple 200 THB; Green Bus 3.5 hours |
| Nights 6 to 7 | Pai | Route 1095 van 3 to 4.5 hours |
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- Pai before Chiang Rai?
- Either order works. Do the Green Bus and Route 1095 on separate days.
- Add Inthanon?
- Not on this eight-day spine. It is a full day at 300 THB from Chiang Mai.
- Haze?
- March and April can sit in the valley. November to February is the clearer window.