u can visit chiang mai for upcoming songkran festival.I already booked package tour ,u can also get wet & fun there .http://www.aandftour.com

We went on the elephant trek which also included bamboo rafting, ox cart riding, visiting a Mayan village and dropping into an Orchid farm on the way back. Brilliant day out and not too pricey either.

Try and get to the night market aswell, really great atmosphere, lots of bargains and tasty food to boot.

Have been there several times, the New Year Festival is fun, but very drenching(Water) Take a trip toward Chang Rai, and see the tribal people, especially the Long Necks, it's like stepping into a National Geographic Magazine.

We hired a car and driver and went to the elephant camp(wonderful!), umbrella factory, and orchid farm. It was a very modest cost and the driver spoke english. The hotel arranged it for us.

Strolling the night market is delightful because the Thai are such charming, friendly people. Bargaining can go on for days.

We loved Chaing Mai and plan another trip there.

A warning about the water festival. Friends who were there said often the water was very dirty that was thrown. They are very mellow travelers but said it was difficult not to get irritated.

Have fun!

Hi There -- also planning to be in Chiang Mai at Christmas'08 but have not yet booked any tour guides or hotels. Would love to know what you know. Can you share any advice?

Thanks, Susie

If you only have 2 days that is a same cause this is a beautiful city.

But I would recommend hiring a car and driver,most hotels can arrange this.It is resonably priced and you can stay as long or short a time at the different venues.

A day doing the tourist parks is good fun if you dont ride elephants and the like every day at home and some of the handicraftts are brilliant.Doi Suthep is a must see,and a great meal out with show is Khum Kun Tok resturant.And walk around the night market after.

I am sure that will fill your time in and have you booking to go back in the near future.

If you go to the Masea elephant camp (which is a must!) you should also stop by the Snake Farm for an awesome show and the Monkey School. If you go to The Green Tulip Guest house for lunch there is a woman there who can set the whole day up for you very cheap. The trip includes the elephant camp, snake farm, monkey school and orchid farm. It's so fun! Enjoy!

I went there two years ago and there are a lot of activities there. Usually, if you walk around, you will find different packages available from the tourist stands. I did a one day trecking with the elephants (amazing creatures--they danced, drew with their trunks, played soccer, just to name a few!!), bamboo rafting, rode on a white buffalo, ate lunch in a hut on top of the river, saw the long neck and big ears people. Also, there's a huge night market by the moat (the old capital). Have FUN!

The elephant camp is a must do! I concur with posts that recommend a car and driver which is very affordable. Our guide/driver was excellent.

The night market is great fun because the vendors are so pleasant and dickering for the right price is a friendly exchange. Have fun!