3-Day Nan Tour: The Hidden Gem of North Thailand

Nan stays well off the beaten path in Thailand: scenic and remote, the capital of the province bearing the same name is well-known domestically for its old architecture, it charming location inside captivating natural splendour, and for its tranquillity. The region has developed its own culture and often intricate values, after received its kingdom status that are omnipresent and can certainly boast as being unique. It is particularly the ample presence of tropical lushness that draws an increasingly larger crowd to Nan – after all, the mountains and forest regions make up for almost 75% of the whole province. For 3 days / 2 nights, experience what’s best described as a step back in time, with Buddhist relics that are dotted around the ever-present Nan River.
After being welcomed by your English speaking guide at Nan Airport, you will head out straight for lunch before the start of the tour. The base of exploring Nan cannot start any better than at the once abandoned Wat Ming Muang, founded by the former ruler of the Nan Kingdom, Chao Anantaworaritthidej, dating back to 1857. Next, Wat Phumin has to be the most famous temple of them all, known for its stunning murals. Temples with a different vibe, such as the Sukhothai-inspired Wat Chang Kham Woravihan and the mountain temple of Wat Pratardnoi complete the first day. Those with some energy left should definitely explore the town by bicycle before calling it a night. Dinner is on own arrangement.
Before the sun has set, it is highly recommendable to join your guide and the local community for an alms giving experience in Nan. After breakfast at your hotel, day 2 starts with a visit to the Wat Nong Bua: particularly the murals related to life from a bygone era are well worth the visit. With enough historical heritage now taken under the loop, the day will follow the path of natural beauty with visits to the primeval forests of Doi Phuk Ka National Park, the salt-winning field at Bo Klua, a unique natural source of rock salt has made Nan province one of the largest producers of salt the region. This day will not be complete with entering the village borders of Nong Bua Thai Lue Village, famous for its handwoven fabrics. Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant are included on this day before we bring you back to your hotel.
The final day of your Nan experience; after breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and head straight to Wat Phrathat Chae Haeng. This temple was long the centre of Nan Town before it moved to its current location. Local residents see this temple as an important piece of their heritage, linked to when Nan was an independent kingdom. It is time to head back to Nan Airport for your flight back to Bangkok.

Day 1 Bangkok – Nan
We will pick you up from your hotel in Bangkok and transfer you to Bangkok airport for your flight to Nan (domestic tickets from and to Nan are not included in the program and customers are required to book these tickets), we recommend a morning departure.

Upon arrival at Nan, your guide and driver await you at the airport and before we head off for our afternoon excursion, lunch is provided at a local restaurant. After lunch, we start our Nan exploration with a visit to Nan National Museum and then continue to Wat Phumin which is famous for its ancient mural wall paintings called Pu Man-Ya Man, and are in Thai Lu style. We also visit Wat Chang Kham Woravihan which is a must see temple in the area, the Chedi inside the temple reflects the influence of Sukhothai arts.

We return back to the city and stop at Wat Pratard Noi, which located on top of the hill offering the best panoramic views over Nan. There is an optional short bicycle tour here (to be paid locally) around Nan and it is a great way to finish off a cultural enriching day. No dinner included in this package. Overnight at a hotel in Nan.

Day 2 Nan
Rise and shine! An early start is a wonderful chance to make merit with the monks. Thai Buddhists believe that by making merit, they earn happiness, peace in life, and the chance to progress in their next life, while this sacred experience creates a harmonious way to start the day for all.

We return to the hotel for breakfast before heading to Wat Nong Bua. This is an ancient temple built by Thai Lue who migrated from Sib Song Pan Na Province in South China. This temple is famous for its mural paintings which reflect the social status of people in that time. After a short drive, we reach Nong Bua Thai Lue; its villages are renowned for making beautiful local fabric hand weaving.

One of the primeval forests in Thailand has an amazing scenic point called Lan Do Dao (translated as Stargazing Field) at Doi Phuk Ka National Park. This national park is home of the fossilized Phu Ka Tree, which is extremely rare and has an array of unusual flowers growing upwards that bloom only in February.

Lunch is en-route at a local restaurant and will be a welcome stop before we meander further into the Bo Klua district, this an important salt production region of Nan and we return back to your hotel in Nan.

Day 3 Nan - Bangkok
After breakfast, we leave the hotel and depart to another important temple that cannot be missed. The Wat Phrathat Chae Haeng is a sacred place for worship, situated on the eastern side of the Nan River.

From here, we head back to Nan Airport for your flight back to Bangkok (domestic tickets from Nan are not included in the program, we recommend an afternoon departure). No lunch is included on this day.

Arrival at Bangkok Airport, and we include a transfer from the airport to your Bangkok Hotel