10-Day Northern Thailand Golf & Culture Trail: Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
Why this trip: Northern Thailand pairs cool mountain air and Lanna heritage with quietly spectacular golf. In ten days, you’ll play Chiang Mai Highlands, Alpine Chiang Mai, and Santiburi Chiang Rai, while weaving in sunrise temple visits, tea plantations, craft villages, and riverfront evenings. It’s the perfect route for repeat Thailand travelers who want memorable golf without skipping the culture that makes the North special.
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Golf Meets Culture in Northern Thailand
Northern Thailand feels different from Bangkok or the islands. The air is drier and cooler from November to February, the mountains ring the cityscape, teak forests line the roads, and the old town’s chedis glow at sunset. Evenings here lean to night bazaars, riverside cafés, and massage houses rather than rooftop clubs, and that slower rhythm suits a golf-and-culture itinerary perfectly.
The golf itself is quietly world-class: Chiang Mai Highlands unfurls through hills with fast, grainy greens and crisp conditioning; Alpine Chiang Mai blends water, elevation, and long views; and Santiburi Chiang Rai delivers teak-framed fairways and an elegant, unhurried pace. Thread in a food scene defined by Lanna cuisine (khao soi! sai ua sausage!) and you have a trip that satisfies golfers and non-golfers alike.
If you’re weighing where to stay and how seasons shape play, start with our complete guide to golf in Chiang Mai.
10-Day Itinerary (At a Glance)
| Day | Base | Plan | Golf (if any) | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chiang Mai | Arrive; old-city walk; night market | — | Lanna cuisine |
| 2 | Chiang Mai | AM round | Chiang Mai Highlands | Riverside dinner |
| 3 | Chiang Mai | Cooking class; Doi Suthep & silver temple | — | Jazz bar / spa |
| 4 | Chiang Mai | AM round | Alpine Golf Resort | Hot springs |
| 5 | Chiang Mai | Leisure & spa (or 9-hole tune-up) | — | Night bazaar |
| 6 | Chiang Rai | Transfer to Chiang Rai (flight/road) | — | Clock-tower light show |
| 7 | Chiang Rai | AM round | Santiburi Chiang Rai | Farm-to-table |
| 8 | Chiang Rai | Hill-tribe village / tea plantation | — | River promenade |
| 9 | Chiang Rai | Optional 2nd round or temple circuit | Santiburi (repeat alt tees) | Crafts shopping |
| 10 | — | Depart (CEI → BKK or overland) | — | — |
(For hole-by-hole nuance, tee lines, and green complexes at Highlands, see our in-depth Chiang Mai Highlands course review.)
Days 1–3: Chiang Mai Highlands & Local Cuisine
Day 1 — Arrival & Old City:
Land in Chiang Mai (CNX), check into a base that matches your vibe—Old City for temples and walkability, Riversidefor calm nights, or Nimmanhaemin (Nimman) for cafés and boutiques. Use your first afternoon to stretch your legs: walk Tha Phae Gate, slip into a silver workshop near Wat Sri Suphan, and try a bowl of khao soi at a beloved local shop. Tonight’s for early bed and hydration; your first marquee round is in the morning.
Day 2 — Chiang Mai Highlands (AM):
Highlands is the North’s prestige anchor: rolling landforms, crisp turf, and greens that can be slick if you’re downhill and down grain. The routing celebrates the terrain without punishing misses, so it’s genuinely fun for mixed-ability foursomes. Book a 07:00–08:00 tee time for the best air and pace.
- What to know: Grain matters; confer with your caddie on uphill vs. downhill lines. Approaches play half a club longer in morning air.
- After the round: Late lunch by the Ping River, then a gentle massage.
- Planning tip: Before you book, skim our in-depth Chiang Mai Highlands course review for tee-shot lines and green complexes.
Day 3 — Culture Day:
Start at Doi Suthep just after dawn: fewer crowds, golden light on the chedi, serene chanting. Pair it with Wat Phra Singh back in the old city and a hands-on Lanna cooking class in the afternoon. Jazz bar or night market after dark, depending on your energy.
Days 4–5: Alpine Chiang Mai + Spa Day
Day 4 — Alpine Golf Resort (AM):
Alpine Chiang Mai changes gears: wider visuals across the valley, water in play on a handful of memorable holes, and par-3s that tempt you into aggressive lines. It’s a “thinker’s course,” where driving position shapes your angles.
- Pacing: Book AM starts year-round; breeze and light make the front nine a treat.
- Post-round: Soak at San Kamphaeng hot springs or slot a longer spa block; a slow dinner on Riverside Road rounds out the day.
Day 5 — Recovery & Tune-Up:
Give yourself a breath. Nimman cafés and roasteries, a light gym session, and a 9-hole practice round or range work if you want to keep the swing alive. Pack in the evening; you’re heading to Chiang Rai tomorrow.
(If you still need to settle where to stay in Chiang Mai or how far your hotel sits from each course, our complete guide to golf in Chiang Mai maps the best bases by driving time.)
Days 6–7: Transfer to Chiang Rai, Santiburi Chiang Rai
Day 6 — Onward to Chiang Rai:
Transfer options are flexible. A short hop flight CNX → CEI is the fastest, but a private van 3–4 hours overland is scenic and surprisingly easy if you prefer to keep bags and clubs in one vehicle. Check into a riverside stay or a small design hotel near the center. Wander to the clock-tower light show after dinner—it’s touristy and charming in equal measure.
Day 7 — Santiburi Chiang Rai (AM):
This course is a joy: tall trees frame fairways, routing moves gracefully, and greens are true without the intimidation factor of steeper mountain layouts. It’s an approachable championship experience that still tests better players with well-placed bunkers and angled green entries.
- Tee window: 07:00–08:00 for cool air and steady pace.
- After: Farm-to-table dinner near the river, then an early night or a gentle stroll along the promenade.
Days 8–10: Hill-Tribe Villages + Relaxed Rounds
Day 8 — Culture & Landscapes:
Go deeper today. Visit a tea plantation in Mae Salong (Doi Mae Salong), learn about processing and taste oolongs on the ridge. Choose a hill-tribe textile workshop that’s community-led (your hotel can recommend responsible operators), then wrap with a sunset view at the Golden Triangle overlook. None of this requires rushing; the North rewards slow time.
Day 9 — Optional Second Round or Temple Circuit:
If you’re in full golf mode, play Santiburi again off alternate tees; if not, explore Chiang Rai’s architectural trio: the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten), and Black House (Baan Dam). The contrasts—contemporary, cobalt, and stark teak—make for a memorable arc. Pick up crafts and tea to take home.
Day 10 — Departure:
Fly CEI → BKK or return overland to Chiang Mai for more flight options. Pad your schedule for airport security and any oversize-baggage steps with your airline. Tip porters and drivers discreetly.
Best Season for Northern Thailand
- Cool & dry (Nov–Feb): Peak comfort: crisp mornings, clear views, and firm conditions. Book morning tee times 3–6 weeks ahead; some weekends need longer.
- Hot (Mar–May): Drier heat than the South. Aim for 06:30–08:00 starts; enjoy quieter tee sheets and golden-hour city walks.
- Rainy (Jun–Oct): AM rounds are often clear; showers are usually short and drift through in the afternoon. Expect lusher scenery and the odd cart-path-only day—add a buffer to your plan.
If you’re choosing between months, pair this with our broader seasonal guidance in the site nav; it complements the North’s specifics with national patterns.
Top Boutique Hotels with Course Access
Chiang Mai
- Old City (temples and walkability): heritage boutiques steps from Wat Phra Singh and Tha Phae Gate—perfect if you want culture on foot after golf.
- Riverside (quiet nights): low-rise resorts strung along the Ping; easy transfers east toward Highlands/Alpine; many have stronger spa programs.
- Nimman (cafés and bars): design-forward hotels near roasteries and brunch spots; good for longer stays and non-golf days.
Chiang Rai
- Riverside compound hotels with bikes and gardens; a tea-estate villa option if you want to lean into the terroir; or a small design stay near the clock tower for easy evenings. Most are a short drive to Santiburi.
Budgeting with TCR (THB / USD)
Planning rate: ฿36 ≈ US$1 (refresh quarterly). In Thailand, the number that matters is TCR—the Total Cost of a Round: green fee + caddie fee + cart + customary caddie tip. Budgeting on green fee alone underestimates a marquee day by roughly 25–30%.
TCR Reference (High-Season)
| Region / Course Band | Typical HS TCR (pp) THB | USD (≈) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai premium (Highlands/Alpine) | 4,900–6,800 | $136–$189 | Fast greens; AM starts |
| Chiang Rai premium (Santiburi) | 4,700–6,500 | $131–$181 | Calm pace; teak-lined |
| Value 9-hole / tune-up | 2,800–4,200 | $78–$117 | Short days / practice |
Customary tipping: ฿400–600 per 18 (more in rain or for exceptional service). If you’re new to Thailand’s caddie system, this explainer—how to hire and tip a caddie in Thailand—covers etiquette and expectations.
Logistics & Transfers
- Flights: BKK → CNX (Chiang Mai); CNX → CEI (Chiang Rai) or overland 3–4 hours; CEI → BKK to exit.
- Private vans: Best for golfers with clubs—space for bags, cool water, and the freedom to stop at viewpoints or cafés. Many hotels can arrange reliable drivers for single legs or multi-day service.
- App rides: Grab (not Uber) works well in both cities; you can request SUV/XL for clubs and schedule ridesahead for dinners. For golf days, pre-book vans that wait during your round—it’s smoother than juggling two one-way rides.
- Time budgets: Leave 75–90 minutes before tee times; mountain rain can slow roads by a few minutes.
- Bags & airlines: Use a travel cover and, if you like, a club protector rod. Confirm sports-equipment weight limits on domestic flights.
Practical Tips (Bookings, Culture, Pace)
- Booking windows: In cool season, aim to lock Fri–Sun morning tee times 4–6 weeks ahead. Midweek is more flexible.
- Caddies: Confirm your line, visualize the pace, and ask how grain will affect downhill putts. Keep tipping discreet and sincere.
- Dress & respect: Collared shirts and proper shorts/pants on course; modest attire for temples (shoulders and knees covered), remove hats in shrines, and keep voices low.
- Hydration & altitude: Cooler air can disguise dehydration—bring electrolyte packets. Morning mist may slow early greens; adjust feel and speed.
- Photos: Ask before photographing caddies or monks; avoid slowing play or intruding on worship.
FAQs
Is the North playable year-round?
Yes. AM starts are smart March–October; November–February offers the best comfort.
How many rounds fit into ten days?
Three marquee rounds (Highlands, Alpine, Santiburi) plus one optional repeat is ideal without rushing cultural time.
Is Chiang Rai worth the detour for golfers?
Absolutely—Santiburi is elegant, pace is calm, and the cultural radius (tea, temples, Golden Triangle) is rewarding.
Do I need a guide for hill-tribe villages and tea estates?
Not required, but a vetted local guide adds context and helps ensure visits are respectful and community-benefiting—ask your hotel for recommendations.
Where should I base in Chiang Mai?
Old City for temples and walkability, Riverside for quiet nights and spa strength, Nimman for cafés and design. For pros/cons and drive times, see the complete guide to golf in Chiang Mai.
Bottom line: The Northern Trail blends mountain golf with meaningful culture. Book morning tee times, plan by TCR(not just green fees), use Grab SUVs for city hops and pre-booked vans for golf days, and keep afternoons open for temples, tea, and naps. You’ll fly home with fewer selfies and more stories—the good kind, the ones that live somewhere between a perfect read on grain and a bowl of khao soi you’ll talk about all year.