Ive been using them on long hauls since 2007, its very much transformed the experience of managing jet lag and getting the sleep I need on the flights themselves. Just get very small prescriptions (insurance doesnt like these pills) and take a half when it will suffice (to Europe). Was able to get inexpensive refills in india just by showing the bottle once and my daughter Emma has brought the back for me before. The pricing seems to have gone down here now, so that I got 20 pills recently; that may see me out for long haul travel needs! anecdotally some people have problems with sleep walking with these but we have not had that problem.
You mentioned culture and major sights. If youāre interested in history, Ayutthaya could be an interesting stop, just north of Bangkok, for its temples. Sukhothai, half way between Bangkok and Chiang Mai is the historical capital. Both are UNESCO sites.
I donāt know where you are flying from but Iām pretty sure itās North America. When flights open, 11 months in advance, look into Singapore Air. They often run great deals from NYC to BKK via SIN for Business Class. They have the cheapest Premium Economy tickets of any of the many airlines flying that route. If you book your flight with a layover in Singapore with at least 5 hours, the airport offers a free tour of Singapore. There are 4 different tours to choose from. All info is on the Changi Airport website.
The air quality in Chiang Mai starts deteriorating in late January. There are acceptable days and bad days. By mid-Feb the bad days often outnumber the acceptable ones. If youāre not hiking in the mountains or riding a bike, the major effect will be hazy photos. Iād avoid March and April when the heat makes the air quality unbearable.
To keep this food related, Iāve lived in Chiang Mai for almost 20 years. One of the major reasons is the food. My wife and I eat out every day. Iām happy to give recs once the time comes closer. And if you want to meet up for a meal or two, and any other recommendations you might want from an American expat, weāre almost always here from December thru mid-Feb when the weather is at its best.
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Many thanks for the great tips and food for thought Jeff. Good to know about Singapore Air. Maybe a layover in Singapore will make the decision to stay there for a few days easier (or harder).
The only request I got from the group so far is to include an elephant sanctuary.
We are based in NYC btw
Thereās an elephant sanctuary very close to Chiang Mai, and it is beautiful.
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If your layover in Singapore is more than 24 hours, the great fares might not be available. there is some great food in Singapore but imo, not much else. If you did a free tour each way, that might be enough.
Singapore Air also has the advantage that you might suffer less from jet lag.
There are plenty of elephant sanctuaries and camps in the CM area. Thereās a blurry line differentiating them. We can save that for a private conversation. Feel free to message me. Or we can meet for a coffee or lunch (no Thai food!) during one of my trips back to NYC. Iāll be making 3 trips in 2025.
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Makes sense. Thank you. Iām now intrigued by āElephant Hillsā in Khao Sok National Park. Not sure if thereās an easy way to get there.
I know nothing about elephant camps/sanctuaries in southern Thailand. Surat Thani is the closest domestic airport about 100 kms away but it would probably be easier to fly into Phuket (either a domestic flight during your trip or an international flight in or out to start or end your trip), about 130 kms away.
Elephant Nature Park near CM is the one that most people recommend and find a rewarding experience.
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Ayutthaya is a good option as itās a 1 1/2 hour train ride from BKK. Years ago I did a trip to hit both Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, but if youāre short on time then just do Ayutthaya as a detour from BKK. Would recommend paying up for the 2nd class cabin.
There are, of course, plenty of photos online but also feel free to browse through mine from the 2008 visit: https://goo.gl/photos/mJ21jaczCqo3FwnT6
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