While in Northern Thailand, what better way to travel from one place to another than by traditional long boat?

After flying into Chiang Rai, we spent the night at The Legend Boutique River Resort & Spa in Chiang Rai, a gorgeous, peaceful spot a short tuk tuk ride from Chiang Rai’s bustling night bazaar.

The Legend Chiang Rai

View from our patio

Old fashioned Tuk Tuk

Our Room

The Legend lit up at night

Beautiful elephant lights

After a delicious breakfast in the morning, we made our way down to the dock, where a long boat was waiting to take us along the Mae Kok River to our next spot.

Breakfast at The Legend

Morning on the Mae Kok River

It was a long 6 hour journey, but it was peaceful out on the river with hardly anyone else in sight most of the journey and the landscape we stunning.

Long boats along the river bank

Cow on the river bank

Everything was so green

The long boat crew along with our very skilled captain!

One of the Buddha statues along the river

Our long boat captain knew the river like the back of his hand, easily maneuvering through the sometimes very shallow, sometimes very rough water, knowing exactly where any dangers like rocks or sandbars were hiding.

Along the way, we stopped at the Ruammit Elephant Camp in Karen Village. While you could ride them here, we decided against that and instead spent our time feeding and petting these incredible animals, before heading across the street for a delicious Thai lunch.

Feeding an elephant

Such a beautiful animal

Elephant along the Mae Kok River

Continuing along, we made it to our final destination, the Maekok River Village Resort, another incredible resort on the banks of the Mae Kok.

The Maekok River Village Resort

Our bungalow

Such beautiful grounds at the Maekok River Village Resort

The grounds here were lush and filled with flowers and you could wake up and have breakfast each morning with a view looking out over the Mae Kok River.

Beautiful flowers found all over the resort

Huge moths found at the resort. The wing tips almost look like snake heads!

Morning view over the Mae Kok River

Evening at the pool

While it may take longer, if you are travelling around Northern Thailand, consider taking a long boat. You won’t regret it!