Chiang Mai itineraries fail when they try to do Pai, elephants, and ten temples in 36 hours. Pick the sanctuary or Pai. Not both on a two-night stay.
2 nights: temples only
Day one: Old City wats and an evening market. Day two: Doi Suthep in the morning, khao soi, Nimman or a cooking class. Fly in from Bangkok; fly out to Phuket or Krabi the next afternoon if you are on the classic 10-day route.
3 nights: add elephants
Keep the two-night core, then give one full day to an ethical sanctuary. Book it before you land. This is the version that belongs on a 10-day Thailand trip.
5 nights: north plus Pai
Three city nights and two in Pai. The road is winding — do not treat it as a day trip. Pair with Bangkok on a 14-day trip.
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