The 2027 Chiang Mai Lantern Festival.
Gold-Ticket seats at the CAD Khomloy sky-lantern release, a sunrise hot-air balloon, the Golden Triangle with Laos, and an ethical elephant day — a signature Northern Thailand package, net-rated for the trade.
What is the 2027 Chiang Mai Lantern Festival package?
It is a fully-operated 5-day / 4-night Chiang Mai program built around the CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival 2027 — the mass release of thousands of illuminated lanterns during Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng and Loi Krathong season. Guests hold a Gold Ticket with raised-platform seating facing the fireworks, and the trip is rounded out with a sunrise hot-air balloon, the cross-border Golden Triangle boat tour to Laos, and a full-day Karen elephant sanctuary with ATV. Operated end-to-end by Explera DMC, a TAT-licensed Thailand DMC, on twin-sharing for a minimum of two adults.
TAT-licensed · IATA 96215733 · B2B only — net rates for licensed agents. Subject line: “Lantern Festival 2027 at Chiang mai”
The package in one screen.
Five days, one seamless file.
- Day 1 · Fri 12 NovArrival, Chiang Mai. Private SUV airport meet-and-greet and transfer to the 4★ U Chiang Mai in the old-town moat district. Check in, evening at leisure to explore the Night Bazaar and Lanna cafés.
- Day 2 · Sat 13 NovCAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival — Gold Ticket. Free morning, then the evening headline event (approx. 5:00–11:30 PM): raised-platform seating, Northern Thai dinner, Lanna performances, fireworks and the mass sky-lantern release. Shared A/C round-trip transfer from CMECC.
- Day 3 · Sun 14 NovSunrise balloon + Golden Triangle. Dawn hot-air balloon flight over the Chiang Mai countryside with a champagne toast, then the cross-border Golden Triangle boat tour to Don Sao Island, Laos, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong.
- Day 4 · Mon 15 NovKaren elephant sanctuary + ATV. Full private-transfer day at the Karen Hilltribe Elephant Sanctuary — feed and bathe rescued elephants, learn traditional care, enjoy a Thai lunch, then a one-hour jungle ATV ride and a waterfall stop.
- Day 5 · Tue 16 NovDeparture. Breakfast, check-out and private SUV transfer to Chiang Mai International Airport — or extend your clients’ stay with a beach or Bangkok add-on.
Four signature inclusions, in detail.
1 · CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival 2027 — Gold Ticket
The centrepiece: one of Thailand’s most iconic cultural celebrations. The Gold Ticket seats your clients on a raised platform facing the fireworks for the synchronised release of thousands of illuminated sky lanterns, with a Northern Thai and international dinner, traditional Lanna ceremonies, live entertainment and an official festival souvenir. Duration approximately 5:00–11:30 PM on the festival night.
Included: Official Gold Ticket · raised-platform seating · dinner · cultural performances · sky-lantern release ceremony · fireworks display · official souvenir · shared A/C round-trip transfer (pick-up at Chiang Mai International Exhibition & Convention Centre; drop-off Night Bazaar / MAYA Mall).
2 · Hot-Air Balloon over Chiang Mai (SIC)
A dawn ascent up to around 2,000 feet for roughly 40–50 minutes of scenic flight over rice fields, mountains and villages as the sun rises. After landing, guests celebrate with a champagne toast and light breakfast, and receive a commemorative flight certificate — a highlight for couples and photographers alike.
Included: shared join-basket flight · approx. 40–50 min · transfers · champagne celebration · coffee, tea, sandwiches & juice · flight certificate · travel accident insurance.
3 · Golden Triangle with Laos Island (Don Sao)
A cross-border Mekong boat tour to the point where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar converge. Cruise the legendary Golden Triangle and step ashore on Don Sao Island in Laos for its riverside market, handicrafts and Lao culture, with views of the three-country border and the region’s trading history.
Included: Golden Triangle boat ride · visit to Don Sao Island (Laos) · scenic Mekong cruise · free time at the local market · three-country border views · cross-border boat transfer.
4 · Karen Hilltribe Elephant Sanctuary + ATV (Full Day, Private)
An ethical, full-day encounter at a Karen community sanctuary: dress in traditional Karen attire, hand-feed and bathe rescued elephants, learn how their herbal care is prepared, share a mud-spa and river bath, then enjoy a Thai lunch before a one-hour jungle ATV ride and a refreshing waterfall stop. Operated on private transfers with an English-speaking guide.
Included: private transfers · English-speaking guide · sanctuary experience · Karen clothing · feeding · herbal-medicine demonstration · mud spa & river bathing · 1-hour ATV · Thai lunch · seasonal fruits · drinking water · travel accident insurance.
4★ U Chiang Mai — old-town moat district.
Four nights at the 4-star U Chiang Mai in a Superior Room on twin/double sharing, with daily breakfast (CP plan). A boutique base steps from the historic moat, temples and Night Bazaar — and its signature “check-in whenever you like, stay 24 hours” flexibility suits festival late nights.
Exactly what’s included — and what’s not.
Included in the package
- ✓Stay & transfers — 4 nights at 4★ U Chiang Mai (Superior Room, twin/double) · daily breakfast (CP plan) · private SUV airport transfers both ways · private van activity transfers
- ✓CAD Khomloy Gold Ticket — official Gold Ticket · raised-platform seating facing the fireworks · Northern Thai & international dinner · Lanna cultural performances & live entertainment · sky-lantern release ceremony · fireworks display · official festival souvenir · shared A/C round-trip transfer (CMECC ↔ Night Bazaar / MAYA Mall)
- ✓Hot-air balloon (SIC) — shared join-basket flight approx. 40–50 min · transfers to/from the balloon base · champagne celebration with coffee, tea, sandwiches & juice · flight certificate · travel accident insurance
- ✓Golden Triangle + Laos (Don Sao) — Golden Triangle boat ride · scenic Mekong cruise · visit to Don Sao Island, Laos, with market free time · three-country border views · cross-border boat transfer
- ✓Karen elephant sanctuary + ATV — private transfers & English-speaking guide · traditional Karen clothing · elephant feeding, herbal-medicine demonstration, mud spa & river bathing · 1-hour ATV ride & waterfall stop · traditional Thai lunch, seasonal fruits & drinking water · travel accident insurance
Not included (excluded)
- ✓Alcoholic beverages
- ✓Personal expenses
- ✓Tips & gratuities
- ✓Additional food & drinks beyond the stated meals
- ✓Souvenirs
- ✓International & domestic airfare
- ✓Thailand visa / entry fees where applicable
- ✓Any meals not specified under inclusions
- ✓Anything not expressly listed as included
Good to know
- ✓Minimum 2 adults, twin/double sharing, 1 room. Triple rooms, child rates and single supplements are quoted on request.
- ✓Prices are indicative net rates for licensed travel agents on twin-sharing — the exact quote for your party size and dates is confirmed within 24 hours.
- ✓The CAD Khomloy Gold Ticket, hotel allotment and balloon seats are subject to availability at confirmation — book early for November 2027.
- ✓The festival night follows the lunar calendar (approx. 13 Nov 2027); final dates are confirmed at booking.
- ✓The balloon is on a shared join-basket (SIC) basis; the full-flight option includes hotel transfers and a flight certificate.
- ✓Fully customisable — add nights, upgrade hotels, or extend with a Bangkok or beach stay, all re-costed to your brief.
Reserve the 2027 Chiang Mai Lantern Festival.
Email the Explera DMC trade desk with your dates and party size — net-rate confirmation comes back within 24 hours. Minimum 2 adults, twin share.
Send to b2b@explera.co.th with subject “Lantern Festival 2027 at Chiang mai”
Questions agents ask about this package.
When is the 2027 Chiang Mai Lantern Festival and what are the package dates?
This package runs 12–16 November 2027 (5 days / 4 nights) with the CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival evening on 13 November. Chiang Mai's Yi Peng and Loi Krathong celebrations fall in November each year; the exact festival night is fixed by the lunar calendar, so book early — Gold Ticket seating and 4-star rooms sell out months ahead.
What does the CAD Khomloy Gold Ticket include?
The Gold Ticket gives raised-platform seating facing the fireworks, the mass sky-lantern release ceremony, cultural Lanna performances and live entertainment, a Northern Thai and international dinner, an official festival souvenir, and shared air-conditioned round-trip transfer from the CMECC venue to the Night Bazaar / MAYA Mall area.
How many people are required to book, and what is the room basis?
A minimum of 2 adults is required, quoted on twin/double-sharing in one room. The price shown is per adult on that basis. Larger groups, triple rooms, child rates and single supplements are all quoted on request — send your exact party size to the trade desk.
Is this a net rate for travel agents?
Yes. Explera DMC is B2B only — the figure shown is an indicative net rate for licensed travel agents and tour operators on twin-sharing. Your agency adds its own margin; your client never sees the trade rate. The exact quote for your dates and party size is confirmed within 24 hours.
Can the package be customised or extended?
Absolutely. Add nights in Chiang Mai or Bangkok, upgrade the hotel, swap or add excursions, or pair it with a beach extension — every element is modular and re-costed to your brief. It runs on Explera's own ground operation with licensed guides and 24/7 support.
More Northern Thailand ideas: Northern Culture Loop · Chiang Mai destination guide · all sample itineraries · Thailand DMC services for travel agents.