| The Golden Triangle
| Days: |
7 |
| Location: |
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son |
| Activities: |
Elephant safari, white water rafting (inflatable), trekking, boat trip |
BRIEFLY
En route to the northernmost point in Thailand, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, we will stay with Lisu,
Lahu and Yao people in their villages. We will be trekking on the Doi Chiang Dao range, elephant riding through
deepest jungle, rafting down the Mae Taeng River, and enjoying the dances of the Lisu and Lahu. Finally a chance
to spend an hour or so in the bustling markets of Myanmar, and two nights in the luxurious Baan Boran hotel.
An exhilarating long tail boat trip on the Makong river and a visit to the Kings multi-million dollar museum of Opium
will give guests an in-depth knowledge of this famous region.
Maximum 8 customers plus tour leader, guide and driver.
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arrive Chiang Mai
Arrive Chiang Mai; check in Yaang Come Village Hotel - evening orientation - talk on history of Thailand and
Lanna Thai. The origins and basic principles of hilltribe culture.
Dinner and night in Yaang Come Village Hotel
Day 2 - Chiang Mai to Lahu outpost
Transfer at 9.00 a.m. to the multi-award winning Lisu Lodge (Conservation International, British Airways, PATA,
Green Hoteliers etc.) Drive by local truck to a small village to begin the trek along jungle trails to
the remote Hmong village of Pha Mieng. (1.5 hours walk). Meet the villagers and have a picnic lunch.
After lunch, walk to the top of the mountain (1.5 hours) to the Lahu village of Pha Deng, then along
a mountain ridge to the Lahu village of Kup Kap (1 hour).
Dinner and evening show at the Lahu Outpost.
Day 3 - Trekking, rafting and elephants
Breakfast at Lahu Outpost. Walk 2 hours downhill passing Huay Sadan waterfall to the river, and travel downstream
by inflatable raft down the river to the Thai village of Muan Gurt. Transfer upstream to an elephant camp for
a picnic lunch. Then a one hour elephant ride through steep mountain jungle and rivers. Drive to an Akha village to
meet the shaman and the Akha people.
Transfer to Lisu Lodge for welcome drink, briefing and orientation. Walk through the village, starting from
Dton Loong temple (Buddhist). Meet the shaman and enjoy a cup of local tea with is family. Visit
the village spirit shrine (animist). Visit the Cultural Centre established by the village.
Dinner and show of Lisu music and dance. Overnight at Lisu Lodge.
Day 4 - Lisu Lodge to Lao Sip Homestay
Drive west to Chiang Dao (1 hour) and visit a Palong village. The Palong are recent immigrants into Thailand,
and only received legal rights to live here in 2005.
They produce colourful traditional clothing using cloth made from tree bark and coloured with natural dyes.
Drive to Thaton (2 hours) for lunch at Thaton River village, on the banks of the Maekok River.
Then to Lor-Cha (20 minutes drive), an Aha village which has produced a cultural village tour. The Akha are
the most exotic of the hilltribes, and this village project is a celebration by the Akha people of their own culture.
Then drive to Lao Sip, a Yao village (40 minutes). The Yao are a Chinese people who practice an early form of
Chinese shamanism.
The headman, Gamunsak, is an enthusiastic host. Guests will stay in his house and that of his brother.
Recent improvements in their economy have led to many of the Yao adopting modern Thai housing standards.
Beds are comfortable and facilities, although rather basic, are hygienic and adequate.
Day 5 - Yao homestay to the Golden Triangle
Drive to Mae Fah Luang (40 minutes), the Kings mother's domain and residence. The 26 hilltribe villages of
this high mountain area are employed in various projects designed to produce effective alternative cash crops to
the original opium. The road run along the Myanmar Burma over the top of Sleeping Lady Mountain and down into
the border town of Mae Sai. Lunch here, at a restaurant on the banks of the small river separating Thailand and
Myanmar. Opportunity to visit the Myanmar town of Takhilek for an hour or so. Stroll around the bazaars on
either side of the border.
Afternoon drive to Baan Boran, a 4* hotel on the Mekhong river Rooms look over the river into Laos.
Enjoy the pool or go for a stroll to the point of the 'Golden Triangle' where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet.
Day 6 - The Golden Triangle
Visit the King sponsored museum of Opium. This multi-million dollar museum was completed in 2004 and
offers an in-depth exploration of the history of opium, its uses and abuses, and how it came to be
an important factor in the history of the region and of the hilltribes.
Lunch at Baan Boran Hotel
Afternoon long tail boat trip along the Mekong river through the waters of the three countries, and a brief visit
to Laos (legalities permitting at the time).
Night at Baan Boran hotel
Day 7 - Chiang Saen and the Mekong river
Morning visit to Chiang Saen, the first Thai city in Thailand.
The ancient walled city was first established in the 11th century. We visit the National museum,
with excellent displays of the early history of Thailand. Drive Mae Suai, (1.5 hours) lunch at Charoen Garden,
on the banks of the Lao river. This Thai family returned here after 20 years in America, and are famous for their pies!
Drive Chiang Mai (2 hours), end of tour. Onward departures
For more information and prices, e-mail +662 653 9712 and +6681 450 5340
noting your country of departure.
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