Tour Itinerary
Tuesday/Thursday
Day 1
Bangkok—Chiang Mai—Chiang Rai—Chiang Saen (L/D)
06:00: Pick up passengers from major Bangkok hotels and transfer to Bangkok domestic airport.
07:45: Depart Bangkok by TG-102.
08:55: Arrive Chiang Mai Airport.
Drive to Chiang Rai and lunch at local restaurant. Continue to Chiang Saen, former capital of the first Thai Kingdom, situated directly on Mekong River at border between Thailand and Laos. Visit Wat Phra Dhat Jom Kitti by climbing 383 steps to top of hill. Also visit Wat Chedi Luang and small museum nearby. Continue by longtail speedboat upriver on the Mekong toward Golden Triangle where borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Check in at IMPERIAL GOLDEN TRIANGLE RESORT or similar hotel. Dinner and accommodations.
Wednesday/Friday
Day 2
Chiang Saen—Doi Mae Salong—Mae Sai—Chiang Rai (B/L/D)
After breakfast depart from Chiang Saen to visit Lisu Village at Ban Mae Kaotom and continue uphill via Mae Chan to visit Yao and Akha hilltribe village. Proceed to Doi Mae Salong, passing through beautiful mountain scenery. View takes in a stunning view of Thailand, Myanmar and the Mekong Valley.
Lunch at Mae Salong Villa in Doi Mae Salong. Depart Doi Mae Salong to Mae Sai, the northernmost Thai town on the Myanmar border. Walk around local market with opportunity for shopping. Before returning to Chiang Rai, short stop at fish cave. Check in at THE LEGEND CHIANG RAI BOUTIQUE RIVER RESORT & SPA or similar hotel.
Dinner and accommodation.
Thursday/Saturday
Day 3
Chiang Rai—Thatorn—Hmong Hilltribe Lodge (B/L/D)
Begin at 07:30. After breakfast leave hotel for boat landing. Board simple longtail motorboats for three-hour journey up Kok River, passing tiny hilltribe villages, bamboo huts and jungle scenery. Disembark at Ban Pha Tai and continue by bus to visit Ban Lorcha, a Phami Akha hilltribe community center.
This community-based tourism development project promotes sustainable, self-reliant development to improve the quality of life of villagers of this Akha Community, and is a model for tourism in Hilltribe villages. Drive to Mae Kok River Lodge for lunch. Proceed to Mae Rim via Fang and Chiang Dao. Continue by landrover to HMONG HILLTRIBE LODGE, for BBQ dinner followed by presentation of Meo dances and overnight stay.
Friday/Sunday
Day 4
Hmong Hilltribe Lodge—Chiang Mai (B/L/D)
08:00: Drive to elephant camp and watch elephants taking timber in forest. Their strength and strategic teamwork will amaze you.
Recommended Option: Take one-hour elephant safari into the surrounding countryside.
Extra: Baht 600.- per person. (two person per elephant)
Continue with visit to orchid farm and lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon visit to Handicraft Villages to see manufacture of lacquerware, spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and to watch how paper umbrellas are made. Also visit a well-known Thai wood-carving factory, with possibility of buying Burmese antiques.
19:15-22:15: Kantoke Dinner. Enjoy typical Thai dinner with ancient dances from northern Thailand followed by a performance of dances and songs by various hilltribes.
Accommodations at AMARI RINCOME or similar hotel.
Optional: Opportunity to visit city’s night market in search of bargains.
Saturday/Monday
Day 5
Chiang Mai—Bangkok (B/L)
08:00-11:30: City Tour. Visit the most interesting temples in Chiang Mai, like Wat Phra Singh with its famous Buddha image, Wat Chiang Man, oldest temple in Chiang Mai and built by King Mangrai, and Wat Suan Dok, housing remains of many generations of the old Chiang Mai Royal Family. Also visit Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at 1,056 meters above sea level. Lunch at local restaurant.
13:30: Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport.
15:15: Depart Chiang Mai by TG-113.
16:25: Arrive Bangkok with transfers to your Bangkok hotel.
