DISCOVER NORTHERN THAILAND

A2

Day 1:   Departure from your country.

Day 2:   Arrival in BANGKOK and check in for the domestic flight BANGKOK - CHIANGRAI. Welcome and transfer to the Ban Khun Yom. City tour, dinner in town.

Day 3:     Our journey begins with travelling out of CHIANGRAI. The picturesque houses fronted by vibrantly coloured flowers anf greenery are delightful to see. We proceed to the small town of Thoeng for lunch. During the afternoon, we find ourselves in a MEO village situated on the border of LAOS. There will be an opportunity to meet the people and later to enjoy tea with the village headman. Before enjoying a sumptuous dinner in CHIANGKHONG we are treated to a memorable view as the sun slowly sets in the MEKHONG river and merges with the purple dramatic backdrop of the mountains. (Total: 210km).

Day 4:     We arise at the break of dawn, so that we can experience the market at its best as the sunrise creates magical images in the melting early morning mists. After breakfast we visit the check point border with LAOS, and then go for a 45 km drive along the MEKHONG river. We'll enjoy the view from the pagoda, WAT PRATHAT PHRA NGAO. Lunch at CHIANG SAEN and boat trip ( speed boat) on the MEKHONG to the very point of the 3 borders ( GOLDEN TRIANGLE) and see the life in LAOS. Return to CHIANGRAI. Dinner in town, overnight in Ban Khun Yom Hotel. (Total: 135 km)

Day   5:     You'll have first a boat trip along the MAE KOK river ( 1h) till the KAREN village of RUAMIT. Then you'll enjoy an elephant trip in the jungle, to a Yao village ( about 2 hours). Visit the village then walk about 40 mn to a waterfall where you can refresh. Return in CHIANGRAI by local taxi, crossing traditional Thai villages. Dinner in town, overnight in Ban Khun Yom Hotel.

Day 6:   Departure for MAE CHAN, then mountain trak climbing up to an original AKKHA village and arrive at WAT DOI TUNG, temple to 2000 m. We then proceed to DOI MAE SALONG outpost of the Chinese nationalist people and visit a rare Islamic community of Chineses villagers where we take a leisurely lunch. The town of THATON is our next destination, sadled over the bridge on the KOK RIVER which  flows from BURMA 2km upstream. Dinner and overnight at Ban Suan Riverside. (Total: 115 km)..

Day 7:    Leaving THATON we head for MAE SALAK along steep terraced rice fields. We enter a village which is inhabited by a rare mix of ethnic AKKHA and Chinese people. Lunch in strange and remarkable WAWEE. It might appear that we are in China and not Thailand. We leave the village by a new road and make a jungle trek to a YAO village. We see the infamous opium fields ( Dec to Feb.) Return to CHIANGRAI via LAHU village and MAE KOK river. Dinner in town, overnight in Ban Khun Yom Hotel. (Total: 130 km).

 Day 8:     In the morning we head south along the road to CHIANGMAI . After climbing through two mountain ranges we have a for lunch experiencing the rich cuisine of CHIANGMAI. Then it's up the mountain that forms the backdrop to CHIANGMAI and to the DOI SUTHEP temple at the top. After we have taken in the exilarating view from the top of the mountain we return to a pleasant break at the Chiang Mai Gate Hotel. There is a photo-session and the option to indulge in traditional Thai massage before dinner on a floating restaurant.

Day 9:     We spend a delightful day touring in SANKAMPHAENG which is the handicraft center on the outskirts of CHIANGMAI. This is an ideal opportunity to pick up Thai handicrafts and souvenirs before the evening transfer to BANGKOK from CHIANGMAI airport and the flight home.

Day 10:   Arrival in your country.

       

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