3 Days 2 Nights by 4x4 WD Chiang Mai - Palong Village – Chiang Rai-Golden Triangle
Day 1 Chiang Mai – Palong Hill Tribe Village (-/L/D) 08h00 Head towards the North of Chiang Mai after breakfast by 4x4 WD. Stop at the beautiful Orchid Nursery and the Butterfly farm.
09h30 Continue driving to Mae Tang district for Mae Taman Elephant camp; see the Elephant shows by bathing, responding the commands of the mahout, a demonstration of dragging and pushing logs in the jungle. In Thailand’s history, the Elephants have been revered for many centuries. Famous as the strongest beasts of burden, they were also important in battle, with kings mounted on Elephants fighting the Burmese to defend Thailand on many occasions. They have also been noted for their intelligence, memory and pleasant nature. A Thai legend has it that a marriage is like an Elephant-- the husband is the front legs, that choose the direction, the wife the back legs, providing the power. 10h30 Experience Elephant ride through the jungle for 30 minutes, then the Ox-Cart riding for 15 minutes back to the camp. 12h00 Lunch will be provided at the camp. 13h00 Enjoy the peaceful scenery by taking the bamboo rafting along Mae Tang River for an hour viewing lush and green plantations of Lychee and Longan fruits along the riverside’s. 15h30 Drive along wildly and bumpy road up to Palong hill tribe village. In Thailand, most of them can be discovered in the Northern part of Chiang Mai province along the border to Myanmar (Burma). Originally, the Palong can be found in Burma's eastern Shan state. At present the population is about 60,000. They are belonged to the Mon-Khmer branch of the Austro-Asiatic linguistic family. Their main livelihood is the cultivation of Tanatep, a large leaf to wrap Burmese cigars. Both men and women usually decorate their teeth with gold.
16h30 Arrive the village. Relax by seeing the simple life, unique customs and chitchat with the hill tribe people. 18h30 Dinner at the village (normally Thai food cooked by the guide) 19h30 Enjoy the traditional Palong Dance. Take a good time playing and dancing with the children and villagers. Overnight at the village (sleep in the bamboo cottage, dormitory room and maximum 10 pax each house).
Day 2 Palong Hill Tribe Village – Doi Mae Salong – Chiang Rai (B/L/-) 08h30 Breakfast at the village and leave-taking by 4x4 WD via Fang to Thaton. 10h00 Stop to explore Chiang Dao Cave on the way. 13h00 Lunch at Mae Kok River Lodge. 14h00 Continue driving uphill to a primitive Lisu hill tribe village at Baan Hego. Villages of this colorful ethnic group can be found in the mountains of China, Myanmar (Burma) and northern Thailand. There are approximately 21000 Lisus living in Thailand’s Northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Sorn and Chiang Rai. They originate in eastern Tibet. A few Lisu people have been converted to Christianity by western missionaries. They are among the least bashful of these ethnic groups and in general adjusting well to the changes taking place in their society. 15h00 Continue to visit another primitive Akha Hill tribe village at Baan Loh Yo. This tribe originates in Tibet. Every Akha village is distinguished by their carved wooden gates, presided over by guardian spirits. They live in raised houses on low stilts, with a large porch leading into a square living area with a stove at the back. This tribe is the poorest of the hill tribes, but well known for their extraordinary costumes and exotic appearance. 16h00 Further to Doi Mae Salong is one of those places where the journey there is more beautiful and worthwhile than the place itself. Don't miss this trip, as it leads on a very good road through beautiful mountains. The splendid views on the way alone are worth driving to Mae Salong. The little town was founded in the 1960s by former Kuomintang (anti-Communist) soldiers who had been expelled the little town was founded in the 1960s by former from Burma (Myanmar) and settled on a lovely mountain, unfortunately only in order to compete with the local drug barons for a sizable share in the opium and heroin trade. Shop around hill tribe market and visit the Chinese settlement (use to be the Chinese refugee Camp or the 93rd division of Chiang Kai Chek). Drive down hill and continue to Chiang Rai. Transfer to the hotel, check in and overnight at hotel in Chiang Rai
Day 3 Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle - Bangkok. (-/L/-) 08h00 Breakfast at the hotel. 09h00 Leave from the hotel via Mae Chan to the delightful garden of the King‘s Mother, Doi Tung. 10h00 Continue by 4x4 WD along the Myanmar frontier viewing beautiful scenery pass Doi Chang Mob, Doi Pamee then Mae Sai. 11h30 Visit Mae Sai, the border town over Thai - Myanmar. Enjoy shopping some Burmese & Chinese items. 13h00 Transfer to the Golden Triangle for lunch at Golden Aiyara restaurant. 14h00 Take a short drive to Wat Pu Kao for a panoramic view over the meeting point of 3 countries; Thai & Burmese and Laos, situated at the junction of the Mekong and Sop Ruak Rivers. 14h30 Boat trip on the Mekong River to Chiang Saen, an ancient town located on the bank of the Mekong River, was originally called Wiang Hiran Nakhon Ngoen Yang, served as the capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom until King Meng Rai established Chiang Rai as the capital in 1262. Ruins of the old double city walls and many other antiquities remain both inside and outside the district town. 15h30 Transfer to Wat Chedi Luang, one of the eldest temples in Chiang Saen town. 16h00 Head to Chiang Rai Airport for the evening flight back to Bangkok.
End of Services
Remark: Timing is approximately and program can be change or switch without prior notice depend on local condition.
Inclusions: 1. Transportation : Pajero 4x4 WD (maximum 3 persons) : Elephant Ride : Ox-Cart Ride : Bamboo Raft : Boat on Mekhong River 2. English Speaking Guide 3. All admission fees as mentioned 4. Meals : 01 Breakfast, 03 Lunches and 01 Dinner 5. Accommodation : 01 Night at Palong Village (Dormitory Room), 1 night at hotel in Chiang Rai (standard room) 6. Group travel accidental Insurance 7. current % VAT
Excluded Services
1.Optional tours or excursions not mentioned in the program.
2.Air ticket, airport tax or visa fees
3.Other meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
4.Personal expenses and Gratuities and tips hotel/restaurant staff, bellboy, local guides, driver and tour leader
Cancellation & No Show Charges Policy of Regular Package Tours (Thailand):
Less than 21-14 days prior to departure : 20 % of package price
Less than 14-07 days prior to departure : 50 % of package price
Less than 7 days prior to departure or no show : 100 % of package price