Itinerary
DAY 1: TREK THE CHIANGDAO VALLEY AND OVERNIGHT AT LODGE
08h30 Your guide will meet you at your hotel in Chiang Mai. Drive up north to Chiangdao valley, with a stop at Maetaman, to visit an elephant camp. Here you will have the chance to observe the elephants bathing and demonstrating their skills, watching the show. Experience a ride on elephant’s back through the surrounding jungle. After lunch at the camp, try a peaceful bamboo rafting river descent, sitting on a bamboo raft, drafting down the river. We then transfer by car (45 min.) to a village, our trek starting point. Easy hike in the valley on undulating hills and visit two different villages. Transfer or walk to the basic Padeng Lodge for overnight and dinner.
[Meals: Lunch, Dinner]
Notes:
1/ bamboo rafting might be cancelled without prior notice when the water level is to high, during raining season.
2/ the elephant camp is a private business.
3/ Trek is short and fairly easy, suitable for novices (walk 1 to 2 hours).
DAY 2: CHIANG DAO – THATON – CHIANG RAI
After breakfast we hike up a mountain for 1 hour to reach a small Karen settlement and back to the lodge for lunch.
Afternoon drive to Chiang Rai, with a stop at Ban Thaton on the Maekok River, where, if timing allows, we can visit Wat Thaton Temple with a giant Buddha statue overlooking the valley. Then stop on the way in a Akha hill tribe village. Continue along the winding mountain road via Mae Chan and onto Chiang Rai town. Check-in into a city hotel. Dinner tonight is free at leisure as there is a wide choice of restaurants in Chiang Rai.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 3: MAE SAI – THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE – CHIANG MAI
Head north to Mae Sai, Thailand’s northernmost point and an official Thai-Myanmar border crossing. Visit the bustling border market and optionally cross the border and visit the Burmese town of Thachilek (subject to border opening, border pass fees not included).
After lunch in Mae Sai, drive to Chiang-Saen, the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Explore the famous “Golden Triangle”, the point where three borders meet: Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. Visit the small “Suan Finn” Museum and the ancient temple on the hill overlooking the Mekong River. Return by road to Chiang Mai, arriving toward the end afternoon. Transfer to your hotel or airport.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- End of the tour -