Hilltribe Adventures 3D2N
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TwitterA different kind of tour of Northern Thailand that show you how the Thais and hilltribes really live - not the tourist version of it. It's a real cultural immersion and educational experience very different from an organised package tour as its private, and with your own personal guide you can get to the heart of the area and its people. What’s more is that its all based on responsible tourism principles, we encourage spending to be directed at local vendors and try to give back to the communities we visit.
Highlights - Hilltribe Villages, Aspects of Local Culture and Way of Life, Scenery, Thai/Myanmar/Laos borders
This tour of Chiang Rai gets off the tourist trail and explores the more authentic parts of the province. Taking you from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao, Doi Angkhang, Fang, Thaton, Mae Salong, Mae Sai and the Golden Triangle. You will pass stunning mountain vistas along the way, visit the borders of Laos and Myanmar, see a variety of hill tribes (Palong,Lahu,Lisu,Akha,Hmong), sample local cuisine and learn about the local culture and way of life there
Day1 - Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao, Fang, Doi Angkhang Pick up from Chiang Mai and discuss the day’s activities with your driver guide. Take a scenic drive through the Mae Sa valley where it is possible to undertake some of the available optional activities such as visiting the elephant camps, bamboo rafting or visits to the elephant
dung paper factory, orchid+butterfly farm or tiger kingdom. In the afternoon continue onto Doi Angkhang mountain passing Chiang Dao, Thailand’s 3rd highest mountain. Arrive at Doi Angkhang a hill tribe valley in a wild and remote mountain range that borders Myanmar. This misty mountain settlement is home to colourful hill tribes such as the Palong, Lahu, Lisu and Hmong. Overnight here. Enjoy the idyllic location, views, cool climate and fresh mountain air.
Day 2 - Thaton, Akha Hilltribe Village, Mae Salong Early morning start to watch the sunrise behind the mountains. Then visit the hill tribe villages, schools, learn about how they live off the land, their culture and customs. Visit a Thai military base camp which sits on a ridge on the Thai – Myanmar border, where there are sweeping views of the Thai – Myanmar mountain range border, no mans land and the remote Shan states on the Myanmar side. 
Visit the King’s Royal Agricultural Centre where beautifully manicured gardens host a colourful array of flowers, organic crops normally found in colder climes such as strawberries, rhubarb and persimmon are cultivated here. More than just beautiful grounds, this site bears significance as a showcase for the King's initiative to wean the hill tribes off growing opium to more productive crops. Descend Doi Angkhang for Thaton stopping off at local morning markets to pick up a local breakfast, snacks and fruit. Then drive up Thaton mountain, to see Wat Thaton a striking hilltop temple which offers superb views of the Mae Kok River Valley below. This hill is also scattered with Buddha images of different styles: Chinese, Burmese, and Thai and another point where you can see the Thailand/Myanmar border mountain range.
After Thaton continue north to visit an Akha hill tribe village 'Ban Lorcha'. This community based tourism project is one of our favourites, unlike commercialised hill tribe villages Ban Lorcha is owned and run by its community members where profits from entrance fees goes back to the village. For the tourist it is an educational experience where a local Akha guide will demonstrate aspects of Akha life such as their houses, hunting, dancing and weaving. Then onto the Chinese village of Mae Salong a peaceful and picturesque mountain settlement inhabited mainly by Chinese from Yunnan province. These are descendants of Kuomintang soldiers who fled Communist rule in 1949. The village is visibly Chinese, filled with Chinese restaurants and shops selling teas and wares. The terraced tea plantations which make Mae Salong so idyllic are where its trademark Oolong tea is grown. Visit a tea factory and the plantations, watch and learn about how tea is cultivated and sample different kinds of tea. For dinner we will take you to try Chinese Yunnanese Cuisine, such as pork leg, mantou (steamed Chinese bun) and chicken blackbone soup. Overnight here.
Day 3 - Mae Sai, Golden Triangle, Chiang Saen back to Chiang Mai Depart from Mae Salong to Mae Sai the most northerly point in Thailand. On the way stop to visit the Fish & Monkey Cave 'Wat Tham Pla' whilst there are lots of fish here the main draw are the wild monkeys you can see scaling the cave cliff face and swinging from trees. Get up close to the monkeys, feed them and take pictures A few kilometres on is Mae Sai town, a bustling trade town where the official Thai/Myanmar border crossing is. There is a distinctly Burmese influence here, browse the markets brimmed with Chinese/Thai/Burmese produce such as tea, preserved fruit, snacks, cheap electronics and fake designer goods. Optional - cross the Friendship Bridge over into Myanmar for brief sightseeing. Lunch at Mae Sai.
Depart for the Golden Triangle a once infamous opium trading point and where the Mekhong River converges to form the meeting point of 3 countries; Thailand, Laos, Myanmar. Visit a good view point of the triangle for pictures and the opium museum. Optional - take a longtail speedboat across the Mekhong over to Laos to visit a local market. After this it is time to head back to Chiang Mai via Chiang Saen (former ancient capital city of Thailand) and the famous White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) unlike any other temple you will see in Thailand popular for its modern and unique architecture before being dropped off at your hotel in Chiang Mai.
Notes - In 3 Days this tour will give you a complete insight into the way of life, culture, nature and hill tribes of Northern Thailand. You will touch upon the borders of Myanmar and Laos. An educational and cultural immersion experience that also discusses socio-economic issues faced in the area. Suitable for all ages, families with children and all levels of fitness. Some activities can be subject to seasonal change
Optional Activities - There are many optional activities available on this tour, you can choose which of these activities you would like to undertake and which you would like to miss. Please note you will have to pay for these activities on site should you wish to undertake them. Mae Sa Valley activities (orchid+butterfly farm, elephant camp, Tiger Kingdom, other), Boat trip to Laos, Sightseeing in Myanmar.
What to bring - One set of long sleeved tops, pants. Comfortable walking shoes, mosquito repellent, sunscreen and changes for clothes for 2 nights 3 days.
Whats included - Guide+Driver+4WD Toyota
Whats excluded - Petrol, accommodation, Opium museum, entrance fees, optional activities, tips, meals (it is also customary to pay for the guide+driver when eating together they will take you to try local dishes)
How does this tour help - Directs spending to locals and a hill tribe community based tourism project. Encourages cross-cultural understanding, interaction and preservation of hill tribe culture.
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