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3D/2N Chiang Rai Tour: Chiang Mai - Chiang Dao - Doi Angkhang - Fang - Thaton - Mae Salong - Mae Sai - Golden Triangle - Sample Itinerary
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Highlights - Hilltribe Villages, Aspects of Local Culture and Way of Life, Scenery, Thai/Myanmar mountain range borders
This tour of Chiang Rai gets off the tourist trail and explores the more authentic parts of Chiang Rai. Passing stunning mountain vistas along the way, you will see a variety of hilltribes (Palong,Lahu,Lisu,Akha,Hmong), sample local cuisine and learn about the local culture and way of life here Day 1 - Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao, Fang, Doi Angkhang
- In the afternoon continue onto Doi Angkhang passing Chiang Dao (3rd highest mountain in Thailand)
- Arrive at Doi Angkhang, a remote and wild mountain range that borders Myanmar. A cluster of peaks and valleys this is home to colourful hilltribes 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 hilltribe villages, learn about how they live off the land, their culture and customs
- Visit a Thai military outlook point which sits on the ridge of a mountain where there are sweeping views of no mans land and the remote Shan states on the Myanmar side.
- Optional visit the Royal Agricultural Project Centre where beautifully manicured gardens host a colourful array of flowers, organic crops normally found in colder climes such as strawberries, rhubarb and permisson are cultivated here. More than just a beautiful site, this site bears significance as a showcase for the King's initiative to wean the hilltribes off growing opium to more productive crops
- Descend Doi Akhang for Thaton stopping off at local morning markets to pick up 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 hilltribe village 'Ban Lorcha'. This community based tourism project is one of our favourites, unlike commercialised hilltribe 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 hunting, dancing, weaving, their houses
- Then onto the Chinese village of Mae Salong a peaceful and picturesque mountain settlement inhabited mainly by Chinese from Yunnan province, who are the descendants of Kuomintang soldiers who fled Communist rule. 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 chicked blackbone soup. Overnight in local accommodation.
    
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 roaming monkeys which you can see scaling the side of the cave and swinging from the trees. You can get up close to the monkeys, feed them and take pictures
- Depart for the Golden Triangle an infamous opium trading point and where the Mekong 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
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