6 days - 5 nights
 
*An interesting ride, mostly off the tourist routes*
 
An extraordinary journey in the mountains of northern Thailand. Experience the north in all its diversity. The “Golden Triangle” with a boat trip on the Mekong to Laos, scenic, wild mountain jungle, colorful markets, rustic mountain tribes in their colorful traditional costumes. We explore the dense jungle landscape with elephants. The destination is the pleasant and picturesque mountain town of Mae Hong Son. In the middle of this place lies a dreamy small lake in which the playfully decorated Burmese temple complex is reflected. At the center of this interesting , guided trip in German, is a spectacular excursion to the pretty, gold-colored 'Long-necked Karen' who live on the Burmese-Thai border. With a visit to the "Pearl of the North" with its rich cultural treasures and the pulsating life we end this very interesting tour.

Day 01: Arrival in Chiang Rai.
You will be picked up at the airport and taken to a first class hotel. The day is free. In the evening we recommend you visit the small but colorful and original night market in Chiang Rai. Overnight in Chiang Rai.


Day 02: Chiang Rai - 'Golden Triangle' - Laos - Thaton.
In the morning we visit the magnificent Wat Rong Khun ("White Temple"), the life's work of a contemporary Thai artist - unique in Thailand. Drive to the "Golden Triangle", where the Mae Sai and Mekong rivers form the border between Laos, Burma and Thailand form. Boat trip in the border triangle along Burma and Laos. We visit the Laotian river island of Koh Don Sao, where you can admire the handicrafts of the Laotians (no visa required for Laos). Then we visit an opium museum and your tour guide will tell you interesting facts about opium in the “Golden Triangle”. Continue your journey to the northernmost city in Thailand to the border town of Mae Sai. We visit a monkey temple and drive through a fairytale landscape, past hill tribe villages, on the pass to Mae Salong. Once there, you think you are in a small Chinese village. During Mao's reign, an entire Chinese battalion fled from China via Burma to Mae Salong and settled there. The Mae Salong market offers a unique picture: women from the neighboring mountain villages, in their typical traditional costumes and with blood-red mouths chewing betel, offer their goods (fruit, vegetables, handmade souvenirs, etc.). Then we take a tour of the temple above the village, where an oversized Buddha figure watches over Thaton. Overnight stay in the romantic first class hotel Mae Kok River Resort, located on the river.


Day 03: Thaton - Pai.
In the morning, visit Wat Thaton with its large Buddha statues and a great panoramic view of the Mae Kok valley. Visit a remote Lahu mountain village where you will hardly see any tourists. Further stops follow at a rice mill and a rural market. Then a winding and scenic drive through the mountains to Pai. Dense jungle landscape, teak and pine forests, unique views of many valleys accompany us on this wonderful journey. On the way you will hike for about 20 minutes through the bamboo forest to the hot springs of Pong Duet. Overnight in Pai.

Day 04: Pai - Mae Hong Son. Excursion to the 'Long Neck Karen'.
We continue through the untouched nature of Pai to the picturesque mountain town of Mae Hong Son. In the middle of this place lies a dreamy small lake in which the playfully decorated Burmese temple complexes are reflected. For a long time, this area of northern Thailand was shielded by the dense mountain jungle. On the way on this trip we take a detour to the impressive and beautiful stalactite cave to Tam Lot, which can be reached in several passages on 2 levels and where a small river fills the cave crossed. The cave can be crossed with a bamboo raft. Nearby we visit Lisu and Lahu villages. We then take a boat trip on the Pai River to the Burmese border area and visit a “Long Neck Karen” village. A friendly mountain tribe who adorn themselves with gold-colored rings on their necks and joints. They live near the Burmese border. Overnight in Mae Hong Son.





Day 05: Mae Hong Son. Burmese temples - drive to Chiang Mai.
After breakfast we visit 2 picturesque Shan temples built in the Burmese architectural style. Wat Jon Klang on the city lake and Wat Doi Kong Moo, which is located on a hill from where you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of Mae Hong Son. In the early afternoon we drive through a scenic mountain area to the city of Chiang Mai. Overnight in Chiang Mai in a first class hotel.


Day 06: Chiang Mai. Transfer to the airport.
At the end of this very interesting tour, we drive to Doi Suthep Temple (800 m above Chiang Mai) in the morning. A jewel among Thai monasteries, this temple with a golden chedi offers magnificent panoramic views. Then transfer to the airport.


Tour guide: German speaking tour guide.

Included services:
- Program and sightseeing as listed - all transfers
- Travel in air-conditioned cars (2 people)
- 1 night in a first class hotel in Chiang Rai
- 1 night in a first class river resort on the Koek River (wildly romantic)
- 1 night in a good resort in Pai
- 1 night in a good hotel in Mae Hong Son.
- 1 night in a first class hotel in Chiang Mai
- Overnight stays with breakfast.
- all entrance fees and boat rides. National park fees










Optional services:
- Half board (if desired, to order). Per person per day with lunch €8, per person with dinner €10.
- Affordable direct flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai and from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui.
 
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