Day 1: Chiang Mai – Tha Ton

Morning pick up at your hotel in Chiang Mai.  Head north for an hour’s drive arriving at an elephant camp in Chiang Dao.  You will have the opportunity to ride through the jungle on one of the giant animals once used as war machines to conquer neighboring countries.  The length of the trip is approximately an hour and a half.  Continue on a leisurely trip in a raft down the Ping river – back to your pick up point.

After having lunch at a good nearby Thai restaurant, the next stop is “The Caves of Chiang Dao”, one of Thailand’s largest cave areas. It is said that the caves reach 12 kilometers into the mountains. Even for those not wanting to enter the fascinating caves, the short trip there is still worth taking.  Overnight at a river village resort.

Day 2: Tha Ton – Chiang Saen

Morning board a long-tailed boat on the Kok River. The luggage is brought by minivan and will meet you at the pick up point.

Head west towards the Burmese border, which is marked with a rope hung across the river.  Then continue east towards Chiang Rai. An extremely nice and calm boat ride with a constant view of the mountains in the horizon. Within a few hours we arrive at one of the Karen villages, halfway to Chiang Rai. The minivan picks us up here.

Continue on a leisurely drive north to enjoy the surrounding views of the mountains.

The stunning mountainous drive through the pristine countryside making small breaks along the way for photo stops.    Additional opportunities are provided to stop at a few of of the Karen villages along the way.

Reaching Thailand’s northernmost point, Mae Sai. Mae Sai is a melting pot of different tribes; Thai, Karen and Burmese.  It is a border city, where the bustling of trade across boarders can be seen.

Opportunity for a quick hop over into Burma for about an hour.   There is a recognizable difference in economy between both countries whereas Thailand booming economy shows through the wealth of the locals and on the other side Burma was trade is scarce and standard of living is much lower.

In the afternoon drive towards Laos and soon arrive at the mighty Mekong River and the Golden Triangle.   Drive along the Mekong River and come to town of Chiang Saen, where you will overnight at the local resort.   Put your feet up and enjoy the great view of the Mekong River and Laos on the other side of the river.

Day 3 Chiang Saen – Chiang Rai

After breakfast take a short drive to the area where Thailand, Burma and Laos meet. The area named by the CIA as the “Golden Triangle” in the 1950’s.   Gold was once used by Chinese traders to pay for opium grown there.  An ideal climate for poppy flower cultivation to harvest opium sap to produce heroin.  Once the world’s supplier of heroin, now only the remnants of what was can be seen at the Hall of Opium Museum.

Drive further to see the breathtaking view of the beautiful Mighty Mekong River.   Continue along the road hugging the Mekong River to the city of Chiang Khong.   Enjoy a good local lunch before heading to Chiang Rai, arriving in the early afternoon. Visit  the beautiful temple, Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple.   Enjoy a short visit through Chiang Rai Town before heading to the airport taking you to your next destination.