This 3-day Golden Triangle tour from Chiang Mai ventures to Thailand’s northern apex where three nations meet, designed for travelers drawn to border regions, opium trade history, and the ethnic diversity of upland Southeast Asia. With 2 nights in Chiang Rai and the frontier zone, you’ll experience the convergence point of the Mekong and Ruak Rivers, former opium cultivation areas now transformed, hill tribe villages maintaining distinct languages and customs, and contemporary border dynamics between Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.
The itinerary focuses on cultural and historical layers: the Hall of Opium museum contextualizing the region’s narcotic economy, boat trips on the Mekong viewing three countries simultaneously, visits to Akha and Yao villages preserving traditional dress and animist practices, Chiang Rai’s White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) representing contemporary Buddhist art, and optional border market visits. Activities suit history enthusiasts and culture seekers with guide explanations of trade routes, ethnic migrations, and the complex geopolitics shaping this remote corner.
Want to add Laos border crossings, extend village homestays, include Mae Sai market visits, or focus on specific ethnic groups? Contact us via this form or email [email protected] to customize your Golden Triangle exploration. You can also explore our Thailand tours for other northern destinations.
Visit Chieng Rai with a variety of opportunities to visit local ethnic of Northern Thailand
Get to know the history of a well heard Golden Triangle once upon a time
Early morning pick-up from your Chiang Mai-hotel or airport to start your trip north. Heading on into a wide river valley with forests on both sides. The lime stone hills are full of caves like near Chiang Dao where you will visit a temple complex was formed around one of the deeper caves you will explore. You could ask for an extra stop to see trained elephants demonstrating their formidable and valuable forestry skills, taking a bath and you could optionally experience a jungle tour on elephant’s back. Up a hill sits the Akha village of Ban Lorcha, a tribe well presented in these parts. The village is preserved authentically and worth a tour on foot. Learn the ritual of the ‘giant swing’ see the weaving techniques that produce their colorful cloth by hand and peak into a house and especially the kitchen. Higher up it gets cooler and different produce becomes possible. In the past this area was home to Chinese Kuomintang refugees who brought tea cultivation with them from China. Learn the process and smell the tea bushes on the rolling hills before continuing along the narrow back roads toward Chiang Rai. This town is the centre of tourism in the far north. It has a lively and tasty night market too.
Meals: Lunch
Tour guide: English Speaking Guide
Day 02: CHIANG RAI – GOLDEN TRIANGLE (B, L)
Outside Chiang Rai the hills there are many local tribes and all you will see all shades of green jungle. Up a hill sits the Akha village of Ban Lorcha, a tribe well presented in these parts. The village is preserved authentically and worth a tour on foot. Learn the ritual of the ‘giant swing’ see the weaving techniques that produce their colorful cloth by hand and peak into a house and especially the kitchen. Higher up it gets cooler and different produce becomes possible. In the past this area was home to Chinese Kuomintang refugees who brought tea cultivation with them from China. Learn the process and smell the tea bushes on the rolling hills before continuing along the narrow back roads for a look into Burma from the border market in Mae Sai. An interesting mix of people can be found; business men from China, day trippers from Burma, Thai families looking for cheap Chinese products. This area has a great climate and the many rivers make it very fertile. Fields of corn and rice are mixed with cassava and patches of forest. The soil has the color of chocolate. Float along by boat on the mighty Mekong River that descents from the Himalayas and reaches the ocean in Vietnam, learn all about opium.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English Speaking Guide
Day 03: GOLDEN TRIANGLE – CHIANG MAI (B, L)
You are now in the Golden Triangle, a former opium smugglers paradise where the borders of Laos, Burma and Thailand come together. The Opium House not only houses the relics belonging to the historical Golden Triangle but also the painting and some handicraft items that are related to the cultural heritage of the Chiang Rai province. The Chiang Saen National Museum is situated at the ancient city of Chiang Saen. One of the most important cities of Lanna Kingdom, amidst large numbers of archaeological sites, both prehistoric and historic periods. On the way back to Chiang Mai we will visit Wat Rong Khun & Hot spring, Wat Rong Khun or ‘the white temple’ is quite a different sight from the usual Wat. Construction is ever ongoing making it interesting to see the workmen busy with their special techniques. The mostly white color stands for the purity of the Buddha.
End of services.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour-guide: English Speaking guide
Pricing
Category
Price valid from Jan 1st – Dec 31st, 2026 (per person in US dollar)
2 – 3 people
4 – 5 people
6 – 9 people
Single Supplement
$1,191
$523
$422
$95
ACCOMMODATION
Cities
Hotel Category
Comfort
Chiang Rai
The Legend Chiang Rai
Golden Triangle
Siam Triangle Hotel
Include & Exclude
TRIP INCLUSIVE
Accommodation based on twin/ double sharing with daily breakfast
Private transfer with the air-conditioned van
Shared or public transport when indicated in the program
Regional English speaking guide
Meals as indicated (without beverage)
Admission fees for all admissions indicated in the program
Any indicated train tickets
Taxes and service charges
TRIP EXCLUSIVE
All International & Domestic Airfare
Any passenger service charges at the airport
Personal expenses i.e. laundry, telephone billing, tipping, etc.
Beverages during meals
Visa fee and its arrangement
Optional tours
Early check in & late check-out at all hotel
Bank service fees, bank transfer fees for non-cash payments
Peak season surcharges by hotels/ Compulsory dinner if there is any/weekend surcharge
Note:
* Check in time: 02.00pm – Check out time: 12.00pm
* Price is based on a minimum of 2 people sharing 1 double/ twin room. Single supplement is surcharged when one person occupy one room.
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