Golden Triangle 5D/4N
5 Days Starting and ending in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Visiting: Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep Temple, Doi Pui Village, Nong Hoi Market, Chiang Mai, Baan Hongnual Cookery School, Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon National Park, Wat Rong Khun, Mae Chan, Chiang Saen, Wat Chedi Luang, The Golden Triangle, Wat Pu Kao, Hall of Opium Museum, Mae Sai, Chiang Rai
Tour operator:
Tour code:
58050
Guide Type:
Partially Guided
Group size:
1 - 18
Age range:
18-90
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Wildlife Tours
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 5-day journey through Northern Thailand with the "Golden Triangle 5D/4N" tour. Begin in Chiang Mai, exploring its vibrant temples and Hmong villages, and savor a traditional Khantoke dinner with Northern Thai cuisine and dances. Dive into a culinary adventure with a cooking class at Baan Hongnual, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Doi Inthanon National Park, home to stunning waterfalls and hill tribes. Discover the unique White Temple in Chiang Rai, and delve into the history of the Golden Triangle. Conclude with a serene nature walk and bamboo-cooked lunch at a waterfall, before returning to Chiang Mai. Enjoy comfortable accommodations, guided activities, and delicious meals throughout this enriching cultural exploration.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Location: Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep Temple, Doi Pui Village
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Chiang Mai - Northern Thailand’s most important cultural hub offers a huge variety of antique temples from colorful structures that sparkle in the sunlight to more understated beauties that exhibit the earthy tones of brick and wood.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by driver and transfer to your hotel.
Explore Chiang Mai's cultural treasures with a visit to Doi Suthep Temple and Doi Pui Village, followed by a scenic hike led by local Hmong guides. After immersing in nature and learning about mountain life, unwind with a Khantoke dinner showcasing Northern Thai cuisine and traditional dances, a quintessential experience in Chiang Mai.
Meal included: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Distance and duration: 11,4 kilometers, approximately 3h 30min - 4 hours hiking
Level: 1
Different in elevation: 400 meters elevation gain, 500 meters descent
Terrain: dirt track roads and forest trails, some parts on stairs passing rocky terrain
Day 2: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Location: Chiang Mai, Nong Hoi Market, Chiang Mai, Baan Hongnual Cookery School, Chiang Mai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Half day cooking class at Baan Hongnual cookery school (join in excursion including transfer, guide, lunch)
Duration: from 09:00 to 13:00
Start your half-day cooking class at Nong Hoi local market where you will purchase fresh ingredients for the class under the guidance of your instructor. Next, you will head to Baan Hongnual where your instructor will demonstrate how to prepare and cook the ingredients used for your first dish. You will be provided with step-by-step guidance along the way. After you prepare each dish (3 meals and 1 dessert), taste your creations! At the end of the class, you will receive a recipe booklet as a souvenir.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Day 3: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Location: Doi Inthanon National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Nature, waterfalls and hill tribes - a day at Doi Inthanon
Duration: 8:00 - 18:00
Today you will spend a day in Doi Inthanon National Park, famous for the cool climate, lush nature, numerous waterfalls, various hill tribe villages and last but not least being home to Thailand’s highest point (2,565 meters)! With a moist natural environment and manicured gardens, Doi Inthanon is a paradise for nature lovers and perfect for strolling with stunning views of misty mountains. The temperature is almost always pleasant, sometimes even a little cold, which can be a welcome relief after the steamy lowlands. So, be sure to pack clothes that keep you warm! Epic waterfalls are an added highlight to the National Park, as well as peaceful and scenic temples that are nestled up high in the mountainous landscape. The vegetation is breathtaking, and you may even spot a few colorful butterflies and songbirds along the way. The park is located only about an hour’s drive away from the city but the surroundings are completely different. Prepare to see some amazing vistas, beautiful waterfalls, green nature trails, tasting locally grown coffee and meeting some of the Karen hill tribes that live on the mountain slopes.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Level: 1
Distance and duration of the hike: 3 kilometers – approx. 1h30min including breaks – Easy hike, mostly descending. Some steep parts but basic stairs/ladders are made
Total Gain elevation: – 250m descent
Day 4: Chiang Mai, Thailand - Chiang Rai
Location: Chiang Mai, Wat Rong Khun, Mae Chan, Chiang Saen, Wat Chedi Luang, The Golden Triangle, Wat Pu Kao, Hall of Opium Museum, Mae Sai, Chiang Rai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Chiang Rai
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the early morning, you will be picked up and transfer to Chiang Rai, enroute visit Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple and is one the unique highlights for a temple visit in the north of Thailand. The jagged spikes of this gleaming White Temple emerge from a grassy garden like a white fire, and the whole structure is elegantly reflected in the adjacent pond. This magnificent and intricate work of art is a combination of ancient art and contemporary architecture which was undertaken by a local artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat.
Then, continue to the Akha and Yao hill tribe villages in Mae Chan area where you can witness the imposing views and interact with the local people. Continue to the ancient town of Chiang Saen with a visit to Wat Chedi Luang – a temple ruin which was destroyed and left abandoned. After that, head to The Golden Triangle, famed by its mysterious stories related to the former drug trading and past war. You will have another stopover after driving up to a picturesque point at Wat Pu Kao with a panoramic view over the Mekong River. Then, drive to the Hall of Opium Museum where your questions and curiosity about the opium trade will be answered. Afterwards, continue traveling to Mae Sai and visit the bustling market at the border town with Myanmar and the most northern point of Thailand.
In the evening, you will arrive at your hotel in Chiang Rai, then free at leisure.
Meal included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Rai
Transfer distance from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai approximately 3,5 hours excluding visits
Day 5: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Location: Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Nature walk with bamboo-cooked lunch at waterfall
In the morning, you will drive to an Akha village just outside of Chiang Rai. After getting to know a little bit more about the culture and customs of this hill tribe minority, you will start your journey through the surrounding forests and plantations. Passing by rice fields, pineapple trees, and rubber plantations, your local hill tribe guides will take you to a special oasis: a local waterfall where you can enjoy a picnic lunch among the beautiful natural surroundings. While you take a dip in the cool, clear waters, your local hosts will prepare a delicious lunch over an open fire using nothing but natural objects like bamboo and banana leaves. You will be amazed to see how versatile nature can be!
Then, you will continue transfer with guide to Chiang Mai airport for return flight.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Level: 1
Distance and duration of the hike : 4 kilometers - approximately 2 hours
Elevation difference: less than 150 meters
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 nights accommodation is included.
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Transport
Transport is provided as per the itinerary.
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Activities
Activities include hiking in the footsteps of the Hmong, a half-day cooking class, a day at Doi Inthanon, and a nature walk with a bamboo-cooked lunch at a waterfall.
What's Not Included
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Visa Fees
Visa fees are not included.
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Tips and Personal Expenses
Tips and personal expenses are not included.
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Travelers’ Personal Insurance
Travelers’ personal insurance is not included.
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Flight Tickets and Airport Taxes
Flight tickets and airport taxes are not included.
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Unspecified Services
Any services not clearly mentioned in the program are not included.
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Local Guide During Beach Stay
A local guide during the beach stay is not included.
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Porters at Hotel
Porters at the hotel are not included.
Mode of Transport
Transportation is provided as per the itinerary, including transfers between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, ensuring a seamless travel experience.Accommodation
Enjoy 4 nights of comfortable accommodation in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, providing a relaxing retreat after each day's adventures.Check out our Q&As
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What kind of activities are included in the Golden Triangle tour?
The tour includes a variety of activities such as hiking in the footsteps of the Hmong, a half-day cooking class at Baan Hongnual cookery school, a day at Doi Inthanon National Park, and a nature walk with a bamboo-cooked lunch at a waterfall.
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Will there be any cultural experiences during the tour?
Yes, the tour offers cultural experiences such as visiting Chiang Mai's temples and Hmong villages, enjoying a Khantoke dinner with Northern Thai cuisine and traditional dances, and visiting the Akha and Yao hill tribe villages.
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What can I expect from the cooking class on the tour?
The cooking class takes place at Baan Hongnual cookery school, where you will start by purchasing fresh ingredients at Nong Hoi local market. You will then learn to prepare and cook three meals and one dessert, with step-by-step guidance from your instructor. At the end of the class, you will receive a recipe booklet as a souvenir.
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What is the level of difficulty for the hikes included in the tour?
The hikes included in the tour are of easy difficulty. For example, the hike on Day 1 involves a 400-meter elevation gain and a 500-meter descent over approximately 3.5 to 4 hours, while the hike on Day 3 at Doi Inthanon is a 3-kilometer easy hike with a 250-meter descent.
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Are there any unique architectural sites included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a visit to Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, which is a unique combination of ancient art and contemporary architecture created by local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.
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What kind of meals are provided during the tour?
The tour provides 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 1 dinner. Meals include a Khantoke dinner showcasing Northern Thai cuisine and a bamboo-cooked lunch at a waterfall.
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Is there an age limit?
No! Most of our bamba travellers fall between the ages of 18 - 35, but everyone is young at heart and welcome to come experience the world with us! If you are between the ages of 18 and 118, we invite you to travel with bamba and have the time of your life! Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Most of our trips cater to the adventurous independent traveller. In fact, many of our travellers arrive on their own and quickly find that they easily meet like-minded people along the way at their hostels, on transportation, or during activities.
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Do I need travel insurance?
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip, especially when travelling in developing countries. Bamba does not include travel insurance of any type.Your current medical insurance may cover part of your trip, so it is important for you to become familiar with your current coverage. We recommend purchasing additional travel insurance that provides coverage for medical emergencies, emergency evacuation and repatriation, lost or stolen items and unforeseen cancellations. If you plan to participate in activities such as white-water rafting, trekking, sand-buggy rides, etc please make sure they are included in your policy.
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CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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