The Golden Triangle Extension is a natural add-on to both the Thai Botanical tours and to the Royal Flora Expo package. See venerable Buddhist temples and shrines with panoramic views of the Golden Triangle; visit botanical gardens, tea plantations, hilltribe villages and the picturesque Yunnanese village of Mae Salong. In addition, you will learn about the government’s and royal family’s ongoing effort towards conservation, sustainable tourism and agricultural practices with such efforts as the Royal Project near Ang Khang Nature Resort and the Doi Tung Development Plan.
Difficulty: Easy
Departure Date: Any Day. A Natural add-on to the Thai Botanical Adventures and Royal Flora Expo Package.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Departing Chiang Mai, you’ll journey north through mountainous terrain to the small town of Fang, site of Ang Khang Nature resort.The countryside in northern Thailand is very lush and green after the end of rainy season - lining the roadside, notice the rows of Golden Shower (Cassia Spectablis and Cassia Fistula) with their graceful golden yellow plumes. Along the hillsides, you will see such climbers as Purple climbing (Ipmoeae digitalis), a relative of the morning glory with their deep purple flowers and here and there are stands of Wild Bamboo.
Added to this mix of botanical diversity, flitting among the flowers is a multitude of tropical butterflies of every color imaginable. Passing through Chang Dao, an important and colorful market town just 50 miles north of Chiang Mai, you’ll see the majestic Chiang Dao mountain peak looming in the distance. About an hours drive from Chiang Dao is Ang Khang Nature Resort. Before checking into the hotel, there will a tour of the nearby Royal Project, an important horticultural and agricultural research center. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. Rest of day at leisure
Overnight: Ang Khang Nature Resort
(B, L)
Day 2: After breakfast, you’ll be driven through the through the heart of the Golden Triangle as the journey continues to Mae Salong. The Golden Triangle refers to an area straddling northern Thailand and southern Burma that used to be an important opium-growing region. Today, at least on the Thailand side of the border, the opium business has been curtailed and the farmers have been encouraged to grow tea, coffee, strawberries, lychee & other sustainable crops.
Located in an important tea-growing region of the Golden Triangle, Mae Salong has a very fascinating history. Settled by members of the Chinese National Party who fled China during the communist occupation, many of the town’s current inhabitants are descendants of these Chinese political refugees. The town’s personality is that of a Yunnanese (Chinese) village. In addition, the Mae Salong area is also home to many Akha, Mien and Lisu hilltribe communities.
Before checking into your hotel in Mae Salong, there will be a highlights tour of Mae Salong including a visit to a tea plantation.
Overnight: Mae Salong Flower Hills Resort
(B,L)
Day 3: After breakfast, you'll depart Mae Salong for an all day tour of Doi Tung. Your first stop will be at the hilltribe’s craft village where you'll have an opportunity for shopping; then you’ll continue to the majestic Doi Tung Pagoda. Erected in 912 AD, the Doi Tung Pagoda is considered to be the oldest one in northern Thailand and the Lanna region and is highly revered by Buddhists; the pagoda is believed to house the collarbone of the Lord Buddha.
The balance of the afternoon will be spent at Mae Fah Luang Arboretum, a very peaceful and serene park with walking trails and absolutely gorgeous views of the mountains of the Golden Triangle. Located at 4920 feet (1500 meters) above sea level, a variety of cool climate and temperate zone flora are found here including Wild Himalayan Cherry (Prunus cerasoides sp.), hydrangeas, rhododendrons and azaleas from around the world. A wonderful place to relax with nature. Includes picnic lunch.
Overnight: Doi Tung Lodge
(B, L)
Day 4: Day At Leisure. You are free to visit nearby Mae Fah Luang Botanical Garden, the Royal Villa and the Mae Fah Luang Museum at your own pace (admission is nominal and not included). The hotel is located about 1/2 mile from these attractions. Mae Fah Luang Botanical Garden is situated at an elevation of 3600 feet (950 meters) above sea level, the gardens are magnificently landscaped and are crisscrossed with meandering streams and fountains.
In addition to native plants and flowers, there are flowers and shrubs from around the world including over 70 species of cool climate and temperate ornamental and flowering plants At the center of the garden, stands a splendid sculpture of children standing on top of each other; the famous sculpture is named “Continuity“. The botanical gardens and the nearby Arboretum were projects initiated by the recently deceased Princess Mother, an ardent conservationist and horticultural enthusiast and who is one of the most beloved personages in Thailand’s recent history. The Mae Fah Luang Museum focuses on the life story of the Princess Mother and the Swiss Chalet Royal Villa) is the former home of this very special lady.
Overnight: Doi Tung Lodge
(B)
Day 5: After breakfast, there will be a transfer to airport in Chiang Rai for a return flight to Bangkok.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Inclusion:
Rates per person and include accommodations at specified hotels, hotel taxes and service charges, meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner), all excursions and sightseeing as detailed, admission fees, domestic flights, VIP airport transfers and services of a private tour guide on days 1-4. The Tour operator reserves the right to substitute hotels of comparable quality as necessary. Rates are subject to change without notice.
Exclusion:
Rates do not include International airfare, beverages, tips, personal expenses & airport departure tax.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Thailand
Hiking & Trekking
Ecotourism
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