THE  GOLDEN  TRIANGLE  :  LEGEND OF OPIUM

                “ The Golden Triangle “ The words evoke the image of opium poppies , the tribal people , the hidden – field in the mist-shrouded hills and the great grand Mae Khong River, but most of the words “ Golden Triangle “evoke image of opium and heroin the secret and danger surrounding drug production and the trafficking : porous  borders ,civil,  war, armies, police and smugglers, hilltribes, raid on the hidden heroin factory and horse caravan along the old jungle trade paths.
                The Golden Triangle source of one- quarter of the world ‘s opium supply, root of crime and corruptions from Asia to the world  Golden Triangle is a vast area more than 100,000 square kilometres covering the area of Thailand, Laos nad Myanmar- where opium has been grown, processed to heroines and smuggled out  It  is being called as ‘ The Golden Triangle “ because it is the place where three borders of three countries :Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet .and the raw opium is called “ Black Gold “ while the heroins is called “ White Gold “, more overs, gold was  used to trade the drugs in the olden day since there was no standard currency exchange like nowadays.

Day 1. Depart Chiang Mai for Chiang Rai  and make a stop at the Orchids Nursery and the Butterfly Farm, then continue to Chiang Dao Young Elephant Training Center .Touch a beautiful morning scene and peaceful hour on the bamboo raft along the Mae Ping River ,then back to the camp again to see the elephants  going to their morning routine, bathing and displaying their skills in both work and play, then take 1 hr. riding on the elephant back to the dense jungle.
            Enjoy superb Thai foods for lunch at the riverside restaurant, then heading up north to Chiang Rai along the picturesque scenic route passing beautiful mountains and valleys which is an opium smuggling route. A stop is made at  Wat Tha Ton for the border view and also to straight our legs.then continue driving to visit  three authentic hilltribes , Akha , Lahu , and the Long- Necked Karen( Padong ), after that drive straight to Chiang Saen and famous Golden Triangle. Stay overnight at the Imperial Golden Triangle Hotel.

  Day 2. After breakfast at the hotel, start the morning excursion to see the bird’s eyes view of the famous Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. Visit the Opium Museum to study the opium legend and the history of the Golden Triangle .
             Take a boat trip in the great Mae Khong River with a stop at Lao checking point to take a rest ,sample cobra whisky,and chit-chat with Lao people. Visit Chiang Saen ,the ruined city of Chiang Rai with a stop at Wat Chedi Luang. Proceed to Mae Sai the border market adjacent to Myanmar. ,to visit the thrilling market and enjoy shopping different products from Myanmar and China. Lunch at the local restaurant at the border ,then start a breathtaking trip to  the highest peak of  Thailand – Myanmar border “ Doi Tung “ to visit Royal Villa and the beautiful garden  of  the Princess Mother of the King  features many unique beautiful scenery as well as the farming and reforestation project area.  After that., drive to Chiangrai , stay overnight at the hotel in Chiangrai.

Day 3. Breakfast at the hotel, then start a picturesque and unforgettable 2 hours boat trip along Mae Kok River to the Red Karen village ( the village of the elephant mahouts ) to observe their way of living. Afterwards, visit  Wat Rong  Khun , the white temple designed and built by the famous national artist ,the Rose Garden Resort to take a rest and taste home-made pies with rose tea. (Own Expense) Lunch is provided at the
Cabbages and Condom Restaurant, After lunch continue driving to Chiang Mai with a stop at   the Hot Spring.