Today, begin your trip into the mountains north of Chiang Mai. Over the next couple of days you will encounter some of the hill tribes that call this region home, including the Hmong, Lisu, Karen, and Akha tribes.
Depart from Chiang Mai at 0800. Drive to Thaton.
Lunch at Maekok River Village Resort.
At Thaton you will board a private long tail boat and you will make a short scenic boat trip to the Burmese border. Return to Thaton and continue to Maekok River Village Resort where you will have lunch.
After lunch, drive to Ban Yapa, one of the villages of the long-necked Padaung, originating from Burma. Many copper rings placed around their throats ornament the women, actually pushing down their shoulders, which give the impression that their necks are elongated.
Afterwards, enjoy a scenic drive to the top of Doi Mae Salong. Several hill tribes, such as the Yao and Akha, inhabit this mountainous area. In these high mountains, opium was once grown, but now produce such as carrots, cabbages, mountain rice and tea plantations have taken over. The village of Mae Salong, also known as Santikhiri, is originally a settlement of Nationalist Chinese troops, who fled here from Southern China after the communist takeover in 1949. The recently opened Museum of the Chinese Martyrs tells the story of the Kuomintang forces. Santikhiri has a distinct Chinese atmosphere.
Drive to Chiang Rai.
Everning free at leisure. Your driver will be available to take you to the small but interesting nightbazar of Chiang Rai.