Chiang Saen and the Golden Triangle

Chiang Saen and the
Golden Triangle

When talking about Lanna history, Chiang Saen has taken a prominent spot in the history books.
Its proximity near Thailand’s Golden Triangle, and charming location along the Mighty
Mekong, demands a visit, even if it is only for half a day.

WHY THIS TOUR?

Filled with historical importance and stories, Thailand’s Golden Triangle forms one of the must-see regions in the country. Once the playing grounds for drug lords, controlling the traffic of large volumes of opium and papaver into and between its neighbouring countries, this mountainous region now claims name and fame for the point where three nations – Laos, Myanmar and Thailand – convene with the Mekong as the natural border.

It is where ethnic hill tribes have lived for centuries, where the Mighty Mekong is the aquatic playing ground for scenic boat trips, and where authenticity has prevailed at Chiang Saen. Once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, the province is packed with stories about its once notorious reputation as smugglers paradise. But what takes up pole position these days is its breathtaking nature and a finer few hours exploring this has yet to be designed.

Thailand

Chiang Rai

1 Day

Essential Trails

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TRAIL ITINERARY

Chiang Saen and the Golden Triangle

08:00 - 12:00
-
13:30 - 17:30

This half-day exploration of the Golden Triangle highlights starts with receiving a warm welcome from your English-speaking guide at your hotel. Together with your driver, we first drive towards the Golden Triangle. A trip to Chiang Rai would not be complete without seeing the renowned Golden Triangle first hand. This famed border location where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong River was once the centre of all poppy cultivation in the kingdom will mark the departing point for a leisurely downstream boat ride to Chiang Saen.

Formerly known as Wiang Hiran Nakhon Ngoen Yang, Chiang Saen once was the administrative centre of the Lanna Thai kingdom until this was moved to Chiang Rai in 1262. Up until today, it still keeps vestiges of its past glory through ruins of double city walls, antiques, and its distinctive Buddhist sculpture style that flourished during the city’s reign. You will visit the Chiang Saen Museum, home of a remarkable collection of Buddha images and antiques that date back all the way when the town prospered from its Royal status.

We continue our tour through interesting Chiang Saen with visits to the renowned Wat Chedi Luang, the lesser-known Wat Pasak before ending at the Wat Phra Dhat Jom Kitti, built by the former Lanna King Phangkharat as a shrine to contain Lord Buddha’s relics. Once you conquer the flight of stair behind this pagoda, it leads to a great vantage point to enjoy the Mekong vista that even gives the Golden Triangle’s viewing point a run for its money.

The last part of this 4-hour excursion is an air-conditioned ride back to Chiang Rai.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

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INCLUSIONS

  • A half-day tour with a professional English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request and may be subject to supplementary charges
  • Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver.
  • One way boat trip from Golden Triangle to Chiang Saen
  • All entrance and donation fees for visits as mentioned in the description.
  • All applicable taxes and service charges

EXCLUSIONS

  • Tours, inclusions of any kind and other services that are not outlined in the tour description
  • Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours, unless otherwise stated
  • Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
  • Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
  • Single supplement charges for single travelers, where applicable
  • Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
  • Supplements for transfers for customers arriving or departing from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
  • Hotel expenses of a personal nature, should an overnight be included: this includes mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the program
  • Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)

GOOD TO KNOW

  • This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply.
  • Transfers are only operated within the downtown Chiang Rai areas and restricted to main hotels only. Regions outside the central business district such as Fang, Thaton, Chiang Saen, Chiang Khong, Mae Sai, any surrounding mountain resort outside the Chiang Rai city borders and Chiang Rai International Airport are excluded and supplementary charges apply.
  • This excursion includes obstacles of various kinds that may not make this excursion suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The obstacles comprise of unpaved roads, small boats and cruise embarkation and disembarkation and insufficient facilities to provide a comfortable sightseeing tour.
  • Guests are advised that some walking is required during this excursion; we always ensure that we take the most comfortable ways from the entrance of the sight to the sight itself.
  • It is of the greatest importance to follow the guide’s instructions during this event in paying respect to the local customs.
  • This includes approaching the monks, taking photographs and obeying the unwritten rules and regulations of this deeply-spiritual encounter.
  • We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation. For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
  • Please note pickup and drop-off services may not be confirmed for customers staying at private residences, apartment complexes, or other non-registered tourism accommodations. Customers may be asked to meet at a nearby hotel for pick-up and drop off.
  • Sand and water have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this.
  • Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
  • We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the excursion in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests.
  • It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 24 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 24 hours may be on request.
  • This tour is not operational on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thai Public Holidays

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