Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle

Intrepid Travel · 3 days
Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle
Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle
Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle
Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle
Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle
Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle
Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle
Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle
Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle
Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle
Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle
3 Days
From AUD $1535
Trip Type
Activity Level
Light

Rating


(8 reviews)

Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle

Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle

Intrepid Travel · 3 days
Duration

3 days

Tour Type

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Get to know Thailand’s serene North on this Short Break Adventure from Chiang Mai to the Golden Triangle, stopping off to see natural wonders and learn about local history along the way.

Highlights

  • Journey into the countryside north of Chiang Mai on this Short Break Adventure and experience the Golden Triangle, the famous spot where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.
  • Glide along the Mekong River on a longtail boat and explore Chiang Saen, the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom.
  • Discover rural village life with an overnight stay in Doi Mae Salong, a mountainous region where tea is grown and local hilltribe people sell their crafts in the town market.
  • Check out the startling modern design of the White Temple, a piece of architecture that pays homage to pop culture icons like Harry Potter, Michael Jackson and Superman.
  • Soak your feet in the Mae Ka Chan Hot Springs and enjoy a foot massage ‘fish spa style’ – a foot massage while munching on quail eggs that have been cooked with the heat of the spring waters.

Trip Details

Duration

3 days

Transportation

Boat,Minibus

Tour Type

Guide Language

English

Starts

Chiang Mai/Doi Mae Salong, Thailand

Finishes

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Chiang Mai/Doi Mae Salong
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Chiang Mai. Your Short Break Adventure starts at 8 am, when you’ll be picked up by a local guide from the joining point hotel. Head towards the Golden Triangle region by private minibus, stopping off first at Chiang Dao Cave. These interconnected caves expand more than 10 kms beneath Doi Chiang Dao, the third tallest mountain in Thailand – and you’ll get to explore them with your guide. Look out for hermit images, a reclining Buddha and a royal coat of arms to mark the visit of the Thai Queen. Then, continue to Doi Mae Salong, a hillside town with a large Chinese population. Famous for its Chinese tea traders, the region is the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of tea while admiring the surrounding mountains. Explore the local markets in the late afternoon, perhaps picking up a piece made by the Akha, a vibrant ethnic minority.

Included Activities:

  • Chiang Dao Caves - Entrance and Free Time

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Golden Triangle/Chiang Rai
After breakfast, drive to the Golden Triangle, where the Thailand, Myanmar and Laos borders meet. Enjoy lunch overlooking the Mekong River before visiting the House of Opium Museum. This local history museum offers an insight into the opium trade and the region’s troubled past. After, climb on board a longtail boat and travel along the Mekong River to Chiang Saen, the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Chiang Saen is surrounded on three sides by impressive ramparts, with the Mekong forming the fourth wall. The town is famous for the local rice whiskey sold from distilleries on the banks of river. After exploring, you’ll head south to Chiang Rai, where you’ll spend the night.

Included Activities:

  • Golden Triangle - Opium Hall
  • Golden Triangle - Khong River boat trip

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Chiang Mai
Get to know Chiang Rai this morning with a temple visit. Wat Rong Khun – more commonly known as the White Temple – remains a work in progress since construction started in 1997. With its strange design references to pop culture icons like Michael Jackson, Harry Potter and Superman (yes, really), it’s definitely one temple worth visiting in Thailand. Then, grab lunch on the way to Mae Ka Chan Hot Springs. Located just off the main road, these simple springs offer an opportunity to soak your feet or enjoy a foot massage ‘fish spa style’ – a foot massage while munching on quail eggs that have been cooked with the heat of the spring waters. Head back to Chiang Mai after, where your Short Break Adventure will come to an end.

Included Activities:

  • Wat Rong Kun (white temple)
  • Mae Ka Chan hot springs
  • Mae Ka Chan Hot Spring Egg Boiling
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $1,535
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 3 days

Trip Type:

Activity Level: Light

Get to know Thailand’s serene North on this Short Break Adventure from Chiang Mai to the Golden Triangle, stopping off to see natural wonders and learn about local history along the way.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 23 Sep 2025

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
5.0
Ross
Traveled, January 2024

01/27/2024

Excellent trip. Very interesting and with great sites. Was great for the kids and the tour guide. Katie was Fantastic. Well organised and safe.

5.0
David
Traveled, December 2023

01/12/2023

The golden triangle tour is a fascinating, beautiful and generous tour. The days were busy and interesting, the food great, c and the hotels atmospheric and comfortable. Or tour leader Rit was fantastic and made a great tour even better.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989