Golden Triangle Hill Tribe Trek

Your trekking challenge takes place amongst the spectacular mountain scenery of northern Thailand, within the Golden Triangle region close to the borders of Laos and Burma. 

The area is named ‘Golden’ because of the massive wealth generated by the widespread cultivation of opium poppies in this mountainous area and ‘Triangle’ because of the junction of these 3 countries. 

Formerly a wild region of jungle and mountains controlled by warlords, bandits and their private armies, the Thai part of the Golden Triangle has now been brought under the control of the government, the opium crops destroyed and this beautiful region opened to tourism. 

The fertile valleys are home to Thai and Shan settlers whilst the surrounding rugged mountains are inhabited by numerous ethnic minorities or ‘hill-tribes’ such as the Hmong, Lahu, Lisu, Akha and Karen peoples. 

On this trekking challenge you will stay overnight in tribal villages and experience the very traditional way of life that still exists in some of the more remote of North Thailand’s mountain villages. 

Starting in Chiang Mai, the scenic route heads north to the small border town of Tha Ton. This picturesque village is situated on the banks of the Mae Kok River some 3kms from the Burmese border.  A short road journey down the Mae Kok Valley takes you to Ban Pathai from where your mountain challenge begins with a boat journey through some stunning mountain scenery to the trekking point at a riverside, Karen hill-tribe village. You can warm up with an elephant tour of the surrounding area and then it’s a climb on foot to the remote Lahu village of Ban Yafu. 

You will trek through spectacular mountain scenery to the Akha Village of Ah Yea.  A fascinating introduction to Akha culture with the friendly inhabitants more than happy to show you around their village and explain some of the aspects of their culture and lifestyle in this still very traditional village. 

Your trek continues through bamboo forest and terraced rice fields, across streams and up and down hillsides to the Lahu and Akha village of Ban Law Sa. There are numerous waterfalls and streams to cool down in and spectacular mountain views as you continue to the rarely visited Akha village of Ban Par Leai situated deep in the jungle. 

There is also the chance to walk around the village of Mae Salong to see the colourful morning market and truly spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. 

Finally, the expedition ends at the northern-most point in Thailand, for a day tour of the area and a visit to the meeting point of Thailand, Laos and Burma before returning to Chiang Mai for a well-earned day’s rest and recovery!