Private Tour: Hill Tribes and the Golden Triangle Tour from Chiang Rai
4.5
Private Tour: Hill Tribes and the Golden Triangle Tour from Chiang Rai
By Tour East
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About
Thailand’s Golden Triangle—the meeting point of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos—is known for its many ethnic minority villages. On this tour, immerse yourself in local culture and learn about the unique traditions of the Yao and Akha people as you visit the highland villages and local markets. Along the way, visit the Opium Museum to learn more about the region’s opium trade, stop in historic Chiang Saen, and admire views along the Mekong River.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 4-99
Duration: 8h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Visit villages belonging to the Yao and Akha people
- Delicious buffet lunch including tradition Thai dishes
- Hassle-free pickup and drop-off at your Chiang Rai hotel
- Private tour ensures the undivided attention of your guide
- Private tour
- Lunch
- Local guide
- Transport by private vehicle
- Hotel pick up & drop off (selected hotels)
- Entry/Admission - House of Opium
What's not included- Gratuities
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.Pickup details
- Please be aware that the pick-up for this tour is included and covers all the hotel located in the following areas: (Thatorn Road, T.Wiang Muang, Mae Sai Chiang Rai, A. Mueang Chiang Rai, Phaholyothin Road, Rimkok, Wat Pranon Road) For hotel pick-ups outside of this area, an additional charge may be applied or a closer meeting point pick-up may be suggested to you by our Team upon reception of your booking.
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Infant seats available
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3685CEI03P- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3685CEI03P
From
$117.45
per adult (price varies by group size)
Select date and travelers
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- nelungunasekera0 contributionsA waste of money on an over-hyped nightmare .This was a nostalgic trip to the floating market I first visited over 30 yrs ago, together with trips on the klongs (canals) along which people lived in houses on stilts. What a nightmare! I spent Bt1500.00 on a taxi there & back and Bt2000.00 for a longboat and saw loads of tourists crammed into longboats which were all crammed together on the canals - with more vendors in shops, built along the filthy canals, clamouring for your attention. There is nothing authentic about such tourist hotspots in Thailand any more. While residents do buy from vendors in boats, the vast majority of vendors merely paddle around for tourists to buy stuff n take photos of them.Written December 2, 2024
- timbM2923GV0 contributionsExcellent tourExcellent tour, with a very knowledgeable and humorous guide and a fun river cruise to finish off. Great value for money. Would recommend it.Written November 26, 2024
- AL1-750 contributionsVery good, no time lost, no queueI have book Vip fast track BKK airport . I book it when I bought my plane ticket (one of major online app) I had a perfect result, worth the price paid A guy was waiting for me after elevator (only me) drive me fast to regular passport control with small waiting queue. I showed him VIP transfert voucher. So he took me to a sideway no queue, he told me he would be waiting for me to show the way to suitcase delivery. Then told me he had to leave. Perfect (but i had to wait for suitcase! ahahah)Written November 23, 2024
- Susanne C0 contributionsA wonderful afternoonWe were the only two people on this tour so had a very personal experience, we found our tour guide Tian wonderful, very informative & also interested in the differences between our country Australia compared to Thailand. All in all a very good day.Written November 23, 2024
- 930heeseungl0 contributionsVERY GOOD WE MET HOSHI AND DINO. AJU NICEamazing because we met hoshi and dino (from seventeen). you can see that they went to the beach in their vlog from the 22nd of October 2024. they were aju nice to us and I really recommend going if you are a carat because you will get to stand where Hoshi and dino stood. if you look around the city hard enough you will be able to find where minghao, Vernon, hoshi, and dino all swan and the minghao and Vernon ate.Written November 23, 2024
- ShruMoh0 contributionsKoh Samed BeachIt was great fun at koh Samed. The tour went very well starting gfrom pickup to drop off. Here what's you can expect. Pick up is right on time. There will be a car/van ride for 1.5 hours approx to one of the pier. From pier there will be a speed boat transfer to samed. Buckle up as it is super speedy. Local transportation then helps to reach koh samed beach. There is a resort there wherein our tour members can sit and chill. Plenty of beach chairs and food options.Written November 17, 2024
- 624jatinderc0 contributionsAmazing trip to Ayutthaya.Absolute a must if you are visiting Bangkok. Transportation to trip management was great, shout out for our guide “FIRST”, amazing person with great knowledge of the area.Written November 12, 2024
- courtneyeV1970TP0 contributionsTasty Trip - Baipai Thai cooking SchoolWe were a couple in a group with incredibly nice Taiwanese people. The trainer as well as the staff was amazing. The way there by cab was crazy but you can drive there with the "Grap" app. The location of the school are beautiful. We had the morning training. The training was very intresting and the food was delicious!Written November 11, 2024
- Ann-Marie D0 contributionsUnmissable TripExcellent experience - brilliant knowledge from the guide and very informative. A truly unmissable trip with so much packed in. Excellent value for money.Written November 10, 2024
- S6848FQjaneb0 contributionsMoving trip well worth it .We had a lovely guide maned Panya unfortunately he was very ill and although very knowledgeable it was quite obvious he was gravely ill. We really hope that his diagnosis is good and he gets well soon . Due to his ill health he was difficult to hear . The whole experience of the journey on the water 💦 boat , train and cemetery museum was fabulous . The lunch fabulous too . Yes it’s a long journey but the sacrifice that the POWs gave is nothing in comparison!Written October 31, 2024
- 376lucis0 contributionsMarket Frenzy!A very large and busy market. Lots of variety and bargains are still available for the discerning buyer. Large variety of articles from sinks to jewellery and silk flowers. Beware of the traffic bottleneck which is horrendous and taxi"s are difficult to hail when leaving however their is a train station right opposite the market.Written October 20, 2024
- Kerryn720 contributionsAmazing costumesCostumes were spectacular! Dancing a bit amateurish at times...out of sync. The flashy costumes and lighting make you not focus on the dancing which is a good thing. Seemed like a bunch of random dances which seemed to be traversing different countries- KPop songs, Eurythmics, Shania Twain, Madonna, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga were also thrown in the mix. The Bollywood dance was really well done. Not too sure about the pole dancing one. Really enjoyed the show overall. At the end of show the performers line up for photos but charge 100 baht. Price is per performer and they're cheeky- they push themselves into your photo then ask for double payment. Not cool. Particularly when my 15 yr old was so excited to choose someone then got photobombed by others who wanted payment! Seems to be a common comment in reviews too.Written September 22, 2024
- Phattharaporn S0 contributions#Ayutthaya TempleAyutthaya Ayutthaya, Thailand's ancient capital, is a captivating destination that immerses visitors in its rich history. Founded in 1350, this UNESCO World Heritage site boasts an impressive array of historical ruins, including majestic temples and towering stupas. The city’s highlights include Wat Phra Si Sanphet with its iconic chedis, Wat Mahathat where the famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots can be seen, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram, which offers stunning riverside views. Wandering through Ayutthaya’s archaeological park, visitors can appreciate the intricate architecture and gain insight into the grandeur of the once-thriving Kingdom of Siam. Its blend of historical significance and scenic beauty makes Ayutthaya a must-visit for anyone interested in Thailand's cultural heritageWritten September 15, 2024
- Teporah0 contributionsWell worth itThe best way to start my solo visit to Bangkok. The pickup from my non-pickup listed hotel, bus trip to and river cruise back from the Ayutthaya Temples was professionally timed and run. Donna (tour guide) was exceptional and knowing we were in her home “town” made the experience even more moving. I totally recommend this as a must do.Written September 8, 2024
- razmek_yessian0 contributionsThe best show everAs a world traveller , I think this show was the best to see , the show is one full hour in show ,full of entrainment, we really enjoy it to the max , the show is amazing and I will recommend everyone to do it, all starts is super beautiful and the ....Written September 3, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
15 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
0
Average
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Barbara B
22 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Our guide was great - very friendly and informative, our transport very comfortable. We stopped at hill tribe villages and saw their way of life and village handicrafts. We stopped at Maisae, a border town, and the crossing into Myanmar. The town was a hive of activity. Our tour of the market showing local produce from Myanmar was very interesting. Next we went to Chiang Saen and the opium museum. We saw the wonderful golden Buddha and great views across the Mekong to Myanmar and Laos. We had a lunch stop for 1 hour - the food was very good. This tour was one of the highlights of our trip so far
Written June 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful review of the tour. We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our friendly and informative guide and that the transportation provided was comfortable for your journey.
Thank you for considering this tour as one of the highlights of your trip so far. We appreciate your positive feedback and hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future. Safe travels and enjoy the rest of your journey!
Kind regards,
The Tour East Thailand Team
Written June 5, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Arzu A
Dhaka City, Bangladesh27 contributions
Jan 2018
I was in Chiang rai only for 4 days.I had an amazing trekking through the villages of the hills and could see bvery rare pinkish red , brown tailed snakes on your track. I have visited the Hall of Opium. it was an amazing experience. skip the opium museum but must-see the hall of opium. weather was amazing. a little chill in the morning (after 4 years in tropics and sub tropics :)) the riverside restaurants so amazing.
please visit Chivit thamma da coffee house and bistro. it is a bliss. white temple and black house are also a must visit places whilst in Chiang Rai.
please visit Chivit thamma da coffee house and bistro. it is a bliss. white temple and black house are also a must visit places whilst in Chiang Rai.
Written February 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hilary C
Hong Kong, China2 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
The tour guide is super helpful, informative and nice! He is so helpful and showed us some local markets that we can have more insight on local life. We've seen a lot and learn about about Thai history and culture in this trip.
Everything was super enjoyable, iced bottle water is provided in the car, which is a great relief for this hot weather.
Everything was super enjoyable, iced bottle water is provided in the car, which is a great relief for this hot weather.
Written April 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Your nice review means a lot to us, thank you for choosing our service!
Written April 30, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
james d
Copenhagen, Denmark65 contributions
For me to visit the 5 villages was not what I expected. 300 baht entry and their is a path through the villages. Saw a show in the first, and the tribe people looked so bored. Not their fault, being gawked at all day. Lots of souvenirs to buy in the villages but not much else. I didn’t enjoy it seeing the tribe people relying on tourists and taking photos all day.
Written February 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear James,
Tourism is a vital industry in Thailand and for many people the unique culture and way of life of the hill-tribe people is a prime attraction.
We recognises that the lifestyle and culture of the hill tribes are special and that the penetration of tourism is inevitable. But we also believe that, if handled in a culturally sensitive way, tourism is a fantastic way for hill-tribes to pay for their children's schooling costs while sharing their culture with the world. Furthermore, we believe that many tourists want to give back to their hilltribes buy buying their souvenirs or trying their food etc.
Hilltribe people are warm and welcoming - with just a smile and a willingness to help out in any way possible. By expressing a genuine interest in their culture you will also be giving the most valuable gift you could give, helping them rebuild cultural pride.
I am sorry you did not enjoy this but every person and their expectations are very different.
Regards,
Nick
Written February 5, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John L
Surrey, Canada31 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We went here as part of our tour of Thailand. It was so interesting to see how the native tribe people preserve their history. Our tour guide was excellent and gave us so much information as to how the tribe has survived over the years. It was well worth the money if you enjoy history.
Written October 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear John,
Appreciate your review on the Hill tribe tour in north Thailand. Great to see that you enjoyed travelling to the hill tribe village and looking at their way of life.
I hope you had a great stay in Thailand. Nick
Written October 23, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ChristopherC898
Brisbane, Australia64 contributions
Nok, our guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The experiences on this tour were very interesting and gave us a good insight into the history and cultures of northern Thailand. A really interesting day.
Written March 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's wonderful to hear that you found our guide, Nok, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We strive to provide insightful and engaging tours, and we're glad that you gained a good understanding of the history and cultures of northern Thailand during your visit. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for more enriching experiences in the future!
Tour East Thailand
Written March 19, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Massimo B
9 contributions
You wouldn't understand Northern Vietnam if you don't visit this area. Ya, our guide, explained very well the diverse peoples and cultures that inhabit the area and made the day unforgettable.
Written April 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us!
We completely agree that visiting Northern Vietnam is an essential part of understanding the diverse peoples and cultures in the region.
We are thrilled to hear that you found our guide Ya to be knowledgeable and engaging and that she was able to provide you with valuable insights into the area.
We are pleased that you had an unforgettable day, and we hope that the memories you made during your visit will last a lifetime.
Thank you for choosing us as your tour provider, and we hope to welcome you back in the future!
The Tour East Thailand Team
Written May 8, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David K
Meilen, Switzerland7 contributions
Great tour with a lot to learn from our guide. We really enjoyed the visits of the Tribes the food markets and the experiences around the Golden Triangle.
Written March 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your feedback about the tour. We are glad to hear that it was a great experience for you and that you had the opportunity to learn a lot from our guide.
Visiting the Tribes, exploring the food markets, and experiencing the Golden Triangle is an enriching journey. Interacting with different cultures, exploring local cuisine, and discovering the historical significance of the Golden Triangle create lasting memories.
Thank you for sharing your positive review, and we hope you have many more enjoyable and enlightening travel experiences in the future.
Wishing you a nice day ahead,
The Tour East Thailand Team
Written May 28, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
vcwk1231
Hong Kong, China10 contributions
Sep 2019
2 of us joined this private tour and my comment is not worth to join this tour. Basically, we had 1 tour guide and 1 driver to travel with us on that day. When we on boarded on the car, we asked the tour guide if we could visit the Long Neck Village as well as we saw from one of the comment that some visitors did the same when they joined this tour. However, right away, our tour guide told us the village is needed to pay rather than telling us depending on our timing etc. My friend and I felt bad on how his way to tell us... At the end of the tour, the tour guide didn't follow up with us if we still would like to go to the Long Neck Village.
In general, all spots are free to enter...... and not sure why it costs more than US$100 per person to join this tour. The tour guide is fair i.e. just providing some basic information. Lunch is great though and this is the only good comment on that day.
I don't recommend this tour at all as it is basically providing a so called tour guide and a driver. If the price could be a bit lower and to have a one driver guide instead, I'd consider to recommend this tour.
In general, all spots are free to enter...... and not sure why it costs more than US$100 per person to join this tour. The tour guide is fair i.e. just providing some basic information. Lunch is great though and this is the only good comment on that day.
I don't recommend this tour at all as it is basically providing a so called tour guide and a driver. If the price could be a bit lower and to have a one driver guide instead, I'd consider to recommend this tour.
Written October 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for bringing this matter to our attention. We do sorry that the tour didn't meet your expectation. We will discuss internally and with suppliers in order to improve our service and see if the itinerary can be adjusted. Thank you for spending time to write us review.
Written November 12, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nicola S
New Zealand79 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
We really enjoyed our tour to golden triangle, we adjusted our tour so we could go to long neck tribe and other tribes. Our guide was very informative but it’s kind of like a zoo would not do that again. Our guide Jackie he was great, fresh market was interesting and with Jackie he was able to answer all our questions. Lunch was very good.
Written August 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your valuable review. We are delighted to hear that you had a nice time and enjoyed the services. We look forward to welcoming you again on your next visit.
Written September 5, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Why the price stated on the link is approximately 1,8 million Vietnam Dong. However, after I click to book the tour it change into 4,5 million Vietnam Dong???
Written October 19, 2019
can you please provide more detailed information on what we will see in the golden triangle. Does this include any nature and overlook points, the opium museum, or do we just stop in the Mae Saen village. Is there flexibilty since this is a private tour?
Written August 18, 2019
Hi there, want to book it directly with you, what is the best contact as I would like to get more information first. We will be in Chiang Rai next weekend, please get back to me ASAP. Thanks!
Written July 3, 2019
I had booked the tour from one of the travel company, they have many in the city to book.
The tour is good if your short of time as you see a lot.
Written July 3, 2019
Hi what is the flexibility with timing for this tour? My party and I are only available from 11:30 - 4:30
Written February 4, 2019
How can this tour be customized, if I already booked a tour to see the Golden triangle n the Opium hall? Can I instea see the Doy Tung botanical garden, drive the scenic route around Mae Sae, Chiang Saen and be dropped off at Chiang Khong?
Written June 11, 2018
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