Private Tour: Hill Tribes and the Golden Triangle Tour from Chiang Rai
4.5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*

Private Tour: Hill Tribes and the Golden Triangle Tour from Chiang Rai

By Tour East
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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.

Ages 4-99
Duration: 8h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

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 offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Wheelchair accessible
        • Pushchair 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 travellers with back problems
        • Most travellers 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

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        About the operator
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          3.9 of 5 bubbles2,012
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        See all 2,012 reviews
        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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        Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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        4.5
        4.5 of 5 bubbles16 reviews
        Excellent
        13
        Very good
        0
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        1
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        0

        Barbara B
        22 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        June 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 2 June 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 5 June 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Tania H
        2 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Dec 2024 • Couples
        An absolutely fabulous day. It was just the two of us with the tour guide and driver. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and answered all of our questions about the history and culture of Thailand. Lunch was amazing in a beautiful, natural setting. I highly recommend this tour.
        Written 29 December 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 so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a fabulous day on the Hill Tribes and Golden Triangle Tour. It's fantastic that you enjoyed the knowledge and insights shared by our guide, as well as the beautiful lunch setting. We appreciate your kind recommendation and are so glad you had such a memorable experience with us. We hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future! Warm regards, Tour East Thailand
        Written 2 January 2025
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Arzu A
        Dhaka City, Bangladesh27 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        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.
        Written 26 February 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.

        james d
        Copenhagen, Denmark65 contributions
        2.0 of 5 bubbles
        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 4 February 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 5 February 2018
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Hilary C
        Hong Kong, China2 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        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.
        Written 23 April 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 30 April 2019
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        John L
        Surrey, Canada30 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        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 22 October 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 23 October 2017
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        ChristopherC898
        Brisbane, Australia64 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        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 18 March 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 19 March 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Massimo B
        9 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        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 8 April 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 8 May 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        David K
        Meilen, Switzerland7 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        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 18 March 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 28 May 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        vcwk1231
        Hong Kong, China10 contributions
        2.0 of 5 bubbles
        Sept 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.
        Written 9 October 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 12 November 2019
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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        Private Tour: Hill Tribes and the Golden Triangle Tour from Chiang Rai provided by Tour East

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