“This is Burma, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about...” Rudyard Kipling

Myanmar is more unspoiled than neighboring countries with colorful tribes, stunning scenery, and an unsurpassed tradition of art and architecture. The people of Myanmar are warm, gracious, smart, humorous, and amazingly resilient.  For inspiration, see the Myanmar Photo Album and for detailed lists of restaurants, shops, hotels, books, see the Myanmar Resource List. 

Extend your immersion into Myanmar culture and traditions with a visit to the ethnic tribes and villages of the Golden Triangle.

Day 01 Arrive at Tachileik

Arrive by flights at the Tachileik airport or by car from Mae Sai at the border crossing from Thailand to Myanmar.  Visit the market of Tachileik near the border point for a first introduction to the mix of colorful tribes from north central Myanmar. After lunch at a village cafe, proceed to Kengtung along a scenic drive in the Shan hills, enjoying the magnificent view of surrounding area.  Visit local Ah-Kha and Lahu villages along the way for rice wine production and other village activities.  Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy some leisure before dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel. 

Day 02 Kengtung - Tribal Villages

After a relaxed breakfast at the hotel transfer by car to the starting point for a short walk to an An village, perched on a steep hillside. The An minority is known for its black dress and its blackened teeth.  On the way back, also visit Pintauk waterfall.  After a picnic lunch, transfer by car to Silver Palaung Village (Wan Pauk Village) (45km) and situated 45minutes drive from Kengtung city center. It is a small village and an opportunity to learn about traditional weaving technique of Palaung people and life style of the people in rural region, especially the folk traditions integrated into their dresses.  Dinner on your own and overnight in Kengtung. 

Day 03  Kengtung  Market and City Tour 

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Kengtung’s local market, visited by villagers from the surrounding area that come to sell their products and barter for goods.  Sample the tasty rice pancake with almonds made by a shop owner.  Visiting the market, you will see minority hill tribes in their traditional dresses.  Enjoy a leisurely orientation tour of the city.  Kengtung is in a lush valley and most of the city’s buildings reflect the traditional architectural styles of the Shan people, such as wooden houses with balconies. Explore the city streets, and a nearby Hot Springs. 

In the afternoon visit lone tree hill and Nong Tone Lake, ending the day with a visit to the Maha Myat Muni pagoda,  Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel. 

Day 04 Kengtung to Chiang Rai

Transfer by van to the border crossing at Mai Sai.  Cross through the Myanmar border control, across the bridge and through the Thailand border control.  Have lunch at a village cafe for traditional northern Thai cuisine, and visit two small ethnic villages to see their handicrafts.  ENjoy dinner in central Chiang Rai and stroll around the small night market. 

Day 05 Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai

After breakfast drive to Chiang Mai.  After checking in at the hotel, drive to the mountain temple of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the most famous landmark of Chiang Mai. Climb the Naga staircase to visit the exquisite golden pagoda. The sound of temple bells fills the air and the view overlooking the city makes an irresistible photo opportunity. Afterwards drive up the mountain by “songtaew” onto a rough dirt road to the Chang Khien Coffee Research Project where you can enjoy a cup of the local ‘arabica’ surrounded by fabulous gardens of flowers. Continue to the white Hmong village of Chang Khien where the 800 inhabitants still wear their traditional hill tribe clothes and practice a culture that dates back 500 years.

 

In the evening enjoy an evening out at a traditional Khantoke Dinner. Your meal is served on special, low, circular tables called toke. You are served delicious Northern Thai cuisine accompanied by Northern Thai folk dancing. After the dinner, participants will light a “khom loy” and launch it in the cool night following the local belief that misfortune will float away…

Every evening Chiang Mai comes alive with a massive night bazaar.  Meander through the labyrinth of stalls selling everything from antiques to fake Rolex watches.  Choose from an astonishing variety of handicraft souvenirs; sample the smoothness of the colorful silk, browse the hill tribe silver, or stock up on cheap CDs.  Overnight at the hotel. 

Day 06 Chiang Mai to Bangkok

Have some leisure time to shop for silk or silver before transfer to the airport and flights to BAngkok for international flights home or connections to another beautiful country in Southeast Asia.

Silk and Stones Travel tours are designed for very small groups, using suppliers and partnerships with local providers, and with sensitivity to the unique environmental, ecological, and cultural opportunities in each country.  Silk and Stones Travel brings the best of travel to unusual places with comfort, safety, and with cultural and environmental sensitivity.  Click on the following to learn about the  group tour itineraries, or to gain insights for designing private, custom trips.

For additional help planning your trip, please see Resources, Packing List, Application, and Terms and Conditions.  For additional suggestions on Myanmar shops, restaurants, activities, check the Myanmar Resources pages.