Private Tour: Elephant Adventure, Hilltribes and Mae Kok River Trip from Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai, Thailand

The Mae Kok River, 80 miles long, running through the heart of Chiang Rai, is said to be one of the most beautiful and unspoiled rivers of the world. It flows gently along jungle banks and towering mountain cliffs. Along its route lie several hilltribes and jungle-tribes of Chiang Rai. The people are friendly and the life aboard the raft relaxing.

The many hilltribes who inhabit the area have long trudged the mountain passes between Northern Thailand and their home villages in Burma and China. Each tribe is district, with its own culture, religion, language, art, and dress and on today's journey you will have the opportunity to meet an array of cultures.

First on this private tour you will leave the hotel for Mae Kok boat trip by long-tail boat to the Karen Hilltribe Village, where you start two hours elephant trekking up and down hill into the woods, to a Yao Hilltribe Village. Lunch will be provided and your private guide can give you a greater insight into today's touring.

After lunch visit Yao and Akha Hilltribes, both fascinating people. Then trek to a waterfall, where you can swim and take a short rest. Return to your hotel, enroute visit Chiang Rai Handicrafts Center.

Review by: Diane H	March 2012
Overall our stay was pleasant. I believe at one time this was a 4star hotel. It is tired looking and needs updating. The staff is very pleasant. Beware hidden charges-water in room is free- 10 steps to restaurant and you're charged three dollarafor same item. Same is true about asking for an additional bed. Took two days to straighten out that mischarge.

Review by: Leonard T	February 2010
Excellent, excellent, excellent!!!!!! Everything about this tour was fantastic!!!! Our tour guide was fabulous. He actually walked the entire elephant trek and was very informative about the areas we visited. What a trooper! I recommend this tour to everyone... but also warn that they should be prepared for a bit of a rough elephant ride no complaints here - it was wonderful.