Bangkok To Kunming - A Tribal Journey through Thailand, Laos and China

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Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok

We arrive in Bangkok and transfer to our comfortable hotel situated on the river. Welcome dinner and overnight in Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok

This morning we visit the Grand Palace and the ancient temple of Wat Po, Temple of the Reclining Buddha. After lunch, we board our long-tail boats to travel along the Chao Phraya River and the small canals and see how the Thais live on the water, with restaurants, fruit sellers, laundry and even temples all accessible by boat. Tonight we fly to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai we transfer to our hotel.

Day 3: Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has a striking mountain backdrop, over 300 temples and a quaint historical aura. It is also a modern, friendly, internationally flavored city with much to offer the visitor. Food, accommodation and shopping are all top quality and the nights are relatively cool. Our lunch will include Northern Thai specialties. We will visit a museum dedicated to the hill tribes, as well as visit the beautifully manicured Tweechol Botanical Gardens. Overnight Chiang Mai.

Day 4: Chiang Mai

This morning we will enjoy a nature walk in Doi Suthep National Park which is home to over 300 bird species and 2000 species of ferns and flowering plants. The highest peak in the park is Doi Pui which tops off at 1,685 meters (5,528 feet), making it the eighth highest mountain in Thailand. We will have lunch at a local restaurant and the afternoon will be at leisure to explore Chiang Mai. Perhaps try your hand at bargaining in the many shops and stalls. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 5: Chiang Rai

This morning we have a picturesque drive high up above the Mae (River) Ping. We visit the Chiang Dao, famous for its elephant camp and elephant show. We will have a stop at Hmong market for traditional hil tribe handcrafts. After lunch we tour the Padaung Village Yapa and see the remarkable Long Neck Karen tribe. Upon arrival in Santikhiri we will visit the Chinese Martyr Museum where we will learn about the Chinese community, descendants of Kuomintang forces. En route to our hotel we will tour the Mae Chan Winery and the tea factory. Overnight Chiang Rai.

Day 6: The Golden Triangle

Before we travel to the northern most point in Thailand, Mae Sai we will visit Doi Tung to see the Mae Fah Luang Botanical gardens. We cross into Myanmar and visit the 'Golden Triangle', where the borders of Burma, Thailand and Laos meet, at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong Rivers. Historically, the 'Golden Triangle' refers to a large geographic area, stretching thousands of square kilometers, within which opium trade is prevalent. We will see this area by boat, as we glide down the Mekong River. Overnight in the Chiang Saen.

Day 7: Laos

We cross the border into Laos this morning. We drive through an incredibly picturesque area called Luang Namtha which is known for its ethnic diversity and its mountainous terrain. There will be plenty of photo stops along the way. We arrive in the pretty town of Muang Sing which is ringed by distant mountains and is popular for its gorgeous scenery and relaxed atmosphere. Up to 20 different ethnic groups live in this area, and locals wearing traditional dress are a common and spectacular sight. Wander the backstreets which are bustling with activity and see the beautiful wooden houses built in the decorative Tai Lue style. Dinner and overnight in Muang Sing.

Day 8: Full Day Hike - Villages Around Muang Sing

There are numerous minority villages in the valley around Muang Sing and today we will visit Akha, Thai Dam and Hmong Villages. We will learn about the culture and traditions of these interesting tribes. Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by spectacular scenery before continuing on with our hike. Tonight we will have dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Muang Sing.

Day 9: Luang Namtha, Village Cycling Adventure

Today we travel to Luang Namtha, where we will embark on an entertaining bicycle ride. Our first stop will be the Tai Dam village of Ban Thong Chai Neua. Here we will get an opportunity to see the traditional architecture, and watch the local women weaving. Our next stop is a Lanten village, Ban Nam Dee where we will see a spectacular waterfall. For those wishing to cool off, a dip in the pool is possible here. After a picnic lunch we make our way back visiting two more ethnic villages and the old Wat Luang Khone Temple en route. We continue on to the famous Lao Rice whiskey distillery where we will observe the distillation process. Take a short walk to the top of Tat Poum Pouk Stupa where you will have a stunning view of the river valley. We have one more stop to visit, a Lanten village before for our dinner and overnight. Overnight Luang Namtha.

Day 10: Jinghong, China

This morning we cross the border into China. We drive to Jinghong the capital of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in southern Yunnan, which is known as China's own 'mini Thailand.' In Thai this district is known as Sipsongpanna which literally translates as '12,000 rice fields.' Xishuangbanna is comprised of 14 minority groups including the Dai, the Han, the Jinuo, the Yi and the Bulang. Dinner and overnight in Xishuangbanna.

Day 11: Local Market Menghai

A trip to the market will give you a feeling of the rhythm of life in rural Xishuangbanna. We then drive to Menghai to visit the Bulang ethnic group. The Bulang are Theravada Buddhists, who still follow strict religious doctrines in their daily life. Tea is an important cash crop in this area, and we will enjoy the tranquility of being surrounded by tea plantations. We will make a visit to Nannuo which is inhabited by the Aini people, who have their own spoken language but no written one. Their religion is a mix of ancestor worship and animism. We will visit a private house where we will learn more about the customs and traditions of the Aini people. Return to Jinghong for dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Jinghong

After a morning at leisure we will have an afternoon excursion to Pu'er. En route we will make a stop among the vast tea plantations which thrive in foggy weather, acidic red soil and high elevation. We will also visit a number of villages which used to be stops for the tea caravans on their way to Tibet, around 200-years-ago. We can even see some sections of the rock-paved road from that era, wind its way across the village. Pu'er was the tea trade center of Yunnan during the Qing Dynasty.

Day 13: To Jianshui via Shiping

On our way to Jianshui, we will stop at Bixi, a small ancient town in the middle of the country. In the distant past Bixi was a busy and prosperous stop on the tea caravan route. We continue on to Jianshui, a historic and cultural city, which was founded over 1300-years-ago. During the course of its history, Jianshui has produced thousands of scholars. Since the time of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) Jianshui has justified the name of "The Cultural City" due to the influence of the Grand Jianshui Confucius Temple. As a result of its history, culture and traditions, there are many historic sites in Jianshui including more than 100 temples, 50 ancient bridges and 56 state protected cultural relics. Jianshui is known as the Museum of Ancient Constructions and highlights ancient Chinese culture and art. Overnight Jianshui.

Day 14: Private Garden of the Zhu Family

After breakfast we will take a relaxing walk in the private garden of the Zhu family. This grand complex covering over 200,000 sq feet, was constructed over 100-years-ago. It is here you will see the ancient architecture of the area, in its perfect original form. It was built by the Zhu brothers in the late Qing Dynasty. Later we will visit a local tofu workshop where we will learn how this popular food is traditionally produced. We will walk around in the old town and visit the Confucian Temple Wen Miao, which is the largest temple in Yunnan and the second largest in the country. The temple dates back to the Yuan Dynasty and it's history spans over 700 years. Stroll around in the old part of Jianshui Town, see ancient wells that have been used by local residents for centuries and admire the grand Chaoyang Gateway Arch built in 1389, which now serves as the landmark of this cultural and historic city. In the afternoon we will drive to Yuanyang. Overnight Yuanyang.

Day 15: Rice Fields

Today we will visit the most beautiful rice fields in China, which were built by hand, by the Hani people over 1000-years-ago. The paddies are flooded from December to April which creates a reflecting pool effect that draws photographers from around the world. They are particularly spectacular at sunrise and sunset. Today we will walk through this fascinating landscape and will visit the villages of several ethnic minorities including the Yi and Hani. Overnight Jianshui.

Day 16: To Jianshui

We will see more spectacular rice terraces this morning before continuing on to Tuanshan. The Tuanshan traditional houses have been listed by the World Monuments Fund (WMF) as an endangered site. The. buildings in Tuanshan, most of which were built in late imperial Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), are unique two-storey compounds with houses around courtyards, facing east and featuring black tile roofs, pointed eaves, and whitewashed outer walls. We will also see the unique double-dragon bridge which is over 200 years old. Overnight Jianshui.

Day 17: To Kunming

Today we make our way to Kunming, visiting Xinmeng Town en route. This is the only place in Yunnan where ethnic Mongolians reside, they are the descendants of the Mongolian soldiers that came on an expedition at the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, over 750-years-ago. In that period, China was ruled by Genghis Khan and his horsemen. We will walk around the village and learn more about the origins of these people, who were originally horsemen, and became farmers. Upon arrival in Kunming we will visit a bird and flower market. Kunming is famous for its mild climate, beautiful natural scenery, and is nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring. Overnight Kunming.

Day 18: Stone Forest

Today we will visit the world-famous Stone Forest, one of the most remarkable natural phenomena in China. It consists of 80 hectares of innumerable bizarre shaped ancient limestone cliffs and peaks created by wind and water erosion some 270 million-years-ago. It is the home of the Sani Tribe, one of the branches of the Yi Minority People. We will return to Kunming in the afternoon, and enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Kunming.