Half-Day Chiang Rai : Doi Tung Royal Projects & Ethnic Minorities
Explore one of Thailand's most uplifting royal legacies on this half-day private tour to Doi Tung. Journey begins with visit to Doi Tung Development Project, initiated by Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother transforming deforested hills into model of sustainable living.
At its heart lies Royal Villa, inspired by Swiss architecture and built as Princess Mother's mountain retreat. She was personally involved in development concept, inspired by her Lausanne residence. Guided visit through rooms gives impression of simple lifestyle.
Continue to Wat Phra That Doi Tung, sacred temple at summit of Chiang Rai's highest mountain around 2000 meters above sea level. Twin Lanna-style stupas crown this peaceful site, believed to enshrine Buddha relic. On clear days, views reach Laos and Myanmar.
Before returning, explore hill tribe villages where around 20 different tribes live along Myanmar border, encountering rich cultures and traditional ways of life.
Options
Afternoon Tour
Half Day Doi Tung Royal Projects and Hill Tribes in the afternoon
Pickup included
What's included in Half-Day Chiang Rai : Doi Tung Royal Projects & Ethnic Minorities
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Doi Tung Royal Villa
Your English speaking guide will meet you at your Chiang Rai hotel before heading out into the surrounding mountains. The area known as Doi Tung is a collection of projects, instigated under the supervision of HRH The Princess Mother. The scenic drive into the mountains will bring you in and around the Doi Tung Royal Villa, the enclosed Doi Tung Development Project and the nearby Mae Fah Luang Botanical Gardens. The Doi Tung Royal Villa was the first residence of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, The Princess Mother, and was used as a base from which The Princess Mother would oversee work on the Doi Tung development Project. She was personally involved in the development of the concept for The Royal Villa, hugely inspired by her residence in Lausanne, Switzerland, and closely supervised its construction, aided by the late HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, her daughter. A guided visit through all the available rooms will give visitors an impression of the simple lifestyle.
Wat Phra That Doi Tung
The nearby Wat Phra That Doi Tung, with its stunning location of around 2000 meters above sea level, is said to be the first shrine built in Lanna style and is a highly popular place of worship for both the Thai and Tai Yai from neighbouring Myanmar and Laos.
Hill Tribe Villages
On the way back from Doi Tung, we will make a stop at some of the hill tribe villages of the region. There are around 20 different hill tribes in all living along the border with Myanmar and on the Chiang Rai hills and mountains, yet only a few of these have the high visibility of the Akha and Hmong. Our half-day tour comes to an end as we bring you back to your booked hotel in Chiang Rai.
Inclusions
- All applicable taxes and service charges
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver.
- All entrance and donation fees for visits as mentioned in the description.
- A half-day tour with a professional English-speaking guide.
- Tours, inclusions of any kind and other services that are not outlined in the tour description
- Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours, unless otherwise stated
- Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
- Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
- Supplements for transfers for customers arriving or departing from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
- Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply.
- This excursion includes obstacles of various kinds that may not make this excursion suitable for wheelchair users. The obstacles comprise of unpaved roads, small boats and cruise embarkation and disembarkation and insufficient facilities to provide a comfortable sightseeing tour.
- Guests are advised that some walking is required during this excursion; we always ensure that we take the most comfortable ways from the entrance of the sight to the sight itself.
- It is of the greatest importance to follow the guide’s instructions during this event in paying respect to the local customs.
- We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation. For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
- Please note pickup and drop-off services may not be confirmed for customers staying at private residences, apartment complexes, or other non-registered tourism accommodations. Customers may be asked to meet at a nearby hotel for pick-up and drop off.
- Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
- It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 48 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 48 hours may be on request.
- This includes approaching the monks, taking photographs and obeying the unwritten rules and regulations of this deeply-spiritual encounter.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
Choose to be picked up from a list of locations
Additional Information
Hotel pickup is available from most centrally located Chiang Rai hotels. Transfer outside these areas, supplements apply.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
- Please contact Asian Trails at least 72 hours before your activity date to confirm your reservation and arrange transportation. Changes within 24 hours may be on request. - Pick-up times for excursions will be reconfirmed one day prior to commencement of your booked excursion. As an indication, the pick-up time from your accommodation is scheduled 30-60 minutes prior to the confirmed starting time. - Please be ready and waiting in your hotel lobby 15 minute prior to your scheduled pick up time. - Upon pickup, please present your confirmation/voucher or photo ID in exchange for your activity. In the event of no-show or change of accommodation without prior consent and confirmation from us within 24 hours may result in the applicable cancellation charges as outlined in the terms and conditions.
