Foundation cultural
exchange project. Based in northern Thailand
near the Burma border Sightseeing Tours
The North Western corner of Thailand along the villages of Thaton, Mae Ai, Fang and Chaiprakarn is one of the most beautiful forest jungles in Thailand. This area which runs along the Daen Lao mountain range (400 -2285 metres) was declared a national park in 2000 and covers and area of 524 Km². The average temperature in this region is 26º Celsius.
Thailand’s second highest mountain Pha Hom Pok is to be found here as well as the Fang natural hot springs. The forested mountains are covered in rivers and waterfalls while underneath there are large systems of limestone caves. The cultural inheritance of the various hilltribe people together with the wide diversity of plant and animal life combine to make this region a truly exotic and adventurous land.
The three daytrips suggested below are one of a number of options available to you. We are happy to tailor a trip to your wishes and interests.
Have a good trip!
Daytrip 1: Fang – Doi Angkhang – Doi Kop Dong – Fang
Leaving Fang at around 9:00 am with our 4x4 pick up we head south for 15 km before turning west and a very steep climb (45º) up the mountain until we reach the Army post at Doi Angkhan, 1680 m. From here we have a great view of the Fang valley which stretches 60 Km north to south and ranges from 2km-20km from east to west.
| We then follow the road along the mountaintop towards the Burmese border for 6km, making a stop to take a walk through a Shan refugee settlement and a Yeen Hoo village. Most of these Chinese settlers from the remnants of Chan Kaichek’s army now have Thai citizenship though they still leave a Chinese way of life. Our car then picks us up at the end of the village for a small drive to a forestry station from where we begin a one hour trek through mixed deciduous forest to a small waterfall which is a great place to stop for our picnic lunch. After lunch our next stop is a Lahn tibal village on the slopes of Doi Kop Dong. We take a troll through this still unspoilt village and can enjoy their original culture while offering them sweets or small gifts. After this it’s on to the Thai Army post on the Burmese frontier where there is another spectacular view of the mountain range. On the way back we take a rough track normally only used by the Army that approaches Fang from the west side. We arrive back in Fang around 5:00 pm. | |
Daytrip 2: Fang – Caving – Jungle – Waterfall
This trip is for the adventurous of heart. You will need long trousers, backpack and good walking shoes. We begin by going south pass Chaiprakarn to a beautiful forest temple complex build around one of the openings to a large limestone cave system. The cave is 324 metres along and contains several massive halls which are connected to each other. There is a developed eco-system in the cave including thousands of bats and Black-Yellow cave snakes! The last cave hall has a 30 metre high ceiling with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. It is of a scale and grandeur reminiscent of Europe’s great cathedrals!
After lunch we leave the cave and drive north again before leaving the car and trekking deep into pristine jungle. For much of the way we walk through mountain streams but it will also be necessary sometimes to cut our way through the dense jungle towards our destination. The final destination depends of the season and the ability of the group. It can be a morass island between two rivers with many species of reptiles and amphibians such a s lizards, snakes, turtles and frogs or it could be a 30 m high waterfall surrounded by grand granite cliffs, - a great place for a swim! Depending on the group we may go to up to eight waterfalls on this trek. Afterwards we return to the car and back to Fang around 6:00 pm for a hot shower and some clean clothes!
Daytrip 3: Fang – Thaton – Mae Sai – Golden Triangle – Fang
Today we have the chance to be in three counties in one day. The most north-western point of Thailand is Thaton on the Burmese border This morning we visit Wat Thaton with a breathtaking view of the Fang valley and the Kok river which winds it’s way past the lush bamboo-covered hills to Chiang Rai. Following the mountain road we wind west pass many waterfalls, hot spring and tribal villages of the Sino-Tibetan tribes such as Lahu, Lisu, Akka, Karen and Yaho.
Mai Sai is an official border-town and across the bridge in Burma is a good place to shop for the latest Chinese electronics and many other things. It is here in Burma that we stop for lunch.
A 45 minutes drive will take us to the point of the Golden Triangle where the three countries meet. From the vantage view of a nearby hilltop we can see the meandering Mekong river which here separates, Thailand, Burma and Laos. An optional boat trip down the river will carry you to Laos where you can spend a hour in the market or relax with a famous Beer Loa.
After a stroll along the Thai side of this mighty river, it’s back to Fang around 7 p.m. with fresh memories of a great trip.