Beyond the Golden Triangle

Venture beyond the borderlands of the famous Golden Triangle into Burma (Myanmar) and Laos and trek to remote villages to discover amazing and colourful hill tribe people

On this expedition trip we cross from Thailand into Burma (Myanmar) at the famous Golden Triangle and spend a week exploring a rarely-visited corner of this mysterious land. Hidden away - yet close to the Lao, Chinese and Thai borders - the area around Kengtung (Kyaingetong) has numerous ethnic minority groups living traditional lifestyles side by side. In a series of day treks we explore many of these remote and inaccessible villages before travelling on to the town of Mong La (Mengla), on the Chinese border. Here we find a completely different world, where all manner of trade and entertainment flourishes - this is truly a frontier town in the spirit of the Wild West! We see first-hand the contrasts between this unusual settlement and the surrounding hill tribe villages before experiencing the tranquil old British colonial settlement of Loi Mwe, a little-known former hill station.

With our time in Burma coming to a close, we look east across the Mekong River to neighbouring Laos.

Beyond the Golden Triangle

Our plan is to cross back into Thailand and then on to Laos, where we spend a night in Huay Xai. Flexibility will be the key as the border situation can change at short notice! Regardless, we make our way to Luang Namtha and visit Lao minority villages on a day trek. Our exploration of this off-the-beaten track area continues at Nong Khiaw, a beautiful little town surrounded by limestone karsts. Here we find our boat driver ready to navigate us down the Nam Ou (Ou River) to Luang Prabang. There is no better place to relax for a day or so and reflect on our amazing journey. This lovely town is a firm favourite with both newcomers and seasoned travellers in Asia. Finally we fly back to Bangkok and our expedition is complete, with three weeks of incredible adventures behind us.

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