Soft Adventure Incentive Tours

Introduction

Back in 1991 Michel Despreaux of Tangara Travel, (Lyon France) came to visit us in desperation having been to all the major inbound tour operators in search of a good 'up market' adventure incentive programme.

He had an impressive list of repeat clients, mainly from the pharmaceutical industry, for whom he had run incentive programmes in South America, Africa and other areas 'off the beaten track'.

He wanted rafting, trekking, 4WD and an overnight jungle camp for 100 - 150 pax, but he also wanted 4-star service throughout.

The whole operation was planned and implemented in military text book fashion. We purchased land on the riverfront halfway between Ban Thaton and Chiang Rai on the Kok River, and constructed our 'River Base Camp'.

Since 1991, we have handled some 18 Adventure Incentive groups on our river trips.

Typical 3-day / 3-night - 4-day / 3-night 'soft adventure incentive tour programme' as run for Tangara Travel in northern Thailand

Note*- Variations and modifications are listed at the bottom of the page.

Day One:
0800 hrs
We depart the hotel in Chiang Mai by coach accompanied by an English (or other language) speaking guide and travel north to the Mae Rim area to visit a butterfly and orchid farm.

1000 hrs
Continuing north, we stop at a snake farm to watch the snake handlers demonstrate their skills working with the poisonous snakes of the region.

1100 hrs
Arriving at a camp in the Mae Tamman area, take a short ride (40 minutes) by elephant, followed by an oxcart ride and then enjoy a Thai style buffet lunch in bamboo sala's set in the grounds of the elephant camp overlooking the river.

1300 hrs
We board simple bamboo rafts (floats) for a 20-minute journey down river to a point where our transport is waiting to collect us for the onward journey. We continue north for 1.5 hrs to the forest temple of Wat Tum Tubtao where we visit a giant reclining Buddha image in a cathedral like cave.

1500 hrs
Arriving at a meeting point on the fang bypass, we transfer to 4WD or pick up truck transport (depending on the weather/season) and travel into the foothills of the Pa Muen border mountain range to visit a little known Palaung hill tribe village.
Note* Whilst here, the group makes a donation of blankets and or old winter clothes to the village via the village headman.

1600 hrs
We travel a little further into the mountains to an equally rare Lahu Shaleh hill tribe village.

1700 hrs
Re-boarding the off road transport we travel back to meet the coach for the last short leg of the day's journey to Ban Thaton where we check into one or more of the riverfront resorts.

1930 hrs
Three of the local hill tribe groups are invited to demonstrate for the guests the preparation and of their typical evening meal. They then eat their own food (accompanied by the local distilled whisky) getting in the mood for some dancing.

Cocktails, bar snacks and pre-dinner drinks are serves to the guests during the cooking demonstration.

2030 hrs
Enjoy a sumptuous Thai style dinner in the Sala Siam restaurant followed by hilltribe dancing around the campfire. The bar remains open until 2400 hrs.

Day Two:
Breakfast is served from 0700 - 0900 hrs allowing late revellers a lie in. Early risers are encouraged to take a walk through the village and up to visit the numerous imposing giant Buddha images that overlook the valley below.

1000 hrs
Board 4WD or pick up truck transport (depending on the weather/season) and travel to the nearby Shan village of Ban Mae Mok Cham. The village operates as a farming co-operative, and is impeccably clean and well organised.
Village women weave 'paa toong' a sarong style garment in traditional Shan patterns and they have a cottage industry producing 'saa paper' made from 'mulberry leaf'. The paper is sold to manufacturers in Chiang Mai who make it into writing pads, gift wrapping paper, decorative items, and light shades, amongst other things.

1130 hrs
Arriving at the Black Lahu hill tribe village of Ban Pha Tai, we board Track of the Tiger's customised river barges for the river rafting phase of the tour. The bamboo decked and thatched roof barges seat 8 - 10 people in comfort and are poled down this scenic river at a leisurely pace allowing you to enjoy both the silence and the scenery.

1230 hrs
A picnic lunch is served, either onboard or on the bank of the river.

1330 hrs
We continue rafting down river with those who wish to enjoying excursions by canoe away from the barge, perhaps negotiating one of the numerous light rapids along the river course.

1600 hrs
The barges stop at the forestry research station at Ban Pha Kwang and we set off on a 1 to 1.5 hr mini trek over low hills to a Musur village, then on to our river base camp at the water's edge.

1730hrs
On arriving at the camp you are offered refreshment from a well-stocked bar greeted by the 'camp boss'. You are shown to your dormitory style accommodation in bamboo houses and advised that you may take a hot shower before enjoying a BBQ dinner.

1930 hrs
A sumptuous BBQ dinner accompanied by wine is served on white linen and is followed by entertainment around the camp fire. You retire at your leisure.

DAY THREE

0730 hrs
A full breakfast is served.

0830 hrs
We re-board the barges to continue rafting down river with stops at an Akha village and at the hot springs. Again those who wish can canoe different sections of the river.

1130 hrs
We arrive at the Karen village of Ban Ruam Mit and take a walk around this village famous for it's elephant rides and handicrafts. An hour is spent here exploring or just relaxing over a tea or coffee before re-boarding the barges for the last hour under motor power down river to Chiang Rai.

1330 hrs
Arrive at the Rimkok Resort and enjoy a buffet lunch before checking in. Then spend the afternoon at leisure or around the swimming pool.

1900 hrs
The group meets in the hotel lobby and boards the coach for 'mystery evening' that includes pre-dinner drinks, dinner and evening entertainment as agreed between Track of the Tiger and the client.

2330 hrs
The coach returns guests to the Rimkok Resort.

DAY FOUR

Option A - groups taking the mid-day flight out.

Breakfast is served from 0630 hrs to 0930 hrs in the hotel restaurant.

Morning at leisure to explore the city of Chiang Rai.

Coach departs for the airport 2hrs prior to flight departure time.

Option B - for those taking an evening flight out.

0830 hrs
Take breakfast in the hotel restaurant, then check out.

0930 hrs
Board the coach for a trip to the Thai-Burma border with a cross over ( no visa required) into the Burmese town of Tachilek to explore the 'cheap goods' market.

1230 hrs
Returning from Burma Re-board the coach for the short journey to Ban Sop Reuk in the heart of the Golden Triangle where we stop at the Golden Triangle Resort for a buffet lunch.

1430 hrs
Take a long tailed boat ride to the mid water meeting point of Burma, Thailand & Laos. Then continue into Laos to visit a Laotian riverside village.

1700 hrs
Returning to the Thai side, board the coach and travel via Chiang Saen to Chiang Rai airport for your onward flight.

Alternative versions of the same basic river programme:

1. Clients may travel direct from Chiang Mai to Ban Thaton Tai (a 3-hour drive) and board the off road transport from Ban Thaton at 1000 hrs for day one of the river tour, then depart from Chiang Rai by bus/plane as early as mid day on day two.

2. Alternatively, they can take a later start from Chiang Mai (app. 0900 hrs) and drive direct from Chiang Mai to Ban Pha Tai to board the river barges for day one of the programme.

3. Clients may arrive at Ban Pha Tai from Chiang Rai and start the tour either from Ban Thaton by 4WD or from Ban Pha Tai by disembarking from the coach and getting directly on to the river barges.

4. Additional 'team building' or 'adventure' content can be added to the programme to suit the needs of the client. See options available under our Student Centre section.