The Golden Triangle Challenge 2001
The Golden Triangle Challenge 2001 (Thailand)
December 2001
This was G4G’s 2nd challenge.
The physical part
Northern Thailand is one of Asia’s most unspoilt areas. Between the main towns lie miles of rolling countryside and near-virgin jungle, broken by paddy fields and small villages where the rhythms of life are still governed by the seasons. This is the “Lanna Kingdom”, a distinct social and ethnic area of Thailand, where foreigners are often a rarity and a welcome change from the daily routine. “Gulf for Good” took a group of adventurous people on a challenging journey of over 345 kms across this fascinating region. Although December is the “cool” season and there were no mountains to climb, the journey still demanded a good degree of fitness and determination. No technical mountain-biking or kayaking experience was necessary, but participants needed plenty of versatility, common-sense – and a sense of humour to cope with the inevitable problems of any adventure challenge. The distance covered was approximately 30 kms trekking over two days, 260 kms cycle over three days and 55 kms by kayak over two days through a variety of terrain. (Mountain bikes, kayaks and basic training were supplied.)
The charity part
Each participant paid an initial non-refundable administration fee of UAE Dirhams 1500 (approx. U.S.$ 400) and then raised a minimum of Dhs 12000 (U.S.$ 3300) in aid of the orphanages. This money was raised in literally hundreds of ways:- for example, by asking friends, workmates, and companies to sponsor; organising sporting events; running a sponsored car-wash day or dinner party; and so on. Previous participants have held a “Murder Mystery Dinner”, organised an African Ball – one chap even wrote a Dubai Residents’ Cookbook to raise the funds. A full fund-raising kit was supplied to all participants, and experienced volunteers at Gulf for Good helped with advice. All participants raising Dhs 20,000 or more had their administration fee refunded. With the generous (and non-taxed!) populations of Gulf countries, individual fund-raising was not a major problem and was a lot of fun – like the Challenge itself, it demanded energy and, above all, commitment.
Day 1:
Overnight Chiang Mai Arrived Bangkok, morning flight to Chiang Mai.
Met at the airport and transferred to our hotel for Lunch. During the afternoon the riders had short Chiang Mai city orientation tour, and an insight into general Thai customs and culture. That evening we experienced a traditional Northern Thai Khantoke dinner complete with a cultural demonstration after which there was a tour briefing in which the tour director gave the group a general overview of the upcoming challenge and the logistical details for the next day.
Overnight at the Downtown Inn hotel
Day 2:
(10 -15 km) Overnight Hilltribe Village Transferred out of Chiang Mai into our entry point for the Mae Taeng valley. We caught glimpses of the Mae Taeng River as we trekked, passing through several hill tribe villages. From our starting point we trekked mostly within deciduous forest which runs from water level to approx 500m above sea level passing through tropical monsoon forest and some hills of 1,000 metres. We continually saw the Mae Taeng river winding its way towards the Ping. We carried lunch with us and the plan, depending on the conditions and distance covered, was to stop in a village to eat. We then returned to the trail and by early evening we crossed the ridge line and trekked down into the Karen hill tribe village where we spent the night. We ate and slept in local longhouses, with basic facilities.
Day 3:
(15 – 20 km) Overnight Mae Ping Resort
We woke up early and departed the village after breakfast. We then climbed and descended hills eventually following a ridge line before crossing over into the Mae Tamen Valley. Lunch was on the trail and we descended late afternoon into the Mae Ping resort alongside the Mae Ping River. That evening hot water was available for aching legs! After dinner we had a briefing covering the bike fitting and the first days riding.
Overnight at the Mae Ping Resort
Day 4:
Biking from Mae Ping to Chiang Dao (80km)Overnight Chiangdao
An early rise and after breakfast out to the escort vehicles for bike fitting . We then followed a small road as far as “Phrao”, as it is much less used. At the Mae-Tang district, we rejoined the main road to the north. We eventually arrived in Chiangdao town (70km) for our lunch stop in a local restaurant. A short distance after lunch, we left the Chiang Dao valley and the road began to pass through the forest encountering hills as the roads wound around the valley. The last downhill of the day saw us arrive for our overnight stop. Dinner was at the resort restaurant after which we had a familiar briefing.
Overnight at the Chiang Dao Hill Resort
Day 5:
Chiang Dao to Thaton. (95km) – Overnight in Ban Thaton Dormitories in Maekok River Resort.
This stage was all tarmac road, with a few hills. The road direction north was still in the forest to start with. Moderate up hill, before a great rewarding downhill. We continued then in the valley passing Chaiprakarn, Fang and Mae-Ai districts, riding on small back roads, before we reached Thaton for overnight. We covered a good distance this day. The valley ride was mostly flat, passing many villages. The area was covered by many bright green paddy fields interspaced with fruit plantations.
Day 6:
Kayaking (25km) Overnight riverside camp
This morning we took to the river. After a short visit in the village we had a basic skills session and safety briefing on kayak use after which we began our journey downstream led by the river guides. We stopped around lunchtime and brought all kayaks into the bank for lunch and then remounted our craft to continue on down the river. Then we paddled for a total of 5 hours and late afternoon we arrived at the riverside jungle camp where we ate ‘al fresco’ – a barbecue / meal cooked by the support crew. The night was spent in dormitory tents (no hot showers).
Overnight at Jungle camp under canvas, evening meal was a barbecue around the campfire.
Day 7:
Kayaking (30km) Overnight Chiangrai
This was a full day paddling, stopping at another river beach for lunch. We had the chance to observe the riverside villages and the small boats that made up the river traffic coming toward Chiang Rai before paddling into the riverside Rimkok Hotel in Chiang Rai late afternoon. Dinner was followed by the briefing for next day’s finishing stage into the Golden Triangle.
Overnight at Rimkok hotel
Day 8:
Chiang Rai to Chiang Saen and Golden Triangle. Gala dinner. (85 km final stage)
Overnight in Golden Triangle On to our bikes for the last leg following the river, then the road turned into countryside traversing rural villages and plantations. Eventually we reached a small artificial lake in Chiang-Saen. Lunch took place atop the River view hill. We then continued north until we met the mighty Mekong river which we then rode alongside, climbing up the final hill into the temple looking out over the “Golden Triangle”. This was the end of the challenge and we formed up in echelon to ride through the arrival arch at our Hotel overlooking the Mekong.
Day 9:
Flight to Bangkok and on to Dubai Free early morning at leisure in the Golden Triangle.
We stroll around and visited the interesting Opium museum. 10:00 Coach transfer to Mae-Sai, the Burmese border. Visited Thailand’s Northern most point and the interesting local market. Had lunch at Wang-Thong hotel. Subjected to border opening, possibility to cross into Burma (optional). Transferred by coach to Chiang Rai airport for evening flight to Bangkok, and either returned to Dubai or transferred to hotel for optional extension days in Thailand.
Human Development Foundation, Bangkok and Christina Noble Foundation, Vietnam
Funds from this challenge renovated a Human Development Foundation orphanage in Bangkok and helped the Christina Noble Foundation in Vietnam. We have followed the HDF’s progress over the years and found that they are extremely well run and maintain their buildings exceptionally well. Therefore, we have continued to support them and will do so again in 2010.
Read More about the Christina Noble Foundation…
