Northern Thailand Hilltribes Trek

Arrive at any time.

Included Experiences

• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Explore Experiences

Drive from Chiang Mai to the trailhead. Trek through farmland and bamboo and teak forests. Learn about bush food and medicinal plants. Enjoy lunch en route before continuing through rice fields and valleys to reach the first village of a Lahu tribe. Assist with food prep and cooking, or check out a local Lahu massage. Tucked away in the hills of northern Thailand is where the most colourful and unchanged traditional communities can be found. Trek through forests and rural terrains to visit some of these diverse hilltribe villages; often, each will have their own unique language, clothing style, and belief system that differs significantly from those of neighbouring tribes. You are well looked after by your CEO and local guides, who take the responsibility of preparing all meals and carrying food supplies.

The exact itinerary of the walking on this trip may change from time to time, taking into account the weather and local conditions. Also, please note there may be times when the use of video and/or still cameras may be inappropriate -- your CEO and guides will be able to advise you. Be prepared for the accommodation to be basic; remember, it's all about an authentic and unique experience!

Included Experiences

• Hilltribe Trek Day 1: Hit the road early in the morning to head to the trailhead. Start the trek through forests and rugged terrain that winds itself around various hilltop villages. Trek from Huay Nam Dang National Park to Ban Pha Mon, a Lahu village.
• Ban Pha Mon Homestay: These agricultural communities support themselves with farming and hunting but typically struggled to survive financially outside of growing seasons. To prevent families from leaving and the gradual loss of culture and history, we worked with a local NGO to help sustainably build tourism opportunities through a year-long training program, including this overnight stay.

Trek between villages, over farmlands and grasslands, and ascend to the ridge line. Learn about bush medicine and seasonal fruits as you make your way to the lunch stop. Go for a swim and help the local guides prepare lunch. Continue on to the Karen village and spend the night. Trek for about six hours and between villages, over farmlands and grasslands and acend to the ridgeline. Learn about bush medicine, seasonal fruits and plants and seeds. Slip your wet shoes on and descend to the Huew Hin Poon Creek for lunch. Here, go for a swim and help the local guides make a friction fire and prepare lunch. Continue another hour and a half to the jungle Buddhist temple outside the second village. Spend the night in the Karen village learn about wood carving, weaving and cooking.

Included Experiences

• Hilltribe Trek Day 2: Trek to reach the lunch stop, taking in the beautiful scenery along the way. Enjoy lunch before carrying on to the Karen village of Ban Muang Pam. Here, discover more about local life, help prepare dinner, or learn about weaving and wood carving.
• Ban Muang Pam Homestay: Experience traditional White Karen culture in a mountain valley when you’ll explore how to live a self-sufficient life. Trek the conservation forest area and rice fields with trained local guides, observe traditional weaving by the Women’s Textiles Group, and learn how to make a bamboo souvenir. By staying in a traditional Karen home with host families, you’re supporting community efforts to preserve White Karen culture.

After breakfast, leave the village and continue on, trekking beside the Pam River through lush jungle. Arrive at Tham Lod, a 1666m deep cave. Enter by bamboo raft and move to different chambers - a truly unique experience. Following the cave visit and lunch travel to Ban Jabo, a Black Lahu village. Learn about the Lahu culture, try out some traditional activities, and lend a hand making dinner using regional products and cooking methods.

Included Experiences

• Ban Jabo Homestay: Experience an unforgettable stay in this highland village. Connect with a Black Lahu family and learn about daily life for this hilltribe. Try your hand at bamboo weaving or playing a Lahu instrument, and help your host family prepare a traditional meal.
• Hilltribe Trek Day 3: After breakfast, leave the village and continue on, trekking beside the Pam River through lush jungle. Arrive at Tham Lod, a 1666m deep cave. Bamboo rafts are required to enter the cave and move to different chambers - a truly unique experience.

Following breakfast, bid farewell to your hosts and return by private van to Chiang Mai, arriving at approximately 3pm. Tour ends on arrival.

Included Experiences

• Departure Day: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.