Destinations to Visit: Chiang Mai - Pai - Tham Lod - Muang Phaem - Mae Hong Son.
Thailand's intriguing hill tribes await you on this journey into the mountainous north. Your cultural experience begins as we take you from Chiang Mai to the town of Pai, stopping at an orchid farm and a colorful local market on the way. Next you'll head to Tham Lod and explore the stunning Lod Caves with their limestone formations, cavernous chambers and a river running right through the core. For a truly authentic experience, you'll stay overnight in a Shan family house and enjoy a traditional dinner featuring recipes unique to this remote highland area. Finish your enjoyable meal off with a spot of traditional tea brewed using bamboo tubes over an open fire.
If you're an early riser, wake up at dawn and climb up to “Big Knobb” summit for a stunning sunset view of Tham Lod valley. The adventure continues as we trek to a nearby Karan village, stopping to enjoy a Shan-style picnic lunch along the way. Learn more about the local traditions as you watch women in the village weave using blackstrap looms that date back thousands of years. You'll stay overnight with a Karen family, learning more about their culture and history as you enjoy traditional food cooked over an open wood fire. The brave of heart will also have a chance to sample the local rice whiskey.
On the final day of your trek you'll cruise on a bamboo raft back to Tham Lod Village where you can either head straight back to Chiang Mai or journey further north to Mae Hong Sorn and pay a visit to a long neck hill tribe before returning to Chiang Mai by plane.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Chiang Mai - Pai - Tham Lod
Your journey begins in Chiang Mai, where you'll depart by minivan for a three-hour drive to Pai, stopping at an orchid farm and the Mae Malai local market on the way. Enjoy lunch in Pai before setting off to Tham Lod, where you'll explore Tham Lod Village and Lod Caves. In the evening at your Tham Lod home-stay you'll enjoy a dinner of traditional Shan recipes followed by local tea, while learning about local history, traditions and folklore. Overnight in Tham Lod. Includes: (L), (D).
Day 2: Tham Lod - Muang Phaem
If you wake before dawn, climb up to the “Big Knobb” summit for a stunning sunrise view over the Tham Lod valley. After breakfast and fresh coffee, you'll leave Tham Lod Village for a 2-3 hour walk to a remote Karen village, stopping in the Orchid forest for a Shan-style picnic lunch before learning more about Karen traditions as you watch local women weave using blackstrap looms. Spend the night with a Karen family and enjoy a dinner of traditional food cooked over an open wood fire. Overnight in Karen village. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: Muang Phaem - Tham Lod - Mae Hong Son - Chiang Mai
After a lazy breakfast, enjoy a leisurely one-hour walk to a stream where you will ride a bamboo raft back to Tham Lod Village. Back at the homestay, you'll have a chance to shower and freshen up before heading back to Chiang Mai, stopping for lunch along the way. As an option, we can arrange for you to travel by local boat to Mae Hong Sorn to visit a traditional village of the long-neck people before continuing on to Chiang Mai. Includes: (B), (L).
Price Includes:
- Home stay accommodation
- Home stay meals as mentioned (B = Breakfast, L= Lunch, D = Dinner)
- English or French speaking guide
- Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle
- Entrance fees for mentioned visits.
Price Excludes:
- Other meals than mentioned
- Other services than mentioned
- International and Domestic Flights
- Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature
- Tips, Travel insurance.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Notes:
- The price is a guideline and will vary according to travel dates and room availability. The price is based on two people traveling together during high season and sharing a twin or double room.
- Please contact us to discuss your tailor-made travel requirements.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Thailand
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
Cultural Journey
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