This four day trekking trip in northern Thailand is great for those who wish to learn about Thailand culture. We take it at a steady pace so this is ideal if you want to get a deeper understanding of the surroundings you pass. Learn about local herbs, flora and fauna, farming techniques and ethnic minorities.
Our guides are bursting with local knowledge and are always more than willing to translate your questions to the locals. On this trip we pass through lush farmland, rice paddies, local villages, waterfalls and rivers.
We get a chance to spend lots of up close and personal time with the elephants on our visit to Mae Taeng elephant camp, relax by our riverside camp and learn about Lahu life and how to make and sail a bamboo raft! Spend just a bit more time with us and you will get a much more holistic experience and a better understanding of northern Thailand culture.
Trip Summary
Area: Mae Taeng | Fitness level ***
Day 1
We leave Chiang Mai at 9 AM and first drive to a local market, where we can stock up on supplies for the trip. This is also a good place to get a rain coat, toilet rolls, torch and some gifts for kids in the villages.
We then drive to a waterfall on the way, and get fresh and fun!
After that we have lunch on the way to our next stop – local hot springs. From there we head into the jungle for a two hour trek to a Karen village where we spend the night and get to know the local life and traditions. Today you learn about Karen hill tribe culture.
Day 2
We have an early start with a hearty breakfast and a three hour trek through local rain forests. After lunch another short trek leads us to a local Lahu hill tribe village near Mae Taeng elephant camp by the river.
A visit to elephant camp and elephant riding and bathing is an optional activity for today at no extra charge. If you prefer to skip the visit to the elephant camp, you can spend the time by the river, swim, fish, make a camp fire, go river tubing or simply relax.
Day 3
We have a hearty breakfast before we construct our own bamboo rafts and go rafting down the river to a Shan tribal village. From the village we set off on a trek in the jungle and have a jungle style lunch on the way.
Another two hour trek after lunch, and we arrive to another Shan village, where we spend the night. Take some time to learn about village life and just relax after the hard day of trekking!
Day 4
After breakfast we go white water rafting on Mae Taeng river rapids. In March, April, and May this activity will be substituted with canoeing.
We disembark to have lunch and the drive for about two hours to a project that turns elephant dung into fabulous paper items. This is a great opportunity to buy your loved ones some unique gifts!
Then it’s back to Chiang Mai and the end of our tour.
4 pers $300 pp | 3 pers $350 pp | 2 pers $450 pp | 1 per $550
Includes: Accommodation (homestay), Local Guide, transport from Chiang Mai, Food, Elephant riding, bamboo rafting.
