Looking for an exciting adventure that will take you off the beaten path and into the heart of Northern Thailand's rich cultural landscape? Look no further! Our unique tour takes you just an hour outside of Chiang Mai, where you'll embark on a thrilling trek through the mountains to visit remote hill tribe villages of the Hmong and Red Lahu.
You'll stay overnight at the 'Lahu Outpost', a comfortable lodge within the community that is modeled after a traditional home. Here, you'll enjoy stunning views, peaceful local life, and delicious northern Thai-style food. The next day, you'll make your way back through the jungle for a rafting adventure and a visit to an organic tea plantation.
But the adventure doesn't end there! You'll also have the opportunity to spend the night at the beautiful Lisu Lodge, surrounded by lush greenery and fresh mountain air. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won't want to miss. Book your tour now and discover the beauty and culture of Northern Thailand.
Right for You?
One of our local experts in Thailand will make this the perfect trip for you!
Base Price:
$202/person
Speaks: Thai, English and Other Local Language
Details
Itinerary
You should arrive at Lisu Lodge about 10 am. After a welcome drink and an orientation, you will drive in a local truck to the area near Pha Mieng. Start walking along the jungle trails to the remote village of Hmong Pha Mieng (1h 30 minutes). Meet the inhabitants of this small hill tribe village in the jungle.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest.
After lunch, you will walk to the top of the mountain (1h 30 minute) where the Red Lahu Village of Pha Daeng is located. Continue walking along a mountain ridge to the Lahu village of Kup Kap (1 hr), from where you have a spectacular view overlooking the Mae Taeng district and Chiang Mai town glittering at night in the distance.
You'll have dinner and overnight at Lahu Outpost, modeled after a traditional Lahu hill tribe house.
Amenities provided: mattress, pillow, bed linen, blankets, towels, mosquito nets, western-style toilets and hot water shower rooms.
After an early breakfast, we will hike down a steep jungle path (90 minutes) passing the Huay Sadharn waterfall. A picnic lunch will be served on the bank of the river. Then we will go rafting down the river for another 45 minutes. (Remark: During the summer, which usually starts in April and lasts a few months, we will switch from inflatable raft to bamboo raft.)
Return to Lisu Lodge by local truck with stop en route at a tea plantation - Stop off to relax and enjoy a beautiful landscape at our tea plantation where you will be led by an experienced guide who will introduce you to the process of growing and harvesting tea as well as vegetation propagation to produce tea seedlings at the nursery, whilst teaching you how to pluck tea leaves and enjoy a cup of fresh-roasted tea.
Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch. Upon arrival at Lisu Lodge, a welcome drink will be served. Guided by a Lisu villager, walk from Ton Lung temple to visit the herbal garden. Then continue through the village with a stop for a cup of tea at the village shaman’s house. Chat with the Lisu shaman and learn about his life, beliefs, curing rites and Lisu traditions.
After that, you will visit: Rice paddies - Walk with our guide through rice paddies where we work together with the villagers to grow rice without the use of pesticide and insecticide. Besides strolling through the green or the golden carpet of the paddy fields, depending on the season, you will learn and participate in the various stages of rice cultivation in northern Thai style. Himmapaan nursery - Learn about the flora of northern Thailand and how we restore the forest ecosystem at a tree nursery of the Himmapaan Foundation whose goal is to support and implement environmental and social projects by working with local communities in areas affected by tourism. Vegetable garden - Visit the vegetable garden where we produce organic fertilizer from leftover organic waste and grow a variety of vegetables and fruits that are used in several dishes served at Lisu Lodge. Time at leisure until Thai dinner with a traditional Lisu dance show.
Overnight at Lisu Lodge
What's Included
Your Local Host
Lisu Lodge
Locally Owned Social Enterprise
Lisu Lodge is managed as a partnership between Asian Oasis (a travel company focused on sustainable tourism, offering a collection of unique travel experiences in northern Thailand) and the local Lisu community. The Lisu migrated from southern China and Tibet in the early 20th century and have found a home in Chiang Mai province. The local community has been involved in the development and operations of Lisu lodge from the beginning. The staff members of the lodge consist mainly of people from the Lisu hill tribe village and a portion of all proceeds earned are shared directly with the village.
Getting There
