Northern Thailand Hike & Homestays

You will be met upon arrival at the Chiang Mai Airport and transferred to your hotel. Overnight: White Boutique Hotel & Spa - Deluxe room or similar

Meals:  Nil

In the morning, you’ll meet your guide and embark on a scenic drive to Mae Hong Son, travelling along one of Thailand’s most beautiful mountain highways. After a stop for lunch in Pai District, you’ll continue to Lod Cave, one of Northern Thailand’s largest. The cave has three main chambers: the “Giant Pillar Cave” with its 21m stalactite; the “Doll Cave,” featuring unique rock formations resembling dolls and a 2,000-year-old painting; and the “Coffin Cave,” where you’ll take a bamboo raft and climb up to see an ancient wooden coffin. Later in the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Mae Hong Son and check into your hotel, with the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Dinner will be served at the Fern Restaurant. Overnight: Fern Resort - Deluxe room or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we rise early to set off for our next five days of hiking. After breakfast, we transfer to the trail head by 4WD vehicle from where we set off, following the trails which take us down the lush, green Ban Nam Hoo valley. Some parts of the trail can be very steep and narrow so we will take our time. Our route takes us through the different layers of the valley, and we can learn from our local ethnic Karen guide about the different fauna and flora which surrounds you. Later in the day, we will ascend a steep path up to around 1,650m, passing by a variety of different wild orchids for which this area is famous. The wide ranging panoramic views from the top definitely make the ascent worthwhile. We then descend into Huai Hee village which will be our final destination for the day. This village is the first ethnic Karen village to successfully set up a community based tourism (CBT) scheme to provide the community with a supplementary income which is used to finance projects including their wild orchid conservation programme. Their livelihood remains primarily based on rotational farming on the surrounding mountain slopes. With more than 200 years of settlement history, the population of the village is less than 150. Visitors stay in pairs with their home stay family and can learn about their simple, sustainable lifestyles. Overnight: Homestay with Karen family Trek distance: 10km/6mi (approx) Duration: 5-6hrs

Meals:  B,L,D

The village stirs early to the sound of its rural setting. After a local style breakfast, we venture out from the village to explore more of the surrounding Doi Pui National Park. During your hike today, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about how the ethnic Karen people live as well as their sustainable use the natural resources of the area. Their sustainable farming and gathering methods are key to why the Thai government have allowed them to remain residing within the boundaries of the national park. Today we will ascend to the very summit of Mae Hong Son “Doi Pui” mountain, at 1,722m where we can enjoy our local lunch prepared by your host family with the stunning mountain views. We hike back down to the village through the wild orchid conservation area, arriving back late afternoon. This evening you can join your host family and learn about Karen cooking, the ingredients they use and the techniques they use to achieve their traditional dishes. Overnight: Homestay with Karen family Trek distance: 10km/6mi (approx) Duration: ~5-6hrs

Meals:  B,L,D

Another early morning start today. After breakfast we bid farewell to our host families and start hiking along the gravel road out of the village. After around 1km, we turn off and follow the winding trail for roughly 17km to reach Ban Huai Tong Kaw, nestled in a river valley. Ban Huai Tong Kaw is another great place to explore the traditional Karen culture. The village is accessible by road, yet the community has tried hard to preserve their traditional lifestyles and knowledge. The village is still home to traditional blacksmiths, herbal gurus, spiritual leaders, ritual singers and sword dancers. Additionally, nearby there is an impressive 150 metres high waterfall cascading through a jungle setting. Dinner tonight is at our homestay after which we’ll witness a sword dance at the village centre. Overnight: Homestay with Karen family Trek distance: 18km/11mi (approx) Duration: 7-8hrs

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will hike down into the Mae Samad River Valley and visit the largest waterfall in Mae Hong Son. There will be many river crossings and much steep terrain to cover. The water levels, depending on the season, can be as much as 1 meter deep in parts but your guides will assist you. Our final destination today will be the village of Huai Kung which is a small Buddhist village, consisting of approximately ten households with no direct road access. The village is situated nearby the Mae Samad River. They call this village “Baan Lek Nai Pa-Yai”. It means 'small village situated in the ancient forest'. The villagers are dependent on fresh water fishing in addition to hunting game, paddy rice farming and forest gathering. Huai Kung Village is a great spot for swimming where we will enjoy a fish dinner. Overnight: Homestay with Karen family Trek Distance: 15km/9mi (approx) Duration: 6-7hrs

Meals:  B,L,D

Today, the final day of our hike we can enjoy a more relaxed hike down into the Mae Samad River Valley. The day’s hiking does involve more river crossings and some steep terrain however. We descend down through a deciduous forest which consists of a lot of teak woods, bamboos, and red woods. The hike will take around 4-5 hours to reach Pa-Bong Village where we will meet our drivers to head back to The Fern Resort (30mins drive). Please note: During June-November, the trail from Ban Huai Goong will be changed to the trail that leads to Ban Nam Hoo Hai Jai. This is necessary due to the higher water levels. Overnight: Fern Resort - Deluxe room or similar Trek distance: 10km/6mi (approx) Duration: 5-6hrs

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, we visit the beautiful Shan style temples. One of which is located on the hilltop;“Wat Phra That Doi Kong Moo” overlooking the valley village. The next temple is located by the lake. Named; “Wat Jong Kum-Jong Klang”. The roof edge is decorated with the hand crafted zinc sheeting. Also visit a mini-museum which contains old wood carving dolls originally from ancient Myanmar. Lunch will be at a local Thai restaurant. In the afternoon, we transfer back to Chiang Mai by minivan, where the trip concludes. Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai Transfer: 5 - 6hrs NOTE: There is an option to fly directly from Mae Hong Son to Bangkok. If you would prefer please ask your consultant for current prices and availability.

Meals:  B,L