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Remote Hill Tribe Adventure
This four-day trip is a longer version of our 3-day jungle trek, so it's brilliant for travellers looking for a real adventure. The trek also offers great flexibility, as it departs from Chiang Mai on any day of the week. You'll trek in a small group, which gives you the chance to meet and share experiences, and you'll be led by your own personal guide. As you’ll be trekking for four days, you’ll reach places seldom visited by tourists in the Chiang Dao Wild Animals Protection Area and Sri Lanna National Park. You'll sleep on bamboo mats in simple huts, which gives the trek a really rustic jungle feel. This area is famous for its thickly forested mountain range, and you'll visit numerous small ethnic groups along the way. Please note that you need to be reasonably fit to do this trip. |
| Duration | 4 days/ 3 nights | Accommodation | Very simple accommodation |
| Price | From $325 per person - based on 2 people | Includes | Accommodation, transport from and to Chinag Mai and English-speaking guide, all meals (excluding breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day) |
| Travel | Săwngthăew (pick up truck), bamboo raft and elephant | Excludes | Drinks and other meals, excursions and entrance fees not listed in the daily itinerary |
Day 1: Chiang Mai - Trekking - Lahu villageYou'll be collected around 9am this morning from your hotel in Chiang Mai, and meet your local guide, as well as your fellow trekkers, for the next few days. Hopefully you’ll get along as well as these two in the photo...With a full canteen of water, you'll set off in a songthaew (pickup truck). On the way to the starting point of your trek, you'll stop at Mae Malai Market, and take some time to explore Chiang Dao cave. Next, you'll have lunch at a local restaurant and afterwards you'll wind your way up the mountain road to Baan Muang Kong to begin your jungle trek. Your guide will cut a walking stick for you and then off you go! You'll hike up to an impressive altitude of 1200m, acclimatising quickly to the thinner air. It will take you around 2 hours to reach the first hill tribe village. You’ll be in an area refreshingly isolated from the rest of the world, and modernity as you know it. You can freshen up a little in the washhouse and while your guide makes dinner, you will make your bed. You'll sleep in a simple hut made out of woven bamboo, on a firm but flexible platform that serves as your bed. The mosquito net is hung up and the blankets and sleeping bags are laid out. Before dinner, you can take a look around the village. There will be kids playing, and hens, pigs, cats and dogs wandering about. You can buy soft drinks and even a cold-ish beer from your hostess. A tasty dinner, typical of the local cuisine, will be served by your trusty guide. |
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Day 2: Trekking - Waterfalls - Lisu VillageAt the break of day, you'll be woken by cocks a-crowing. After breakfast, you'll put on your rucksack again and, with a last wave to the village children, you'll set off on a stiff 6 hour hike along overgrown jungle trails. On the way your guide, will tell you all about the surrounding flora and fauna. You'll stop for a lunch at a beautiful small waterfall, and afterwards you'll continue on to a Lisu village, where you'll eat a typical hilltribe meal and spend the night in another basic hut, with the sounds of the jungle all around you. |
Day 3: Rafting, hiking, and hill tribeThis morning, you'll grab a hearty breakfast and get ready for a challenging 4-5 hour trek with both downhill and uphill sections. At the end of the Thailand jungle trek, you'll drop down into a beautiful valley where giant trees reach up into the skies. At the bottom of the valley, there’s a small collection of huts with palm leaf roofs - behold the elephant camp.The elephants are usually found either grazing in the forest or washing in the river, and a herd of buffalo can usually be seen hanging around the area. You'll climb onto the back of your elephant from a platform, and then your elephant trek will begin. Steadily, the elephant will lumber down the river valley, wading through the water, and sometimes down steep slopes- so be sure you've got a good grip on the saddle and watch out for tree branches! From your elevated view, you can gaze out over the lush jungle. Watch out when the elephant stops for a good scratch on a termite hill. In the afternoon, you'll arrive at some more huts nestled on the riverbank- a Karen hilltribe village. You'll climb down off your new best friend, drop off your rucksack in your dormitory-style accommodation and wash off the day's dirt in the fast-flowing current. The remainder of this day is free for you to go swimming in the river, learn some local fishing techniques, explore the village, play football with the children or help your guide with the meal preparation. |
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Day 4: Bamboo Rafting - Shan Village - Return to Chiang MaiThis morning, you'll start with an early breakfast and leave the Karen village on a traditional bamaboo raft. We strongly recommend wearing your swimmers along with sandals for this activity.In September and October, the rains create a strong current allowing your raft to glide quickly between the jungle-lined banks. The majority of the rafting is relaxed, but the few small rapids that you come across are sure to get your heart pounding. During the leisurely sections of the trip, you can take in the nature and the waterfowl that surrounds you. You'll make a brief stop at a Lahu village in order to recheck your raft before passing rocks and rapids for around 2 hours. After a few hours on the water, you'll drift into the Shan village, where you'll have lunch at a local restaurant. This is the end of your trekking adventure, we will return to Chiang Mai by local truck. We cannot guarantee your exact arrival time in Chiang Mai, so we wouldn't recommend that you attempt to continue your journey immediately by overnight sleeper train or by flight. It's far better to spend tonight in Chiang Mai, enjoying a hot shower and a soft bed while you unwind. We can arrange accommodation for you in Chiang Mai- just let us know on the quote request form. Things to take with you: • Boots and a sleeping bag (sleeping bags can be rented locally approx $5) • Small rucksack, torch and water bottle • Shorts and long trousers, long and short sleeved tops, raincoat and socks • A hat or cap, sun block cream and insect repellent with DEET • Comfortable shoes (hiking boots not essential, but not sandals) Blankets are available at all of the accommodation offered during this trip, as the nights can be cold up in the hills. Between July and November we advise you to spend a little money on some ‘leech socks’ (available in Chiang Mai, prevention is better than the cure). Click here for more information on Trekking |