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Hill tribes tour Chiang Mai [Wat Pha Lat temple, Wat Phra That and hill tribe villages]

From: $ 44

Adult: (Age 5+)

Child: (Age < 5)

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Hill tribes tour Chiang Mai – Chiang Mai tours –  Doi Suthep tours

Half-day tour, Hill tribes tour Chiang Mai. Discover two fascinating Buddhist temples in Doi Suthep , especially the majestic hidden Wat Pha Lat temple (with scenic trekking downhill the forest), with the popular Wat Phra That . Amazing views and nature on the Doi Suthep mountain. We will also bring you to get in touch with most historical Chiang Mai cultural figures, visiting different hill tribes and hill villages .

Visit Doi Suthep’s Majestic Temples and Learn About Hill Tribe Culture

Key Takeaways:

• Doi Suthep Temples and Hill Tribes
• Visit the famous Doi Suthep Temple and see Chiang Mai views
• Trek through the forest to discover the hidden Wat Pha Lat temple
• Learn about hill tribes and Long Neck culture by visiting ethnic minority villages
• Led by knowledgeable local guides providing context and stories
• Hotels pick-up and drop-off included for a fuss-free experience

Hill Tribes tour Chiang Mai Itinerary: Starts From 8:00 AM/8:30 AM daily

Pick-up service is available only from hotels/resorts in the chiang mai city center..

• Meet your private English-speaking guide in the hotel’s lobby to start the Hill tribes tour of Chiang Mai.
• Tour will visit Doi Suthep Temple to witness the amazing scenic view of Chiang Mai city, visit the beautiful golden pagoda as well as the gorgeous view of Chiang Mai city from the terraces.
• Trekking walking down in the jungle to reach the area to visit the Hidden Temple (Wat Pha Lad).
• Visit the hill tribe villages in the hills around Chiang Mai (Long neck tribes).

Hill tribes tour Chiang Mai KEY DETAILS:

• DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION: Your Hotel, service is available only from Hotels/Resorts in the Chiang Mai city center.
• DEPARTURE TIME: Program Starts At 8:00 AM / 8:30 AM daily.
• RETURN TIME: Approximately 12.30 – 13.00 PM.
• WEAR: Light t-shirt – Casual.
• Experienced local guides, Air-conditioned vehicles with an experienced driver.
• English-speaking guide.
• Includes soft drinks. Refreshing drinks en route.
• All admission fees as mentioned in the program.
• Transfer from/to hotel. (Chiang Mai city center)
• Accident insurance. Transportation in the air-conditioned modern minivan.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Appropriate clothing to visit Temples. Walking shoes or Sports shoes (Trekking down in the jungle).
• Sunblock and sunglasses, camera, insect repellent spray.

Children from 3 to 5 years old pay the reduced price! 

Children from 1 to 3 years old pay for any ticket but only for insurance costs (3 usd).

Hill tribe’s tour Chiang Mai itinerary and timing above are approximate and may be modified without notice to fit local weather conditions.

If the above tour does not meet your requirement and you wish to customize your own tour, please feel free to contact us and tell us your preference. HD003 .

• Doi Suthep zipline trek tour
• Doi Suthep temple night tour
• Half-day Doi Suthep Maew Village tour
• Doi Suthep Pumping Palace tour

Discover Hill Tribes and Temples on a Chiang Mai Day Tour.

This Chiang Mai day tour perfectly balances cultural sightseeing with light outdoor adventure. With stops at renowned temples, opportunities to connect with locals, and guides providing context, you’ll gain insight into northern Thailand’s history and people. The small-group format ensures an intimate experience while hotel transfers take care of the logistics.

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Blugecko is an elephant friendly tour operator and agent. Blugecko only sells treks which offer a more ethical and postive elephant interaction experience.

Blugecko is a registered and bonded tour agent with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

TOUR OVERVIEW

Tour description.

TOUR DETAILS & FACTS

• Please be prepared for the occasional shower, luckily in Chiang Mai rainfall is mostly confined to short showers rather than prolonged rainfall. A lightweight easily packable raincoat is an ideal precaution

• No swim wear is required on this tour

8 Hill Tribes in Chiang Mai That You Can Visit

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• Karen - The Long Neck Tribe

Originating from Tibet, the Hmong tribe is widespread in Northern Thailand and also a major minority group in South Thailand. They arrived in Thailand at the end of the 1800s with two subgroups Blue Hmongs and White Hmongs. These subgroups are distinguished by their traditional clothing.

Blue Hmong women wear intricately embroidered dark blue and white knee-length skirts, and white Hmong women wear long baggy trousers and long-sleeved jackets with collar flaps. Men wear black or blue collarless jackets with fancy fronts.

Location:  Doi Pui Mountain, Chiang Mai Old City

2. Karen - The Long Neck Tribe

The Karen Hill Tribe is the most famous hill tribe in Thailand. They started migrating from Myanmar in the late 17th century. Most of them live in the west of Chiang Mai, stretching to Kanchanaburi. They are distinguished by their brass rings they wear around their neck, making their necks longer.

Unmarried women wear loose V-neck white dresses, and married women wear traditional V neck tunic and turban. The tribe women are famous for their weaving, and wood-carvings skills and men are famous for their eco-friendly farming practices.

Location: Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai

Originating from the Tibetian highlands The Lahu Hill tribe is a population of around 80000 people in Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai province. The Lahu consists of different groups including red, black and yellow Lahu.

One-third of the population converted to Christian. The remaining are animalists, who believe in a village guardian spirit, who is worshipped at a central temple.

The traditional clothes of the people are very colourful, long jackets with colourful baggy trousers. Despite their colourful dresses, they are known to be excellent hunters and one of the gender-equitable societies in the world.

Location: South of Thaweesin, Chiangrai Province

Akna is the poorest hill tribe in Chiang Mai. People arrived from Myanmar in the 1900s, established their village in the Santikhiri area of Chiang Mai. Akha villages have beautifully crafted wooden gates, believed to be the home of guardian spirit. The most distinct feature of their dress is the metal headdress they wear with different shapes.

The exact opposite of Lahu Tribe, Akha society is extremely gender-segregated, Men and Women have separate places on opposite sides of the village.

Traditionally they were involved in farming, but recently they have started to make and sell all types of handmade products, like vests, handbags, etc.

Location: Santikhiri, Chiangrai Province

The Palong tribe came to Thailand from Myanmar and is the smallest group of Hill tribes in Palong. The main tribal village is Nor Lae Village. The Palong people are divided into three distinct groups with different cultures and languages. They live in wooden houses and mostly involved in the production of tea, chillies, and sugarcanes.

Palong women wear long red dresses with blue or pink jackets, silver wristband, and silver ornaments. Another distinct feature of the Palong tribe is their gold decorated teeth.

Location: Thai-Burmese Border, north of Doi Ang Khang Mountain

With a population of around 42000 people, Mien is one of the largest hill tribes in Chiang Mai. Originating from central China, these are the only tribes who have written language and a codified religion. The villages are small with a group of 20-25 houses.

Traditionally men wear black jackets with loose-fitting black trousers. Women wear long black tunics with a red ruff around their neckline.

The Lisu hill tribe originated in southwest China and Tibet. They can be found between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. They are also spread in India and Myanmar.

The Lisu tribe built their villages close to the water as they believe water has special powers. They have several clans, and due to clan rivalry, they often indulge in fights. They live in bamboo houses, and their villages have a rooftop pavilion where the village guardian’s spirit stays.

Women wear very vibrant colour dresses,l long trousers with blue or green apron-like tunic and men wear green, yellow or pink trousers with blue jackets.

Location: West of Pai, Northwest of Chaing Mai

Over 900 years ago Lawa people migrated from Cambodia and settled into northern Thailand in Chiang Mai Province. Most of the population lives in between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai province.

These Lawa people are animalists. They believe in the spirit world, and many elderly are believed to have spiritual powers, although many Lawa people converted to Christianity and Buddhism.

Unmarried women wear white blouses and can be recognized by orange and yellow beads worn around their necks. Married women wear bright colour clothes with blue, black yellow and pink stripes.

Location: Hod, Chomthong Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son

The people of these hill tribes in Chiang Mai lead simple lives which you can experience on your tours to their villages. Be sure to be aware of their culture and customs, and always be respectful when you interact with them. If you have had the chance to visit any of them, share your experience with us down below in the comments!

This post was published by Arnab Ghosh

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Experiencing an Authentic Chiang Mai Hill Tribe Tour and Homestay

by Chris | Last updated Sep 20, 2018 | Published on Jul 13, 2018 | Destinations , Northern Thailand | 5 comments

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Even after five years of living in Chiang Mai, this comparatively small Thai city and its surrounding countryside continue to amaze me. Take, for example, the two-day Chiang Mai hill tribe tour and homestay experience I happily crossed off my bucket list. It was like nothing I’ve ever done before and I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many different places in this country. It opened my eyes to an unspoiled world and unique people in the beautiful hillsides of northern Thailand.

A little background about Chiang Mai’s hill tribes

When most people hear the words Thai hill tribes they conjure images of the tribeswomen who wear brass coils around their elongated necks. These hill tribe people are equivalent to the postcard-famous Zulu in South Africa or the Yanomami in the Amazon.

However, there are far more hill tribes throughout northern Thailand, each with their own distinct culture. In fact, the northern Thai provinces of Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and Chiang Rai are home to hundreds of small villages of people who left China, Myanmar (Burma), Tibet, and other countries. Some came to Thailand as refugees while others came in search of a better life.

These people migrated and settled in the hillsides of northern Thailand hundreds of years ago and many lived off the land by growing crops such as vegetables and rice. Although many are Thai citizens nowadays (aside from a few minority groups mainly found along the Thai border), their legacy has cast a shadow over what could have been a prosperous future.

Fast forward to the present and they are an underprivileged group. Factors such as limited higher education and employment discrimination have played a part in keeping them stuck in the farming poverty cycle for generations.

Pat, the man behind the Chiang Mai hill tribe tours

Shoulder length hair, scruffy beard, and wearing a handwoven Karieng (กะเหรี่ยง pronounced gàh-rèe-ung ) hill tribe shirt, Pat is incredibly passionate about helping hill tribe people get out of the cycle of poverty. He and his wife founded Thailand Hilltribe Holidays , a company that connects travelers with hill tribe locals in a mutually beneficial – and therefore responsible – way.

Locals also earn money because Thailand Hilltribe Holidays employs hill tribe people as their drivers. This company also helps in a variety of other sustainable ways such as assisting with finding English volunteers for the hill tribe school or connecting the villagers with markets where they can sell their produce and handicrafts. From time to time, this company donates its time or money to building or repairing parts of the village. This is what makes Pat and his team so different from other Chiang Mai hill tribe tour and homestay companies!

Pat was brainstorming on and off during the entire trip, sharing his ideas about homestays, afternoons of jungle cooking classes, and riding water buffalos. There was, without a doubt, a passion that will trickle down and help this hill tribe get back on its feet.

Wildlife + Natural Scenery

“We follow village life rather than village life following us.” In other words, I went along a similar route as travelers before me have, visiting the hill tribe village and the surrounding countryside, but there’s no telling what I’d see or experience because every trip is unique.

My tour began with Pat, his assistant guide Dtohn, and his driver pulling up to my house at 9 am and greeting me while I hopped in the backseat of his 4-wheel SUV. We rode into the countryside west of Chiang Mai City, along the scenic Samoeng Loop, and toward a Karen village in the forested hills northwest of Doi Suthep.

Once we got off the main road and onto a smaller, significantly bumpier country road, we stopped to see a herd of water buffalo (my favorite Southeast Asian animal!), colorfully dressed farmers planting rice, and a small waterfall. It was picture perfect! We even took a half an hour to walk through a rice field and then relaxed under an open-air hut as a brief rain shower came and went.

If you’ve never had the chance to drive out of Chiang Mai more than a few kilometers, the scenery is breathtaking. I always look forward to gazing out at the scenic rice fields and rolling mountains along the way.

Lan Kam Village

Ban Lan Kam (บ้านลานคำ pronounced bâhn lahn kahm ) is the heart of it all. It’s a small Karen village with stilted wooden homes, piglets, chickens, and dogs running around, dirt paths snaking through the hills, and people going about their daily lives.

The single or double room homes are crudely made from wood, corrugated metal, and woven bamboo. Underneath each house are the family’s pig, dog, chickens, motorbikes, and firewood.

The cooking is done by fire and the bathrooms are western style toilets that you have to flush with a bucket of water. However, there is electricity and wifi if you have the right SIM card.  True Move  is best followed by  AIS . You won’t have a connection if you have a  dtac   SIM card like I did.

Local Thai food and hill tribe food

Throughout the trip, I had many opportunities to eat local food. On the first day, we stopped at a Thai restaurant for lunch. Every meal after that was provided by the Karen people.

I visited during a time of year when mangos are plentiful, so I sampled a variation of a classic Thai dish: mango with coconut sticky rice. The Karen version had a drizzle of locally sourced honey and a sprinkling of black sesame seeds. During other times of the year, mango is swapped with avocado or steamed pumpkin.

After waking up to the rooster alarm clock early the following morning, I graciously accepted a cup of local coffee. The roasted beans (grown in a coffee farm not far away) were manually ground, tipped into a stovetop Moka coffee maker, and placed on the open fire … inside my thatched-roof bungalow!

I also ended up buying 100% authentic honey (re-packed in a Hong Tong “whiskey” bottle to my delight) and a kilo of some of the prettiest lychee fruit I’ve ever seen.

The hill tribe food I ate was pungent and a little spicy. It reminded me a lot of food from Thailand’s northeastern region, Isaan . I visited on a special day so all the meals were brimming with various cuts of pork and buffalo. However, I was told this was unusual since meat is a luxury. Under normal circumstances, the meals are typically vegetarian.

Karen wedding

I was extremely fortunate to have witnessed a Karen wedding during my hill tribe tour in Chiang Mai. This was something truly special. Even Pat, my guide, said this was only the second one he’s ever seen in all his years.

It was a two-day affair with a special ceremony. There were offerings to ancestors, and lots of smiles, food, and rice whiskey shots.

This was a traditional Karen style wedding, which shares some components of Lanna-style (northern Thai) weddings. For example, both tie a white cotton string on the wrists of the newlyweds. Pat told me that this was different from a traditional central Thai wedding in which water is poured over the hands of the bride and groom. There are many aspects of the ceremony – some parts I didn’t see and other parts I witnessed but didn’t understand.

One of the most distinguishable moments during the wedding was the sai mongkhon or the “joining by thread.” The bride and groom sit beside each other. After saying prayers, the village’s shaman encircled their heads with individual loops of pure white cotton string, which symbolizes unity but individually. Then, all the wedding guests (myself included) tie short strings of white cotton around their wrists and wish them good luck!

Ban Mae Lan Kam School

Part of the tour includes a visit to the hill tribe village school. This small government school is less than a 10-minute drive from Ban Lan Kam. Here, kids ages 6 to roughly 14 years old go to school, Monday through Friday. They wear uniforms, smile and show off for visitors, and goof off in class.

The school was simple but tidy and had several classrooms for the various age groups and large outdoor play area. They study a regular Thai curriculum that includes a few hours of English each week.

As with many schools deep in the Thai countryside, resources and teacher quality are lacking. Standards cannot be compared to schools in the cities. However, international visitors can help this particular school by volunteering to teach English. During my hill tribe tour, I spoke with the current English teacher (a woman from Australia) as well as a Thai teacher who helps arrange volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Khun Jina (aka Kruu Maew) directly at:

Phone: (098) 492-2831 Facebook/Line: Jina Jinakien Email: [email protected]

Hill Tribe Eco-Agricultural Village (Baan Tong Luang)

I wanted to see for myself what the Baan Tong Luang (บ้านโตังหลวง pronounced bâhn dtôhng loo-ahng ) Eco-Agricultural Village was like. This is better known by the name “The Long Neck Village.”

In all my years living in Chiang Mai, it was my first time visiting the village. I’ve been hesitant to go because I’ve heard mixed reviews about it online. The worst it’s been called is a human zoo. The best say it’s an educational experience and an opportunity to directly support several hill tribe people in the area.

The eco-village represents the following tribes in northern Thailand:

• Lisu Shi Bala
• Kayan / White Karen

When I visited, there only a handful of tourists walking among the wooden buildings. There were far more villagers going about their daily routine. This included weaving, selling handicraft items, and (surprisingly) going to the village church or the temple.

I walked around and read the information placards for each tribe and talked to some of the villagers. Some were shy. Others were happy to say hello and talk about their handicrafts and what they liked to do in their free time.

The village has colorful displays of handicrafts and sounds of local music in the background. The atmosphere is peaceful and not bleak as some people have painted it. In fact, I think going to the “Long Neck” Baan Tong Luang Eco-Agricultural Village with a private guide, rather than on your own or in large tour groups, is best. Being able to take your time and interact with the villagers is more personal. Otherwise, it feels rather voyeuristic taking photos in a large group.

Although I am not sure what portion of the entrance fee goes directly to the villages, they get the full benefit of selling their handicrafts. I ended up buying an intricately embroidered purse and my guide purchased a brass bracelet.

Opening Hours: Daily from 8:30 am to 4 pm Admission Fee: 500 baht per person

A Chiang Mai hill tribe tour and homestay with Thailand Hilltribe Holidays

Visiting the northern Thai hill tribes are still considered an off-the-beaten-path experience. So, the opportunities to go to a village or to interact with the various tribes in a non-intrusive and ethical way are incredibly limited. It’s possible if you’ve married into a hill tribe family (I know several people who have) or have a hill tribe friend who can take you to their village. Otherwise, the chances of seeing this side of Thailand is slim to none.

However, for those who really want to experience an “untouched” Thailand, I recommend taking a private tour with Thailand Hilltribe Holidays. I had my eyes on them for two years before finally making the trip and I’m so glad I finally went! My guide, Pat, and his assistant, Dtohn, took care of everything for me. Pat was full of stories about the villagers. Both men were excellent photographers, pointing out shots here and there to help me capture the essence of the trip.

There are plenty of other things you can do on this private tour. Some other things you can do that I didn’t experience on my particular trip are:

• Smoking a hand-rolled cigar or drinking rice whiskey
• Playing with elephants
• Visiting water buffalo
• Planting or harvesting rice
• Learning how to do handicrafts like weaving or textile printing

Unlike other trekking or hill tribe tours in Chiang Mai, Thailand Hilltribe Holidays only offers private tours. This guarantees that the experience is authentic and personalized. Their non-inclusive pricing ensures travelers pay villagers directly for their services.  Prices begin at 2,750 baht per adult for a one-day tour. This excludes the cost of meals, entrance fees, gas, and personal expenses. Granted, these are quite inexpensive. Meals are roughly 50 baht, homestays are 300 baht per night, gas is roughly 800 baht day. In fact, when you book with them, they will provide you with an itemized list of expenses and an estimate of the total trip price so that there are no surprises.

Thailand Hilltribe Holidays is a company with the heart and soul dedicated to uplifting the hill tribe community. They offer several variations of private tours, from full-day tours to tours lasting more than a week. There is also an incredible photography tour if that’s your thing. For more information and to read about their different tours, check out their site:

Website: ThailandHilltribeHolidays.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: Thailand Hilltribe Holidays Phone : (085) 548-0884

PIN IT FOR LATER!

Disclosure: My Chiang Mai hill tribe tour and homestay experience with Thailand Hilltribe Holidays was sponsored. However, all of my opinions are my own. I shared an honest recap of my adventure so that you can make an informed decision as to whether or not to include this tour in your upcoming trip to Thailand.

The place like this makes the trip unforgettable. I just lived the place through your blog and i can say it is very inspiring.

Interested in doing this. Thanks.

Awesome! It’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience :)

I’ve done something similar on Hainan island. They have Hill tribes too. Tattoos done with nail and hammers. Extremely cool houses built off the ground. Ancient techniques rug weavers still doing it the old way. Quite amazing I thing they call them the Han people. I’ve seen a lot all over Asia. Philippines Indonesia Malaysia. The big question I have being almost 55 what kind of medical treatments do they have for cancer? And how much would it cost? That’s the big scary question? Everything else is reasonable, but I have no idea how they treat the big C?

We’ve heard of the Li hill tribe people and their incredible all-over body tattoos! Gorgeous patterns but a disappearing skill… Thailand has some of the best medical treatments for cancer. Check out our post on Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok. They have fantastic facilities and top-rated medical procedures an medicine for far less than other countries.

Hi, I’m Chris and I sold it all, paid off my debt, and left the rat race in the US. Today, I live as a full time, financially independent expat in Chiang Mai, providing future expats and travelers firsthand knowledge about all things Thailand! Learn more about my story here…

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Karen and Karen Longneck Hill Tribe

Karen and karen longneck hill tribe information.

Thai and Burmese hill tribes can be traced back to the 12th century, originating from Tibet . The Karen tribe is the largest of around twenty hill tribes whose total population today numbers more than seven million across The Union of Myanmar ( Burma ) and Thailand .

In Thailand , around 400,000 Karen live at between 800m and 1800m up in the mountainous and densely forested regions of Mae Hong Son , due west of Chiang Mai . Most villages are remote from Thai civilization. Houses are made of teak or bamboo and usually constructed on stilts to provide space and shelter for livestock.

The Karen villagers have few possessions and little if any furniture, usually sleeping on floor mats, cooking on open fires, and drawing washing and drinking water from a nearby river. They are predominately farmers of agricultural produce for their own use and are often referred to as ‘The farmers of the forest’. Some speak the Karen language, whilst others speak Thai. The Karen lives in villages of around 25 houses raised on stilts. The villages tend to cluster. Each household consists of the parents and their unmarried children. Married daughters and their families may also live in the same house. The highest authority is the village priest who runs the village along with the elders.

The Karen has rituals to live harmoniously with the “Lord of the Land and Water”, as well as with nature spirits in the rocks, trees, water and mountains that surround them. They also have guardian spirits and believe in the soul. They use a system of rotation over a large area of land and do not cut all the large trees down when they clear a plot. They are also the only group to have built terraces to grow wet-rice.

Karen cloth is hand-woven on back-strap looms and is predominantly red with white, blue or brown vertical stripes. Stitching is clear and decorative. The men may wear simple forms of this material in a sleeveless tunic (or northern Thai clothing), while the women wear more elaborate styles on their sarongs. The women’s blouses are made of dark homespun cotton with horizontal embroidered patterns decorated with seeds woven onto the lower half. Unmarried girls of the Skaw group wear plain white shifts. Those of the Pwo are more decorated.

The Karen is famous for their use of beads for ornamentation as well as the silversmith skill. Karen silver has a higher silver content than Sterling silver, being between 99.5% and 99.9% pure silver. It’s just the solder used to fuse the silver components together that makes up the last fractions of a percent. Consequently, it has a weight, bright satin colour, and feel, all of its own. Every piece is handmade and individual. The hand-hammered and chased details are wonderful and you can actually see evidence of each piece having been formed by the hands of Karen craftsmen. These pieces are not usually hallmarked in any way, but we can guarantee their origins.

The relationship between people and elephants

Laotian and Karen belong together with the elephants from the past till now. Chai-ka-tu an elderly in the Ruammirt village, Chiangrai province, relates the history of the people and Elephants, “If you are talking about our people and the elephants, we have had a long historical bond. Even since when we had this land. Like the Paka-Kayaw and the people in the south, the ones in Utharadit, we all live our lives with the elephants” The ancestors of the people in Mae Hong Sorn also lived their lives with elephants and they continue to do so. In Maesariang, Meahongsorn province, the people have their own way of living with the elephants. In the olden times, they had elephants. When they build houses they use elephants to pull the logs. We get the logs from many places. They use the elephants to carry heavy things. They are in the deep forest so when they build houses the elephants pull the logs. During harvest time, the elephants are used to carry the rice because there are no roads for cars. The people have to travel a long distances for work also.

From the interviewing of Phakake-yaw people- “I love it as much as a child or a wife. Sometimes at night I can hear the elephants crying in the forest and I will run to see what is going on even if it is late at night” If you are talking about love, I love my elephant. I love it as much as I love my child and my wife. Sometimes when you bring an elephant back, it also brings skin diseases back with it. I need to bathe it and get medicine for it. I love it like a child, a child that cannot take care of itself sometimes.

We must take care of the elephants. Sometimes when their toenails are cracked we need to put medicine on it to heal it. When they died, I cried for many days. It seems like your relative had died. I didn’t have to study since I was born. I never abandon it or leave it alone, I will be unhappy if I didn’t see it. You can compare it with teachers. They teach the children everyday, and if they don’t see their students for one day, they will feel as if there is something missing, and they will be unhappy. Some days I only get 10-20 Baht but I still do it. Even if I don’t make any money I just want to work with them and take care of them. To find them new places to stay, to bathe them, to feed them…all these things make me happy.

Clothing and Dress

Young women wearing white costumes : Elderly Sgaw Karen women : Young men in red shirts the symbol of being a bachelor

One tradition in dress that will likely remain preserved amongst the Po and Sgaw Karen of Thailand is the distinction made between single and married women. A female who has not yet married must dress in a long white outfit which stretches down from the shoulders to the ankles. In Karen it is called the “Chay Kwa,” Once a woman has married she must begin wearing a black shirt known as “Chay Mo Soo,” accompanied by a single tube-shaped skirt. Once married, a woman is prohibited from wearing the long white Chay Kwa again. As for the Karen men, both Po and Sgaw living in the north of Thailand tend to wear black, or steel blue-colored pants. The Karen men in Tak province and Amphur Lee (Lamphun province), however, prefer to wear sarongs. Young men from all Karen groups wear red. They differ only in the size, shape and intricacy of the patterns on them. When dressing for special occasions such as New Year’s, or a wedding, Karen will try to wear new clothes. If attending one of these special events it will be hard not to notice the obvious attempts made by both young men and women to prim and groom themselves into beautiful perfection, all done in the hopes of catching the eye of the other sex.

Karen and Karen Longneck Village in our site

• Huai Hom Karen Village (Mae Hong Son)
• Ban Mae Sam Laeb (Mae Hong Son)
• Baan Nam Phiang Din (Mae Hong Son)
• Ban Huay Sua Tao (Mae Hong Son)
• Baan Ta Ton (Chiang Mai)
• Eco-Agricultural (Chiang Mai)
• Ban Huai Tom (Lamphun)
• Ban Pa Ao and Ban Ta Khao Tom Tha Sud (Chiang Rai)

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One comment.

So how have Thailand elephants become something of slavery and labour work? The Karen people have been working hard to protect the elephants in Thialand and their belief is that humans and animals should respect, love and understand one another.

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Northern Thailand Hilltribes Trek

5 days, chiang mai to chiang mai.

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Trek up into the mountains to meet Thailand's remote hilltribe communities on a five-day adventure. Head out from wondrous Chiang Mai and through a national park to Lahu and Karen villages, spend time with a shaman, explore deep caves by bamboo raft, and marvel at the lush jungle scenery before arriving at the hilltop village of Ban Jabo and the warmest of welcomes.

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Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.

Physical Rating: 3 - Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 5. Please note this trip runs often in order to provide maximum flexibility when choosing dates. It's possible your group size will be fairly small.

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Places visited

Itinerary notes.

1. Please be advised that a 2-week period of traditional slash and burn farming occurs in this region between March and April (start date varies). During this time your trek may follow an alternate route to avoid uncomfortably smoky areas.

Day 1 Chiang Mai

Arrive at any time.

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Day 2 chiang mai/ban pha mon.

Drive from Chiang Mai to the trailhead. Trek through farmland and bamboo and teak forests. Learn about bush food and medicinal plants. Enjoy lunch en route before continuing through rice fields and valleys to reach the first village of a Lahu tribe. Assist with food prep and cooking, or check out a local Lahu massage.

Meals included:

Day 3 ban pha mon/ban muang pam.

Trek between villages, over farmlands and grasslands, and ascend to the ridge line. Learn about bush medicine and seasonal fruits as you make your way to the lunch stop. Go for a swim and help the local guides prepare lunch. Continue on to the Karen village and spend the night. Opt to learn about medicine from a shaman or play football with the locals.

Day 4 Ban Muang Pam/Ban Jabo

After breakfast, leave the village and continue on, trekking beside the Pam River through lush jungle. Arrive at Tham Lod, a 1666m deep cave. Enter by bamboo raft and move to different chambers - a truly unique experience. Following the cave visit and lunch travel to Ban Jabo, a Black Lahu village. Learn about the Lahu culture, try out some traditional activities, and lend a hand making dinner using regional products and cooking methods.

Day 5 Ban Jabo/Chiang Mai

Following breakfast, bid farewell to your hosts and return by private van to Chiang Mai, arriving at approximately 3pm. Tour ends on arrival.

What's Included

• Your G for Good Moment: Ban Pha Mon Homestay, Ban Pha Mon
• Your G for Good Moment: Ban Muang Pam Homestay, Ban Muang Pam
• Your G for Good Moment: Ban Jabo Homestay, Ban Jabo
• Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
• Trek to remote hilltribe villages (4 days)
• Lod Cave visit and bamboo rafting
• Prehistoric coffin cave visit
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (1 nts), basic huts (3 nts, multi-share).

4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners Allow USD25-35 for meals not included.

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Open pickup truck, van, trekking, raft.

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CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, specialist trekking guides.

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8d/7n North Thailand Loop Tour

The ultimate northern Thailand Experience. Authentic cultural discovery through Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son provinces. The most comprehensive way to see northern Thailand

Description

Combines our 5d/4n Mae Hong Son Loop tour and 4d/3n Chiang Rai tour. We will travel through the heart of rural northern Thailand, to see the best views and landscapes in the region, exploring local culture and life along the way. We will visit a variety of hill tribe groups (Karen, Lisu, Lahu, Hmong, etc.), visit authentic villages, and learn about their fascinating way of life. Get up close and personal to the real Northern Thailand.

NORTHERN THAILAND LOOP TOUR

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• Pick up from hotel in Chiang Mai - depart for Chiang Rai, stop off at Mae Kachan hot springs and to see aspects of local life along the way. Visit the famous White Temple and Black House.
• Onto Chiang Saen, visit the Golden Triangle - stop for photos at the best viewpoint overlooking the meeting point of 3 countries (Thailand, Laos and Myanmar) on the Mekong River. O/n at a local hotel in Chiang Saen.
• Depart Chiang Saen, visit the Fish & Monkey Cave (Wat Tham Pla).
• Enjoy the scenic drive through the hills as we head up to Mae Salong Chinese village, characterised by its terraced tea plantations on the rolling hillsides, quaint shops selling Chinese teas and wares. The inhabitants here are mainly Chinese descendants who migrated from southern China hundreds of years ago.
• We will descend Mae Salong, and head down to Thaton. On the way we will pass Akha hill tribe villages.
• Visit a Kayan Long Neck tribe family - you will have the chance for cultural immersion and to learn about their way of life as refugees in Thailand - Option for short trek with the Karen hill tribe to learn about the local ecology, and how they live and farm - enjoy preparing a traditional evening dinner together with the Kayan Long Neck Tribe - O/n at a Kayan Long Neck Tribe Homestay in a bamboo hut or local guesthouse accommodation.

• Depart Thaton for Doi Angkhang mountain (approx 2hrs drive). Enjoy the scenery as we drive up and through this sweeping mountain range that borders Myanmar. A cluster of peaks and valleys this is home to colourful minorities such as the Palaung and Lahu hill tribe.
• Visit their traditional villages, where these ethnic groups still live in bamboo stilt houses and hold belief in the spirit world - We will have the chance to talk to them and learn about their culture and way of life - Visit an outlook point which overlooks the mountainous Thai-Myanmar border - Descend Doi Angkhang, option to stop at Sri Sang Wang Waterfall (limestone terraced waterfall) where you can play in the waters - Visit a Lisu hill tribe family, learn about their fascinating story as refugees who crossed over into Thaiiland from Myanmar - o/n Lisu hill tribe homestay or local guesthouse.
• Depart for Pai - Optional activities along the way - such as visit to an elephant sanctuary, bamboo rafting or other activities (upon request).
• Drive to Pai (approx 2hrs) - Visit to Pai Canyon - Enjoy the night market on Pai's main walking street - o/n at local guesthouse in Pai.
• Enjoy the scenic mountain drive and lofty landscape views, as we travel from Pai to Mae Hong Son. This route, is famous for its curves, and mountain scenery (approx 2hrs drive)
• We will stop for pictures at viewpoints, and for aspects of local life along the way, such as roadside markets
• Visit a Lisu hilltribe village, learn about the Lisu culture and way of life.
• Visit a Kayan Long Neck Tribe village, nearby the Thai-Burma border. To reach the village we will take a long tail boat - enjoy the scenery and tropical nature as we cruise along the banks of the river - Chance to learn about the fascinating culture and way of life of the Kayan Long Neck tribe -You will be guided around the village by a Long Neck Tribe villager - You will have the chance to learn from them firsthand about their life as refugees in Thailand and how they feel about tourism - you can visit the village school, and see the women weaving.

• Visit the highlights of Mae Hong Son town; Wat Jong Kham temple (an ornate Shan style temple) and Jong Kham Lake, Mae Hong Son market - Visit Wat Doi Gong Mu temple, a hilltop temple which offers a birdseye view of Mae Hong Son town, a valley town ringed by mountains.
• Depart for Mae Chaem via Khun Yuam, an outpost town that played an important role in world war II - visit aspects of local life along the way, including learning about the Shan people in the area and visit to Wat Tor Pae (traditional Shan temple) - In Mae Chaem you will visit a traditional Tai Lue (ethnic minority)village, famous for it's beautiful textile production and weaving cooperative - o/n Mae Chaem in a local guesthouse.
• Visit Doi Inthanon National Park and mountain (the highest point in Thailand). Famous for its cooler climate and European-type ecology, we'll take a short walk on the Angkha nature trail, and visit two royal chedis - Descend Doi Inthanon, visit the mighty Wachiratharn waterfall on the way down.
• Optional visit to a small local elephant camp. Or other customised activities upon request. Back to Chiang Mai (approx 1 hr drive). Drop off at your hotel.
• Flexible itinerary to explore local life along the way
• Get up close and personal to life in rural northern Thailand
• Every trip is personalised. Our guides tailor the trip along the way to suit your interests and travel style
• -This tour starts+ends in Chiang Mai. We can pick up+drop off at your hotel /airport/ train station in Chiang Mai
• - Accommodation is at local guesthouses with 1-2 overnights in a village at a hilltribe homestay(optional)
• - The itinerary is an outline only. The details of each day are not fixed, this allows for greater opportunity to explore local life along the way - This tour can be customised, please contact us to discuss Extensions
• - This tour can be extended to 9+ days. For families with young children, spreading this itinerary over a minimum of 9 days to enable travel at a more family friendly pace.

If you are interested in this tour, please fill out the form below. Please remember to check your spam folder. If you do not receive a reply within 48hrs please send an email direct to: [email protected].

• The Magnificent Nature Trails of Doi Inthanon
• Doi Inthanon: Mighty Waterfalls, Rural Life and Royal Chedis
• Doi Inthanon: Hiking the Nature Trails
• The Doi Pui Opium and Coffee Tour
• Chiang Mai: Trekking the Opium Trail on Doi Suthep
• Chiang Mai: Hiking the Trails of Chaesorn National Park
• Spend a day with the Karen people of Mae Wang
• The sacred Chiang Dao Cave and easy trekking
• The Hmong Experience
• Chiang Mai: Hill Tribe Culture and Photography Tour
• Meet the Tribal People of North Thailand
• Meet and greet the Akha people of Chiang Rai
• Meet the Elephants of North Thailand
• Chiang Mai: Organic Coffee Tour at Suan Lahu
• The Ultimate Doi Inthanon Adventure – Dry Season
• Waterfalls and Forests of Doi Inthanon National Park
• The Cultural Diversity of Chiang Dao
• Hilltribes, Ethical Elephants and Sticky Waterfalls
• Chiang Dao Tour: Tribes, Caves and Waterfalls
• Stay with the Palong People of Chiang Dao
• The Karen Tribe: Elephant Handlers of Thailand
• Waterfalls and Forests of Doi Inthanon National Park – two days
• Forests and Tribal Culture of Doi Inthanon – three days
• Explore the Jungles and Waterfalls of Doi Inthanon – four days
• Trek the Mountains of Huay Nam Dang – two days
• Trekking and Rafting in Huay Nam Dang National Park – three days
• Explore the Jungles and Rivers of Huai Nam Dang – four days
• The Waterfalls of Mae Wang Trekking – two days
• Trekking to the Palong People of Chiang Dao – three days
• Small group – Meet the Karen People of Mae Wang
• Small Group – Mae Wang Trekking and Cycling adventure
• All in the Family: Hill tribes and Elephants – two days
• Tribes, Rivers and Elephants Family Adventure – two days
• Family Fun with Elephants and Sticky Waterfalls – two days
• The Doi Inthanon Family Tour – two days
• The Best of Chiang Dao – three days
• Day Trek with the Family in Chiang Dao – one day
• Overnight with the Palong People – a family adventure – two days
• Doi Inthanon: Hiking the Nature Trails – one day
• Doi Inthanon: Mighty Waterfalls, Rural Life and Royal Chedis – one day
• The Ancient Caravan Trail to Chiang Rai – four days
• Into the mountains of Pai and Mae Hong Son – five days
• The Mae Sariang Loop via Doi Inthanon – six days
• The Great Doi Inthanon to Pai Adventure – seven days
• From Chiang Mai to the Golden Triangle – eight days
• The North Thailand Adventure – eight days
• Learning with the Hmong People of Baan Mae Sa Mai
• Learning with the Dara-ang people of Chiang Dao
• Community Immersion with the Karen People
• Experience Essential Chiang Mai
• Chiang Mai Educational Tour
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• Green Trails Job Offers
• The Mission Statement of Green Trails
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• Green Trails tours are private
• Our Green Trails Partners
• Green Trails Tour Reviews
• We work with these people
• Chiang Mai School and University Tours
• Street dogs and cats of Chiang Mai
• Chiang Mai on Three Wheels
• Akha hill tribe – History and Culture
• Hmong hill tribe – History and Culture
• Karen hill tribe – History and Culture
• Lahu hill tribe – History and Culture
• Lawa Hill Tribe – History and Culture
• Lisu hill tribe – History and Culture
• Palong hill tribe – History and Culture
• The Yao hill tribe – History and Culture
• Information on Ethnic Minorities in North Thailand
• Chiang Mai Trekking – a short history
• General information about Green Trails trekkings
• The Green Trails Village Homestays
• Our Code of Conduct for Village Visits
• Healthy food on our treks
• Bamboo Rafting – our policy
• Thailand Trekking in the early days – the 1970’s
• Chiang Rai Trekking in the old days
• The Royal Project of North Thailand
• Hill Tribes and the cultivation of opium
• The Rice fields of North Thailand
• The Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
• Doi Pui Hmong Village
• The Chiang Mai Opium Trail
• The Maesa Elephant Conservation Park
• The Doi Inthanon National Park
• The beautiful Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail on Doi Inthanon
• Ban Mae Klang Luang on Doi Inthanon
• The magnificent Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail
• The Chiang Dao Trekking Area
• Doi Angkhang: the mysterious mountain
• Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls Chiang Mai
• Chaeson National Park trekking area
• Mae Wang Trekking Area
• Huai Nam Dang National Park
• Customize your tour

Chiang Mai Hilltribe Trekking and Hiking

Table of contents, the development of hilltribe trekking.

Chiang Mai Hilltribe trekking has been one of Chiang Mai and North Thailand’s main activities for tourists since the 1970s. A visit to North Thailand was not complete without trekking. The early guidebooks from the 1960s, such as the ones by Margaretta Wells and Roy Hudson, didn’t mention hill tribe trekking. In Tommy’s Tourist Agency’s brochure , a travel agent based in the Railway Hotel, from the late 1960s, visits to Hmong and Karen villages are featured but not hilltribe trekking. We don’t know who the inventor of hill tribe trekking was. Who was the first guide who took tourists trekking and staying overnight in a tribal village? Who knows. Hill tribe trekking is not always jungle trekking. If you really want to explore the jungles of North Thailand, please have a look here .

Southeast Asia on a Shoestring

The 1970s saw the beginning of backpack tourism to Southeast Asia. The Lonely Planet guidebooks “Southeast Asia on a Shoestring” and “Thailand: a Travel Survival Kit” were instrumental in the explosive growth of backpack tourism to Thailand. The former was nicknamed the “yellow bible.” Almost every backpacker carried one of these books and followed Tony Wheeler and Joe Cummings’s instructions, the respective writers. Hill tribe trekking became immensely popular in Chiang Mai. Most guesthouses had their indoor guides. Trekking was a must for backpackers visiting Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai Hilltribe Trekking in the early days

When I made my first hilltribe trekking in 1988 as a tour leader for Sawadee Reizen , it was still very primitive. We stayed in a tribal house. There was no toilet. You had to go into the forest. It was all-natural. The pigs took care of what you left behind. Villagers didn’t sell anything, no bottled water, no coke, no beer, nothing. There was no safe drinking water. We carried the typical green trekking water containers. Our trekking guide boiled water in the evening so that we didn’t have to drink warm water during the day. Upon arrival in the village, all the children came to the house to stare at these strange visitors. In photographs of the 1970s and 80s, you can still see villagers, mainly women, dressed in traditional dress. All the houses were of natural materials. There was no concrete, and there were no roof tiles.

Bamboo rafting and elephant riding

Hill tribe trekkings for three days or even longer were no exception. With almost nothing else to do than to visit temples in Chiang Mai, tourists went on multiple-day treks. Backpackers usually had plenty of time, of course. Over time bamboo rafting and elephant riding became ingredients of a standard Chiang Mai trekking. As far as I know, that happened in the early 1990s. Trekking itineraries were adjusted to include these activities. Elephant camps popped up in popular trekking areas. Along rivers such as the Mae Taeng, Mae Ping, Mae Wang, Mae Chaem, and the Pai river, bamboo raft camps were established. Trekking became an industry in itself. One of the early-day classic trekkings that are still very popular is the Huay Nam Dang trekking, originally a four-day trek in the Huay Nam Dang National Park . Overnights were in Lisu , Karen, and Akha villages.

Concerns about the trekking Industry

With the explosive growth of the trekking industry, there were growing concerns. In academic circles, visits and overnight stays of affluent western tourists in culturally sensitive communities were frowned upon. People started to wonder about the impact of treks. Most of the hill tribes were still involved in illegal opium cultivation. The availability of opium was one of the attractions of hill tribe trekking in the early days. Apart from the use of drugs, authorities became worried about the safety of tourists. Guides were not licensed and ill-prepared for emergencies. Authorities implemented a guide licensing system and obliged guides to register trekkers with the tourist police.

Development of Chiang Mai Tourism

The growth of tourist arrivals resulted in sweeping changes in Chiang Mai tourism after the year 2000. We saw the first boutique hotels popping up. The number of different activities for tourists multiplied: cooking courses, mountain bike tours, ziplines, elephant mahout courses, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, etc. Tourists still went trekking but the number of days spent on trekking decreased gradually.

Animal activists started to target elephant riding calling it an animal-unfriendly activity. Over the years, trekking has changed as well. Villages now have purposely constructed bamboo houses for visitors to stay overnight. There are often western-style toilets, and villagers sell drinks and bottled water. Children are not surprised anymore to see tourists. Few villagers still wear traditional dress.

Chiang Mai Trekking Nowadays

Trekking is now one of the many activities you can do in Chiang Mai. Most visitors still want to visit tribal villages but will do that on a one-day trekking or two-day trekking with an overnight. We offer a variety of one-day trekkings. One of our favorite one-day treks is the Doi Suthep Trekking which combines a great trek through Doi Suthep-Doi Pui National Park with visits to the Hmong villages Baan Doi Pui and Baan Mae Sa Mai.

One day Treks

Two-day treks

One-day treks involve relatively a lot of driving. The trekking areas are not far from Chiang Mai, but you will still spend at least two hours in a vehicle on the day. Therefore we warmly recommend everyone to spend overnight in the village. It will make the whole experience so much better. The two-day version of the Opium Trail trek is the two-day trek Meet the Hmong people of Doi Suthep .

Although most visitors opt for a day tour to Doi Inthanon, we think that this magnificent national park is worth a two-day trip with an overnight. Very popular are our two-day Doi Inthanon trekking and the Meet the Karen trip, which is a small group tour. For tribal diversity and light to medium trekking, the Chiang Dao overnight program is a good choice. The classic two days Huay Nam Dang Trek has the best bamboo rafting and takes place in Huay Nam Dang National Park .

Three-day Treks

For those with more time or maybe more interest in experiencing the tribal way of life, we offer several three-day treks such as trekking and rafting in Huay Nam Dang National Park trip and the three-day Doi Inthanon trekking . For tribal culture and daily life, the three-day trek to Chiang Dao is the best option. We have longer trekking itineraries on the shelf. We can also customize any of our standard tours to your requirements.

Family Treks

We have done hundreds of family trekkings over the years. Another term we use for these tours is multi-generation trekkings or multi-generation tours. Our guides love working with kids and are just very good at it. The Chiang Dao area is most suitable for family treks. There are lots of villages and also lots of different trails to choose from. We can be very flexible.

All our family programs are private so that we can adjust the trekking to the children’s ability. The trekking should be a bit challenging but, above all, fun. Most of our family programs are multiple activity tours to make sure the kids don’t get bored. The most popular trip with elephants and the famous sticky waterfalls and the trip is combining whitewater rafting, Chiang Dao Cave , and an ethical elephant experience. Join our multi-generation and multi-activity treks!

Working with communities

All the trekking areas where we organize trips we know like the back of our hand. We have been working with the host communities and homestay owners for many years. We carefully monitor our impact and discuss feedback of guests with the local people. Green Trails has helped some of the homestay owners in the Chiang Dao area with renovating their homestays . We will keep on doing that. We are paying villagers to maintain some of the forest trails that have not been used for some time. Chiang Mai hilltribe trekking has a bright future.

Green Trails Classic Hilltribe trekking

Classic Trekking

Explore the Jungles and Rivers of Huai Nam Dang

Explore the Jungles and Waterfalls of Doi Inthanon

Three Day Tours

Trekking to the Palong People of Chiang Dao

Trekking and Rafting in Huay Nam Dang National Park

Forests and Tribal Culture of Doi Inthanon

Two day tours

Trek the Mountains of Huay Nam Dang

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Chiang Mai trekking

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Trekking tours in Chiang Mai

Our private eco-trekkings

  📍 Chiang Dao 🕒 1 day

1 Day Chiang Dao: Chill & Trekking in private with hot springs

Private relaxation and hiking with hot springs in a non-touristy area

  📍 Chiang Mai 🕒 1 jour

Elephant and hiking day

The essentials in just 1 day! Discover the elephants, and enjoy a private hike with the Karens

  📍 Chiang Rai 🕒 1 day

Akha & Lahu village trekking 1 day

Discover the life of the Akha tribe and learn about their unique culture.

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Our trekking in group

  📍 🕒 1 day

Phat Lad nature trail with Doi Suthep temple

An easy Monk trail with Chiang Mai most famous temples

1 day trekking in Kew Mae Pan Doi Inthanon - group

Ascend to the highest peak of Thailand and indulge in mesmerizing sightseeing at the Pagodas.

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Best trekking in Northern Thailand

Chiang Mai Northern Thailand offers trekking opportunity, it is well-known through out the world, and Chiang Mai trekking is one of the main draws for tourists to visit this region. Trek starts from 1 day trek to multiple days, most of the tours are designed for anybody reasonably fit and do not mind walking a little together with experienced and licensed tour guides. You will be discovered the mountains, tropical jungles, waterfalls, flora and fauna, a chance to stay over night at a hill tribe village. On top of that, you will have a chance to enjoy other fun activities such as elephant riding, bamboo rafting, and white water rafting.

Maybe you just want to trek through the jungle or maybe you really want to get away from the crowds we have something to suit you. It is a worthwhile experience to trek in Northern Thailand, you will be in touch with an unspoilt nature and enjoy your moments away from crowded tourists areas. Thus, trekking is the perfect solution. The areas are completely safe and well organized, with registered and experienced tour guides leading you down and up into the jungles. Come with us and discover the natural beauty of trekking Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand.

Chiang Mai rice terraces tour

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How to choose your trekking in Chiang Mai?

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What to Bring Trekking in Chiang Mai

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Trekking in Mae Taeng

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Trekking Chiang Mai

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