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Hilltribes Immersion & Northern Lifestyle
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| Trip
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TCNX0657
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| Destination: |
Chiang Mai, Thailand |
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| Activity: |
Biking, Cooking & Culinary, Elephant back riding, Farm tour, Hill tribe visit, Nature & Adventure, Trekking / Hiking, Whitewater rafting |
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| Price: |
start from $527 per person
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| Duration: |
5 Days / 4 Nights |
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| Operate: |
Daily |
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| When? |
TODAY - 31 Oct 2008 |
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Trek the forested highlands and explore the diverse ethnic groups of northern Thailand in hill tribe villages. Off the beaten track expedition in Chiangmai
Minimum 2 personsChiang Mai Guide, More Tours in Chiang Mai.
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| Tour Rates: |
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Period |
Single |
Double |
Triple |
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25 May 2008 - 31 Oct 2008
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- NA - |
527 |
- NA - |
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| Rates
include 7%
VAT tax and 10% hotel service
charge. Major credit cards
accepted. No
extra charge, no minimum |
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Note:
Booking should be made at least
7
days in advance.
The Triple rates are based on a twin sharing room with an extra bed for the third person.
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| Itinerary |
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| Day 1 : Chiang Mai - Lahu Outpost (Lunch, Dinner) |
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Pick up from the hotel in Chiang Mai by local truck with a guide for a 1.5 hour drive to Pha Mieng where is a starting point of the trek. Walking along the jungle trail to a remote village of Hmong Pha Mieng. Picnic lunch along the way then walk to the top of the mountain where Red Lahu Village of Pha Daeng is located. A break with a cup of Chinese tea with the villagers. Continue the trek to Lahu village of Kup Kap. Enjoy friendly attention of the curious Lahu Villages.
Overnight at Lahu Outpost
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| Day 2 : Lahu Outpost - Lisu Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
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After an early breakfast, we go on a one-and-a-half hour walk down a steep jungle path passing by the Huay Sadhan waterfall. This brings us to the spot where we mount the elephants and continue on a one hour ride down to the river. In a remarkable setting on the bank of the river, we will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch. Afterwards we go white water rafting down the river (or bamboo rafting, depending on the level of the water) for about 45 minutes. From there, you will continue to the award winning Lisu Lodge. Upon arrival, a traditional welcome drink will be served before you check into your room. Guided by our Lisu villager, you will walk from Ton Lung temple to visit the herbal garden. Then walk through the village with a stop for a cup of tea at the village shaman’s house. Chat with the Lisu shaman or learn about his life, beliefs, curing rites and Lisu traditions. Continue to visit the cultural centre and ‘museum’ created by the villagers. Inside you will find a collection of typical household items and tools from the Lisu as well as the Akha mountain people. Time at leisure until Thai dinner with traditional Lisu dance show.
Overnight at Lisu Lodge
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| Day 3 : Lisu Lodge - Akha Outpost (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
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After a breakfast at the lodge, visit the village shrine, which guards the village spirit and other aspects of Lisu culture. Take a 45-minute oxcart riding to Baan Pang Mai Daeng and continue to a simple Palong tribe with lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, start a 3-4 hour trek to Akha Outpost, modeled on a typical Akha house, for dinner and overnight.
Overnight at Akha Outpost
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| Day 4 : Akha Outpost - Khum Lanna (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
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Breakfast at the Akha Outpost
Start walking downhill passing the waterfall. Visit another Akha village. Then take the short drive to Khum Lanna. Arrive at Khum Lanna and be greeted by local Lanna people. A tasty welcome drink (herbal tea or fruit juice from the garden) will be served.
Enjoy preparations for Lanna country-style BBQ lunch. Join a garden tour around the compound; collect different seasonal herbs, vegetables, and fruits for cooking. Learning how to ride a water buffalo and do the actual riding. Share an informal Lanna country-style BBQ lunch that you have prepared with your host.
In the afternoon, we provide you with a one hour activity of guided biking tour around Khum Lanna. Late afternoon at leisure until the second Thai cooking class in the early evening takes place. Then enjoy a full 4-course sit-down Thai dinner with your host and friends. At leisure until the scrumptious dinner which you already prepared in the afternoon.
Khum Lanna for dinner and overnight.
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| Day 5 : Khum Lanna - Chiang Mai (Breakfast, Lunch) |
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Early in the morning, take a sunrise biking trip along the rural country road via San Kwang village to visit a local market. With the help of your guide, you may buy local cookie and flower garlands for the temple offering on the way back. Then walk to visit the farmer’s rice and traditional tool shop, chat with the owner and learn more about the rice legends and differences and properties of the varieties of rice. Bike back to Khum Lanna with a stop to visit Wat Pa Gee. Pay respect to the Buddha image under the sacred tree. Continue biking to Khum Lanna along the local canal through the rice fields and get more information about the rice-growing process. Upon return, a local Lanna-style breakfast is served up on the riverside.
Then enjoy some light biking to see the rural village down the road. See the incredible accumulation of beehives on the sacred tree at Ban Nam Phrae and get information about the need for bees and the reasons of local conservation.
Continue biking to Wiang Phrao Wung Hin, an ancient city that is 30 years older than Chiang Mai city. Continue to Wat Tham Dork Kum and visit different Buddha stucco figures and the huge reclining Buddha. Picnic lunch will be provided on the top of the mountain, which has a fantastic view of the entire Phrao valley. Return to Khum Lanna to checkout. Then transfer back to Chiang Mai.
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| Notes |
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Prices include:
- Accommodation in non air-conditioned room at Lahu Outpost (no fan), Lisu Lodge (with electric fan), Akha Outpost (no fan) and Khum Lanna on twin sharing basis.
- Private transfer from Chiang Mai to Lisu Lodge by an open air local truck with English speaking guide
- Private transfer from Khum Lanna to Chiang Mai by open air local truck with English speaking guide
- Join-in 5 days /4 nights Lisu & Lanna Trekking with English speaking guide
- Meals as specified in the program
- Baggage handling
For statistic and safety reasons, the Thai authority requires foreign travelers to submit photocopies of the passport (the first page with traveler's photo and the page that has Thai visa) before taking the treking trip.
- Price exclude:
- Personal Expenses
- All airfares as well as airport tax
- Purchases at local market as well as Thai farmer shirt (free during stay at Khum Lanna)
- Hiking Equipment (such as shoes and backpacks)
- Other services, not mentioned in the program
Remark:
- Group Size : Minimum 2 persons, maximum 8 persons
- Activities at Lisu Lodge such as biking and white water rafting are suitable for children above 10 years old
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| About the
Package |
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About Chiang Mai
Originally settled by the Mons, King Mengrai founded Chiang Mai as a Thai kingdom in 1296. Centuries later it was absorbed into the Lanna Thai kingdom and became a major center for religion and culture. The Burmese controlled the city from 1556 until King Taksin redeemed it in 1775, placing it permanently under Thai sovereignty. With all this history, there is plenty to hold your attention in Chiang Mai: walk around the old walled city, see traditional temples, trek through rural mountain villages, visit cultural centers and go shopping for exquisite handicrafts.
These days, Chiang Mai is Thailand's northern capital. Various countries have consulates here, and visitors have an excellent choice of accommodation. The climate is pleasantly cooler than Bangkok's, even cold at night around New Year. Still, the days are hot, and along with the city’s public pools, big hotels open theirs to non-guests. The nightlife here is good and varied, as is the array of international restaurants. There are plenty of Muay Thai, meditation, yoga and massage centers for anyone seeking something unusual.
Lisu Lodge
Named after the hill tribe village called ‘Lisu’, settling nearby the lodge, Lisu Lodge is part of a project to conserve the natural heritage of hill tribes of northern Thailand. The lodge won awards and international acclaims.
The Lisu Lodge, located at the outskirts of a Lisu hill tribe village, is based on a traditional Lisu house design. The lodge, made from wood, woven bamboo and thatch, features basic but comfortable rooms surrounding a central “family” area where you and the other guests eat, socialize, and are entertained in the evenings by local musicians and dancers. Set among fields and mountains, this charming cottage is enclosed by a lovely lotus pond, fruit trees and a small kitchen garden whose outputs are used for cooking delicious Thai dishes for visitors.
Akha Village
Arriving at the pretty Akha village, you will soon find yourself in mimed conversation with these gregarious people. Sample some hill tribe hospitality and drink Akha tea.
Hmong Hill Tribe
The Hmong hill tribe village is the perfect place for a look into the lifestyle, customs and culture of the indigenous hill tribe people. Distinguishable from other tribes because of their houses built on flat ground, as opposed to stilts, the Hmong conform strictly with traditional rituals and customs, practicing a clear male-female division of labor.
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