Pick up from hotel in Chiang Mai by local truck or air-conditioned van for a 1.5 hours drive to the area of Pha Mieng, then walk through orchards and down a steep jungle path to the waterfall and pool of Pha Mieng. Then walk (15 min) to the Lahu village. Continue along jungle trails to the remote village of Hmong Pha Mieng (1.5 hrs). Meet the inhabitants of this small hill tribe in a jungle clearing, then enjoy a picnic lunch amongst the trees. Walk to the top of the mountain (1.5 hrs), where the Red Lahu Village of Pha Daeng is located and continue hiking along a mountain ridge to the Lahu village of Kup Kap (1 hr). The views from this village are spectacular, looking south to the valley far below or west to the mountain peaks stretching towards Burma. Enjoy the friendly attention of the curious Lahu villagers. Dinner and overnight at LAHU OUTPOST, modeled after a typical Lahu house. Basic amenities are provided: Mattress, pillow, bed linen, blankets, towels, mosquito nets. Two western-style toilets and a communal shower are provided.

After an early breakfast, we go on a one and a half hour walk down a steep jungle path passing by the Huay Sadharn Waterfall. This brings us to the spot where we will 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 first enjoy a delicious picnic lunch. Afterwards we go rafting down the river for about 45 minutes (note: due to low water levels during the months of April & May, white water rafting will be replaced by bamboo rafting). From there continue to Lisu Lodge. Upon arrival, a welcome drink will be served before you check into your room. Afterwards you will receive a briefing so you can select your activity for the following morning. Guided by a Lisu villager, walk from Ton Lung temple to visit the herbal garden. Visit the cultural center and ‘museum’ created by the villagers. Inside you will find a collection of typical household items and tools from the Lisu as well as well as the Akha mountain peoples. Time at leisure until Thai dinner with a traditional Lisu dance show. Overnight at LISU LODGE.

Breakfast at the lodge.

In the morning you have a choice of activities:

- Guided bike tour around the Lisu Lodge area or

- Steam bath or Massage or Ox-cart ride through farmlands and orchards to the Thai village of Baan Pang Mai Daeng - about an hour, ending up back at Lisu Lodge.

Note: A second additional 1-hour activity can be booked at a nominal charge but as a free activity you are welcome to go cycling by yourself and we will give you a road book of recommended itineraries.

 

Transfer by local truck to Chiang Dao and to an ethnic Karen village. Picnic lunch en route. Start with a 2-hour soft trek through the tropical forest to end up at a traditional Lahu village. After a visit with the Lahu mountain people, transfer to Khum Lanna. Upon arrival, as a welcome drink, enjoy a refreshing herbal tea or fruit juice from the bountiful gardens of Khum Lanna itself. Check-in to your room. Briefing to decide on your activities for the following morning.

17:00hrs Thai cooking introduction; get a free Khum Lanna recipe book and start a first lesson to learn to prepare an authentic Thai meal (4 dishes). All the major ingredients in Thai cooking are introduced along with the concept of balancing the 5-flavor groups. Time at leisure until dinner. Enjoy the Thai dinner that you helped prepare yourself. Overnight at Khum Lanna.

05:30hrs coffee/tea will be brought to your room for your wake-up call before the sunrise biking trip along the rural country road via San Kwang village to Phrao to visit an early morning local market where local coffee is available. With the help of your guide you may buy local cookies and flower garlands for the temple offering on the way back.  Then you visit a farmer’s rice and traditional tools shop, chat with the owner, and learn more about the rice legends and differences & properties of the varieties of rice. Your local escort will translate. 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 and the important place that rice occupies in Thai life. Refreshment or shower before breakfast is served at 09:00hrs. Late morning enjoy preparation for Lanna country-style BBQ lunch with a garden tour around the compound; collect different seasonal herbs, vegetables, and fruits for cooking. Learn how to ride a water buffalo. Then take your second Thai cooking class during which you will learn to prepare and cook your selections from the garden and the local market. Share an informal Lanna country-style BBQ lunch that you have prepared with your host.

In the afternoon, we provide you with a choice of one-hour activities:  

- Guided biking tour around Khum Lanna or

- Fruit (or vegetable) carving or

- Artificial flower making or

- Local style personal herbal steam bath - Hot-pressed herbal massage (consisting of 8 kinds of herbs: ginger, zingiber, lemongrass, plantain, tamarind leaves, soap pod, camphor and Aom Kiew).

Note: A second additional 1-hour activity can be booked at a nominal charge but as a free activity you are welcome to go cycling by yourself. We will give you a road book of recommended itineraries.

At around 16:00hrs transfer back to your hotel in Chiang Mai town by local pick up truck or air-conditioned van.