Chiang Dao Trek and Tribal Experience

Explore the wild, mountainous jungles of northern Thailand with this three-day tour. In the hills above Chiang Dao, visit a training centre for young elephants and join these amazing creatures as they take their morning bath. Float through the forest on a bamboo raft, exploring the local flora and fauna including an amazing array of orchids and butterflies. Then travel north to the national parks, hot springs, and waterfalls around Fang, and stay the night with a Lahu hill tribe. An incredible and authentic experience.

Touring style: Professional English speaking guide and driver, private basis.

Best time to trek: November to February when days are dry with plenty of sunshine. December and January are the busiest months. Rain falls between May to October.

Chiang Dao Trek and Tribal Experience at a glance
  • Day 1: Chiang Mai - Chiang Dao
  • Day 2: Chiang Dao - Fang
  • Day 3: Fang - Chiang Mai
Chiang Dao Trek and Tribal Experience Image 1

Day 1: Chiang Mai - Chiang Dao

Depart your hotel and travel one and a half hours north to the Chiang Dao Young Elephants Training Centre. Watch the elephants take their morning bath in the running stream. After their bath, the trainers and elephants will demonstrate a number of their skills to you. After lunch, step on your bamboo raft for a beautiful one hour adventure on the Ping River. Then continue to explore an orchid farm, where more than fifty types of stunning orchids bloom year-round. Here, you will also be able to see numerous colourful and rare butterflies. Overnight in Chiang Dao.

Distance and journey time: 88 km, 1.45 hrs

Chiang Dao Trek and Tribal Experience Image 2

Day 2: Chiang Dao - Fang

After checking out, continue your journey north to Fang. Take a short trek up to Doi Phu Muen, a mountain in the Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park. Trek the trail all the way up to the remote Lahu Village. Local jungle lunch is provided during the trek.

At the village, get involved in one of the many activities and learn how the villagers are making a living by picking and processing tea and coffee, both of which are organically grown on the mountain. Join in with the locals and learn hands on how this works and the secret behind their success in going from cultivating opium to coffee and tea. At dinner, the locals will perform a traditional dance before it’s time to go to bed. Overnight at a homestay.

Distance and journey time: 52 km, 1 hr

Chiang Dao Trek and Tribal Experience Image 3

Day 3: Fang - Chiang Mai

After breakfast, return to Chiangmai.

Distance and journey time: 143 km, 2.45 hrs

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