Chiang Mai 3 Day Karen Hill Tribe Immersion with Trekking

Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Duration3 days
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesThai, English
Group sizeUp to 12 travelers
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Most treks around Chiang Mai share the same trails. This one doesn't, for one simple reason: the land you walk on for three days is ours.

We are a Karen family from the mountains around Doi Inthanon. We grew up here and still live here. The rice paddies are the ones we plant, the forest paths the ones we use every day. Because it is our own private land, no other tour groups trek here. You'll only meet your small group, our guides, and our neighbours.

Your guides are Karen and know this forest like you know your own street. You'll eat lunch from banana leaves by a waterfall, swim along the way, cook dinner with herbs picked on the trail, and sleep in two village camps with evenings around the fire.

We'll be honest: it is a real trek, five to seven hours a day, and the camps are simple, with cold showers and no wifi. That is part of the charm.

Plenty of tours show you a hill tribe village. We invite you to ours. For three days, you're part of the family.

What's included

  • Accident insurance
  • Cultural activities and hands-on cooking sessions
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
  • Two overnight stays in different Karen hill tribe village camps
  • 3-day, 2-night guided trekking experience
  • Services of experienced, English-speaking local Karen guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Chiang Mai city

What to expect

Day 1: Day 1
  1. Chiang Mai Province
    30m
    Stop at a local market before leaving the city.
  2. Chiang Mai
    2h
    Trek through farmland and forest, walking through bamboo groves and rice paddies, with the guide explaining native plant uses and Karen traditions along the way.
  3. Pha Ngaem
    3h
    Trek to forest camp. Continued hike to a remote camp set near a waterfall.
  4. Pha Ngaem
    Pass by
    Cook dinner with hand-picked herbs. Travellers help prepare the evening meal using ingredients gathered along the trail.
  5. Pha Ngaem
    Pass by
    Campfire evening. Time to relax, talk, and unwind under the stars.
Day 2: Day 2
  1. Pha Ngaem
    3h
    Trek through wildlife-rich forest for roughly three hours of hiking through forest known for gibbons, macaques, and occasional black bear sightings.
  2. Longneck Karen Village
    2h
    Stop at a Karen village to eat and talk with locals.
  3. Pha Ngaem
    4h
    Afternoon trek to second village. A longer, roughly four-hour hike deeper into the hills.
  4. Karen Long Neck Village
    Pass by
    Settling into the second village, learning about traditional clothing, cooking, and daily life from the hosts.
Day 3: Day 3
  1. Pha Ngaem
    7h
    Trek through farmland and cloud forest. The longest trekking day, 6-7 hours, passing up to five waterfalls suitable for swimming.
  2. Chiang Mai
    Pass by
    Drive back from the trekking region to the city.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

Pickup included from any hotel in Chiang Mai. Pickup time is as follows:
7:00–7:10 AM for central Chiang Mai
7:00–7:30 AM for mid-range areas
7:30–8:00 AM for outer areas
Please wait in the hotel lobby from 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
2,471.00 THB 2,223.90 THB per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Maewin and Family Trekking Tour · Booked through Viator
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