Chiang Mai – Pai (Mae Hong Son)– Tham Lod (Cave) – Muang Phaem – Chiang Mai

In this trip, you will have a great time in Pai to get close to Karen and Shan tribal people with their warm hospitality, to learn their traditional living in the remote villages amidst the forest of Thailand’s north. Every trekking trail and footpath in this trip could be a challenge for you, to explore the less stamped forest with trees and plants as herbals and stunning limestone caves, passer- by hill tribes and villages.

Tour Highlights

• Take a 3 hours drive in a minivan on winding and scenic mountain road to Pai, a small laid back valley district in Mae Hong Son, en route stops at an orchid farm and Mae Malai local market.
• Explore Tham Lod Village and Lod Caves for its stunning limestone formations, cavernous chambers and river running through the entire cave.
• Experience a warm welcome and hospitality of local people at the Tham Lod Village Homestay, learn traditional Shan living and folklores, try organic, herbal food recipes, traditionally brewed tea and local rice whisky.
• Climb up to the mountain summit for a stunning panoramic view over Tham Lod Valley while the sun is rising.
• Trek for a couple of hours through the forest to a remote Karen Village, en route having chance to explore many trees and plants for traditional use as herbs for local people.
• Learn life and families of Karen tribe, women weaving in traditional way, Karen traditional food cooking, and take a great time trying Karen local rice whisky.
• Hike for 1 hour to a stream for a bamboo rafting back to Tham Lod Village.

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Chiang Mai – Pai – Tham Lod (Mae Hong Son) (L, D)
Take a 3 hours transfer by minivan to Pai. Stops will be made en route at an orchid farm and Mae Malai local market for a stroll among the colorful stalls. Have Lunch in Pai at a local restaurant. After lunch, at 01:30 pm, continue the trip to Tham Lod. On arrival, explore Tham Lod Village and Lod Caves, complete with stunning limestone formations, three cavernous chambers and a river running through the entire length of the cave.

Return to homestay accommodation at Tham Lod Village. Enjoy a dinner of traditional Shan recipes unique to this remote highland area. These dishes are full of healthy organic herbs and fresh wild plants and vegetables that impart a distinct and rich flavor to the local varieties of chicken and pork. The Shan food is accompanied by organic brown-black rice grown high in the mountains by remote Lahu villages. After dinner, have a supper of tea grown in the Lua territories near the Burmese border. The tea is brewed in the traditional fashion using bamboo tubes over an open fire and drunk from bamboo cups. At this time we talk about local history, traditions and folklore. After that, retire to bed in the Shan family houses.

Overnight in Tham Lod. (Approximate transfer distance/ duration : 200 kms / 4h30)

Day 2 - Tham Lod – Muang Phaem (B, L, D)
Early morning, option is offered to climb up to “Big Knobb” summit for a stunning panorama over the Tham Lod valley while the sun is rising. After Breakfast and fresh coffee, depart Tham Lod Village for a 2-3 hours walk through the forest to a remote Karen Village. On the walk, learn about the traditional uses for many of the trees and plants in the forest. Stop in the Orchid forest for a picnic lunch in Shan style served in banana leaves.

At the Karen Village, you will have an opportunity to watch Karen women weaving using blackstrap looms that date back thousands of years and to learn about Karen traditions. Any questions you may have about life in the hills will be answered. Overnight with a Karen family and enjoy traditional food cooked over an open wood fire. Spend the evening relaxing and if you are brave you can sample the local rice whisky.

Overnight in Karen village.

Day 3 – Muang Phaem – Tham Lod – Depart Chiang Mai (B, L)
After a lazy breakfast, take a 1 hour walk to a stream where you will ride a bamboo raft back to Tham Lod Village. Once back at the homestay you can shower and clean up then it is the time to say goodbye for your afternoon trip back to Chiang Mai where you will arrive after a stop for lunch. (Approximate transfer distance/ duration : 200 kms / 4h30)

(Option B program: Once you get back at the homestay at Tham Lod Village and take a shower and clean up, transfer to Mae Hong Son where you will arrive for lunch at a local restaurant. Get in long tail boat to visit a long- neck hill tribe village. After that, transfer out for your flight to Chiang Mai and onward to your next destination.) (Approximate transfer distance/ duration : 80 kms /1h30)

Note: We can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations.