Lanna Experience - 3 Days / 2 Nights

Chiang Mai – Doi Suthep – Phuping Palace – Chang Khien – White Hmong Village – Mae Sa Valley – Lisu Lodge – Mae Tang – Akha mountain Village – Phrao – Khum Lanna –  Chiang Mai

Experience first hand ways of life, culture, food, and scenery of Lisu and Akha hill tribes villages and northern Thai Lanna people, and visit famous attractions in Chiang Mai. Enjoy various activities from Thai cooking, elephant riding, riding a rubber raft along the Mae Tang River, biking along the rural country and shopping at local market.

Tour Highlights

• Marvel at the shimmering gold pagodas  of the mountain temple of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep
• Enjoy driving up mountain by pick-up truck passing the King’s winter palace
• Meeting friendly mountain hill tribe people in White Hmong and Akha mountain Villages
• Exploring a beautiful orchid farm and butterfly sanctuary
• Wandering through tranquil Lisu villages and enjoy scenes of mountain hill tribe life
• Stay at the award winning Lisu Lodge and meet the friendly Lisu people. Visit the local shaman and enjoy traditional Lisu entertainment
• Enjoy elephant ride through beautiful mountain scenery
• Ride a rubber raft along the Mae Tang River
• Visiting beautiful Bua Tong waterfall
• Enjoy biking along the rural country road to Phrao to visit an early local market and enjoy scenes of local life
• learning how to ride a water buffalo and cook Thai food

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 1 –Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep – Phuping palace – Chang Khien – White Hmong Village – Mae Sa Valley – Lisu Lodge
In the morning drive to the mountain temple of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the most famous landmark of Chiang Mai. Climb the naga staircase to visit the exquisite golden pagoda with 6 kg of pure gold at its peak and the rest plated with gold shines high over the city. The sound of temple bells fills the air, and the view down over the city makes an irresistible photo opportunity. Afterwards drive up the mountain by “songtaew” pick-up truck passing the King’s winter palace of Phuping and turn onto a rough dirt road to the Chang Khien Coffee Research Project where you can enjoy a cup of the local ‘arabica’ surrounded by fabulous gardens of flowers. Continue to the white Hmong village of Chang Khien where the 800 inhabitants still retain their traditional hill tribe clothes and culture that dates back 500 years. The modern city of Chiang Mai can be viewed down below 10 km away. Contiue down to the Mae Sa valley to visit an orchid farm and butterfly sanctuary.
At around 15h00, arrive at the Lisu Lodge. Traditional welcome drink will be served prior to the briefing and orientation for you to select your next morning activity.

Late afternoon, our Lisu ‘guide’ from the village will take you for a walk through the village; start from Ton Lung temple to view the herbal garden then continue to visit the Lisu village families with a stop for a cup of tea and a traditional medicine at the shaman’s house.

Afterwards visit to the cultural centre or so called the ‘museum’ created by the villagers. Inside you will find a display of typical items from the Lisu as well as the Akha tribes. About 10-minute dance show will be performed by both tribes before ending of the visit.

Overnight at Lisu Lodge

Day 2 Lisu Lodge – Mae Tang Elephant Camp – Akha mountain Village – Phrao – Overnight at Khum Lanna (B, L,D)
Breakfast at the Lodge; then cycle (mainly downhill) or drive for about 13 km to the Mae Tang Elephant Camp. From here, you will enjoy a 1 hour elephant ride through beautiful mountain scenery. Then enjoy a picnic lunch by the Mae Tang River. After your traditional picnic at the elephant camp, embark on an inflatable raft for 45 minutes to an hour of pleasant and sometimes exciting white-water rafting on the Mae Tang River.
After this, we will visit a very friendly ethnic Akha mountain village, have some tea and chat with the local people with your guide translating. Then transfer to Phrao via Mae Hor Phra and also stop to visit Bua Tong waterfall en route. Dinner and overnight at Khum Lanna.

Day 3 – Khum Lanna – Biking Trip to Phrao – Thai Cooking Class at Khum Lanna - Chiang Mai (B, L)
Coffee/tea will be brought to your room for your wake-up call before the s Sunrise biking along the rural country road to Phrao to visit an early local market. With the help of your guide, order your Lanna breakfast at the local shop in the market. Also buy your flower garland for the temple offering on the way back by bike through temple and rice fields.

Upon return, refreshment or shower before a local Lanna-style breakfast which can be a set on the riverside before starting preparation for Lanna country-style BBQ lunch. Start by a garden tour around the house; collecting different seasonal herbs, vegetables, and fruits for cooking. Learning how to ride a water buffalo and do the actual riding.

At 11h00, the second Thai cooking class will start when you will learn to prepare and cook your selection from the garden or local market. Share an informal Lanna country-style BBQ lunch that you have prepared with your host.

In the afternoon choose from a number of activities including bicycle riding, Fruit (or vegetable) carving, artificial flower making, local style personal herbal steam bath or hot-pressed herbal massage. Return to Chiang Mai by car (arrive at approximately 6pm).