TTTK12 - Viang Pa Pao at a Glance Tour - 3 days
This trip start and end in Chiang Mai. On the trip you will visit Black Lahu, Hmong, Karen and Lisu villages. You will hike through pine and evergreen forest as well through ricepaddies and cornfields. Views are magnificent. Enjoy the hospitality of the people of Viang Pa Pao and learn about their customs, traditions and history.
An honest, non-touristy, back-to-basic trekking with focus on hilltribes and experience the nature and country side of northern Thailand.
Your trekking guide will meet you at the hotel in Chiang Mai. Drive approximately two hours to Viang Papao. On the way stop at the Mae Kachan hot springs.
After a picnic lunch we start walking through pine forests affording magnificent views. Approximately three to four hours of trekking will bring us to the fields of a Black Lahu village at the end of the afternoon. We will spend the night here. Most of the villagers are recent arrivals from Burma and may not have Thai citizenship yet. In the evening they will share their culture with us through traditional Lahu songs and dancing. Our host Jalee will tell us something of the history of his village.
Overnight in Jalee's house
After a hearty local breakfast we continue our journey. We descend towards a small river and pass through rice paddies. Today our trek will be up and down, through valleys, over mountains and through thick forest. After a long forested climb we reach a small Hmong settlement, called Huai Khai, at around noon. At these high altitudes the Hmong grow carrots and other vegetables. They have lichee trees as well. After a short rest to take in the marvellous views we continue our hike. At a small Karen village we have lunch before continuing our walk towards today's final destination, the Karen village Huai Mi Dae. Tonight we are the guests of Pornchai at his house on the edge of the village.Dinner and overnight in the Karen village
After breakfast we walk back a couple of meters past the rice paddies to begin a steep climb through the forest. About half an hour will bring us to a waterfall for a well-earned break. We then continue our trek through deep forest for a couple of hours until we reach the fields of the Lisu village Patung where the trip ends. Following lunch in the provincial town of Phrao we will drive back to Chiang Mai.
- Short sleeve shirts for the day time (bring a spare one, just in case)
- Long sleeves for the evening (especially in the winter Nov - Feb it can be a bit cold)
- Shoes with good grip (especially in the raining season from May - Sep
- A cap
- Suncream
- A small towel
- Flip flops
- Sun glasses
- Your personal toiletries
- Personal medication
- Fully charged batteries or even an extra battery for your camera.
- 1000-1500 Thai Baht per person in small notes (not bigger than 100 Thai Baht). This is for souvenirs, drinks and tips.
- Transportation by pick up truck
- Accommodation in hilltribe village
- All meals on trek
- Sleeping bag (on request)
- Backpack (on request)
- Mosquito net
- Mattress
- English speaking guide
- Insurance
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tips
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