Trek in the Land of the Karen

📍 Transfer from Chiang Mai Airport to Wat Umong: 25minutes Transfer from Wat Umong to The Royal Princess Hotel: 20 minutes

Pick up at the airport or hotel and transfer to Wat Umong for a visit to this quirky underground temple. Check into the hotel before dinner at a local teak wood restaurant overlooking the Mae Ping River. Just on the other side of the river is Wiang Kum Kam, the birthplace of the Lanna kingdom, which was founded more than 700 years ago. Learn about the design of stupas and chedis and how the architecture of the area was a predecessor to the more well-known architecture of the Ayutthaya and Sukhothai eras.    

Following dinner, head for 15 minutes on foot and then cross the river for a visit to Warorot Market. Here, get an introduction to the fantastic culinary traditions of northern Thailand with an unforgettable dinner. Then, continue a walking tour of the market for an up-close look at the area’s unique culture and local life.

Overnight in Chiang Mai
 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer from Chiang Mai to Huay Teun: 2 hours Trekking: 4-5 hours Difficulty: Medium

Check out of the hotel and head out of Chiang Mai towards Doi Lor District, southwest of the city. Stop at the local market so that porters can pick up fresh locally-produced vegetables and meat for the trek. If this day falls on a Saturday we have an option to stop at the buffalo market in Hang Dong to watch a local livestock auction while stocking up on food.

Then, head to Huay Teun, a small stream running down Doi Lor Mountain. From here, start walking along the stream for an hour and take a picnic lunch on the way. In the afternoon, the trekking becomes a little more strenuous as we start gaining elevation on a trail used by locals. 

After a challenging couple of hours on the trail, take a rest at a hidden nameless waterfall in the middle of the jungle. Afterwards, head further up before arriving at Khun Na Sa for a home-cooked dinner and overnight stay under the charming hospitality of a local hill tribe family. 

Overnight in Khun Na San Village Homestay
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Trekking: 4 to 8 hours Difficulty: Hard

After a home-cooked breakfast, pack up and head out for another day of adventure. Start walking through the evergreen forest with the occasional ray of sun streaming through thick lush green vegetation. There are two trails on this day, a shorter easier walk of 4 to 5 hours and a longer more challenging 7 to 8 hour trail which holds the reward of a waterfall on the way! Both trails provide excellent opportunities to spot wildlife, especially birds which are abundant in this area -so binoculars are a good thing to bring!

Lunch will be a jungle-style picnic. Afterwards, make one last push to Ban Khun Puay, a Karen hilltribe village of 70 families. Spend some time to get acquainted with the people in the village and learn about their culture and lives. At dinnertime, spend the evening as locals do: with a session of vocal storytelling! Afterwards, tuck in early for a well-deserved night of rest. The hilltribe village is nestled deep in a secluded valley, so dozing off to sleep tonight will be accompanied by little more than the chorus of nature. 

Overnight in Khun Puay Village Homestay
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer from Khun Puay to Chiang Mai: 2 hours Trekking: 5- 6 hours Difficulty: Medium

After breakfast in the morning, say goodbye to the charming locals of the Karen village and start walking back down the hills. Just north of Doi Inthanon National Park. Along the way, stop by another waterfall for a short rest break before continuing on. At the trail’s end, meet with a waiting car and transfer back to Chiang Mai. 

Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, check in at the hotel for a well-earned hot shower.
In the evening, take a short walk from the hotel and celebrate the completion of an amazing journey in northern Thailand with dinner near the riverside Restaurant which, as the name would indicate, has spectacular views of the river. 

Overnight Chiang Mai 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer from The Royal Princess Hotel to Chiang Mai Airport: 20 minutes

Check out and transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for the onward flight.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast