Active Kengtung, Hill Tribes of Eastern Shan State

Upon arriving at Kengtung Airport, the car and guide will be waiting to transfer to the hotel for check-in.

After freshening up take a short stroll around downtown Kengtung, a quaint town laid out around Naung Tung Lake. The city’s architecture ranges from fading old colonial-style houses to nondescript modern structures and several large Buddhist temples and monasteries. It is recommended to visit Maha Myat Muni Pagoda and Wat Ho Kong, where monks learn Buddhism in khun language, which is similar or almost the same as lanna from Thailand. 

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant (own account) and try some Shan food, the regional cuisine.

Overnight in Kengtung.

Inclusions:

📍 Transfer from Kengtung hotel to Hokyin area: up to 1 hour Walking time: up to 3 hours Trekking up to: approx. 10 km Elevation: +279 m / -800 m Difficulty: Easy

After breakfast, visit Kengtung’s local market. This daily market is visited by villagers from the surrounding area who come to sell their products and barter for goods. Visit the market and get to see minority hill tribes in their traditional dresses. It is a unique place to soak in this busy atmosphere to discover the local life.

Work up an appetite to try Shan noodles at the market if desired. There is a section of noodle shops and other eateries and the guide knows the best one!

Then depart by road to Hokyin area, the starting point of today’s trek. Hokyin is famous for its four Akha Villages offering the breathtaking view of the Eastern Shan Plateau along the trail to these villages. The Akha are an Indigenous hill tribe who live in small villages at higher elevations of the mountain and are famous for their unique traditional costumes. They constitute one of the largest hill tribes around the area. The trek begins with a 1.5-2 hour walk to an Akha village. Spend some time in the village and interact with the locals to discover more about their unique customs and daily lifestyle. (It is recommended to visit all four villages since each village has different beliefs and religions. However, clients can still choose to visit two or three villages depending on their fitness level.)

Resume trekking to Na Phi Phank village, a further 30-45 minutes, which is home to Lahu people who are famous for their blacksmithing. Then loop back to where the car is waiting possibly passing a Wa village en route. During the trek a picnic lunch will be served in a scenic spot or village.

Return to Kengtung by car this afternoon.

Overnight in Kengtung.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Transfer from Kengtung hotel to start point: up to 1.5 hours Trekking: up to 2 hours Difficulty: Very Easy

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Pin Tauk area which is the start point of the today’s trek.

With a great chance to see many colourful tribes (Ann/Eng, Akha, Lahu), Pin Tauk is one of the most famous trekking routes among visitors. Besides seeing colorful tribes, the trail itself makes it the best trek in the area with beautiful scenery along the way.

Set off on foot, trekking 45 minutes to 1 hour to the Akha minority village of Hwe Lon. Spend some time in the village and interact with the locals to discover more about their unique customs and daily lifestyle.

After a picnic lunch, resume trekking to an Ann Village perched on the slopes of a hill (approximately 30 minutes). The Ann minority is known for their traditional black dress and blackened teeth. After walking around the village, stop at Lone Tree Hill for panoramic views of the city.

Return to Kengtung by car this afternoon.

Overnight in Kengtung.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Transfer from Hotel to Wan Sai area: 45 minutes

This morning, depart by road to Wan Sai, a charming village whose inhabitants are Akha people famous for their unique traditional clothing and pipe-smoking. Here, spend some time in the villages and interact with Akha grandmas to discover more about their unique customs and daily lifestyle.

After that take a stroll along the nearby Ann village before transferring to Dhat Zoam Doi (Kabaraye) Temple. Nestled on a hilltop just outside of Kengtung, this ancient Pagoda is a deeply spiritual and charming complex amidst rolling hills dotted with Shan settlements.

Next, visit Ko Yin Lay monastery which provides not only a truly fascinating insight into the culture, beliefs and rituals of the Khmer people, but also spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

In the afternoon, transfer to the Kengtung airport for the onward flight. (Note: Only Kengtung airport transfer included. Please check with the travel consultant for a surcharge for transfer to Thai border or Tachileik airport.)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast