Tribal Heartland of Mae Hong Son

📍 Chiang Mai – Pai (130 km): 2.49 hrs. Chiang Mai – Kanlaya’s Eyrie Thailand (178 km): 3.58 hrs.

Early this morning, depart Chiang Mai with an EXO guide in a private transfer, heading toward Mae Hong Son province. The drive takes approximately 4 hours through winding mountainous hills, offering truly scenic views. En route, stop at a viewpoint and then in the small, laid-back town of Pai for a local lunch.

After lunch, make a relaxing stop at Sai Ngam Natural Hot Spring, where the thermal waters rise naturally from the ground. If time allows, you may enjoy a bath, but please follow your guide’s advice regarding timing.

Following the visit, continue to Kanlaya’s Eyrie Thailand, a small boutique accommodation nestled in the village of Tham Lod, where all your fantastic experiences begin.

Arrive by 17:30, just in time to join the traditional tribal Karen Hand-Tying Ceremony. Upon arrival, be welcomed by your friendly hosts who will assist with check-in. Once settled, proceed to the ceremony, set up at a wooden pavilion downhill overlooking the valley and river. Starting at dusk, when the sun is about to set (depending on the season), meet Ms. Gale, your Karen host, who will share the story of the Karen people and the significance of this traditional ceremony. The ceremony lasts approximately 45 minutes. Afterward, enjoy Kanlaya House cocktails and appetizers.

Dinner at the resort.

After dinner, if you wish, mingle with your hosts and other guests around the bonfire for engaging conversations.

Overnight in Mae Hong Son

Notes: 

• A visit to Sai Ngam Natural Hot Spring can also be moved to the last day if you prefer.

   

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

Rise early to enjoy the morning sunshine and mist (depending on the season).

Breakfast is served at the resort. Then, prepare for an exciting day in the jungle, exploring nature, villages, and local lifestyles while learning about jungle survival. First, meet your Karen trekking expert guide, then hop in a pickup truck for a short ride to the start of the trekking route to the small and lesser-known Karen tribal village of Muang Pam, where your hostess grew up.

Along the trekking path, enjoy the lush green forest, home to numerous edible plants such as eggplants, green and red chilies, and bitter gourd, as well as beautiful flowers naturally growing, including wild orchids atop the trees. During the walk, your trekking expert will share interesting knowledge about different trees and their uses. He may demonstrate how to make a tight rope from tree bark and even how to make natural shampoo from special leaves.

The scenery becomes even more appealing as you approach the river and stream. Enjoy walking in the water while soaking in the natural surroundings. After a 2-hour walk of approximately 4 km, reach the fish sanctuary, where a jungle-cooked lunch awaits. Lunch is prepared by Ms. Gale’s mother and family. Upon arrival, don’t miss the chance to feed the fish with the leaves collected during the walk. You may also help with cooking a bit, including grilling meat (depending on the day’s menu) and lighting the fire in the traditional way.

Lunch is served sustainably, using bamboo cooking pots, teakwood plates, and banana leaves as tablecloths.

After lunch, continue walking or take a pickup truck to the village of Muang Pam. Experience authentic village life with no setups or tourist facades. Meet the locals, who speak only their Karen language, and visit houses where daily activities take place—people weaving scarves, clothes, and bags.

After the village visit, bid farewell to the locals and return to the resort by transfer. Alternatively, you may trek back to Kanlaya’s Eyrie with your local guide, a route of approximately 6 km.

The late afternoon is free for leisure. Massages at the resort are available upon request (at your own expense).

Dinner at the resort.

Overnight in Mae Hong Son

Notes:

The trekking route may change due to weather conditions.

The trekking level is easy to moderate.

An EXO guide will accompany you on this day.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

Good morning, sunrise! It’s an early start, but rest assured—it will be one of the most memorable experiences you may find nowhere else.

At 05:00, wake up and get ready for a full day in the mountains. At approximately 05:30, be greeted by your host and local guide, then hop into a 4WD for a 15-minute steep ride up the mountain in the dark and through the mist, where your unique sunrise breakfast will be prepared and served. Upon arrival at a small private bamboo cottage, be enchanted by the breathtaking view of mist covering the landscape as you patiently await the first sunrise of the day—from its early glow to full brilliance. What an unforgettable moment!

Breakfast is prepared in the traditional way using charcoal. During the meal, soak up the beauty of the sunrise and enjoy this special moment to the fullest.

Following breakfast, embark on the 4WD for more exciting off-road experiences. Head to the top of the mountain to visit an untouched temple known only to locals. Highlights include a large white Buddha surrounded by gongs for making wishes and a golden Buddha at the back of the temple. Spend some time walking around the temple grounds and receive a private monk blessing before leaving.

Next, descend the mountainous road, passing authentic Lahu tribal villages, and head toward Pacharam Lahu Village, famous for its organic Arabica coffee. Upon arrival, a Lahu coffee farmer will guide you through the coffee farm and demonstrate traditional coffee-making methods. You may participate in activities such as grinding and brewing coffee. Coffee tasting is served with fresh fruits from the farm.

The final stop of the day is Baan Mae Lana, a village home to Thai Yai people from neighboring Myanmar’s Shan State for over 200 years. The village features well-maintained walking paths while retaining authentic local lifestyles. Follow your guide across rice paddy fields with the mountains as a backdrop, arriving at a local organic farm where a farm-to-table lunch is served family-style. After lunch, explore the organic garden and farm before returning by 4WD to the resort.

On the way back, make a brief stop at Ban Jabo, the village of the Black Lahu, where you can enjoy a viewpoint overlooking the village and surrounding mountains.

In the late afternoon, you have the option to relax at the resort or visit the world-famous Tham Lod Cave by guided bamboo rafts, floating along the river that runs through it. Visitors entering the cave from 16:30 onwards will witness a truly remarkable spectacle, as thousands of swifts fly into the caves to roost and an equally impressive number of bats exit for the night.

Dinner at the resort.

Overnight in Mae Hong Son

Notes:

• Today’s itinerary may be subject to change due to weather conditions and the season. Your hosts will discuss any changes with you during your stay.
• The departure time for sunrise breakfast is flexible and depends on the season. Sunrise breakfast over clear skies at dawn is typically available only during the winter peak season, especially from October to March. During the green season, frequent cloud cover at dawn may obscure the sunrise. However, the changing light and colors still offer a beautiful perspective. In such cases, the departure time may be around 07:30 to enjoy breakfast at the sunrise hut with its amazing views.
• A private monk blessing is arranged by appointment, but in some circumstances, the monk may not be available, as there is only one head monk residing at the temple.
• The EXO guide does not join the sunrise and off-road tour but can accompany you to Tham Lod Cave.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Kanlaya’s Eyrie Thailand – Chiang Mai (178 km): 3.58 hrs.

Breakfast at the resort. Pack your luggage and prepare for check-out.

Before departing, you have the option to enjoy one last activity with the Karen people: fishing in the river followed by lunch. (Note: The tribal river fishing activity is available only from 15 January through 15 March.)

Depart for Chiang Mai.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast