Itinerary in brief

Day 1   : CHIANG MAI - MAE HONG SON
Day 2   : MAE HONG SON - BAN HUA NAM
Day 3   : BAN HUA NAM - BAN HUAI POMFAT
Day 4   : BAN HUAI POMFAT - BAN DOI MAKPRIK
Day 5   : BAN DOI MAKPRIK - PAI RIVER
Day 6   : HUAI PONG KLANG PAI - BAN PATONG
Day 7   : BAN PATONG - PAI VALLEY
Day 8   : PAI VALLEY - CHIANG MAI

Our tour takes you off road and away from the tour groups into a Thailand few tourists get the chance to see. We visit the friendly local people and walk up into the mountains to stay with migratory hill - tribe people still living as they have for centuries, unfazed by the modern world in the valley. This is a challenging trip but the experience is unique

Detail Itinerary

DAY 1: CHIANG MAI - MAE HONG SON
On arrival at Chiang Mai Airport you are met and transferred towards Mae Hong Son ( If you are already in Chiang Mai we will pick you up at your hotel). The winding roads lead us through the stunning landscape to Mae Hong Son Town. After checking into hotel we enjoy a short city tour, seeing the famous Burmese style monasteries, Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang. The first structure was constructed around 200 year ago by the Shan people while Wat Jong Klang houses an old glass painting and many wood carvings depicting the various lives of Buddha. A next stop of our trip is Doi Kong Moo which dominates the town and therefore affords a wonderful view of surrounding areas. O/N in Mae Hong Son.

DAY 2: MAE HONG SON - BAN HUA NAM
The extremely beautiful mountain region around Mae Hong Son is ideal for anyone seeking a true adventure and trekking expedition. We take a short drive this morning before we begin walking along the Mae Hong Son river valley, using a local path. We will see many deep gorges, waterfalls, high cliffs, and many pockets of dense forest. Our walk may involve some river crossings but this is still an unforgettable experience. Along the way we can make stop as we please, to stretch our legs or enjoy a leisurely swim. After a full day walking we arrive at Ban Hua Nam village where we are guest of a Karen family in a traditional house. The accommodation is very simple and dormitory style, no western facilities. O/N at Ban Hua Nam. (B,L,D)

DAY 3: BAN HUA NAM - BAN HUAI POMFAT
An early morning start to walk mountainsides. We get well off the beaten track as we trek through the bamboo forest and climb up the mountain of Doi Sa Ngo. The trekking will be difficult at times with some with some steep uphill and downhill walking, however the spectacular scenery, with a mixture of terraced fields and hill villages makes the hardship all worthwhile. We ascend the Tiger Pass, exploring en route many massive rock formations as well as tropical plants before arriving at Ban Huai Pomfat. We have time to take a wander around this village, enabling us to understand a little more about their culture and lifestyle. O/N at Ban Huai Pomfat. (B,L,D)

DAY 4: BAN HUAI POMFAT - BAN DOI MAKPRIK
The exciting walk will lead us through the verdant and rugged mountain landscape to the Karen Hilltribe Village of Ban Pakar. At this small village we have a chance to meet the local people and explore their traditional way of life. After an enjoyable stop we continue our trek uphill past the Lisu ethnic minorities‘ farming land which were once opium fields. There is still a bit of opium growing in this area now, but much more cultivation of rice, potatoes, beans, taro root and ginger. We finish our walking day at Ban Doi Makprik. This remote village is conquered by the Lisu hill tribe people who are very poor, but have an interesting history and a colorful culture. O/N at Ban Doi Makprik. (B,L,D)

DAY 5: BAN DOI MAKPRIK - PAI RIVER
Today we descend the mountain and walk following the old short cut way between Mae Hong Son to Pai. The small path is steep at some places, making our trek somewhat arduous. We arrive at the camp site in Huai Pong Klang Pai near the Pai River around mid afternoon and spend the remainder of the day to enjoy swimming or rest our legs. We also have some opportunities to practice the local way of live we not usually do at home when making a camp fire, cooking our food in bamboo stems, eating from bamboo bowls, drinking from bamboo cups. O/N in Huai Pong Klang Pai. (B,L,D)

DAY 6: HUAI PONG KLANG PAI  - BAN PATONG
Upon leaving the camping site we set off on a full day trek along Huai Pong Klang Pai Creek , venturing into this remote and beautiful area. Along the way we cross over many streams as we walk in the ravine, using the local track , passing through the rain tropical forest. The trekking is strenuous; however some physical preparation will allow you to maximize enjoyment from the walk. Our destination for this evening is Ban Patong village where we spend the night, as guest of villagers. The facilities are very basic, but the experience is unique. O/N at Ban Patong. (B,L,D)

DAY 7: BAN PATONG - PAI VALLEY
The trekking expedition will be extended or shorten upon your request. After a few hour walk we embark on a truck for 30 kilometer drive along the very rough road, from evergreen forest descending to deciduous forest in the Pai valley. This little town of Pai, snuggled in a picturesque valley between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son in the North, has a peaceful atmosphere that soothes away the stresses of city life. Arriving in Pai by mid afternoon we check in a local style cottage resort and will have time to explore the town or simply to relax. O/N in Pai. (B,L,D)

DAY 8: PAI VALLEY - CHIANG MAI
The return journey begins this morning as we depart the town and travel by roads through the mountainous region to Chiang Mai. The trip ends after arrival at your hotel in Chiang Mai or airport. (B)

HOTELS USED ON THIS TRIP
CITY/ AREA	Standard Class
Trekking	Home stay
Mae Hong Son	Golden Pai hotel
HOTEL NOTES	The higher hotel category in Pai and Mae Hong Son will be arranged upon request.