Karen Culture Immersion – 2 days 1 night

Live like a member of the Karen tribe for 2 days, an unforgettable experience!

Chiang Mai

  • Tour in private
  • 0 à 0 personnes
  • Ref. TREK204
Karen Culture Immersion – 2 days 1 night
Partager

On the first morning, you will meet us at a small bus station on the edge of the old town, and like most Thais, we will take a 100% local means of transport to go to the market about 45 minutes from here. This will be an opportunity for us to discuss your program, the Karen people, or Thailand in general! Once we arrive at the local market, we will have a hearty breakfast in a small restaurant (rice and meat on the menu) while your Karen guide joins us.

Then it will be time to drive to the first Karen village where you will start your hike, surrounded by terraced rice fields and waterfalls. Your guide will be there to explain everything you need to know about the jungle and its surroundings. The hike will take you through herds of buffalo grazing in or near the rice fields and through sugarcane fields.

Since the trek is private, we will adjust it according to your physical condition and preferences to best tailor the breaks and walking time. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at our guide’s village, which you can explore at your leisure. You will notice that people here spend more time chatting with each other in the village than watching television, and they are always happy to welcome visitors, show them around, and share their daily life.

Your guide will introduce you to Thai barbecue, and you will have the evening to talk together about Karen and Thai customs, history, and traditions. He will craft your utensils and glasses directly from bamboo—there’s no Ikea in the mountains, hehe! Then it will be time to go to bed for a good night’s sleep.

For the more courageous, wake up at the crow of the rooster for an immersion in agricultural life! Indeed, the Karen are primarily farmers and breeders, so today you will accompany them. After breakfast, made only with local and organic products (no chemicals here), if you’re lucky enough to be visiting during the week, you will head to the village school to meet the young Karen children! There are five of them, aged around 4 to 6 years, and they are always thrilled to have visitors, as few people come to visit their very remote village.

Once you’re worn out by these little monkeys (the nickname they give themselves—you’ll quickly understand why ^^), you will have the chance to visit the village church, a quite unique place in Thailand considering that 95% of the population is Buddhist!

Then it will be time to head to the fields. Depending on the season, you might help create or repair the terraced rice paddies to hold water for the next harvest. If you visit during the rainy season, you will learn how to plant rice just as people in Asia have done for thousands of years! At the end of the season, however, you will help carry rice bundles and separate the grains from the straw.

For those who prefer less physical activities, or if you have finished your fieldwork, you can try your hand at fabric making! The Karen often wear very recognizable clothes with their own designs and are very proud to still make them themselves. Many women in the village have wooden looms and will be delighted to show you their ancestral art.

At the end of the day, with unforgettable memories in your mind, it will be time to say goodbye to your adoptive family. Your guide will take you back to your hotel in Chiang Mai.

  • Included:
  • Transfer
  • Meal
  • Local guide
  • Night at village
Book now

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Doi Inthanon stands as the highest mountain in the country, nestled within the Himalayan range, boasting lush vegetation that has established it as one of the most sought-after national parks in the region.


Amidst various points of interest, immerse yourself in the charm of the magnificent King and Queen's Pagoda surrounded by their lush garden and explore the expansive Royal Project. This project showcases a diverse array of vegetables, plants, and fruits cultivated with utmost care, free from any chemical products and in complete harmony with nature. Doi Inthanon is not just a national park; it's a captivating natural haven.

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Our program offers a 2-hour trek along one of the most renowned trails in the Park, the Kew Mae Pan trail. This trail leads you to the highest point in Thailand, treating you to an absolutely extraordinary viewpoint above the clouds during the early morning. The remainder of the day is dedicated to exploring the park.


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Our adventure begins in a nearby mountain village, where we’ll set off on a 6-kilometer jungle trek. The hike takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, leading you through a pristine natural setting. You'll cross a river 21 times, pass by coffee plantations, and walk beneath the towering shade of ancient trees over 500 years old. 


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Treat yourself to a 2-day / 1-night private eco-adventure to Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand! Not only will you explore breathtaking landscapes, but you'll also gain insight into the traditional lifestyle of the Karen hill tribe, who cultivate rice on stunning terraced fields.




Day 1 – Immersion and Jungle Exploration


Your guide will pick you up from your Chiang Mai hotel between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m., with a quick stop at a local market for last-minute items before your jungle trek begins.


Upon arrival at your Karen guide’s village, the day unfolds at your pace. Since this is a private experience, the trek can be tailored to suit your preferences — whether you want a more relaxed village immersion or an active jungle hike.


If you choose to trek, your guide will lead you through lush forest trails, past terraced rice fields (best seen between May and October), and to refreshing waterfalls where you can take a dip — don’t forget your swimsuit!


After a local lunch, the adventure continues with more trekking followed by a traditional bamboo rafting experience on a nearby river. You’ll then return to the village for the night.


Your accommodation is a private bamboo and wooden house, built in the local style. Share a homemade dinner with your guide — and you’re welcome to help cook, too — before relaxing for the night.

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Day 2 – Doi Inthanon National Park and Summit Hike


Wake up refreshed for a full day in Doi Inthanon National Park, located close to the village. Get an early start to enjoy the summit of Thailand’s highest mountain (2,565 m) before the crowds arrive.


You’ll take a gentle 20-minute walk on the Angkha Trail, a serene path through the cloud forest, followed by the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail — a 2-hour loop famous for its breathtaking views. At 2,200 meters above sea level, the scenery changes with the weather: clear blue skies, mystical fog, or even a sea of clouds. (Note: this trail is closed during the rainy season; you'll do the scenic Pha Dok Siew trail instead, surrounded by rice fields.)


Next, visit the twin pagodas of the King and Queen, and admire their beautiful gardens. Your guide will explain their symbolism and cultural significance.


After lunch, stop by the impressive Wachirathan Waterfall, then continue to the National Royal Agricultural Station Inthanon, where you'll learn about sustainable farming projects that support the local hill tribes through research on highland agriculture, fish farming, and crop development.

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As the day draws to a close, you'll visit a beautiful waterfall and an agricultural royal project, before heading to your guide’s local village. There, you’ll meet his family and get a glimpse of daily rural life. You're welcome to assist in preparing dinner and spend the night relaxing and reflecting on your unforgettable experience.

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Day 2 – Jungle Trekking and Local Discoveries


After a delicious breakfast, it’s time to lace up your shoes and explore more of the region’s natural beauty. You and your guide will set off on a 2-hour hike through the forest, discovering wildflowers, lush rice terraces, and hidden mountain paths.


Because this is a private trek, you can choose the pace and level of difficulty that suits you best. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a break at a secluded waterfall, with the option to swim and relax in nature.


After lunch, it’s time to gradually make your way back toward the village and civilization. If you wish, you can finish the adventure with a peaceful bamboo rafting experience before heading back to your hotel in Chiang Mai, arriving around 5:00 p.m.




This two-day journey is more than just a tour — it’s an opportunity to connect deeply with nature, learn from local communities, and create lifelong memories with the elephants.

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