Average rating Hill Tribe Trekking in Thailand

Hill Tribe Trekking in Thailand is on a lot of travellers' hit lists, but this one is just a little bit special. During your stay, you will learn the customs of Thailand’s hill tribes, ride elephants along forest trails, talk with village shamans and spend the nights in rustic comfort in lodges built from the forest in traditional style. Rafting, mountain biking, and learning to cook hill-tribe style are all part of this trek overflowing with a lifetime’s experiences.

About half a million of Thailand’s population are members of small, culturally and often ethnically distinct tribes, mainly living in the mountainous Northern area of the country near the Burmese border. The incredible diversity of these peoples’ ways of living, their beliefs and traditions, and - most immediately noticeable to even the most casual traveller - their dress, conspire with the extraordinary natural beauty of the region to produce a place of unrivalled density and richness. This is superbly rewarding country for the trekker; a journey replete with unforgettable destinations.

There is too much on offer on this trip to do more than give a cursory overview here; plenty of hiking, of course, and guided mountain biking too, but then there’s also the inflatable river rafting, and the elephant ride through stunning jungle… And that’s just the transport! You’ll visit five major hill tribes in the region, both in village settings and at the lodges where you’ll stay overnight, each of which is run by members of a different tribe. You’ll have the chance to learn about herbs from the villagers, and to speak with the local shamans about their beliefs. You’ll be given cooking lessons, Lanna Tribe style, and find out about how rice is farmed and the importance of bee conservation in the area. You can learn to carve fruit and vegetables or relax and enjoy a herbal steam bath or massage. There’s just not enough space on this page for a complete itinerary!

This tour definitely isn’t for the lazy. You’ll be walking or cycling every day for several hours, so you should have a reasonable level of fitness and positively enjoy physical activity and getting involved: the evenings and nights are for relaxing, but on this tour, the days are definitely for making the most of! Those who are interested in learning firsthand about the customs and crafts of the hill-tribes in the area will be well rewarded by the experiences on offer here, as will anyone who likes to sit back at the end of a day with a gentle ache in the legs and a satisfied smile. Families with children should bear in mind the amount of activity involved when considering this trip.

Getting there

You need to get to Chiang Mai. Direct flights are available to Bangkok from most major UK airports, then you can make your way to Chiang Mai, by bus, plane or train. Transfers to the Lodge are available from either airport or hotels.

Price includes

Tour and activities: elephant riding (1 elephant = 2 person), rafting (1 rubber boat = 4-5 persons) and biking; your choice of one activity at Lisu: biking or oxcart or steam bath or massage; your choice of one activity at Khum Lanna; biking or carving or steam bath or massage; English-speaking guide; accommodation in non air-conditioned room at Lahu Outpost & Akha Outpost and non air-conditioned room with electric fan at Lisu Lodge & Khum Lanna, meals as specified, local coffee at the market, baggage handling, local open-air truck for the activity.

Price details

Low season price is 16,580THB. High season price is 17,460THB. A single supplement of 2,520THB (high season) or 2,280THB (low season) applies.

Available

Jan—Dec

Typical Duration

5 days

Comfort level

Reasonably comfortable (Inns, B&Bs, luxury camping etc.)

Experience required

Some previous experience is needed