Meet Thailand's remote hilltribes people

Tham Lod Cave is one of Thailand's most impressive caves.

One of the river crossings while trekking in Northern Thailand

Terraced hillsides in Northern Thailand

Local Karen women selling handicrafts

Rice-terraces in Thailand's north

Northern Thailand Hike & Homestays

An insight into the rich biodiversity, cultures and customs of Thailand's northern hinterlands

Thailand

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2 reviews

8 Days from

Trip Code: OET

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Essential Information

Duration

8 Days

Activities

5 day trek

Accommodation

3 nights hotel
4 nights hilltribe homestay

Meals

6 Dinners
7 Lunches
7 Breakfasts

Internal Flights

Valued at USD$80

Difficulty Grading: Introductory to Moderate
These adventures involve trekking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. You will need a good level of fitness and must be in good health. Treks may involve carrying a full pack around 15kg. Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to four times a week. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions, kayaking or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.
4 / 10
Introductory to Moderate

Carbon Footprint

53kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(374kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Experience the traditional villages and Karen tribes of Northern Thailand
Explore lush jungles and unspoilt forests
Trek through some of Thailand's most remote natural areas
Hike to Doi Pui The highest summit in Mae Hong Son

Overview

Join us on this remarkable adventure exploring the pristine forests of Thailand's northern hinterlands near the border with Myanmar. Reviving an ancient trade route, the program offers travellers an unparalleled insight into the region's rich biodiversity, cultures and customs. Our journey starts from Khun Khan National Park with its lush jungles and unspoilt forests along the little known Old Elephant Trail. This trek offers travellers an unparalleled insight into the rich biodiversity, cultures and customs of Thailand's northern hinterlands but with the construction of a road in the 1950s, the trail was abandoned. After years of solitude, the trail is now the perfect route for adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. Traversing over ridgelines and through forest covered hills and mist-enveloped mountains, travellers will trek through some of Thailand's most remote natural areas and be rewarded with sweeping panoramas of lush forests and wildlife-spotting opportunities in the mountains. Evenings on the trek are spent amongst the locals providing an opportunity to learn about traditional culture and a life style unchanged for generations.

Itinerary

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You will be met upon arrival at the Chiang Mai Airport and transferred to your hotel. Overnight: White Boutique Hotel & Spa - Deluxe room or similar

Meals: Nil

In the morning, you’ll meet your guide and embark on a scenic drive to Mae Hong Son, travelling along one of Thailand’s most beautiful mountain highways. After a stop for lunch in Pai District, you’ll continue to Lod Cave, one of Northern Thailand’s largest. The cave has three main chambers: the “Giant Pillar Cave” with its 21m stalactite; the “Doll Cave,” featuring unique rock formations resembling dolls and a 2,000-year-old painting; and the “Coffin Cave,” where you’ll take a bamboo raft and climb up to see an ancient wooden coffin. Later in the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Mae Hong Son and check into your hotel, with the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Dinner will be served at the Fern Restaurant. Overnight: Fern Resort - Deluxe room or similar

Meals: B,L,D

This morning we rise early to set off for our next five days of hiking. After breakfast, we transfer to the trail head by 4WD vehicle from where we set off, following the trails which take us down the lush, green Ban Nam Hoo valley. Some parts of the trail can be very steep and narrow so we will take our time. Our route takes us through the different layers of the valley, and we can learn from our local ethnic Karen guide about the different fauna and flora which surrounds you. Later in the day, we will ascend a steep path up to around 1,650m, passing by a variety of different wild orchids for which this area is famous. The wide ranging panoramic views from the top definitely make the ascent worthwhile. We then descend into Huai Hee village which will be our final destination for the day. This village is the first ethnic Karen village to successfully set up a community based tourism (CBT) scheme to provide the community with a supplementary income which is used to finance projects including their wild orchid conservation programme. Their livelihood remains primarily based on rotational farming on the surrounding mountain slopes. With more than 200 years of settlement history, the population of the village is less than 150. Visitors stay in pairs with their home stay family and can learn about their simple, sustainable lifestyles. Overnight: Homestay with Karen family Trek distance: 9 - 10km/6mi (approx) Duration: 5-6hrs

Meals: B,L,D

The village stirs early to the sound of its rural setting. After a local style breakfast, we venture out from the village to explore more of the surrounding Doi Pui National Park. During your hike today, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about how the ethnic Karen people live as well as their sustainable use the natural resources of the area. Their sustainable farming and gathering methods are key to why the Thai government have allowed them to remain residing within the boundaries of the national park. Today we will ascend to the very summit of Mae Hong Son “Doi Pui” mountain, at 1,722m where we can enjoy our local lunch prepared by your host family with the stunning mountain views. We hike back down to the village through the wild orchid conservation area, arriving back late afternoon. This evening you can join your host family and learn about Karen cooking, the ingredients they use and the techniques they use to achieve their traditional dishes. Overnight: Homestay with Karen family Trek distance: 9 - 10km/6mi (approx) Duration: ~5-6hrs

Meals: B,L,D

Another early morning start today. After breakfast we bid farewell to our host families and start hiking along the gravel road out of the village. After around 1km, we turn off and follow the winding trail for roughly 17km to reach Ban Huai Tong Kaw, nestled in a river valley. Ban Huai Tong Kaw is another great place to explore the traditional Karen culture. The village is accessible by road, yet the community has tried hard to preserve their traditional lifestyles and knowledge. The village is still home to traditional blacksmiths, herbal gurus, spiritual leaders, ritual singers and sword dancers. Additionally, nearby there is an impressive 150 metres high waterfall cascading through a jungle setting. Dinner tonight is at our homestay after which we’ll witness a sword dance at the village centre. Overnight: Homestay with Karen family Trek distance: 17 - 18km/11mi (approx) Duration: 7-8hrs

Meals: B,L,D

Today we will hike down into the Mae Samad River Valley and visit the largest waterfall in Mae Hong Son. There will be many river crossings and much steep terrain to cover. The water levels, depending on the season, can be as much as 1 meter deep in parts but your guides will assist you. Our final destination today will be the village of Huai Kung which is a small Buddhist village, consisting of approximately ten households with no direct road access. The village is situated nearby the Mae Samad River. They call this village “Baan Lek Nai Pa-Yai”. It means 'small village situated in the ancient forest'. The villagers are dependent on fresh water fishing in addition to hunting game, paddy rice farming and forest gathering. Huai Kung Village is a great spot for swimming where we will enjoy a fish dinner. Overnight: Homestay with Karen family Trek Distance: 14 - 15km/9mi (approx) Duration: 6-7hrs

Meals: B,L,D

Today, the final day of our hike we can enjoy a more relaxed hike down into the Mae Samad River Valley. The day’s hiking does involve more river crossings and some steep terrain however. We descend down through a deciduous forest which consists of a lot of teak woods, bamboos, and red woods. The hike will take around 4-5 hours to reach Pa-Bong Village where we will meet our drivers to head back to The Fern Resort (30mins drive). Please note: During June-November, the trail from Ban Huai Goong will be changed to the trail that leads to Ban Nam Hoo Hai Jai. This is necessary due to the higher water levels. Overnight: Fern Resort - Deluxe room or similar Trek distance: 9 - 10km/6mi (approx) Duration: 5-6hrs

Meals: B,L,D

This morning, we visit the beautiful Shan style temples. One of which is located on the hilltop;“Wat Phra That Doi Kong Moo” overlooking the valley village. The next temple is located by the lake. Named; “Wat Jong Kum-Jong Klang”. The roof edge is decorated with the hand crafted zinc sheeting. Also visit a mini-museum which contains old wood carving dolls originally from ancient Myanmar. Lunch will be at a local Thai restaurant. In the afternoon, we transfer back to Chiang Mai by minivan, where the trip concludes. Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai Transfer: 5 - 6hrs

Meals: B,L

Ready to start your adventure?

12 scheduled departures between 23 Nov 2026 and 13 Dec 2027.

Departs 23 Nov 2026 – ends 30 Nov 2026 (8 days)
Departs 14 Dec 2026 – ends 21 Dec 2026 (8 days)
Departs 18 Jan 2027 – ends 25 Jan 2027 (8 days)
Departs 1 Feb 2027 – ends 8 Feb 2027 (8 days)
Departs 22 Feb 2027 – ends 1 Mar 2027 (8 days)
Departs 21 Jun 2027 – ends 28 Jun 2027 (8 days)
… and 6 more departures.

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What's included?

Included

7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
3 nights comfortable hotel on a twin share basis
4 nights basic hilltribe homestay on a multishare basis, bedding & mosquito net
Airport transfers on first day
Private vehicles
Luggage transfer on the trek
Sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary
Medical kit

Not included

international airfares and departure taxes
visa costs
travel Insurance (compulsory)
food, beverages and other sightseeing not mentioned in the itinerary
expenditure of a personal nature such as telephone calls, laundry and souvenirs
tips and gratuities

Reviews (2)

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The trip was very well run and enjoyable. The guide, Dung, was excellent. His English was very good and he gave us interesting insights into all aspects of the trip. The 3 nights of hotel accommodation were of a high standard. The homestay accomodation in the villages was very simple, as expected. The villagers and various local guides had very little or no English, but were very hospitable. The food throughout was delicious, using freshly gathered local ingredients. It was definitely an enjoyable and interesting short trip to an area I would not otherwise have visited.

Sue|Melbourne

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Robert Medearis|Danville, California

21 Feb 2023

Extra trip info

Will My Trip Run?Why Book With Us

Every departure date advises whether the date is confirmed, and roughly how full it is. Here is what each one means.

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Availability questions answered

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If a date shows Guaranteed to go, it runs regardless of further bookings.

What does 2 to guarantee mean?

It means two travellers are enough to confirm the departure. It could be 2 more to add to the group, or the date only needs 2 people to run. Either way, if you book for two people, the date will become guaranteed to run.

What happens if my departure does not reach minimum numbers?

You will know the status before you book. Every date on this page is labelled, and dates marked “Guaranteed to go” are running regardless of further bookings. Where a date has not reached its minimum we either offer a surcharge to operate for a smaller group size so it can still run, or we cancel it. We contact you directly either way.

Will I get my money back if you cancel a departure?

If we cancel a departure due to not meeting minimum trip numbers, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us less any non recoverable costs, where insurance may cover you. We cannot refund money committed elsewhere – additional non refundable deposits advised at the time of booking, flights, visas, vaccinations, gear - which is why it is worth waiting for “Guaranteed to go” before booking other arrangements around this trip date. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

Why can't I book some dates online?

Each trip closes online a set time before departure. Permits, internal flights and hut or campsite bookings all have to be arranged before we take payment. Call or enquire as it might still be possible to organise last minute places.

The date I want is closed. What are my options and why does it say to enquire?

Cancellations happen and places do open up on closed dates, so it is worth being on our list. We can also tell you which nearby date on the same trip has space, which is usually the faster route.

None of these dates suit me. Can you run this trip on another date?

Yes, as a private departure. We can run this trip on a date you choose, for your own group - family, friends, a club, or in many cases, just for the two of you. Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming, and we will build it around that.

World Expeditions have been pioneering active adventures to all corners of the globe since 1975.
Our local, English-speaking guides are not just knowledgeable but also passionate about the region, ensuring you get the most out of your adventure.
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Value for money: With our trips, nearly everything is covered. From airport transfers to meals, accommodation, and local transportation, we take care of the details so you can focus on enjoying your journey.
Small Groups, Big Impact: We limit our group sizes to ensure a more intimate and immersive experience, allowing you to connect meaningfully with the places and people you visit while minimising our environmental footprint.

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Northern Thailand Hike & Homestays

Trip highlights

Overview

Itinerary

Ready to start your adventure?