Ethical hilltribe treks

3 Night Trek #1

From: Mae Yao Local - Ecotours, Chiang Rai
Experience three nights of Lahu hilltribe life, including two nights in a remote community with no electricity. Very traditional, relaxed and quiet. Enjoy learning about the culture, eat too much delicious home cooked food, and get involved in activities.

Life in hilltribe communities is best experienced up close and personal - learn about the traditions, daily lifestyle, and culture of the Lahu people, on our 3 night long trek programme. Interact with locals and enjoy a quiet, laid back time in the remote hills north-west of Chiang Rai.

This programme is aimed at more adventurous travellers, who are relatively fit, and willing to forgo modern conveniences in order to experience real life in a remote community.

The programme begins with the homestay orientation, before you set out on the trek. From here you walk to a local waterfall, where you can rest before the main trek up to your homestay village. Relax before dinner, tour the village and meet the locals. After dinner, some of the women and children of the village will put on a dance display for you, which you are encouraged to join in.

After breakfast the following day, you will embark on an all-day trek ascending to reach a remote Lahu village perched on top of a hill with stunning views. Spend the rest of the day recovering and relaxing. Day three is spent in the village learning about life and interacting with the locals, and preparing for the final day's trek downhill.

Your final day is gentle, as the trekking only lasts for the morning - walking downhill to a Karen village near the Kok river. After a relaxed lunch, our car will collect you and drop you back at your accommodation so that you can freshen up before enjoying your evening.

The programme begins with the homestay orientation, before you set out on the trek. From here you walk to a local waterfall, where you can rest before the main trek up to your homestay village. Relax before dinner, tour the village and meet the locals. After dinner, some of the women and children of the village will put on a dance display for you, which you are encouraged to join in.

After breakfast the following day, you will embark on an all-day trek ascending to reach a remote Lahu village perched on top of a hill with stunning views. Spend the rest of the day recovering and relaxing. Day three is spent in the village learning about life and interacting with the locals, and preparing for the final day's trek downhill.

Your final day is gentle, as the trekking only lasts for the morning - walking downhill to a Karen village near the Kok river. After a relaxed lunch, our car will collect you and drop you back at your accommodation so that you can freshen up before enjoying your evening.

Day 1

  • Pickup from hotel
  • Drive to our office
  • Trek to Huay Mae Sai waterfall
  • Enjoy banana-leaf packed lunch
  • Trek uphill to Ban Yafu (Lahu hilltribe village)
  • Dinner
  • Homestay

Day 2

  • Breakfast
  • An all-day trek to Ban J'Ga (Lahu hilltribe village - 6-8 hours)
  • Rest, relax, and tour the village
  • Dinner
  • Homestay

Day 3

  • Breakfast
  • Activities with the villagers
    • varies: from working in the fields, learning traditional weaving, bamboo crafts - farm work is seasonal, we cannot specify which activities will be available in advance. These activities are optional
  •  Dinner
  • Experience traditional Lahu dancing
  •  Homestay

Day 4

  • Breakfast
  • Trek down to the Kok river
  • Cross the bridge and board a longtailed boat
  • Ride to Ban Ruammit (mixed tribal village)
  • Lunch
  • Send back to hotel

Below is some basic information to assist preparation for your overnight tour. For more comprehensive information, please visit our main 'preparation' articles.


  • Select the date you wish to begin your programme
  • Select the number of adults in your group
    • If there are children, check the box and then select the number of children by age
  • Once completed, the total price will appear at the top of the box
  • Click 'Book Now' button
  • Fill in the information fields
  • Only required fields are necessary - First name, Last name, Email
  • Add a username and password to access your private details
  • Fill in the personal information for every group member, including children
    • All fields are required
  • Check the 'I confirm to read...' box
  • Click 'Book Now' button
  • Choose your payment method - check to see when the deposit must be paid by

Please note, we do not confirm any bookings without a deposit payment.

The balance must be paid in cash on the day of the programme (Thai Baht only)

Although we recommend a minimum of two people in a group - to reduce costs, but also so you have someone to share the experience with - we occasionally have requests from solo travellers who wish to book a tour. As our tours are private, the group would consist of the individual and our guide. We no longer offer to add a solo traveller to an existing group.
Solo travellers unfortunately have to pay a higher price as we have a number of set costs which we cannot reduce. This means that the per person fee is higher than the per person fee of a booking for 2 people.

From / per person

Booking
Total:
4,600THB
Departs at
09:00
Important information
Price includes
  • Pickup and drop off in Chiang Rai town*
  • Meals
  • Homestay accommodation
  • Tribal dance
  • Boat trip
  • Filtered water
  • Tools and materials

*Accommodation outside town may incur an extra charge

Please have the following details ready when booking (for each person in your group)

  • First name
  • Last name
  • Gender
  • Diet (Meat, vegetarian, or vegan)
  • Passport number
  • Please also email a copy of each passport information page
Price excludes
  • Surcharge for Pickup/drop off outside Chiang Rai town
  • Snacks and drinks
  • Souvenirs
  • Extra options added to the basic tour
  • Tips and gratuities
Cancellation policy

Please note we do not book a guide until the deposit has been paid. If a guide is unavailable, we refund the deposit in full.

If a group cancels within 48 hours of the trek start, the deposit is lost.

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