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pai - Mae Hong Son - Mae Sariang
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3 nights
FIT 10
A message from our Travel Expert
This initiatory trip will plunge you into the heart of the minority tribes of Northern Thailand, on the borders of the kingdom, far from the tourist circuits. Coming from China and Burma, these peoples have preserved their cultures and traditions, very distinct, and offer to the privileged visitors hospitality and welcome through exchanges always rich and respectful.
Highlights
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Stop at the beautiful Mok Fah waterfall.
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Discovery of the hot springs of Pong Duad, in Huay Nam Dang National Park.
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Visit of a village of the Lisu minority.
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Exploration of the famous Tham Lot Caves, one of the longest underground networks in Southeast Asia.
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Tasting of Kai Oop, a specialty of the Shan minority.
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Discovery of a village of Lahu Noir and meeting with the inhabitants.
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Discovery of a village where the descendants of the Kuomintang army live in the middle of tea plantations.
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Tasting of the local tea.
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A long-tail boat ride on the Pai river through the forest and meeting the giraffe women (long-neck) of the Padaung tribe, coming from Burma.
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Stop at the Thai Japanese Friendship Memorial for a better understanding of the history of the region during the Second World War.
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Tasting of the local coffee.
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Morning stroll in a colorful and lively market to discover the fresh local products.
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Departure by Songteaw (local taxi) through the forest to reach a remote Karen village on the border with Burma.
Day 1: CHIANG MAI - PAI (-/Lunch/Dinner)
English-speaking guide and a private vehicle.
• 8:00 am Departure from your hotel
• 9:30 am Visit of the Mok Fah waterfall
• 11:00 am Continuation to Pai
• 12:30 pm Lunch on the way
• 2:00 pm Stop at the Pong Duad Hot Springs
• 4:00 pm Check-in to the hotel.
• 7:00 pm Dinner
This morning, you will have an early morning departure to the province of Pai, the crossroads of the region's minorities, is a charming village nestled in an exceptional mountainous natural setting. On the tortuous road leading to Pai from Chiagn Mai (2 hours drive), stop at the beautiful waterfall of Mok Fah and its 60 meters of difference in altitude. Most of the time, the water level is sufficient for swimming, or at least for a refreshing shower at the foot of the falls. The water is crystal clear here and very refreshing! Lunch will be at leisure on the way.
Before you arrive at your hotel you will stop at the hot springs of Pong Duad located in the Huay Nam Dang National Park. This powerful phenomenon gushes out of the earth at a temperature of 99 degrees. Thai people believe in the therapeutic virtues of this water for the skin. At the end of the afternoon you will arrive to your hotel for check-in. Dinner at the hotel. In the evening, the night market of Pai is a must to eat and buy handicrafts from the ethnic groups of the region. Over night stay at the hotel.
Day 2: PAI – SOPPONG – BAAN RAK THAI – MAE HONG SON (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
English-speaking guide and a private vehicle.
• 8:00 am Departure for Soppong, a Lisu minority village.
• 9:45 am Visit of the village and meeting with the Lisu people
• 11:30 am Visit of the caves of Tham Lot
• 1:00 pm Tasting Lunch
• 3:00 pm Visit of the black Lahu community.
• 4:30 pm Check-in to the hotel
• 6:00 pm Stroll to the night market followed by a dinner in town
Departure for Sopping, the Lisu minority village, consisting of animist belief, living from working in the fields and still practice traditional culture on burnt land. The mountain road to Soppong passes through teak forests, and offers spectacular views at 1400 meters above sea level.
You will have the chance to meet with the villagers, always a unique moment, because it allows to approach a culture and traditions of the past, far away from our civilization. You will also visit of the famous Tham Lot Caves, one of the longest underground networks in Southeast Asia, is done in a bamboo raft, discovering superb limestone concretions.
For lunch, tasting of Kai Oop, a specialty of the Shan Minority: a yellow curry of farm chicken with onions, tomatoes and lemongrass. You will continue you visit to another village, The Black Lahu, another ethnic minority of the region, originating from the high plateaus of Tibet, are famous for their hunting skills in the jungle. In China, they are called "tiger hunters". Impromptu stops on the road according to encounters, before reaching another village where descendants of the Kuomintang live, the army having fought Mao, in the middle of tea plantations.
The mud houses decorated with Chinese paintings take the traditional forms of the houses of southern China. Tasting the local tea. Arrival at Mae Hong Son, check-in to the hotel. You will have the chance to stroll in the night market before dinner to share in a downtown restaurant. Transfer back to hotel and overnight stay.
Day 3: MAE HONG SON – MAE SARIANG (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
English-speaking guide and a private vehicle.
8:00 am Departure from the hotel
8:30 am Boat trip on the Pai River to the village of the giraffe women (Long-neck)
11:30 am Stop at the Thai Japanese Friendship Memorial.
12:30 pm Local Lunch
4:00 pm Walking tour of Mae Sariang
5:00 pm Check-in to the hotel
7:00 pm Dinner
Today you will begin the day by visiting the famous giraffe women (Long-neck) of the Padaung tribe, coming from Burma, living on the banks of the Pai river in a village that can be reached by motor dugout canoe. Subject to many reports and controversies for their physical peculiarities, (this village is not a tourist attraction nor a human zoo, but an encounter with a singular culture and inhabitants who are proud of their traditions. Then On the road to Mae Sariang, you will stop at the Thai Japanese Friendship Memorial for a better understanding of the history of the area during World War II. Here you will have the chance to taste local coffee.
You will arrive at Mae Sariang just in time for a lunch. The local sharing lunch will be of unique dishes. After lunch there will be at walking tour in the city center, passing by the temple and traditional shops, to appreciate the local life and meet the locals. Rest of day at leisure to stroll and possibility to swim at the municipal school, the only swimming pool in the city. Typical dinner to share at the hotel. Night at the hotel.
Day 4: MAE SARIANG – CHIANG MAI (Breakfast/Lunch/-)
English-speaking guide and a private vehicle.
7:00 am Departure from your hotel
7:30 am Morning visit of Mae Sariang market
9:00 am Visit to a Karen village
12:30 pm Local Lunch
13:30 pm Transfer to Chiang Mai
Morning stroll to the colorful and lively market of the city to discover the fresh local products. Departure by Songteaw (Local taxi) through the forest to reach a Karen village, very remote, on the edge of the Burmese border. The houses there are made of bamboos and Tong Tueng leaves, trees omnipresent in the region. An authentic discovery, far from the beaten track. Return to Mae Sariang for lunch. After lunch you will return to Chiang Mai.
Included
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During the tour, private air-conditioned vehicle (except boats – Local taxi - etc)
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Accommodation in double rooms in the indicated hotels.
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The meals specified in the program
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Your local English speaking guide according to your program.
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Visits mentioned in the program and entrance fees to tourist sites and national parks.
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Hotel taxes and service
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Our 24-hour English-speaking hotline in case of emergency during your trip
Not included
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Visa fees (If necessary)
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Beverages and personal expenses
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International flights
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Domestic flights
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Regional flights
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The tips for the guides are about 5 USD per night per person.
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Repatriation and Health Insurance
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