4 Night Trek #1
The 4-night programme is similar to our 3-night tour, but we have added a night at an Akha village at the end of the programme. This final evening will give you an insight into just how different the tribes can be - we don't expect you to learn everything in a day or two, but you should be able to distinguish between traditional clothing, language possibly, and certainly the nature of the people. You will also notice that location is very important to the development of a community - the more remote it is, the more traditional and rudimentary it remains. We have included visits to a local waterfall, traditional dancing with both the Lahu and Akha, and a trip in a long-tailed boat.
This programme is relatively tough. Participants need to be fairly fit, wear suitable trek attire, and be well prepared for plenty of uphill trekking. The hike up to the second village is the toughest section. It meanders up the hill, and will take at least 6-8 hours to complete.
Please note that the deposit for this programme must be received at least 3 days in advance.
Day 1
- Pickup from hotel
- Orientation about our organization and hilltribe cultural traditions
- Trek to a Lahu hilltribe village
- Walk to the local waterfall
- Enjoy banana-leaf packed lunch
- Trek uphill to a Lahu hilltribe village
- Rest and relax
- Tour the village
- Dinner
- Homestay
Day 2
- Breakfast
- Trek to a remote Lahu hilltribe (6-8 hours)
- Rest and relax
- 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
- Traditional Lahu dancing
- Homestay
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Day 4
- Breakfast
- Watch and learn some Lahu weaving
- Lunch & say goodbye
- Trek down to a Karen tribe village
- Cross footbridge to an Akha village
- Dinner
- Traditional Akha dancing
- Homestay
Day 5
- Breakfast
- Trek through tea plantations
- Visit Huay Kaew waterfall
- Walk down to the river, board a longtailed boat
- Ride to a mixed Karen/Akha/Mien/Lahu mixed village
- Send back to hotel
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.
- 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.
All our treks and tours require a deposit payment
The balance must be paid in cash on the day of the programme (Thai Baht only)
Below is some basic information to assist preparation for your overnight tour. For more comprehensive information, please visit our main 'preparation' articles.
What to bring
There are a number of necessary items to bring when you join one of our overnight programmes, so please continue reading to checklist them before you set off.
Recommendations
- Daypack/small backpack
- Torch/flashlight
- Toiletries
- Towel
- Sunglasses
- Sun cream
- Insect repellent*
- Water bottle
- Optional:
- Money (small notes) to buy local handicrafts
- Sleeping bag - bedding is provided on our trips, and extra blankets are usually available, but winter months (November - February) can get relatively cold, ranging from 5-15°C up in the hills.
*Malaria is not an issue in this region, but there are cases of Dengue Fever from time to time. We recommend using insect repellent, and top up regularly. A mosquito net is provided at your homestay.
Advice
- Suitcases, and bags which use wheels, are extremely impractical for the trip - use daypack/backpack only, and leave large luggage at your guesthouse or at our foundation.
- Please don't forget that we need the balance of the fee paid in cash (Thai Baht) when we pick you up - there are no ATMs once your trek begins, so please have it prepared in advance. This cash is used to cover fees incurred during your trip, such as the homestay.
- Electricity is limited in most villages, and non-existent in some, so don't rely on being able to charge batteries during the programme.
- We do not provide items for rental (sleeping bags, towels, etc), so please check the 'what to bring' section carefully, to ensure you have what you need.
What to wear
When you join one of our overnight programmes, you need to consider the cultures of the homestay villages as well as the weather and terrain. Please continue reading to make sure you are prepared before you set off.
Recommendations
- Trekking boots - covered trekking shoes/trainers at a minimum.
- Some trails have grasses with small thorns which can irritate bare skin, especially in rainy season.
- Change into flip-flops once you arrive at the village (optional)
- Long sleeved tops and long trousers (because of thorny grass)
- Comfortable and cool clothes
- Enough changes of clothing for the whole trip
- Please note, we have a dress code that we ask you to respect
Advice
- Pack waterproofs during rainy season (approx June-Sept)
- Pack warm clothing for the evenings during winter (approx Nov-Feb)
Passports
For overnight treks, we are legally bound to send the passport information of all guests to the Thai Immigration Department. Therefore, an overnight programme cannot begin until we have received this information from all group members.
We require the full name and passport number of each member of the tour. These details are entered when you book the programme.
Insurance
Our accident insurance coverage requires that we send the company the passport number and full name of everyone in the group.
We don't need any photocopies, or even to see the original passport - just the number and full name of each participant.
It is helpful if the details can be ahead of time, but if this is not possible, then they must be given to us before the trip begins - it is very important, as you will not be covered in the event of an accident during the programme.
Pickups & Drop offs
Chiang Rai
We pick you up, and drop you off, anywhere inside Chiang Rai city, for free. This includes the new bus station (#2) and the airport, which are both located slightly outside town.
However, for other locations outside the city, we may charge an extra fee to cover costs. Fees vary from 200THB - 3,500THB depending on the distance from town. When the pickup location is chosen (via the 'My booking' menu item), you will see additional costs appear if relevant.
Accommodation located outside town can also impact on the pickup and drop off times, collecting you earlier and dropping off later - this is so that none of the itinerary is lost or cut short.
Chiang Mai
We no longer arrange pickups from Chiang Mai
To avoid extra charges, and early pickups, we strongly recommend staying in Chiang Rai city the night before your programme begins.
You can book a room at Baan Pordeedin Guesthouse - our social enterprise project - in town.
Guides
Our guides were trained by us, and each holds a TAT guide licence (Tourism Authority of Thailand). We also taught them English (one speaks Japanese too), which helps them to converse with the guests during the trip. But please understand that the standard of language varies - English will be at least their 3rd language, after their tribal and Thai language.
The guides were born and raised in the villages in our programmes, so you can be sure that the information you receive from them about local culture and tradition is authentic - many travel agencies and tour operators use Thai guides who have no firsthand knowledge of the hilltribe communities. Our guides are encouraged, once they have experience and self-confidence, to work for themselves or other agencies, whilst still freelancing for us.
Other information
- While we do everything we can to keep the itinerary as advertised, we reserve the right to change without notice
- Weather conditions may force route changes or removing an activity for safety reasons
- The guide may shorten or lengthen the route according to the wishes, fitness or ability of the group
- A community may be holding an event which will impact the programme's schedule.
Need help booking? Talk to us!
ecotours@themirrorfoundation.orgPrice includes
- Pickup and drop off in Chiang Rai town*
- Meals
- Homestay accommodation
- Tribal dance
- Filtered water
- Tools and materials
- Emergency medical insurance
*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
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
Deposits must be paid at time of booking; and at least a minimum of 3 days before tour date; and are non-refundable unless we are unable to take the booking. Cancellations by guests do not incur any penalty other than loss of deposit.