Soft Adventure:3N/4 DTrek, Eco Lodge, Farm Lodge

Day 1: CHIANG MAI - LAHU VILLAGE (B,L)

Pick up from hotel in Chiang Mai at 0900am by local truck with guide for 1.5 hours drive to the area of Pha Mieng, then walk through orchards and down a jungle path to the waterfall and pool of Pha Mieng. Swim in the large pool, then walk (15 min) to the Lahu village. Walk along jungle trails to the remote village of Hmong Pha Mieng (1.5 hrs). Meet the inhabitants of this small hill tribe in a jungle clearing, then enjoy a picnic lunch amongst the trees.

Walk to the top of the mountain (1.5 hrs), where the Red Lahu Village of Pha Daeng is located. Visit the animist Lahu temple and enjoy a cup of Chinese tea with a village family. Walk along a mountain ridge to the Lahu village of Kup Kap (1 hr).

The views from this village are spectacular, looking south to the valley far below or west to the mountain peaks stretching towards Burma. Enjoy the friendly attention of the curious Lahu villagers.

Overnight at Lahu Outpost.

Day 2: LAHU VILLAGE - LISU LODGE (B,L,D)

After breakfast at Lahu Outpost, take a 1 1/2 hour walk down to Huay Satern waterfall, with its large drop into a clear pool, then onto an elephant for a 1-hour ride downhill to Mae Taeng Elephant Camp.

Enjoy a picnic lunch by the river, then white-water rafting ride 1 hour down the river (grade 1 to 2) , arriving at the pretty Thai village of Muang Gurt. A 45- minute bicycle ride brings you to the Akha of Huay pong, where you will enjoy a cup of tea and a chat with the village shaman (spirit doctor).

Then, a mostly downhill walk for 40 minutes to the award-winning Lisu Lodge, arriving late afternoon. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a display of Lisu culture with music and dancing before retiring.

Overnight, Lisu Lodge

Day 3: LISU LODGE - LANNA FARM (B,L,D)

Breakfast at Lisu Lodge, then a cultural tour of the village with one of the Lisu elders as your guide and translator. See the shrine to the village guardian spirit and other aspects of Lisu culture, then a 1 1/2 hour oxcart ride through farmland and forest to the large country village of Baan Pang Mae Daeng.

Lunch at a local restaurant in Chiang Dao.

In the afternoon, drive to visit a rare Palong ethnic village for a visit followed by 2 hours trekking from a Karen to a Lahu village. The Palong are recent immigrants from Burma, and are a fascinating and friendly group of culturally distinct people. (Read about northern Thailand's other mountain peoples that we visit and learn a few words of their languages HERE.)

Then a 30-minute transfer to Lanna Farm for dinner, R & R, and comfortable overnight lodging.

Day 4: LANNA FARM - CHIANG MAI (B,L,D)

Country breakfast at Lanna Farm.

Then, easy biking around the beautiful northern Thai countryside for an agro-tour, talking with different farmers growing a variety of crops such as rice, corn, chilis, soybean and other vegetables.

This also includes a stop to see a huge reclining Buddha image at Wat Tham Dork Kum.

Lunch at Lanna Farm, then transfer back to Chiang Mai.