Thailand2 days

Chiang Dao: Jungle Trek and Village Homestay — 2 Days

Trek through northern Thailand's forested terrain, stay overnight in Ban Mae Maeh village, and learn traditional coffee and tea preparation from local farmers.

This two-day journey moves into the hills north of Chiang Mai, where the landscape shifts from lowland valleys to dense forest. You'll spend a night in Ban Mae Maeh village at a family-run homestay, trek roughly 3–4 hours through jungle terrain, and stop at a waterfall for swimming and lunch. The second day follows a gentler pace: tea-leaf picking at a local farm, a visit to Wat Tham Pha Plong temple (climbing 510 steps to a cave shrine at the mountain's base), and time at a vegetable farm before the drive back to Chiang Mai. Throughout, you'll work alongside villagers to learn how they roast coffee, dry and brew tea, and weave bamboo baskets. The tour operates as a private hire with an English-speaking guide, and includes all meals, accommodation, transport, and entrance fees.

Highlights

Jungle trek through Ban Mae Maeh valley, roughly 3–4 hours, with stops at a local family's home to observe bamboo-basket weaving
Waterfall swimming and picnic lunch partway through the hike on Day 1
Overnight homestay with a local family, including dinner and breakfast
Tea-leaf picking and traditional roasting techniques at a family farm on Day 2 morning
Ascent of 510 temple steps to Wat Tham Pha Plong cave shrine at the foothill of Chiang Dao mountain
Hands-on coffee roasting and observation of traditional tea preparation methods with village farmers

Day by day

1Ban Mae Maeh Village Arrival and Jungle Trek to WaterfallBan Mae Maeh village · a local family's home · a waterfall · the homestay · jungle trail through dense forest canopy

A 1.5-hour drive north from Chiang Mai brings you to Ban Mae Maeh village, where you'll check into a homestay and orient yourself to the surrounding terrain. The jungle trek begins mid-morning and follows a trail through dense forest canopy. Within the first hour, you stop at a local family's home to watch and learn the basics of traditional bamboo-basket weaving—a craft that sustains village income and remains largely unchanged in method. The trail continues for approximately three hours total, descending toward a waterfall where you'll pause for lunch and swimming. After returning to the village in early afternoon, you have time to rest before dinner. In the evening, your host will demonstrate how coffee beans are roasted over fire—a process you're welcome to observe or assist with. Accommodation is in a clean, private room with a comfortable bed and toilet at the homestay.

2Tea Harvest, Temple Ascent, and Farm Visittea farm · Wat Tham Pha Plong · vegetable farm · homestay to Chiang Mai

After breakfast, you walk to a nearby tea farm where the morning is spent hand-picking tea leaves alongside villagers, followed by an observation of the traditional roasting and drying process used to prepare tea for local consumption and small-scale trade. Mid-morning, you check out of the homestay and drive to Wat Tham Pha Plong, a cave temple positioned at the foothill of Chiang Dao mountain. The shrine is located at the foothill of Chiang Dao mountain and features temple steps to reach a temple cave. After descending, lunch is at a local café before a visit to a vegetable farm to learn about farming methods and seasonal crops. The drive back to Chiang Mai takes approximately 1.5 hours. Private air-conditioned transport returns you to your hotel by mid-afternoon.

Included

Private round-trip transportation from your hotel
English speaking driver and tour guide
Private car with A/C
All entrance fees and activies listed
2 Lunches & 1 dinner
1 night accommodation
Bottled water