Loy Kratong

  Thailand

Dates: October / November each year

Description: This is a great place for anyone, who would like to know remote Thailand and her people. The hiking and rafting (subject to river conditions) through the countryside is easy, no special skills are needed. Just enjoy the nature and the friendliness of your hosts in this unforgettable visit to the ancient kingdoms of Lanna and Nan. The sophisticated residents of Chiang Mai look down on the villagers who live in Mae Jaem as they are seen as uncivilised. The Mae Jaem people have fought to retain the old ways, as they just know this is the best way of living.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Bangkok and we transfer you to your hotel near the riverside. The 4* Menham Riverside Hotel.

Day 2 Sightseeing in Bangkok with a guide. Based in a hotel near the river you can easily travel around to see the sights. As the Thais have always travelled by boat, all the main attractions are built near to the river. Travel by boat to various temples (Wat Phra Keaw, Wat Po, Wat Arun), a palace and flower market etc. We take an evening air conditioned sleeper train to the north. B

Day 3 Today we can relax and enjoy the relative tranquility of Chiang Mai. Free time to wander through the small town or take a bus out of town to do a days hillwalking. Guides can be provided (at extra cost). Stay at the Galare Guest House (Thai owned - traditional style with private bathrooms).

Day 4 After breakfast, we set off travelling along the side of the Ping River. It will be difficult not to keep stopping to admire the beauty along the way. We will stop for lunch and also to see the work that is being done to retain traditional weaving methods. Ban Rai Phai Ngam is the house turned museum and research centre, where about 40 of the top weavers continue these age old methods.

We also stop at the Ob Luang National Park for a short walk and we visit Saeng Da, the traditional cloth museum.

We reach the village and take time to unpack and rest before dinner with our host community. The evening will be everything you could wish for, marvellous food, great company and some entertainment laid on by your hosts to welcome you. Homestay. B, L and D.

Day 5 At breakfast, we eat for energy, as we have the option to journey to the Mae Lu mountaintop, one of the highest peaks in Thailand. Arriving at the village, we will talk with the Pakagayor ethnic community (a Karen community whose lifestyle is intertwined with the jungle). We are taught about and can observe the relationship between people and forest.

At lunchtime we will try Karen hot sauce with the vegetables that we pick along the way. We will hike to the source of the Mae Jaem River and then bid farewell to our Karen friends and head back to our village for the night. Homestay. B, L and D.

Day 6 Today we spend time sightseeing in the area around the village, visiting old temples and weaver's workshops famous for the teenjok (famous hand weaving of Mae-jam). At the Mor Meuang Centre you want to refresh your body with a herbal sauna and Thai traditional massage (optional at about $5 for both).

Learn about the nature cure system from the local doctor. Once you are nice and relaxed we will have dinner in a real Lanna atmosphere (Kun tok in north Thai language). After dinner we may discuss about the Mae Jaem lifestyle and culture related to nature and religion in Lanna. Homestay. B, L and D.

Day 7 Merit making to the monks before breakfast, sets us up for the day. Travel to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand at 2,596m. The area is a naturalist's dream, come true, with about 400 species of birds, mostly between 1,500m and 2,000m.

The mist that often covers the slopes gives an ideal environment for orchids and epiphytes. We will visit Doi Ang Khang nature resource famous for the 'Thousand Year Rose' and stop for some bird watching and walking along a nature trail for 2-3 hours. We visit Saeng Da, the elder's traditional cloth museum. Dinner with host family. Homestay. B, L and D.

Day 8 Transfer to Mae Hong Son area by minibus (6 hrs), stopping for lunch along the way. Refresh yourself in the swimming pool of the "Fern Resort", a small eco friendly complex, 7 km outside of Mae Hong Son. The resort lies on the edge of a huge National Park. The scattering of wooden bungalow is built on rice paddies in local Shan style.

You will experience the sights and sounds of unspoiled nature and friendly staff, all of them from nearby villages. Overnight at the Fern Resort (Bungalows with private bathroom). B & D.

Day 9 We spend the morning in Mae Hong Son and learn how relaxing life can be. It is a small quiet town, but the attractions are very special. You could take an elephant ride (optional - not more than 9 per hour / pp) Lunch is taken on the way to Soppong where we stay for the night. Guest house. B & D.

Day 10 We visit Tham Lot, one of the longest limestone caves in mainland South-East Asia. We then continue to Chiang Mai on the winding but beautiful Route 1095. After your arrival in Chiang Mai (about 6 pm) you can visit the Night Bazaar for shopping and maybe dinner. Overnight at the Galare Guest House. B & L.

Day 11 Free time to visit such places as Wat Phra Sing and Wat Chedi Luang in the inner city. In the evening enjoy Loy Kratong Festival ( festival of Lights ), first from your riverside restaurant and later as we mingle with the celebrating locals. In Chiang Mai, where the festival is called Yi Peng, residents also launch hot-air paper balloons into the sky. Overnight at the Galare Guest House. B & L.

Day 12 Free time in Chiang Mai. At 19.00. board a train to return to Bangkok, travelling overnight we arrive at about 6.00 am the next morning. Overnight on the air conditioned sleeper train. B.

Day 13 Depart from Bangkok for home.

Highlights: This and our other community tours in Thailand are provided by grassroots groups and local development organisations. No commercial tour operator can match the intimacy of this authentic experience. As there are only a small number of visitors each year your experience is very special.

Cost in US$: 920 dependent upon group size

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Post Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Nepal Kingdom Foundation & Muirs Tours's Mission Statement: The Nepal Kingdom Foundation was established in 1982 to develop community spirit and preserve the culture and traditions of the Nepalese people in the UK. In 1999 the objectives were extended to include development projects in Nepal to help the needy of one of the world's poorest countries. The not-for-profit tour operation - Muirs Tours was set up in July 1999 by the Nepal Kingdom Foundation as a means of raising funds for use in projects in Nepal and the Nepalese Community in the UK. From the outset Muirs Tours planned to provide trips to other places outside of Nepal and support to other charities. It currently supports the WWF, the John Muir Trust, Tourism Concern, Survival International, the Tibetan Government in exile, the American Indian Heritage Foundation as well as the Nepal Kingdom Foundation.

Year Founded: 1982 & 1999