02 Days Chiang Dao Trek

• 08h30 Meet at your hotel in Chiang Mai. We drive north to the Maetaman valley where we visit the elephant camp. Here we will have the chance to observe the elephants bathing and demonstrating their skills, during an interesting elephant show. Then, we will experience a ride on an elephant’s back through the surrounding forest. We will also experience a bamboo rafting descent on the quiet section of the river, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we transfer by vehicle (approximately 45 minutes) to our trek starting point. Begin our hike on easy undulating trail in the valley and surrounding hills. We eventually arrive at a Karen hill tribe village. Observe their way of life and we see women doing basket weaving. Hike another short section through fields and plantations to reach our overnight place at the Padang Lodge, a basic lodge settled in the nature.
• Padang Lodge: consists of one wood house with 6 rooms with fan, and one basic longhouse, also partitioned with 6 rooms. Beds with bed sheets, blanket and mosquito nets; Bathroom facilities are in a separate building with western style toilets, two warm shower rooms, and 6 cold water shower rooms. The Lodge is adjacent to a village, with a mix of Palong and Lahu people with two additional villages within 10 minutes walk: a Karen village, and a tiny Lahu village.

After breakfast we drive to a local Akkha village for a visit, and continue to another Karen village from which we start our trek. The hike is two hours through nice karst mountain landscape and bamboo forest. We end up at a Lahu village, where our vehicle can meet us. Short break at the village, for lunch. After lunch we drive to the Chiang Dao Caves for exploration. The caves are part of a Buddhist Sanctuary. We then drive back to Chiang Mai and drop off at your hotel in Chiang Mai. (Arriving around 5pm).