The Green Trails Village Homestays
This page contains a listing and description of the Green Trails Village Homestays, that we use on our trekkings. We call them homestays but in many cases they are purpose built dormitories for guests. Local people own the homestays which are usually simple bamboo or wooden structures. Inside there are mattresses and mosquito nets. We always provide pillows, sleeping bags or sheet bags. We pay the owners of a homestay a fixed amount per person but often the owners provide more services such as cooking, guiding and so on.
For villagers tourism services provide extra income on top of their daily livelihood. We inspect the homestays regularly and, if necessary, pay for repairs and additional construction.
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The Green Trails Village Homestays in Chiang Dao
We have organized trekkings in the Chiang Dao trekking area for decades. It is the area in North Thailand with the highest density and diversity of tribal villages.
After the pandemic we are supporting and helping village homestays that went out of business. Below is an overview of the homestays we are using now.
The Homestay of Lung Bun
Lung Bun and his family also escaped from political violence in the mid-1980s. We have sent many guests to his homestay which is in the Dara-ang village Mae Chon. In 2019 we installed a traditional rice pounder next to this house. There wasn’t any in the village. Now we can show the traditional way of rice pounding to guests. We also financed the construction of another western toilet and shower at the homestay so Lung Bun can accommodate student groups.
There is a kind of bamboo long house with two separate sleeping rooms accommodating 25-30 persons. Between the house of Lung Bun and the long house there is a communal area with a dining table and one shower in a bamboo shack. We have used the homestay of Lung Bun many times over a long period of time. The village Mae Chon can be reached the whole year via a reasonable quality road that connects to a sealed road that leads to the town of Chiang Dao. In case of emergencies an ambulance from the Chiang Dao hospital can reach the village in about 30 minutes.
The Homestay of Lung Chai
Lung Chai’s Homestay is not far from the homestay of Lung Bun. It is located on the edge of the village. We have used this homestay for a long time as a backup for the place of Lung Bun. The configuration of Lung Chai’s place is a bit different, but the “amenities” are similar. His village stay can accommodate groups of up to 20 persons.
The Green Trails Homestays of Mae Wang and Doi Inthanon
The homestays we use in the Mae Wang trekking area and during trekking from Doi Inthanon National Park to Mae Wang are mostly in the Karen villages Huay Khao Lip and Pratu Muang. In case of emergency an ambulance from the Mae Wang Hospital can reach these homestays in half an hour or less.
The Pratu Muang Homestay
The Pratu Muang Homestay is on the edge of Ban Pratu Muang, a Karen village. This is a homestay that has been constructed in 2022 to accommodate small groups but it is large enough for a group of up to 30 persons. It has a nice mountain view and several dormitories. There are four very clean bathrooms in a separate bamboo building.There are also several nice seating areas to enjoy meals and have a drink with a camp fire.
Two brothers of the Karen minority, who run a small trekking company, own the Pratu Muang Homestay. The homestay is very close to a main sealed road, which is ideal in case of emergencies. An ambulance from the nearby Mae Wang Hospital can reach the homestay easily within half an hour.
The Wat and Pon Homestay
The Wat and Pon Homestay is close to the Karen village of Huay Khao Lip. Karen villagers khun Plawat and his wife Pon are the owners of this spacious property that has several buildings and bungalows. From the two small houses you have a magnificent view over the mountain ranges of Mae Wang and Doi Suthep. The homestay also overlooks the Royal Project of Huay Khao Lip.
This homestay has a very large central wooden and bamboo building on stilts that has been expanded over time. It now has a dormitory as well as several dining areas. There are in total five basic bathrooms with toilet and “shower”. The homestay can accommodate in total 30 guests which makes it one of the largest homestays in the north. We have used this homestay for school groups and it features in the Community Immersion with the Karen People tour.
A short dirt road from an all-weather road leads to the homestay. The nearest hospital is the Mae Wang Hospital. An ambulance can be at the homestay in about 30 minutes in case of emergencies.
The Pakayor Homestay
We have been using this small homestay for many years. It is just on the edge of the Karen village Huay Khao Lip. The owner is Khun Pod and his family. The homestay is an accommodation for visitors overlooking terraced rice fields and impressive mountain scenery. There are two open spaces where guests sleep and ample space for dining with a lovely view. There are three bathrooms with western toilets and primitive shower facilities. This homestay is ideally suitable for small groups of a maximum of ten persons. We use this homestay for our two small group tours Meet the Karen people of Mae Wang and the Mae Wang trekking and cycling adventure.
Access from the road to the homestay is a short steep path. This all-weather road is about 10km from the main road that leads to Mae Wang. The Mae Wang Hospital is less than 30 minutes from the village of Huay Khao Lip.
The Juluko Homestay in Baan Mae Klang Luang, Doi Inthanon
Juluko and his wife own a homestay in the Karen village Baan Mae Klang Luang in Doi Inthanon National Park. Baan Mae Klang Luang is a Karen village that used to have many homestays in the past. Villagers have started small guesthouses and bungalows near the village and there is nice resort, called Mae Klang Luang Hills. This development resulted in the closure of many homestays in the village. The homestay of Joluku has survived and regularly receives guests. The homestay has two houses on stilts and can accommodate fifteen people. It is located in the upper, more quiet part of the village with some great views.
The village Baan Mae Klang is connected to the main road to Chom Thong by a sealed road. The nearest hospital is the Chom Thong Hospital in Chom Thong town, which is less than half an hour drive from the village.
The Green Trails Homestays at Huai Nam Dang National Park
There are many villages and many homestays in the Huai Nam Dang National Park. Due to the fact that this park is a protected area there are almost no sealed roads in the park. That gives the area an authentic and remote feel but it also makes emergency procedures more difficult than anywhere else we operate.
Baan Mae Ma Nai Homestay
One of the homestays we use in Huai Nam Dang National Park is a homestay in the Karen village Baan Mae Ma Nai. It is an authentic Karen House with lovely seating areas and basic but pleasant sleeping arrangements. Baan Mae Ma Nai is a remote village. We have clear procedures in case of an emergency.
