Explore the Jungles and Rivers of Huai Nam Dang

 

Price per person in THB
2 persons3 persons4 persons5 persons6 persons7 persons8 persons
11,9009,4007,3007,2006,9006,2005,900
Difficulty
80%

This is a private tour. “Explore the jungle and rivers of Huai Nam Dang National Park” is a four-day adventure in this fantastic national park. You will leave the city behind and enjoy nature at its best. This mountainous park offers fantastic views, great trails, and friendly villages where we spend the night. This trip is for hikers and nature lovers. On the last day, we get on bamboo rafts and take you on a trip on the jungle-clad Taeng River, aka the Mae Taeng. **This tour is on request**

Guide with tourists at a local market
Our guide explaining Thai food at the Mae Malai Market

Explore the Jungles and Rivers of Huai Nam Dang

Day 1: Chiang Mai – Ban Pong Noi

Visit the fantastic Mae Malai local market

This trip is a private trekking tour. Your guide will meet you at the hotel at 0800. Drive to the area where we will start our trip. Explore the Jungles and Rivers of Huai Nam Dang begins. Our first stop will be at the local market at Mae Malai. Here your guide will do his shopping for the coming days. You can join him. He will explain the different ingredients he will be using for dinner. This market is one of the most interesting local markets in North Thailand.

The towering Mork Fah Waterfall

After our market visit, we will continue to the spectacular Mork Fah waterfall, where you can swim and relax. This waterfall is part of the Doi Suthep Doi Pui National Park. Enjoy a simple but delicious lunch at a roadside restaurant. After lunch, we will continue to the Pong Deuad Hot Springs, where we will stop briefly. These hot springs are already part of the Huai Nam Dang National Park. Here we will start trekking. We will hike for about four hours through the beautiful forest, away from the modern world. The trail goes up and down but is not too difficult. About an hour before we reach the Sgaw Karen village, where we will spend the night, we pass through an area with amazing views.

Mork Fah Waterfall Huay Nam Dang National Park tourists swimming
Mork Fah Waterfall

Overnight in the Karen village

After arrival in the village, you can relax, explore, or learn Thai cooking by helping your guide prepare dinner. He can explain the herbs and ingredients he uses. You will learn to cook on a woodfire in a wok, which is not easy but great fun! After dinner, your guide will take you to one of the village houses, where you will meet some of the villagers. We will teach you some words in the Sgaw Karen language, such as “tablu,” the greeting. After that, we will enjoy our first night in a homestay in a Karen village in the Huai Nam Dang National Park. For more information on the Green Trails village Homestays, please have a look here.

Two ladies helping cooking in a hut healthy food
The kitchen is the best place.

Day 2: Ban Pong Noi – Ban Mae Ma Nai

After breakfast, more trekking

Wake up on the second day of your four-day journey through one of the best national parks in North Thailand. Your guide will cook a healthy breakfast. We will give you good food, which is necessary on this intense trip through the mountains. This has been the home for the Karen people for more than a century. It is time to say goodbye to the people of Pong Noi village and thank them for their hospitality. This morning we will start trekking into the forest for two to three hours. On the way, visit the rice and vegetable fields of the villages and learn about the villager’s traditional methods of cultivation.

Afternoon trekking through the national park

We will enjoy lunch in the jungle. After lunch, you will continue trekking to the Karen village of Baan Mae Ma Nai for about two hours. You will also have the chance to fish at Mae Tang River using local tools and learn how to construct a bamboo raft. The evening is free of planned activities to explore or relax. Overnight will be in the Karen village Ban Mae Ma Nai.

Village in the forest
Karen village in Huai Nam Dang National Park

Day 3: Ban Mae Ma Nai – Ban Pong Ngan

From the Karen to the Lahu people

After breakfast, trek for about three to four hours to the Black Lahu village Ban Pong Ngan. Enjoy this lovely hike through the unspoiled forest. Your guide and assistant will treat you to an authentic jungle-style lunch like the Karen people have enjoyed for centuries. We go back to when people knew how to live in the forest and use plants and herbs for food and medicine.

The Lahu people, hunters of the forest

After lunch, we explore the forests and waterfalls of Huai Nam Dang to Ban Pong Ngan, a village of the Lahu people. After arrival, you have some time to explore the village, which is on the Taeng River, a lovely location. Most Huai Nam Dang National Park villages are Karen communities, so finishing the trip with an overnight at a Lahu village would be very nice. The Lahu people were once known as the best hill tribe hunters. Of course, hunting is not allowed anymore in protected areas. Your guide will again prepare some excellent food for dinner and teach you some words in the Lahu language, which is very different from the Karen language. We will spend the last night in this Lahu community.

Silver jewellery on tribal jacket Lahu hill tribe
Detail of Lahu jacket

Day 4: Ban Pong Ngan – rafting – Chiang Mai

The best bamboo rafting in North Thailand

Breakfast at the community. Our bamboo rafts are waiting for us. We will provide life jackets. Please wear them and read our bamboo raft policy. Enjoy a wonderful bamboo raft trip along the Mae Tang River to a Shan village, where we will have lunch. Drive back to Chiang Mai by truck, where your Huai Nam Dang trip ends. We will drop you at your hotel at around 1600. We hope you have enjoyed our trip: Explore the Jungles and Rivers of Huai Nam Dang.

Man and woman in traditional dress Huai Nam Dang National Park Ethnic Minorities North Thailand Karen Hill Tribe
Elderly Karen couple in Huai Nam Dang National Park

Highlights

Huay Nam Dang National Park

Mork Fah Waterfall

Pong Duad Hot Springs

Jungle trekking

Unspoiled tropical forest

Karen tribal culture

Great food

In-depth jungle and tribal experience

Overnights in homestays in Karen villages

The best bamboo raft adventure on the Mae Taeng (Taeng river)

Inclusions

What is included?

Transportation by trekking truck
Accommodation in the village
Experienced English-speaking trekking guide
Bamboo rafting (about 3-4 hours)
One breakfast, two lunches, and one dinner
Drinking water during meals
Coffee and tea
Entrance fee
Limited medical insurance
Use of sheet bag or sleeping bag
Use of Mosquito net
Use of Backpack (on request)
Toilet paper & Soap
Towel
A flashlight is provided in the village

What is not included?

All drinks except drinking water
Personal expenses
Tips

Timeline

Day 1
08.00 – Departure from hotel
09.00 – Visit a local market
09.45 – Visit the Mork Fah waterfall, opportunity to swim
10.30 – Drive to the Pong Duad Hot Springs
12.00 – Lunch at a local restaurant before arriving at the hot springs
13.00 – Shortstop and relax at the hot springs
13.30 – Start hiking about three to four hours to Karen village
16.30 – Arrival at Karen village where we stay overnight
17.00 – Help guide cooking dinner
18.00 – Dinner at the village before free at leisure

Day 2
09.00 – Visit around the village
09.30 – Start hiking for about four to five hours to another Karen village
12.00 – Picnic lunch in the jungle
14.30 – Arrival at the village, rest and relax
15.00 – Visit around the village, meet local people, and join activities at the village
17.00 – Help guide cooking dinner
18.00 – Dinner at the village before free at leisure

Day 3
09.00 – Visit around the village
09.30 – Start hiking for about four to five hours to another Karen village
12.00 – Picnic lunch in the jungle
14.30 – Arrival at the village, rest and relax
15.00 – Visit around the village, meet local people, and join activities at the village
17.00 – Help guide cooking dinner
18.00 – Dinner at the village before free at leisure

Day 4
08.30 – Start hiking for about one hour to the rafting camp
09.30 – Start bamboo rafting about two to three hours
10.30 – Short stop to visit a Lahu village
12.30 – End of the rafting trip at a Shan village and lunch at the village
14.00 – Drive back to Chiang Mai
16.00 – Drop off at the hotel

What to bring

During this trip, you will have to carry your luggage yourself, so it is essential to pack as lightly as possible. You can leave your big luggage in the storage room of the hotel. If you stay in a different hotel after the trip than the one before, you can leave your big luggage in our office for the duration of the trip. Porterage during the trip is available for 300THB per day.

Four or five short sleeve shirts for the daytime
A warm shirt with long sleeves for the evening (in the winter Nov – Feb, it can be a bit cold)
Comfortable shoes with good grip (especially in the rainy season from May until November)
Swimwear
A hat or cap
Light raincoat
Sunscreen
Flip flops for in the village
Sunglasses
Your toiletries
Personal medication
Fully charged batteries or even an extra battery or power bank for your camera or phone. Most villages have electricity, but it is not always available.
Some money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips. 1500-2000 Thai Baht per person in small notes (not bigger than 500 Thai Baht and plenty of 100 Thai Baht notes).