2 Day Chiang Mai Lisu Hill Tribe Adventure

2 Day Chiang Mai Lisu Hill Tribe Adventure

Chiang Mai, the Rose of the North, is a city in Northern Thailand surrounded by mountains. Nestling on the slopes and in the valleys beneath the mountains are a variety of ethic minority groups and hill tribes who migrated here many years ago but, to this day, continue to uphold the traditions, customs and cultures of their ancestry within small, isolated communities of which the Lisu is one.

These mountains and valleys also reverberate with activities and adventures that can occupy a couple of hours or several days. If activity holidays and adventure tours in Thailand are what you are looking for, a trip to Chiang Mai is virtually obligatory and the chance to stay with the Lisu people as their guest is the icing on the cake.

The Chiang Mai Lisu Hill Tribe Adventure is a 2 Day adventure ideal for Family Fun and as part of an overall Activity Holiday in Thailand or Indochina. Stay overnight in the Lisu lodge with the Lisu Hill Tribe, go cycling, Elephant Trekking and White Water Rafting. As you cycle back to the Lisu Lodge towards the end of an action packed day, stop at an Akha Village for a chat with a Shaman!

Day 1

We pick you up early in the morning from your Chiang Mai Hotel using local-style transport called a Songtaew; a pick-up truck with bench seating in the back (if this sounds a bit rough and ready we can arrange an Air Conditioned Van if you prefer). The journey takes us straight to the Lisu Lodge where a traditional welcome and drink awaits.

The first activity of the day is cycling with a 13km bike ride to the elephant camp; nothing too strenuous and well worth the effort. Upon arrival you set off for an hour long elephant trekking experience that takes you through the jungles of this mountainous region of Northern Thailand before wading back towards the elephant camp through a river.

Time for sustenance and a rest. Enjoy your picnic lunch on the banks of the river before boarding an inflatable raft for 45 minutes of adrenaline rush as you go white water rafting down the river.

Choose to either cycle back to Lisu Lodge or take the local truck but on the jounrney back do stop off at an Akha Village that you pass to have a chat with the Shaman.

The rest of the day is yours and dinner will be served open-air style in the evening. Overnight at Lisu Lodge

Day 2

After breakfast at the lodge, transfer back to Chiang Mai by local “songtaew” or air-conditioned van.

Lisu Hill Tribe

Beyond the city of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, tropical jungles carpet the hills and mountains. Scattered over the slopes and valleys are several Hill Tribe groups, ancient tribes that migrated from Southern China over the centuries to escape oppression and persecution.

The Lisu are one such tribe’s people who established an isolated community in these hills which are the gateway to the Golden Triangle. Here they have fought to preserve their culture and unique way of life in the beautiful Mae Taeng Valley. Poverty has always been the main enemy but this Lisu tribal community has succeeded in retaining its cultural origins discovering a way to balance commerce with heritage.

While certain other villages have become little more than anthropological zoos, the success of this Lisu community is a product of responsible tourism, the development of Lisu Lodge a key factor.

Sleeping Arrangements

The award winning Lisu Lodge, nestling in a rich green valley, comprises traditional Hill Tribe Pavilions with thatched roofs, bamboo walls and floor mats. But these Pavilions have been upgraded a little with a few western amenities!

Lisu Lodge is staffed and managed entirely by the Lisu community. There are 24 double bedrooms each equipped with electricity, fans, mosquito nets and comfy bedding and each bedroom has a private en suite bathroom complete with hot water.

Mountains, valleys, elephants, river rafting, excellent Thai food, thatched bamboo pavilions with comfy double beds and hot water. Adventure, relaxation and insight . . . life cant get much better!

Location: Lisu Hill Tribe Adventure

Located 50km north of Chiang Mai in the Mae Taeng Valley the Lisu Lodge usually takes about an hour to reach by car.

When to Go

This is an adventure tour that really can be taken at any point in the year. The hot season runs from Feb to April, the monsoon season from May to Oct and the Cool season from Nov to Jan and each features climatic extremes.

If the River Rafting appeals you should aim for mid to later rainy season. During the Hot Season White Water Rafting usually becomes just Rafting but there could be an option for Bamboo Rafting which is great fun!

During the cool season temperatures, particularly at night, can become positively cold.

Go on the 2 Day Lisu Hill Tribe Adventure