Maewin and Family Trekking Tour was founded in 2013 by Tai from Chiang Mai and Patboon from Baan Pratu Mueang, as a project to improve the situation of their families, as well as of Patboon’s village. Since then many of the villagers have worked with us as guides, drivers and camp-builders.
We named us after the Maewin District, which is about 60km southwest of Chiang Mai City. Located in the Maewin District lies Baan Pratu Mueang- the village Patboon was born. It is a small remote village located in the Doi Inthanon Area and was founded around 50years ago by three families with about twenty members from great-grandparents to great-grandchildren, who settled down to cultivate the land in this rugged but fertile region.
Today the village has grown to fifteen families with more than hundred people. Most of them make their living by growing rice, fruits like mangos and papayas, pumpkins and other vegetables, which like the cool and humid climate in this mountainous area. The breeding of livestock is difficult, due to the steep hills surrounding the village. However, there is no village without dogs, pigs and chickens living close to the houses and also a few cows and buffalos roam the surrounding areas.
Until 2015 the village was not connected to the electricity supply and until 2017 there was no paved road linking up the village to the main road. Once the road was finally built it became easier for the villagers to bring their crops to the markets in the neighborhood, as well as to buy needed goods and bring them to the village. But despite this progress the village has retained its original flair.
| Adult | Children |
| ฿3,000 | ฿1,500 |
Itinerary
07:00 am. to 07:30 am. pick up at your Hotel/Guesthouse/Hostel
First we drive about 1.5hrs driving to Karen Village- on the way we stop at a local market, where you can buy some refreshments or personal supplies.
At the starting point we give you a short instruction and set off on our hike into the jungle.
Along our way to another Karen Village, you can admire beautiful farmland and unique mountain views. Once arrived at the Village you are free to walk around and experience the Hill Tribe Culture and daily life. Our approximately trekking time will be 4 hours
After we had lunch we will take another 30 min walk back to the truck and drive to the impressive 50m high Vachiratharn Waterfall, where you can rest your legs and relax. Small paths are leading to different viewpoints and there is also a coffee shop to sit down and get some drinks.
From Vachiratharn Waterfall we drive about 30 min up to the highest mountain of Thailand- Doi Inthanon, which peak is 2.565m or 8.415ft above sea level. Here we visit the King’s and Queen’s Pagoda which were built to honor King Rama IX and his Wife.
The King’s Pagoda (Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon) was built in 1989 by the Royal Thai Air Force to commemorate the King’s 60th birthday, while the Queen’s Pagoda (Phra Mahatat Naphapholphumisiri) was built in 1992 for the Queen’s 60th Birthday.
The extraordinary, octagonal shaped buildings are surrounded by a beautiful garden area with Rhododendrons, Pine Trees, Orchids and other plants preferring the cool and humid climate and this high altitude. A short path through a forest with lichens, mosses, orchid and epiphytes, leads to an old shrine which honors the 7th King of Chiang Mai, Chao Inthanon (1870-1897) and on to the geographical highest point. After exploring this beautiful place with its amazing views, we take the truck back to Chiang Mai, where we arrive around 6:00 pm.
| Adult | Children |
| ฿1,500 ฿1,250 | ฿750 |
Itinerary
07:00 am. to 07:30 am. pick up at your Hotel/Guesthouse/Hostel
We start the tour with a 45 min drive to a local market, where you can have a coffee or buy some snacks and personal supplies if you want. Then it’s another 30 min until we arrive at the starting point, where we give you a short instruction and set off on our hike to the Karen Village. On the way we enjoy the landscape which offers stunning views towards the mountains. The well tended farmland we passing through, gives you an idea about the connection between the people and the nature.
After relaxing for a while at the village, where you can observe the daily life of the Karen, we hike to a beautiful waterfall, where you can swim or just relax in the shade. We also will have our lunch break here.
Once lunch is finished we continue hiking to another hilltribe village. On the way we stop at three waterfalls to refresh and relax our feet. During the hike don’t hesitate to ask our guides about the unique Fauna and Flora. For example the Doi Inthanon Area is famous for bird watching, as nearly 400 bird varieties live there- more than in any other habitat in Thailand. The forests here are also one of the last habitats of the Asiatic Black Bear, the Assamese Macaque and a selection of other monkeys and gibbons. With some luck you might also be able to see some of them.
After a long but amazing day we take the truck back to Chiang Mai, where we arrive around 06:00 pm.
| Adult | Children |
| ฿4,500 | ฿2,250 |
Itinerary
Day 1
07:00 am. to 07:30 am. pick up at your Hotel/Guesthouse/Hostel
Then it’s about a 1.5hrs drive to the impressive 50m high Vachiratharn Waterfall, where you can rest your legs and relax. Small paths are leading to different viewpoints and there is also a coffee shop to sit down and get some coffee and other drinks.
We will stay for 30 min at the Waterfall and then go on to the highest mountain of Thailand- Doi Inthanon, which peak is 2.565m or 8.415ft above sea level.
Here we visit the King’s and Queen’s Pagoda which were built to honor King Rama IX and his Wife. The King’s Pagoda (Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon) was built in 1989 by the Royal Thai Air Force to commemorate the King’s 60th birthday, while the Queen’s Pagoda (Phra Mahatat Naphapholphumisiri) was built in 1992 for the Queen’s 60th Birthday.
The extraordinary, octagonal shaped buildings are surrounded by a beautiful garden area with Rhododendrons, Pine Trees, Orchids and other plants preferring the cool climate and the high altitude.
A short path through a forest with lichens, mosses, orchids and epiphytes leads to an old shrine which honors Chao Inthanon, the 7th King of Chiang Mai (1870-1897). Only a few minutes later you will reach the geographical highest point o Thailand.
After having finished our visit we drive to the starting point of our approx. 4hrs trek up into the mountains. On the way to the Karen Village you can admire the unspoiled nature with its unique Flora and Fauna. You will also get the chance to see the daily life of the tribe and how they make their living by farming. In the early evening it is time for cooking- you are welcome to join preparing the food with our guide and you will learn what kind of herbs and other ingredients are used to spice up Thai Food.
After having a delicious dinner we sit and chill around the campfire, gazing at the stars and share our experiences and stories- a night you won’t forget.
Day 2
Waking up by the sounds from the jungle and the barking of the village dogs, we will meet for breakfast.
Having regained our strength it’s time to start our second day with more hiking and exploring the nature. Hiking through the forest you might see monkeys or even gibbons, as the unique area of Doi Inthanon is one of the last habitats of these endangered species.
Passing by another Karen Village for having a break and relax our feet and. Then we hike on. Once we reach a small waterfall on the way, it’s time for lunch. Refresh yourself in the waterfall and just enjoy the moment and the view. After long and exciting day it’s not too far back to the truck, which takes us back to Chiang Mai, where we arrive around 18:00 pm.
| Adult | Children |
| ฿2,500 | ฿1,250 |
Itinerary
Day 1
First we drive about 45 min to a local market, where you can have a coffee or buy some snacks and personal supplies if you want. Then it’s another 20 min until we arrive at the starting point the Karen Village. Here we will give you a short instruction and begin our hike through the farmlands of the Hill Tribes. After approx. 4hrs hiking through the astonishing nature we will reach a waterfall, where we take a break for lunch. Next stop will be our remote Jungle Camp, which we reach after another 3hrs trekking to settle down for the night.
In the early evening it is time for cooking- you are welcome to join preparing the food with our guide and you will learn what kind of herbs and other ingredients are used to spice up Thai Food.
After having a delicious dinner we sit and chill around the campfire, gazing at the stars and share our experiences and stories- a night you won’t forget
Day 2
Waking up by the sounds from the jungle and the barking of the village dogs, we will meet for breakfast.
Having regained our strength it’s time to start our second day with more hiking through the nature. The unique area of Doi Inthanon is also one of the last habitats of the Asiatic Black Bear, the Assamese Macaque and a selection of other monkeys and gibbons.
Passing through the beautiful nature we will reach another Hilltribe Village for having lunch. After relaxing a bit we start hiking with new power for 3hrs to another waterfall- refresh ourselves and walk back to the truck, returning to Chiang Mai around 05:00 pm.
| Adult | Children |
| ฿1,700 | ฿850 |
Itinerary
After about 45 min driving our first stop is a local market to get some supplies- you can have a coffee there, go to the toilet, or buy some personal needs. Once everybody is ready we drive up into the mountains to start our approx. 4hrs hike.
After a short instruction we walk through beautiful farmland up to higher ground with impressive mountain views until we reach a Karen Village. Here you can get a chance to see the daily life of the tribe and how they make their living by farming. Learn about their culture and believes and just have a good time at the Village.
Next we will hike to a nearby waterfall, where we will have lunch, take a swim and relax. Then we get back to the truck and drive to the Mae Wang River for Bamboo Rafting. Sitting on a raft made out of 5m long bamboo sticks and floating down the river will be an unforgettable experience. Depending on the water level there might also be some small rapids- so prepare to get wet. Having finished our exciting river adventure it’s time to drive back to Chiang Mai, where we arrive around 05:00 pm.
| Adult | Children |
| ฿1,800 | ฿900 |
Itinerary
It takes us around 1hr to get to the Elephant Camp. On the way, we have a 15min stop at a local market, where you can have a coffee, or buy some personal needs.
Upon arriving in the Elephant Camp, we will give you some information about these mighty animals. Learn the difference between the asian and african elephant, about habits and behaviors, their role in thai culture and their diet. For example, domesticated elephants not have access to their natural jungle diet. Therefore, it is necessary to feed them supplementary nutrients. We will show you how to make special vitamin balls, which you can feed to them.
After feeding, it is time for having fun in the Mud Spa. The skin of the elephants is quite sensitive and they like to have their daily bath, soothing their skin and getting rid of annoying insects.
Having pampered and cuddled them for about 2 hrs we say goodbye to them and go to the river for some adventurous Bamboo Rafting down the Mae Wang River. There will also be some small rapids on the 45-60 min descent- so prepare to get wet. Rafting time and rapids are depending on the water level.
Having finished our adventure, we have our lunch break at a beautiful place with a 360” panorama view.
With new strength, we will then start our approx. 3hrs trekking. We will pass by two waterfalls to swim and refresh yourselves, hear the sounds of the nature and enjoy the beauty of the landscape.
In the late afternoon, we will reach the truck, which takes us back to Chiang Mai, where we arrive around 06:00 pm.
Included and provided on the tour:
- 1 bottle of water per person
- Fresh fruits and lunch (also vegetarian)
- Visit Elephant Camp, 2hrs of feeding, playing and Mud Spa
- Approx. 3hrs hiking
- Relax at two nice waterfalls with the option to swim
- Approx. 45-60 min Bamboo Rafting on Mae Wang River
- Transportation by pick-up truck
- English speaking guide
- Insurance
