Karen Adventure and Trekking 7 days 6 Nights

This programme is designed for serious trekkers who are physically fit and experienced hill walkers. You will do approximately 5-7 hours trekking per day, across steep mountainous terrain with inclines of sometimes 45 – 55 degrees.  We start the trek from Fern Resort and end at Baan Pha-Bong. From Baan Pha- Bong you will drive back to Fern Resort, which will take 30 minutes.

Start your journey with hotel pickup in Chiang Mai and drive to Mae Hong Son, following one of Thailand’s most scenic mountain highways. Enjoy panoramic views and stop for lunch in the charming Pai district.

In the afternoon, explore Lod Cave, one of Northern Thailand’s largest cave systems. Discover three unique chambers: the Giant Pillar Cave with its towering 21-meter column; the Doll Cave, featuring stone formations resembling dolls and ancient wall paintings over 2,000 years old; and the Coffin Cave, reached by bamboo raft and a short climb to view prehistoric wooden coffins.

After the cave tour, return to the entrance and continue to Mae Hong Son. Arrive in the late afternoon and check in at Fern Resort, surrounded by nature. Enjoy leisure time before dinner at a local restaurant in town.

Begin with an early morning hotel pickup and 4WD transfer to the trailhead. Hike into the valley of Ban Nam Hoo, navigating steep and narrow forest trails. Trek through layers of upland evergreen and mixed deciduous forest while learning from your Karen guide about local conservation efforts.

Ascend 1,650 meters of rugged mountain terrain, passing wild orchids and stunning viewpoints that reward the climb. Reach Huai Hee, the first Karen village in the region to establish community-based tourism. Though accessible by road, the village remains deeply rooted in rotational farming and traditional practices.

With over 200 years of settlement history and fewer than 150 residents, Huai Hee offers a rare glimpse into sustainable highland living. Guests stay in pairs with host families, sharing meals and stories. Overnight at a Karen homestay, surrounded by forest silence and cultural warmth.

After breakfast, meet your guide and begin exploring the rich biodiversity of this forest conservation area. Trek through lush terrain and learn how the Karen community sustainably uses forest resources. Reach your destination—Doi Pui, the highest point in Mae Hong Son at 1,722 meters above sea level.

Enjoy a traditional Karen jungle lunch prepared by your host family, then continue trekking through a wild orchid conservation zone. Return to the village in the late afternoon.

During your stay, observe how the Karen cook rice and prepare meals using local ingredients. Relax and enjoy dinner while sharing stories with your host family—your guide will help translate. Then it’s good night. Overnight at homestay with Karen family.

Begin your day with an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells to your host family and the villagers. Set off along a gravel road for 1 kilometre before transitioning to a dirt trail that leads to Ban Huai Tong Kaw. The path descends into a lush river valley and climbs steeply into the surrounding mountains.

Ban Huai Tong Kaw is a meaningful stop for those eager to explore Karen culture. Though accessible by road, the village has worked hard to preserve its traditional way of life. It remains home to blacksmiths, herbal gurus, spiritual leaders, ritual singers, and sword dancers. A highlight is the metre-high waterfall tucked into the forest—a serene spot for reflection.

After dinner, gather at the village center to witness the traditional sword dance, a vibrant expression of Karen heritage. Return to your homestay with a Karen family for a peaceful night in the mountains.

After breakfast, begin your descent into the valley of the Mae Samad River, where the trail leads to the largest waterfall in Mae Hong Son—a dramatic cascade hidden deep within the forest. With multiple river crossings and steep terrain, wet feet are inevitable; water levels can reach up to a metre in places.

Your destination is Huai Kung Village, a remote Buddhist community of just ten households, nestled 380 meters above sea level. Locally known as “Baan Lek Nai Pa-Yai”, meaning “small village in the ancient forest,” it remains untouched by road access and mass tourism. The villagers rely on fishing, foraging, hunting, and small-scale rice farming to sustain their way of life.

Huai Kung is a peaceful spot for swimming in the river and enjoying freshly caught fish.
In the evening, settle into your homestay with a Karen family.

Today’s trek offers a gentler pace, following the Mae Samad River further down its lush valley. Expect multiple river crossings—wet feet are part of the adventure. The trail winds through primary and mixed deciduous forest, rich with teak, bamboo, and redwoods, offering a serene immersion in nature.

The walk to Pa-Bong Village takes approximately 4–5 hours. From there, a short 30-minute drive brings you to the tranquil Fern Resort, nestled in the forested hills.

Seasonal Note:
From June to November, the trail from Ban Huai Goong is rerouted to Ban Nam Hoo Hai Jai due to high water levels. This alternate path ensures safety while still offering scenic forest views and cultural encounters.

After breakfast, depart to explore two stunning Shan-style temples in Mae Hong Son. The first, Wat Phra That Doi Kong Moo, sits atop a hill and offers sweeping views of the misty valley town below. Its twin whitewashed stupas, built in the 19th century, enshrine sacred relics brought from Myanmar and reflect a blend of Tai Yai and Burmese architecture.

The second temple, Wat Jong Kum–Jong Klang, rests beside a tranquil lake and captivates visitors with its intricate woodwork and glass paintings. Adjacent to the temple is a mini-museum housing rare, hand-carved wooden dolls from Myanmar—some over 150 years old—depicting scenes from Buddhist lore.

Enjoy lunch at a local Thai restaurant, savoring regional flavors. In the afternoon, transfer back to Chiang Mai by minibus and conclude the day with a hotel drop-off.

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•  English-speaking guide
• All transport and transfers detailed in the itinerary
• Four nights’ homestay with Karen family (2-4 pax per family)
• Mattress, pillow, warm blanket and mosquito net
• Toilet (squat toilet) and shower usually outside (warm water not available)
• Meals as detailed in the itinerary
• Local community guides
• Tour activities as detailed in the itinerary
• Drinking water and snacks

• Personal expenses
• Personal contributions to the communities
• Gratuities
• Domestic and international flights

For our confidential prices or additional information about any of our services,

please contact us at:  info@nutty-adventures.com 

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