3-Day Chiang Dao Mountain Trek

3-Day Chiang Dao Mountain Trek

Doi Chiang Dao mountain range lies to the North of Chiang Mai. The area is home to many ethnic hill-tribe villages, and down to the west of the mountain flows the Mae Tang river through scenic forest and valley. This adventurous and strenuous mountain will take participants off the beaten track across the mountain range, down to the Maetang River valley on trails regularly used by villagers. Trekkers will enjoy scenic views from the mountain as a significant part of the hike is on the mountain ridges.

Itinerary

Day 1: Mountain jungle trek to overnight at Homestay

Pass By: Active Thailand Day Trips, 54/5 Moo 2, Soi 14 Tha Sala, Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand
Pick up at your hotel in Chiang Mai city (within the second ring road radius)

Pass By: Mae Taeng District Office, San Mahaphon, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand
Pickup (8:30am) from your accommodation in Chiang Mai before driving north to escape the city and experience the beautiful Chiang Dao area. Along the way we will stop at a local market where your local guide can introduce the ingredients they will use for cooking delicious Thai meals over the next few days. Our next destination is a peaceful valley further north and the start of the trek. After a short briefing, we’ll set off on an hour’s trek and you will have your first close encounter with Northern Thailand’s natural environment. Next we make a lunch stop at a peaceful fruit orchard before continuing our hike, gaining altitude and a noticeable change of flora. We will cross a large tea plantation under the shade of tall mature trees and eventually arrive at a local homestay to spend the night. Your guides will cook a tasty Thai dinner for tonight, then you have the evening to relax and soak up your new surroundings.

Today’s hike is approximately 4 to 5 hours, mostly ascending.

Meals included:
• Lunch: Pack lunch or local restaurant
• Dinner: Thai food dinner prepared by your guides in the village
Accommodation included: Stay in a Lahu village perched on the mountain top. Rustic dormitory with shared toilet facilities.

Day 2: Our longest trekking day (approximately 6 hour's walk) through scenic landscape

Pass By: Mae Taeng District Office, San Mahaphon, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand
Wake up to the mountain melodies and enjoy breakfast with locally grown tea or coffee from the surrounding plantation. Today you are in for a challenging day through a variety of jungle and criss-crossing trails. We will follow mountain ridges under the jungle canopy, with occasional clearings offering breathtaking panoramic views of the lower valley. Around noon, refuel with a packed lunch in a nice spot along the trail. The afternoon trek will bring more bamboo forest, shade under tall jungle trees and a refreshing river crossing. The last climb for the day will take us to our overnight destination, a tiny Lahu village where you can interact with local people and learn a bit about their way of life. Once again, your guide will prepare Thai cuisine for your dinner while you put your feet up after a long day! Tonight you will be staying in basic accommodation (dormitory house) and be able to get a feel for village life.

Today’s hike is approximately 5 to 6 hours, mountain trails with mix of ascents and descents.

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Home made breakfast with eggs, bread and jam
• Lunch: Basic pack lunch taken enroute
• Dinner: Dinner is succulent Thai dishes prepared by your guides
Accommodation included: Home stay in a small village. Rustic rooms and basic toilet facilities. Bedding is provided as well as mosquito nets.

Day 3: Morning trek, followed by lunch, river or waterfall splash, and drive back to Chiang Mai

Pass By: Mae Taeng District Office, San Mahaphon, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand
Enjoy breakfast on the mountain before we start our final leg of the trek. Today is a three-hour descent to the Maetang River valley below where you will notice a change in scenery. Once you arrive at our riverside camp, you can enjoy a succulent Thai lunch in a tranquil setting. Relax at the camp, or take an optional activity before saying goodbye to the Northern jungle and driving back to Chiang Mai where we drop you off at your city accommodation.

Today’s hike is approximately 3 hours, mostly downhill.

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Filling breakfast with eggs, bread and jam, including fresh locally grown coffee
• Lunch: Thai food lunch at local restaurant
No accommodation included on this day.