Award Winning Travel 2011
Karen Hill Tribe Lodge Hill Tribe Trekking • Elephant Safari
Paradise for trekkers, photographers, artists, bird watchers & those just wanting to get away from it all!
Let the Adventure Begin!
Karen Hill Tribe Lodge
Welcome to Galyani Vadhana, a new Hill Tribe Trekking destination in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Karen Hill Tribe Adventures is one of our projects in which local communities fully participate in cultural activities and we have been able to reunite families with their villages through the return of elephants and introduction of tourism to the area.
Paradise for trekkers, photographers, artists, bird watchers & those just wanting to get away from it all!
Destinations Galyani Vadnada ...................................................4 Karen Hill Tribes ...................................................5 Karen Villages.........................................................6 Elephant Safari .......................................................7 Things to Do & Activities ................................ 8-9
Accommodation
Karen Hill Tribe Lodge ......................................10 Musikee Eco Lodge ............................................11
Tour Itineraries Karen Tour & Adventure ............................. 12-13 Our Commitment to Ecotourism THAILAND GREAT TOURS IS DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT IN THAILAND. OUR AIM IS TO RESTORE COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT IS BEGINNING TO BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY MODERNIZATION, AND PRESERVE NATURAL RESOURCES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. WE AIM TO CREATE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAKE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES ADVANTAGEOUS TO LOCAL PEOPLES.
Karen Trekking Adventure ........................... 14-15 Karen Off-Road Adventure ......................... 16-17
What Our Guests Say ..........................................18 Contact Us ............................................................19
Untouched Natural Destinations
Friendly Karen Hill Tribes
Fang
Karen Hill Tribes The Pwakin-nyaw, known to many as Karen, one of the largest hill tribes in Southeast Asia, are the predominant Hill tribe in Galyani Vadhana. They live in permanent villages at lower elevations and have been aggressive in developing
Galyani Vadhana New Hill Tribe Trekking Destination in Chiang Mai Galyani Vadhana is the youngest district of Chiang Mai Province in Northern Thailand. It is named after Princess Galyani Vadhana. It was founded on 26 December 2009, the 878th and the latest district in Thailand. The terrain is scenic mountain landscape and boasts the largest natural pine forest in Northern Thailand. The population is predominantly Karen hill tribes who preserve their customs and culture.
environmentally sustainable terraced rice fields. Karen women spend their time during the off-season weaving traditional clothing.
Chai Praka
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Chiang Dao Pai
Mae Hong Son
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Mae Taeng Mae Malai
Wat Chan
Lush Nature... A Trekkers Paradise The pine forest in Galyani Vadhana area is a trekking paradise. Situated in a great expanse of hills and valleys with crystal clear streams and picturesque Hill Tribe villages. There is abundant bird life and fish can be seen swimming in the streams. You walk through forest-clad mountains, along streams, through rice fields and valleys. The countryside is an inspiration to photographers, artists, birdwatchers, and writers. The trekking is easy going and along the way your guide will show you many edible fruits and medicinal plants.
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Na Kled Hoi Mae Laop
Huay Ya Tai Karen Hill Tribe Lodge
Mae Rim
1096 Huay YA Nai Huay Baba
Chiang Mai
San Pathong
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Karen Villages
Elephant Safari
Elephant Safari Karen Villages Experience simple living with Karen Hill Tribe people. Observe traditional daily activities such as rice pounding, weaving, and have the opportunity to see traditional food preparation.
Karen Weaving Course
Our Elephant safari package combines an Eco-Friendly adventure tour with first class accommodations set right at an authentic Karen Hill Tribe Village . This off-the-beatenpath tour is designed for today’s modern conscientious traveller. Because of our unique partnership with the Karen people and elephants, we are able to directly support and maintain their unique natural life style. You will see happy elephants and villagers living together as they have for centuries, far from concrete and city streets, out in the real jungles of Thailand. Together we help sustain their traditional life as you take part in daily village activities. This is the unique tour you’ve been looking for !
Karen Welcome Ceremony
ng Course
Karen/Thai Cooki
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Elephant Mahout Training Course
Elephant Safari & Trek
When you think of North Thailand you imagine hills and nature, an authentic Thai and Hill Tribe life. Our unique Elephant packages offer exactly what you’ve been looking for. Come stay with us in luxury accommodations at an authentic functioning Karen Hill Tribe Village Here you will learning to communicate and care for your own personal elephant. At the same time you will help support sustainable native practices, keeping families and elephants together in the jungle where they belong. Create memories that you won’t be able to stop talking about !
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Exciting Activities & Things to do
Team Building Our team building strategy is to analyze the current situation and formulate the great plan forward. We use Leadership Consulting techniques. needed for your organization, schools or group.
Hill Tribe Trekking Trek through forest situated in a great expanse of hills and valleys, crystal clear streams and picturesque hill tribe villages. Abundant bird life and ďŹ sh can be seen swimming in the streams. You walk through forest-clad mountains, along streams,
through rice ďŹ elds and valleys. The countryside is an inspiration to photographers, artists, birdwatchers, and writers. Trekking is easygoing and along the way your guide will show you many edible fruit and medicinal plants.
Our outdoor adventure activities are helpful to change team dynamics. We offer great opportunities that put the group in different challenging situations in remote Chiang Mai where they can create their poportunity for brainstorming, problem solving and leadership abilities which will be critical factors for success.
igation system
Helping locals build irr
Trekkin in Pristine Nature Jungle Survival Course
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Jungle Survival
Enjoy Cycling Rallying
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Accommodation
Musikee Eco Lodge Musikee Eco Lodge, surrounded by mountains and the whisper of two rivers Chaem Luang and Chaem Noi, offers a peaceful and natural atmosphere combined with cosy accommodation for small and big Groups and individual adventurers.
Karen Hill Tribe Lodge Karen Hill Tribe Lodge is set in a postcard valley scene overlooking Hill tribe rice fields and a river with a mountain in the background. The Lodge is a traditional Karen Hill tribe style lodge with European home comforts. The Lodge has traditional Karen Hill Tribe pavilions and thatch roof, bamboo walls and pine floor mats.
Features
• 7 Twin Rooms • 3 Double Rooms • All rooms are equipped with comfortable bedding, electric lighting, fans, and mosquito nets • Sharing bathrooms with hot showers • Full dining facilities with fresh supplies from Chiang Mai • Bar facilities • Log Camp Fire every evening • Outstanding natural scenery
Features
Private Group Cottage
2 Private Group cottages with separate toilet and hot water (group of up to 12 people)
Private Deluxe Cottage
5 Private deluxe cottages with hot water (maximum 4 persons)
Camping Zone
A spacious area that can accommodate up to 100 tents, very good site for enjoying activities and campfire get together
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Karen Hilltribe Tour & Adventure 3 Day / 2 Nights
Accommodation Night 1 Karen Hill Tribe Lodge Night 2 Pai Baanthai Resort & Spa Meals Included 2 breakfasts 3 lunches 2 dinners
Lod Cave with stalagmite and stalactites
Complimentary hand-woven Karen shirt
Beautiful temple at Wat Chan CHIANG MAI
Visit a geyser in the national park
Pai
Walk street market at Pai every night Mok Fha waterfall, in the national park
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“Stay in Karen Village with Villagers� This new tour only available from Thailand Great Tours is a great opportunity to visit Hill Tribes in their natural surroundings. The tour derived from our trekking tour is designed for all ages and involves no strenuous trekking which is the ideal choice for families with young children and senior citizens. Here you have the opportunity to meet local hill tribes going about their daily activities. You stay at a Karen Hill Tribe lodge with the luxury of very comfortable rooms and great food. The scenery is stunning and you will enjoy riding on elephant back through jungle and mountain streams. You will visit a Lisu Hill Tribe village and see women dressed in brightly colored costumes. The tour includes a visit to the tranquil town of Pai nestled in a valley surrounded with mountains which are the home of many hill tribes.
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Wild fruit, berries and herbs
Bo Kaew
Samoeng
Chiang Mai
New Karen Hill Tribe Lodge with very comfortable accommodation
Experience elephant riding through mountains, rivers, and jungle of North Thailand
CHIANG MAI
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Karen Hill Tribe Trekking Adventure 4 Days / 3 Nights
Accommodation Night 1 Musikee Eco Lodge Nights 2 & 3 Karen Hill Tribe Lodge
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Meals Included 3 breakfasts 4 lunches 3 dinners
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Mountain road leading to remote Karen Hill Tribe Village
CHIANG MAI
Complimentary hand-woven Karen shirt
Traditional Karen Hill Tribe dancing
Pai
Mae Hong Son
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Enjoy elephant riding through mountains, rivers, and jungle
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“Trek with Your Karen Guide!”
Mae Taeng Mae Malai
Wat Chan Musikee
Mae Rim Karen Hill Tribe Lodge
This new trek has the luxury of a Mountain Lodge with your private chalet located next to a crystal clear river with a sand bank we call “The sunbathing Beach”. The chalets come with first class bedding and bathrooms with hot and cold water. From the Lodge you hike to visit hill tribe mountain villagers going about their daily lives. This is the “Real Deal”- Here there are no hill tribe shops selling trinkets. The trek boasts evening entertainment with an emotional hill tribe show providing insight to traditional dress and a short explanation of Karen songs. Traditional musical instruments accompany the songs of the young hill tribe people.
Swimming at a waterfall inside the national park
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Experience a traditional Karen welcoming ceremony
Wild fruit, berries and herbs Great evening at the C H I A N G M A I Karen hill tribe lodge with a log camp fire
Trekker’s Checklist • Comfortable clothes, T-shirt, long and short pants, bathing suit • Hiking shoes, socks to keep your feet dry, and open hiking sandals suitable for walking in jungle streams • Hat, sunglasses, sun block • Personal hygiene items, shampoo, toothpaste etc. • Insect repellant • Torch, spare batteries • Spirit of adventure and discovery
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Karen Hilltribe Off-Road Adventure 4 Days / 3 Nights
Accommodation Night 1 Karen Hill Tribe Lodge
Friendly Karen hill tribe
Nights 2 Fern Resort Nights 3 Pai Hotspring & Spa resort
Fang
Visit a holy temple in Mae Hong Son
Meals Included 3 breakfasts 4 lunches 3 dinners
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Complimentary hand-woven Karen shirt
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Relax at Pai
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Visit a high waterfall in the national park (Mok Fha waterfall) Visit long-necked hill tribe nearby Burmese border
Pai
Sopkai
“Unique Off-Road Experience” An epic off-road motorcycle journey through stunning scenery of North Thailand. This is more than just a motorcycle tour, you will ride to, and stay at remote hill tribe villages, visit ancient Burmese temples, ride elephants and white water raft in pristine nature, and best of all have a lifetime experience in the natural surroundings.
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Water Fall Elephant Camp Dong San Muen Karen Hill Tribe Lodge
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“Lod Cave” at PangMapha
Beautiful mountain scenery Bamboo River Rafting
Kawasaki KLX250 • This robust motocycle handles tarmac and dirt roads with nimble agility. • To ensure everybody enjoy the journey, we provide a luxury backup bus or 4WD and professional tour guide the ensure the comfort of your family and friends. We take care of your luggages and any shopping while on tour. • Cool refresher towels, ice, and refreshments are provided. • Due to terrain conditions, only one person per motorcycle allowed.
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Mae Sariang
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One of the best places in North of Thailand. All my family agree to say that “Karen Hill Tribe Lodge” is one of the best places in North Thailand The wooden lodge is perfect for us because it’s a really beautiful construction. It respects nature because it’s made with local material (wood, bamboo, leaves). This lodge fits with all Karen houses.
This trip has been an amazing experience and truly opened my eyes to new and meaningful ways of life.
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Contact Us Talk to our Tour Specialists to get more information and contract rates:
+66 53 115 802 +66 83 152 2999 For questions and inquiries, please send email to: info@thailandgreattours.com
Thanks for all. Thanks for this experience. P.S. The food was very good! OROSCO Family – France
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The welcoming smiles and warmth of the Karen hill tribe makes you feel like an honoured guest. The food is superbly Thai, the night sky has to be seen to be believed on nights where we sat around the campfire after dinner. The rooms are comfortable, spotlessly clean, yet have a communial feel as they are set within the tribe community. I have loved my stay at the Karen Hill Tribe Lodge and I wonder when and how I will come back.
The Karen Hill Tribe Lodge has been a wonderful experience which I will always remember! The accommodation boasts an open setting, overlooking the beautiful mountains which allows guests to play by the campfire or simply gaze at the stars. The hospitality of all the people in the Karen tribe was very warm and welcoming, This trip has been an amazing experience and truly opened my eyes to new and meaningful ways of life. I would recommend the Karen Hill Tribe Lodge to all my friends and family hope to one day come back again.
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Entire Asia Co., Ltd.
104/2 Moo 5, T.Chaisatan, A.Saraphi Chiang Mai, THAILAND 50140 Tel: +66 53 115 802 Fax: +66 53 115 804
Thanks so much to everyone at the Karen Hill Tribe Lodge! Mailee Tant - Australia
Member of Tourism Authority of Thailand TAT License No. 22/0353
Susan Ryan - Melbourne Australia
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Thailand Great Tours 104/2 Moo 5, T.Chaisatan, A.Saraphi Chiang Mai THAILAND 50140 Tel: +66 53 115 802, Fax: +66 53 115 804 www.thailandgreattours.com