Open from September 1st - end of May

EMAIL; sarah@mahouts.org for a brochure and booking details

This immersive adventure in Thailand is suitable for all ages. It will take you into the jungles of the north where you’ll find elephants roaming in the forests and Karen communities living as they have done for generations.

Relax and unwind surrounded by pristine forests. Become immersed in the uniquely rich Karen culture and be embraced by the warmth of an entire community, nestled deep in the forest.

Learn about traditional Karen weaving skills and have a go at speaking the local language, allowing you the opportunity to share more than just smiles with your host family.

Our community based responsible tourism vacations allow indigenous communities to truly benefit from our presence. Elephants, of course, also benefit and we aim for them to live freely in their natural forest environment without persecution from humans and the destruction of their habitat.

cost per person;

FOREST ADVENTURE

1 person £625 for 4 days / 3 nights

2+ people £550 for 4 days / 3 nights

VOLUNTEER WEEK

1 person £1,250 for 6 days / 5 nights

2 - 3 people £650 for 6 days / 5 nights

4+ people £450 for 6 days / 5 nights

DAY 1

We will leave Mae Sot after breakfast and drive through the spectacular mountains to the Umphang region, we will make our way to Palatha where you will settle into your home stay and meet your hosts. After a village tour you will enjoy a wonderful meal served by your hosts.

DAY 2

• Wake up and enjoy breakfast

• Today we hike into the forests with the mahouts, the walking is through beautiful jungle along a winding river, mostly flat walking you can enjoy the forest and any wildlife. We will spend a little time observing the elephants and then leave them in peace. A jungle lunch awaits and this may be next to a river or waterfall depending where the elephants are, there might even be time for a refreshing swim.

• After a day hiking in the forest you can head back to the village for a refreshing shower, you can then have a go at fabric weaving! dinner will be served before you head to bed

DAY 3

• Today after breakfast we head to the river where you will board one of our rubber boat rafts, raftmen are local villagers and are able to poit out wildlife as you meander down the beautiful river, watch the rainbow at the rocks and look out for monkeys!

• We will stop for lunch before heading to Thi Lor Su, Thailands largest waterfall! there will be time for exploring and swimming

• After this we head to our private campsite next to a beautiful river for a night under the stars, enjoy an incredible meal and an evening around the campfire

  DAY 4

• In the morning we head back to the village, shower and say our goodbyes and head back to Mae Sot

Accommodation

Accommodation

Option 1: Homestay (included in basic program fee)

Staying with a host family is both welcoming and comfortable. Placing you in the very heart of village life, leaving you with a real sense of community living. Each homestay is different, but all host stunning views and friendly smiling faces – all of which will be eager to learn more about you, your family and your country, making you feel right at home in no time.  

Your host family will provide you with bedding and a mosquito net. The Karen sleep on the floor and this is what is also provided for you, with the addition of a small mattress for additional comfort.   Bathrooms are clean and accessible with western toilet and traditional bucket showers – which are either refreshing or bracing depending on the time of year!

Your host family will cook for you throughout the duration of your stay, providing you with delicious traditional Karen dishes and the opportunity to sit together and be a part of their incredibly unique and special way of life.

Option 2: Private House in the village (a small additional fee per person will be added to program fee)

Please note; by choosing option 2 a private house, there will be a small add on fee of £150.00 GBP per booking for private room or £100 for a twin room.

Getting to Mae Sot

Traveling to and from Mae Sot is incredibly easy and there are multiple travel styles to choose from. Mae Sot is accessible from both Chiang Mai and Bangkok, with easy flight connections down to the beaches in southern Thailand;

Fly to Mae Sot- Nok Air provides between 4/5 direct flights from Bangkok daily.

If this is the option of travel you choose try to aim to arrive in Mae Sot by lunch time. Please do not book a flight any earlier than 11:00am on the day of your departure, as our team will need time to transport you back to Mae Sot airport. An 11:00am flight will give you plenty of time to connect with further flights traveling within Thailand.

VIP Bus to Mae Sot – Green Bus Thailand provides 2 buses from Chiang Mai to Mae Sot daily (8:30am and 1:00pm), this journey takes approximately 6/7 hours through beautiful Thai countryside.

Please remember you will need to arrive in Mae Sot the day before your trip and if planning to travel back to Chiang Mai by bus straight after your trip with us, please book a your bus trip for the following day.

Private Transport to Mae Sot - We can arrange pick up and drop off in Chiang Mai and can provide the cost on discussion prior to booking.