THAILAND – Chiang Mai – One Day Agriculture and Coffee Experience at a Black Lahu Village

The mountains of Northern Thailand are home to various hill tribe minorities, many of whom face difficulties preserving their culture and identity in an ever-evolving world.

Theme

Art & Culture, Classic, Sustainable

Country - City

Thailand - Chiang Mai

Market segment

Thematic Leisure

Price Level

$$$$

Max pax

9

Seasonality

All year round (except a period around Chinese New Year)

Arrival city

Chiang Mai

Departure city

Chiang Mai

Description

The mountains of Northern Thailand are home to various hill tribe minorities, many of whom face difficulties preserving their culture and identity in an ever-evolving world. This trip entails traveling to a Lahu Sheleh village and a nearby coffee farm, rarely visited by tourists. This is the perfect activity for an authentic experience in a hill tribe village, while at the same time promoting sustainability and preserving the environment dedicated to organic agriculture. The visits is as interactive as possible without disturbing the regular village and farm life. Lunch is served at a local house and consists of various vegetarian dishes.

Selling points

  • To enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city
  • To get inside tips from a local
  •  To lend a hand on the farm by roasting coffee beans
  • To visit Lahu Sheleh community to chat about their history
  • Get to take home organic coffee as a souvenir

Level Of The Excursion

Medium – This activity offers tangible positive contributions to the local community, culture and/or environment

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Cultural Conservation

Homestays

Involving minorities

Environment Impact

Waste/plastic packaging

Economic Impact

Local individual benefits

Community benefits

Additional Information

Positive impacts

The activity takes place is centered around an organic coffee farm which takes active measures to reduce waste and preserve the environment. It also involves exploring an ethnic village which is done by a member of the community, bringing income to the community while also giving incentive to preserve traditions.

Negative impacts

No negative

Sensitive character

The activity involves ethnic minorities who are vulnerable to exploitation and whose culture is at risk of disappearing. The activity is always organized with a local member of the community to make sure the community benefits from the activity and cultural traditions are respected.

Time And Transportation

From To Km By Duration Road condition
Chiang Mai city Doi Mod/Suan Lahu 90 Minivan 1h 45 min Good but mountainous
Doi Mod/Suan Lahu Chiang Rai city 130 Minivan 2 hours Good but mountainous
Doi Mod/Suan Lahu Mae Kachan hot springs 13 Minivan 25 minutes Narrow and mountainous

Duration

Fullday (08:00 – 17:00).

Min pax

01

Max pax

09

How to sell it

  • Suitable for coffee lovers
  • As a day trip from Chiang Mai, or on the way during a transfer to Chiang Rai
  • Easia exclusive program
  • For flexible clients who don’t mind local experiences: the program is not fixed and most activities are open setting

Why this activity

  • A great experience for open minded people who look for authenticity and love culture and interaction with locals
  • A wonderful and enriching day in the mountains of Northern Thailand
  • Cultural immersion tour focused on villages of the Lahu
  • Homemade vegetarian feast made using seasonal ingredients
  • Interactive learning experience about organic farming in Northern Thailand

Good to combine with

  • A transfer to Chiang Rai

Do not combine with

  • Any full day activities
  • Transfer to Chiang Saen

Market suggestion

AUSTRALIA

CANADA

FRANCE

ITALY

SPAIN

PORTUGAL

BENELUX

SCANDINAVIA

CEE

US

GERMANY

UK

Competitor comparison

Not offered by competitors – Easia Exclusive.

Pros

  • Always private
  • Sustainable

Cons

  • Host is rather shy, not very talkative. Needs support from Easia guide
  • Not artificially set-up, so requires an open mind from clients (unexpected changes may happen, certain rituals may be going on which limits the program, …)
  • Subject to the weather

Information

  • The village and the farm don’t receive many visitors, so the host and activities are rather improvised, our guides will be trained to help to make it a relatively smooth experience for the clients
  • All tours are private but clients might meet other visitors at the farm
  • Clients need to have a basic level of fitness
  • The activities are not fixed, but done depending on the current situation at the farm and village the preferred activities are coffee roasting, coffee picking, farm/nature walk, intro to bamboo cutting, intro to embroidery
  • The Lahu Sheleh community has strong traditions with many festivals and rituals, they are often announced last minute and may interfere with the program.
  • Lunch is local and vegetarian, and seasonal, served at a local house, not a restaurant so possibility to make special requests is limited.
  • Polite dress is advised, both for practical and cultural reasons.
  • During the rainy season, there may be a small river to cross and shoes will get wet, an extra pair of shoes/sandals can be useful.

Alerts

  • The activity is not organized around the period of Chinese new year, as it is the same period of Lahu new year lasts for takes 2 weeks. During this time, the farm is closed and it is not possible to do the activity. The exact dates of Lahu new year are usually announced rather last minute, therefore for to avoid any issue do not sell the tour in the 2 weeks before and the 2 weeks after Chinese New year.

Price range

$$$$

Quotation guideline

ERP –> Suan Lahu-1D agriculture&coffee experience at Black Lahu village –> 1D Agriculture&coffee experience at black Lahu village; Per pax

Inclusion

  • Farm tour and activities, lunch at local house
  • 1 pack of coffee beans per pax (250 gr)
  • Explanations/guidance by the host

Exclusion

  • Easia Guide
  • Transportation

Important notes

  • It is very important to brief the guide beforehand on this activity so that he, and the clients understand the concept and meaning of this activity. The host has a lot of knowledge but doesn’t always share it by himself, so the guide may need to encourage him.

Special Guide notes

  • Clients should bring a small backpack with: sunscreen, mosquito repellent, rain coat, extra pair of shoes/sandals. Appropriate shoes are required, flip-flops or sandals are not suitable.
  • The host has a lot of knowledge but doesn’t always share it by himself, so the guide may need to encourage him – interactivity is extremely important in this activity

Different Choice

No exact alternatives, Chiang Dao Hua thung village could be considered once developed.

Contact

  • Services provided by Suan Lahu.
  • Contact person, Carina Zur Strassen: [email protected]; 090-317 5061
  • Contact person on spot K. Manop (Lo-ue): 085 107 3981

English

One day agriculture and coffee experience at a Black Lahu village

You will head into the mountains surrounding Chiang Mai to visit a Lahu village that has embraced the spirit of organic farming. Instead of relying on chemicals and agricultural techniques that harm the environment, they opt for eco-friendly techniques which benefit both the people as well as the environment.

One of the main crops grown is coffee, and during the day you will be able to learn more about the process, from the growing all the way to the cup. Depending on the season you will be able to partake in different activities while hiking through the surrounding fields and forests, learning more about the Lahu tribe and their culture along the way.

French

Une journée de découverte de l’agriculture et du café dans un village de Lahu noirs

Vous vous dirigerez vers les montagnes autour de Chiang Mai pour visiter un village Lahu qui a adopté l’agriculture biologique. Au lieu de dépendre des produits chimiques et des techniques d’agriculture nocives à la nature, les habitants ont choisi des méthodes respectueuses de l’environnement qui profitent aussi bien aux hommes qu’à la terre.

Le café y est l’une des principales cultures et vous aurez la journée pour en apprendre plus sur son processus de fabrication, de la plante à la tasse. En fonction de la saison vous pourrez prendre part aux différentes activités tout en marchant à travers les champs et les forêts avoisinantes en découvrant la minorité Lahu et sa culture.

Spanish

Agricultura por un día y experiencia con café en el pueblo Black Lahu

Se dirigirá hacia las montañas que rodean Chiang Mai para visitar el pueblo Lahi que se ha dejado embriagar por el espíritu de la agricultura orgánica. En lugar de confiar en productos químicos y técnicas agrícolas que dañan el medio ambiente, optan por técnicas respetuosas con el entorno que benefician tanto a las personas como al medio ambiente.

Uno de sus principales cultivos es el café, y durante el día podrá conocer más sobre el proceso, desde el cultivo y cuidado hasta su llegada a la misma taza. Dependiendo de la estación, podrá formar parte de diferentes actividades a medida que recorre los campos y bosques colindantes, profundizando en su conocimiento sobre la tribu Lahu y su cultura por el camino.

Italian

Esperienza agricola presso un villaggio dei Lahu Neri

Dirigetevi verso le montagne che circondano Chiang Mai per visitare un villaggio Lahu che ha abbracciato lo spirito dell’agricoltura biologica. Invece di far uso di pesticidi, prodotti chimici e tecniche agricole dannose per l’ambiente, gli abitanti si dedicano a tecniche che apportano beneficio alla popolazione locale ed all’ecosistema.

Una delle colture più diffuse è quella del caffè. Durante la giornata, avrete la possibilità di scoprire di più a proposito del processo di produzione del caffè, dalla crescita della pianta alla profumata tazza di caffè. A seconda della stagione, potrete prendere parte a diverse attività durante un’escursione tra le colline e le foreste circostanti. Lungo il percorso potrete scoprire nel dettaglio la cultura e lo stile di vita della tribù Lahu.

German

Eintägiges Erlebnis zu Landwirtschaft und Kaffee in einer Gemeinde der Schwarzen Lahu

Sie begeben sich in die Chiang Mai umgebenden Berge, um eine Lahu-Gemeinde, die sich dem ökologischen Anbau widmet, zu besuchen. Anstatt auf chemische und landwirtschaftliche Techniken zu vertrauen, die die Umwelt schädigen können, engagiert sich die Gemeinde für umweltfreundliche Techniken, welche sowohl den Menschen als auch der Umwelt zugute kommen.

Eine der hauptsächlich angebauten Kulturen ist Kaffee, und während des Tages werden Sie mehr über den Prozess, vom Anbau bis hin zur Tasse erfahren. Je nach Jahreszeit haben Sie die Möglichkeit, an verschiedenen Aktivitäten teilzunehmen, während Sie durch die umgebenden Felder und Wälder wandern und dabei mehr über das Lahu-Volk und dessen Kultur lernen.