Community Based Tourism in Thailand

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Last edited: September 05, 2017 at 15:05:28

If you want to explore Chiang Mai and the rest of Thailand with the eyes of a local, Community Based Tourism (CBT) or Eco Tourism could be your thing. Not only will you see and experience things away from the standard tours and trekkings, at the same time will you contribute to local culture and native communities, rather than exploiting them and leaving damage behind in the environment.

CM Locator recommends: Local Alike, a social enterprise travel agency which organises great Community Based Tours.

*** BOOK WITH CHIANG MAI LOCATOR AND GET DISCOUNTED RATES ***

COMMUNITY BASED TOURS WITH LOCAL ALIKE:

CBT Mae Kam Pong, Chiang Mai
Suan Pa Village, Chiang Rai
Hloyo Village, Chaing Rai
Mae Salong Village, Chiang Rai
CBT Promlok, Nakhon Srithammarat
CBT Koh Yao Noi, Pang Nga
Baan Huai Raeng, Trat

Check for other upcoming seasonal tours and Book here for discounted rates

Available Packages	Area/Province	Prices
CBT Mae Kam Pong	Chiang Mai	2,500 - 6,600 Baht per person (Available for 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights)
Suan Pa Village	Chiang Rai	4,480 - 14, 580 Baht per person (Available for 3 days 2 nights)
Si Pan Rai Tea Plantation	Chiang Rai	4,480 - 14, 580 Baht per person (Available for 3 days 2 nights)
Mae Salong Village	Chiang Rai	4,480 - 14, 445 Baht per person (Available for 3 days 2 nights)
Hloyo Village	Chiang Rai	2,880 - 9,180 Baht per person (Available for 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights)
CBT Promlok	Nakhon Srithammarat	3,000 - 6,075 Baht per person (Available for 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights)
CBT Koh Yao Noi	Pang Nga	5,000 - 9,500 Baht per person (Available for 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights)
Baan Huai Raeng	Trat	4,980 - 13,150 Baht per person (Available for 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights)

Note:
- All prices are net in Thai baht
- Booking must be made at least 1 week in advance

TOUR PROGRAMS MAY CHANGE OVER TIME, PLEASE REFER TO THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE TOUR OPERATOR AT ANY TIME. HOWEVER, BOOKING HERE CAN GET YOU DISCOUNTED RATES

CBT Mae Kam Pong, Chiang Mai
(Cultural Activities)

The picturesque Northern Thai village of Mae Kampong is nestled on a hillside, 1300 meters above sea level and surrounded by natural forest. Mae Kampong has a cool and pleasant climate all year round. A small stream meanders through the village. The typical wooden houses create an enchanting atmosphere. It’s well known for the warm northern Thai hospitality and strong community management.

Activities
- Participate in the welcoming ceremony in Lanna style
- Enjoy the peaceful Lanna lifestyle and traditions, see how the people live their daily life
- Trek to the waterfall or top of the hill. Enjoy traditional Thai massage, nice coffee and healthy food.

Suan Pa Village, Chiang Rai
(Trekking)

Suan Pa village, located at the foot of Doi Tung Mountain, is home to the Akha tribe. It’s surrounded by the natural beauty of the forest and mountains. If you enjoy trekking, Suan Pa village is perfect for you, as the area boasts 3 waterfalls as well as forests. While visiting Suan Pa, you can also learn about the Akha’s way of life, and experience the Akha tribe's unique cultural dances.

Activities
- Trek on adventure route to the waterfall
- Try local food and enjoy the local dance
- Get your hands on Akha handicraft , including basket weaving and Akha needlework
- Visit farms and learn more about local agriculture
- Take a walk to observe the life of Villagers
- Learn basics of Akha traditional cooking

Si Pan Rai Tea Plantation, Chiang Rai
(Camping)

The forests surrounding Si Pan Rai village were once ravaged by deforestation. In 1994, however, the Doi Tung Development Project began replanting the forests in this area. Today, the previously barren mountains have transformed into a lush landscape. Later, the locals started to grow tea on this hill. This development project assisted locals in becoming more self-reliant and improved their quality of life. Thus, Si-Pan Rai village has become a model for successful sustainable development.

Activities
- Wake up in the early morning with a flavorful cup of tea and experience the cool morning mist
- Enjoy the silence and sunrise. Take a walk through the organic tea plantation while your host teaches you how he harvests the tea
- Dinner under the stars and enjoy hilltribe dance (additional activity)
- Visit the local tea factory to witness the process of tea making and try some of the locally grown, high quality, organic tea and shop for some unique souvenirs.

Hloyo Village,Chiang Rai
(Cultural Activities)

Hloyo community is a small community of Akha tribe with 58 households . They just started to open up for visitors not so long ago so. Their authentic way of life encompasses a strong bond with nature is still quite well preserved. This community is located up on Doi Mae Salong close to the Myanmar border with a nice mountain view and cool breeze almost all year round.

Activities
- Work in a farm with the villagers
- Pick up some vegetable, herbs and fruits from the forest and bring back home to cook an Akha dish
- Learn to make things from bamboo
- Get your hands on tribal crafts such as bamboo weaving and Akha embroidery
- Trek in the forest and join local people to catch fish in the stream with your hands
- Teach the kids basic English and let them take you out to explore the village

Mae Salong Home Stay, Chiang Rai
(Camping)

Maesalong Homestay offers you a close relationship with nature. The area is surrounded by mist, mountains, and tea plantations. In winter (December-January), you can enjoy blooming white and pink cherry blossoms. Many different types of accommodations are available, including a hill-tribe bamboo house, standard rooms, as well as plenty of space for camping. We also offer homestays in hill-tribe villages for those who would like to experience traditional hill-tribe lifestyle.

Activities
- Observe the area from horseback riding to the tea plantation and cherry blossoms sight-seeing (available in winter)
- Experience hill tribe culture
- Trek to ‘Oolong’ tea plantation and try Chinese tea
- Also offer a trekking trip through the jungle and waterfall
- Try different kind of hilltribe style food
- Enjoy tribal performance from different tribal communities
- Visit some historical and cultural sight-seeing spots such as the biggest teapot and lion statues, a Chinese military museum, and the Great Pagoda Shantikiri.

CBT Promlok, Nakhon Srithammarat
(Bike Riding)

Promlok Community Based Tourism Group is situated next to Khao Luang National Park, which is part of the oldest ecosystem on earth featuring an exceptional diversity of species and richness of natural resources. Promlok sub-district is best known within Thailand for its beautiful Promlok Waterfall. This is an agricultural community which, over generations, has selected fruit seeds from the rainforest and planted 'Suan Som Rom' or mixed orchards and rubber plantations.

Activities
- Bike and explore the local way of life and nearby natural treasure lead by your local guide
- Visit the various agriculture plantations , mixed orchard (Suan Som Rom) and other local occupations group
- Pick fresh fruit from the tree
- Hike to the spectacular Promlok falls and spend time relaxing at nearby stream
- Create your own Batik art to take home as a souvenir
- Complete your trip with colorful southern manora cultural dance by the community's youths / Visit important local sights - such as Promlok Temple, which was founded in 1782 and still retains its traditional Buddhist frescos painting on the wall and the cave.

CBT Koh Yao Noi, Pang Nga
(Cultural Activities)

There is a strong conservation ethic among the people of Yaonoi community. In 2002, Koh Yao Noi gained worldwide attention after receiving the World Legacy Award for Destination Stewardship from Conservation International and for the eco-friendly homestay programs. Majority of the local population are Thai-Muslims and most of them involve in farming rubber, coconut and cashew nuts or are fishermen.

Activities
Do what the fishermen do, go out fishing early in the morning, take a little nap in the afternoon on the hammock, picnic on the beach, relax on the little quiet island. Visit local fish farm, exchange opinions with local people and don’t miss tasting delicious, fresh seafood.

CBT Huai Raeng, Trat
(Community Opening Trips)

Baan Huai Raeng is a tranquil community, located in central Thailand and approximately 15 kilometers from Trat City. The community has been around for over three hundred years, while the villagers have lived along Huai Raeng canal for many generations.

Activities
- Experience the serenity of local life by the water
- Fishing big-headed prawns and learn local cuisine by the water
- Join a workshop of local handicrafts
- Volunteer in community activities with community youth
- Enjoy a sightseeing cruise on a long tail boat along the canal
- Taste local fruits in the tranquil fields of this village