Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Visit five different hill tribe villages - Akha, Meo, Lisu , Palong and Karen village, see the different way of life, culture, and beliefs.
You will learn how all these tribes are different in their living styles and lifestyles. Explore the Chiang Dao Cave and Temple, the biggest and full of stories cave of Chiang Mai. Visit an orchid farm and butterfly farm where you can see Thai orchids and bring the beautiful orchids home.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
The exact meeting/departure time will be informed in a private message via the booking platform the day before before the tour. Departure time can be between 8:00-9:00 hrs depending on the number of participants on your travel date. Please carefully check your message/email the day before the tour (including junk mail).
For the hike in Chiang Dao Cave, we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes (please avoid flip-flops for your safety and comfort).
As our tours run on a group basis, we can wait a maximum of 10 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. After this grace period, the guide will begin the tour. If you cannot make it on time, please let us know before the tour starts. If possible, we’ll do our best to reschedule you for the next available day, though a rescheduling fee will apply. No refund will be provided in case of late arrival.
Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour start time are eligible for a full refund. For cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance or in case of no-show, no refund will be issued.
Our tours operate rain or shine, as tropical rain showers in Thailand usually don’t last long. If it rains heavily, we try to seek shelter and will continue as soon as the weather improves. During the rainy season, it’s a good idea to bring a raincoat or poncho. Please note cancellations due to weather are not eligible for a refund.
Two passages inside the cave are quite narrow and you will need to crawl through them. This hike through the cave is not recommended for anyone who suffers from claustrophobia.
We only pick up from hotels and accommodations located within the Old City of Chiang Mai or directly next to the Old City walls. If your hotel or accommodation is outside this area, you are required to meet the group in front of the Burger King at Thapae Gate (the eastern gate of the Old City) in Chiang Mai.
What To Expect
Chiang Dao
Ban Huai I-Ko display the way of life and cultures of five different hill tribe groups which typically reside in the north of Thailand. At Ban Huai I-Ko you will find, Akha, Meo, Lisu, Karen and Palong. Explore the variety of culture, how they live, and different of beliefs. Get an unforgettable experience, visiting real local hill tribe villages guided by local people from the village. Explore their house, garden and school. The duration included traveling time from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao
Chiang Dao Cave
Explore the cave with the local guides with a lantern. Chiang Dao cave is an attractive and biggest cave in Chiang Mai. A giant cave with beautiful stalagmite and the stalactite inside that form spontaneously. The cave is also fascinating with an astonishing stories about the past which has been told for many generations.
Options
Small Group With Entrance Fees
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Pick up and drop off (Chiang Mai Old City Area)
Local tour guide at Chiang Dao Cave
Air-conditioned vehicle
Local tour guide from the villages
Licensed English speaking tour guide
Entrance fee at Chiang Dao Cave
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
195 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Off the beaten track tour
193marilenad,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a great experience with my tour guide Tik. Tik is well spoken and knowledgeable. We first visited the tribes and strolled around their villages. The caves were impressive. Overall, I would definitely recommend to those who want to have a quieter excursion and immerse in nature.
Great experience
orielb2026,May 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really fun, 10/10. I learned allot on the village tour, Jane taught us about plants, cooking, village life and seemed to get along well with the locals. The restaurant we stopped at had really good food and the cave was also amazing. Thankyou Jane :)
5 tribes and cave
Guide60992551712,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was really great. I highly recommend and love my guide how kind they are and pay attention to everything. They even gave us some fresh fruits on the way to go!
Not worth it
Latanya H,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00The tour is geared to give money to the villages. Tour would usually show how village people would work hard and need support. Since ut was Easter, no one was out doing anything so tour guide was disappointed. The cave tour was a hoax. Looked like they created statues throughout for purposes of tour. Totally opposite of what we thought. It was a wasted day. Would not recommend unless you want to feel sorry for the villages and give money or buy things.
Great tour
X1036SUluizac,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was amazing! The guide Ammy was very good and made everything better.
Villagers selling "handmade" items
Veronica D,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00This is a follow up to my previous review. While we visited each village, I was introduced to people selling their "handmade" crafts. I questioned at one point if they were truly handmade and was assured this was true. Upon return to Chiang Mai, I made my way to the Night Market (for the first time) and discovered stalls full of these items. It became clear my instincts were correct. And, the prices were lower. So, if you want to but handmade gifts, notice what they are actually making. Otherwise, understand the items are same as you will find on street markets. I am still trying g to sort out how so many people are living with so little in the village when there are acres and acres of orchards that they are reportedly managing. I plan to research more. At the end of the day, I would have preferred to make a donation and not been misled.
Authentic experience!
Culture63222764207,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great, authentic day trip. We were very lucky that our guide was very dedicated and brought us closer to their home in a very nice way. We used the short stop at the butterfly/orchid farm for a good coffee. The visit to the five different mountain villages was unique. We never felt like strangers, but guests. In one of the villages we even got into a real wedding. This was very interesting. After a good lunch, we went safely through the far-flung cave with a special cave guide with a lantern. We do not know of such an excursion from Europe. We can highly recommend this trip.
Cave and temples
BRENDAN B,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great variety of things on this tour,tour guide was really knowledgeable and friendly it was great day out
Excellent experience...
Mara B,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent experience seeing the villages! Jane and driver were great! Loved the cave as well. Best tour of all!
Variety of stops
beth a,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Traveling with my adult son. Jane was our guide and she did fine job of filling us in on what we were seeing. Our first stop was at a butterfly preserve to use restroom. Amazing selection of butterflies but we had to rush thru. We then went to see how a few mountain tribes live and they tried selling their wares to us. Was interesting how it looked like they lived simply yet every house had satellite dish. Was hot and dry out there, bring your water bottle. We then went to the cave. It had small clearance in parts and was slippery so I stayed outside and wandered the grounds while tour went in. The tour was enjoyable but I think the tour would have been much better if we would have had a real stop at butterfly preserve instead of quick bathroom break, and visited a few less tribes.
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