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Hloyo Community

Chiang Rai

About the Community

Set in amidst Chiang Rai’s Doi Mae Salong mountain range, over 2,000 m above sea level, the Lo Yo community still stands today as a truly authentic Akha village. The group of people called “Lo Mia Akha” named their village “Lo Yo” after the present chief.

Most notably, entire lifestyle, beliefs and traditions are all – in one way or another – linked to nature. This has helped the community to prosper, surrounded by the lush forest, rich green fields and fresh, pollution-free air; all the remedies visitors from big cities need!.

Staying at the community’s comfortable mudhouse homestay, visitors’ can enjoy the misty morning air which usually lingers until for quite a while, especially in winter. This is the perfect time to get up, have breakfast, and take part in a range of community-based activities – with the chance to don a traditional hand-woven Akha dress (a great way to blend in).
Learning simple Akha words with senior villagers naturally might help you in the day’s cooking class with local chefs; you’ll be preparing some chili paste to be served with fried vegetables, as well as clear soup and omelet with herbs as part of a traditional Khan Tok dinner. One can also take a walk into the forest and follow the nature trail, stopping off to hand-pick coffee cherries from villagers’ plantation. There are many traditional toys to test your coordination skills, such as wooden tops, stilts and wooden downhill race carts, all guaranteed fun for all abilities! Alongside a traditional welcome dance performed by the villagers, you might find their hospitality and simple lifestyle so appealing that it’s hard to leave.

What will you learn?

Discover the Akha’s tribe fascinating culture terms of language, costumes, and simple-yet-unique lifestyle. Experience the true way of living with local people with new experiences which may change your perspective on life.

Cultural and Local Wisdom Heritage
  1. The unique Akha lifestyle: Lor Yo community features the unique Akha lifestyle, culture and arts. For example, try some traditional Akha dishes like mountain gourd soup, pick up the local Akha language, and experience different traditions and ceremonies.
  2. Traditional Akha games/activities: Traditional games are another example of this people’s unique lifestyle. Games like stilt walking, Akha top and Akha formula racing are some of the village’s unique traits.
  3. Community lodge-style clay house: Akha clay houses bear simple architectural designs with a unique local touch. Their creative decoration is inspired by the Akha lifestyle itself.
  4. Akha handicrafts: Akha people are deeply connected to nature. Most of their everyday items are therefore made of bamboo or other woods. They make carved figures out of wood and bracelets out of seeds.
Activities
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  • Experience the lifestyle of Akha hill tribe.
  • Enjoy playing with Akha toys, like spinning tops and bamboo stilts.
  • Learn the Akha wisdom of clay house building.
  • Cook up some traditional Akha food from local ingredients.
  • Learn how to find herbs and survive in the wild.
  • Making Akha handicrafts such as bracelets and dolls.
  • Get to know about tea culture, plantation and ancient Chinese traditions.
Programs

Program 2 Days 1 Night

Day 1
9.00 am Meet at the designated meeting point (airport/hotel in Chiang Rai/specified attraction in Chiang Rai).
10.00 – 11.00 am Akha Mud House, Ban Lor Yo, Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai province
Arrive at Ban Lor Yo community, an Akha community that dates back over 80 years. Listen to the story of the community and the Akha tribe from Khun Yohan, the owner of Akha Mud House, Doi Mae Salong, and the leader of the Ban Lor Yo community.
11.00 am – 3.30 pm Take a hike around the local area and see the lifestyle and wisdom of the Akha people living in the wild.
Admire the beautiful nature and view from the mountain range with lunch in the middle of nature. See how food is cooked in the bamboo tubes. Along the way, learn about wild herbs and the ancient salt lick-making method which serves as medicine for wild animals.
3.30 – 4.00 pm Plant more greenery for the community.
Travel into the community forest to plant trees and carve your own wooden label for a good memory. Walk through the forest and learn how it has been adapted to serve the community.
4.00 – 6.00 pm Enjoy some leisure time.
6.00 – 7.00 pm Ahka-style Khan Toke dinner
7.00 – 7.30 pm Enjoy the night view and the Akha lifestyle at night.
7.30 pm Enjoy free time until bed.
Day 2
7.00 – 8.00 am Breakfast at Akha Mud House
9.00 – 11.00 am Walk around Lor Yo village and experience the Akha lifestyle, culture and beliefs, such as the Akha cultural gate and play some local games like the Akha top, Koh Noh and the traditional Akha swing.
11.00 am – 12.00 pm Akha Cooking Class
Visit the mud house kitchen and learn some Akha recipes, which make use of the local ingredients to create delicious dishes that are only available in this part of the world.
12.00 – 1.00 pm Have lunch – which includes your self-cooked dishes.
1.00 – 3.00 pm Say goodbye to the community and head back to Chiang Rai.
3.00 pm Travel to the meeting point (airport/hotel in Chiang Rai/attraction in Chiang Rai) to embark on your return journey.

Program 2 Days 1 Night

No. of visitors 2-3 persons 4-6 persons 7-9 persons
Rate/Person (THB) 10,000 7,900 7,500

Instructions

  • Prepare sun protection, such as sunglasses, sun cream, hat and umbrella.
  • Wear comfortable clothes and practical footwear like sneakers.
  • Refrain from carrying valuable items.
  • Kindly respect and follow the staff’s instructions.

Included in the program:

  • Meals as stated in the program (1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner)
  • Accommodation for 1 night (Akha Mudhouse Maesalong)
  • Activities as stated in the program
  • Transportation as required during the program
  • Guide or Local Alike staff member
  • Community communicator
  • Travel insurance
  • 7% VAT and 3% WHT

Not included in the program:

  • Personal expenses
  • Food and drinks not mentioned in the program

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Day 1
10.00 am Meet at the designated meeting point (airport/hotel in Chiang Rai/specified attraction in Chiang Rai).
10.30 – 11.30 am Travel to Wat Rong Khun, a dazzling white-washed temple built by Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat, a famous Thai artist, with a strong determination to create an intricate piece of art dedicated to the reign of King Rama IX. It has received much praise from visitors for being as beautiful as “the heaven” itself.
12.00 – 1.00 pm Lunch at Ma Long Ter restaurant, Art Bridge of Chiang Rai
1.30 – 2.30 pm Arrive at Ban Dam Museum, comprised of a group of Lanna-style black houses built by Ajarn Tawan Datchanee, another internationally-renowned Thai artist often praised alongside Ajarn Chalermchai. The contrasting colors used by the two artists has brought about the phrase “Chalerm builds heaven while Tawan builds hell”.
3.00 – 4.00 pm Arrive at Rong Sua Ten Temple, another highlight of Chiang Rai built by a Chiang Rai artist. The main building is painted in blue and shows the diverse colors through the arts and architecture of Chiang Rai.
4.00 – 5.30 pm Check-in at the accommodation, Le Terrarium Bed & Sleep Chiang Raim and enjoy some leisure time.
5.30 – 6.30 pm Dinner at Lu Lam restaurant.
7.00 – 7.30 pm Enjoy the light and sound show at Chiang Rai Clock Tower, designed by Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat and said to be one of the most spectacular of its type in Thailand. It’s also been nominated as one of the not-to-miss landmarks for people visiting Chiang Rai.
7.30 – 9.00 pm Shop at sprawling Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, the liveliest (and busiest) market in the center of town.
9.00 pm Enjoy free time until bed.
Day 2
8.00 – 9.00 am Breakfast at the hotel restaurant and check-out.
9.30 – 10.30 am Arrive at Wat Pra Kaew in the Mueang district of Chiang Rai province. A visit to this temple provides a look back in time to Chiang Rai’s prosperous past, as this is where the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most important Buddha image (now situated at the Grand Palace in Bangkok), was first discovered.
10.30 am – 12.00 pm Arrive at the Lanna Culture Preservation Center, Oob Kam Museum. Here, you’ll find out about Chiang Rai’s ethnic diversity represented by various artifacts over one hundred years old and learn about the history of each tribe.
12.00 – 1.00 pm Lunch at Khao Soi Por Jai restaurant
1.00 – 2.00 pm Akha Mud House, Ban Lor Yo, Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai province
Arrive at Ban Lor Yo community, an Akha community that dates back over 80 years. Listen to the story of the community and the Akha tribe from Khun Yohan, the owner of Akha Mud House, Doi Mae Salong, and the leader of Ban Lor Yo community.
2.00 – 3.00 pm Plant more greens for the community.
Travel into the community forest to plant trees and carve your own wooden label for a good memory. Walk through the forest and discover how it has been adapted to serve the community.
3.00 – 6.00 pm Check-in at Akha Mud House and enjoy some free time.
6.00 – 7.00 pm Enjoy an Ahka-style Khan Toke dinner, complete with a traditional welcome show from the local Akha children.
7.00 pm Enjoy free time before bed.
Day 3
8.00 – 9.00 am Breakfast at Akha Mud House
9.00 – 11.00 am Walk around Lor Yo village and soak up the Akha lifestyle, culture and beliefs, such as the Akha cultural gate and local games like the Akha top, Koh Noh and the traditional Akha swing.
11.00 am – 12.00 pm Akha Cooking Class
Visit the mud house kitchen and learn some Akha recipes, which make use of the local ingredients to create delicious dishes only available in this part of the world.
12.00 – 1.00 pm Have lunch – which includes your self-cooked dishes.
1.00 – 3.00 pm Learn about the Akha handicrafts
Try making some Akha crafts, including Akha bracelets crafted from natural materials into tribal-style fashion items. Make your own Akha figure, a souvenir full of souls and beliefs of the Akha people.
3.00 – 5.00 pm Take a break and freshen up.
5.00 – 6.00 pm Try cooking some Akha dishes.
6.00 – 7.00 pm Dinner with Khun Yohan’s family.
7.00 pm Enjoy leisure time.
Day 4
8.00 – 9.00 am Breakfast at Akha Mud House
9.00 am – 12.00 pm Learn about the local Akha wisdom and build eco-friendly mud houses.
Take a truck ride in search of some mud, which is needed to be used for construction. You’ll be given a demonstration on how the mud houses are built, with the process starting by mixing the mud. After mixing, let the mud settle and use it to cover the walls. Feeling creative? Then design your own wall on one of the houses!
12.00 – 1.00 pm Lunch at Akha Mud House
1.00 – 3.00 pm Let your imagination flow and design your own mud house.
Once the mud is ready for construction, it’s time to build a mud house in your own style! Khun Yohan will give instructions on coating the walls and creating patterns. The mud houses will be turned into rooms for future visitors.
3.00 – 6.00 pm Enjoy some free time.
6.00 – 7.00 pm Dinner
7.00 pm Free time before bed.
Day 5
7.30 am – 8.30 am Breakfast at Akha Mud House
9.00 – 10.00 am Ban Ja Boo See, Doi Mae Salong, Mae Fa Luang district, Chiang Rai province
Arrive at Ban Ja Boo See, a Lahu community that is over 100 years old. The Lahu people is known for their simple lifestyle and deep connection with nature. Listen to the community’s story from Khun Amornrat, the community leader.
A wrist-binding welcome ceremony
After an introduction to the Lahu people, P’Amornrat will lead you into a Lahu house where a wrist-binding welcome ceremony is held. The Lahu people believe that the ceremony will bring good luck and safe journeys ahead.
10.00 am – 12.00 pm Living in the wild with the Lahu local wisdom
Being so connected to nature, the Lahu people can teach you skills important to living in the wild, such as picking local herbs to use as medicine and catching fish for consumption – the natural way.
12.00 – 1.00 pm Have lunch in the middle of nature and see how some of the dishes are cooked in bamboo tubes.
1.00 – 4.00 pm Walk through the lush nature, passing through a bamboo forest, to a waterfall in the middle of the forest. Enjoy the view of Doi Mae Salong and Doi Tung while collecting natural materials to make household objects along the way.
4.00 – 4.15 pm Say goodbye to Ja Boo See community.
4.15 – 5.30 pm Enjoy a relaxing early afternoon with a coffee and the scenic view of Doi Mae Salong mountain range at Pana Coffee House.
6.00 – 7.00 pm Dinner at Akha Mud House
7.00 pm Enjoy some free time before bed.
Day 6
7.30 – 8.30 am Breakfast at Akha Mud House
9.00 – 10.00 am The Thai-Chinese Heroic Museum of Former Chinese Nationalist Army of the Northern Thailand, Santi Kiri village (Doi Mae Salong)
Learn about the Yunnan people’s history of immigration into the North of Thailand. This museum tells the story of the battle between the communist and democratic parties in China, which was the beginning of the Chinese diasporic army… and many more stories to be told.
10.15 – 11.00 am Mae Salong Homestay & Outdoor, Doi Mae Salong
Arrive at Doi Mae Salong Community Tourism Center. Listen to the history of the Yunnan community on Doi Mae Salong from Uncle James, or Khun Skurapol Saipetkorsakul, a Chinese-Thai community master, who will tell you about the Chinese culture and stories.
Experience the traditional Chinese tea culture.
Chinese people have long been connected to the culture of tea drinking, with leaves being cultivated for over a thousand years. Tea is always consumed with great care for its medical properties and warm touch that helps with the cold.
11.00 am – 12.00 pm Yunnan-Chinese Cooking Class
Try cooking some Yunnan dishes with recipes adapted to suit the local ingredients, creating unique and charming tastes.
12.00 – 1.00 pm Yunnan-style lunch at Mae Salong Homestay
1.00 – 2.30 pm Ride a horse through tea plantation, where the community’s main industrial crop is grown.
Generating a large revenue for the community each year, tea is Doi Mae Salong’s main industrial crop. Enjoy a visit through a tea plantation by horse-riding, which was also part of the Chinese lifestyle in the past.
2.30 – 4.00 pm See how tea leaves are processed at 101 Tea Plantation.
After seeing the tea plants, it’s time to learn how the leaves are processed for further distribution, including leaf-drying, roasting, pressuring, hot-air drying and packaging.
4.30 – 6.00 pm Arrive at Srinagarindra Stit Mahasantikhiri Pagoda, a memorial site dedicated to Princess Srinagarindra and the highest point of Doi Mae Salong range with a panoramic view of the surroundings. It represents the loyalty of the Doi Mae Salong tribes to the Chakri Dynasty of Thailand.
6.00 – 7.00 pm Yunnan-style hot-pot dinner at Im Pochana restaurant
7.30 pm Enjoy some free time before bed.
Day 7
Morning Breakfast at Akha Mud House
12.00 – 1.30 pm Say goodbye to Lor Yo community and return to Chiang Rai via road.
1.30 pm Travel to the meeting point to embark on the return journey. (airport/hotel in Chiang Rai/attraction in Chiang Rai)

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

No. of visitors 2-3 persons 4-6 persons 7-9 persons
Rate/Person (THB) 37,000 25,000 19,900

Instructions

  • Prepare sun protection, such as sunglasses, sun cream, hat and umbrella.
  • Wear comfortable clothes and practical footwear like sneakers.
  • Refrain from carrying valuable items.
  • Kindly respect and follow the staff’s instructions.

Included in the program:

  • Meals as stated in the program (6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners)
  • Accommodation for 6 nights (Le Terrarium Hotel and Akha Mudhouse Maesalong)
  • Activities as stated in the program
  • Transportation needed in the program
  • Guide or Local Alike staff member
  • Community communicator
  • Travel insurance
  • 7% VAT and 3% WHT

Not included in the program:

  • Personal expenses
  • Food and drinks not mentioned in the program

Seasons/ Periods of Visit: All-year-round

All-year-round activities
  • A tour around the community to see the local Akha lifestyle
  • Try the traditional games like stilt walking, Akha top and Akha swing.
  • Learn how to cook Akha food.
  • Learn about the Akha crafts like the doll-making, Akha bracelets and embroidery.
  • Plant trees as part of a forest for the community.
  • A walk through the coffee plantation, plus harvesting coffee and farm products
  • Khan Toke style dinner
  • Learn how to build clay houses.
  • Enjoy a welcome show performed by the Akha people
  • Hike an interpretive nature trail.
Rainy season activities
  • Try taking part in some traditional games like stilt walking, Akha top and Akha swing.
  • Learn how to cook Akha food.
  • Learn about Akha hand craft, Akha bracelets and embroidery.
  • Help with planting a forest for the community.
  • Take a walk through the coffee plantation, plus harvesting coffee and farm products
  • Khan Toke style dinner
  • A welcome show performed by Akha people
Winter activities
  • Hike an interpretive nature trail.
  • Learn how to build clay houses.
Local Foods
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  • Pork larb cooked with herbs
  • Mountain gourd soup
  • Herbal omelet
  • Akha chili paste
  • Stir-fried chayote
Local Products
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  • Akha doll
  • Bracelets
  • Carved crafts such as satchels and hats
  • Wild honey, tea, coffee
Home stay
Local homestay
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Hosts/Local Masters
Local Master/Instructor
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Mr. Prakasit Chermueku

Akha history and community instructor

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Ms. Ratree Boonprasert

Akha cuisine instructor

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Mrs. Meesher Chermueku

Akha craft instructor

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Mr. Chorbee Chermueku

Wild product and herb instructor

Local Interpretors
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Mr. Prakasit Chermueku

Photo/VDO Gallery
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Nearby attractions
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  • Doi Maesalong
  • 101 Tea Plantation
  • Sinakarintra Stit Mahasantikhiri Pagoda
How To Get There
  • A transfer between Chiang Rai-Ban Hloyo community, 3,000 baht/trip
  • Van
  • Personal car

Community’s Contact Information

Community tourism coordinator: Mr. Prakasit Chermueku
Phone: 09-3258-9994
Social media: Akha Mudhouse Maesalong
Address: Maesalong Nok, Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai 5711

Tour Agent Contact Information

Tour operator’s name: Local Alike Co., Ltd.
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 0-2115-9861, 08-1139-5593
Social media: www.facebook.com/LocalAlike, localalike.com www.instagram.com/localalike, twitter.com/localalike