Bangkok to Chiang Mai tour, elephants, trekking & culture

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

No Domestic Flight: Instead of flying from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, the trip goes overland: overnight bus to Mae Sot, songthaew to Umphang and back, then bus to Chiang Mai. Per passenger, shared buses produce lower emissions than a domestic flight.

Shared Local Transport: The group travels together in songthaews (local trucks) and public buses rather than private vehicles.

On Foot and on the River: The main activities (jungle trekking, elephant tracking and rafting) are done on foot or by raft, not in motorised vehicles.

Local and Seasonal Food: Meals in Palatha are cooked by host families with local ingredients.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Mahouts Elephant Foundation: We work with the Mahouts Elephant Foundation, which relocates elephants back into the forest around Palatha. You observe the elephants in the forest alongside the foundation's mahouts.

Homestays and Camping: Two nights are in family homestays in the Karen village of Palatha and one night in tents by Ko Tha waterfall.

National Park Fees Included: Entrance fees for Umphang National Park and the waterfalls are included and paid to the park.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Locally Owned Accommodations: The accommodations in Mae Sot and Umphang are locally owned, with homestays in Palatha village providing direct economic benefits to the community. These homestays offer travelers an authentic experience and help sustain local livelihoods.

Maximizing Local Economic Opportunities: Throughout the trip, local guides, drivers, and cooks are employed, ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism are spread across the community. Additionally, travelers are encouraged to purchase locally produced handicrafts, benefiting small-scale artisans and farmers.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Local Employment: The vast majority of staff, including local guides, drivers, and cooks, are from the areas the trip visits. This helps ensure that the local economy benefits directly from tourism, providing income to the community.

Inclusive Employment: The trip supports inclusive employment practices by providing income-generating opportunities for women and marginalized groups in the region.

Cultural and Linguistic Inclusivity: The trip promotes inclusivity by providing employment to individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including the Karen community. The guides and hosts represent a broad spectrum of local cultures, contributing to the overall diversity of the experience.