2 Days Chiang Mai Karen Ethnic Culture Tour

Traditional Karen weaving on a wooden loom is an important aspect of Karen culture and passed down from generation to generation. Karen women weave traditional colourful striped patterns which they wear as skirts, shirts, scarfs and bags.On this tour, you learn to weave on a wooden loom and finish a small item by yourself. You also have a cooking class and learn to prepare traditional Karen dishes and visit a Karen village to learn about the life in their community.

ITINERARY
DAY 1
We pick you up at 10 AM from your accommodation in Chiang Mai and head to a local market in Mae Wang to get supplies for our stay in the countryside.

From there, we drive up a mountain to Spicy Villa Eco-Lodges. At the bungalows, you have some time to get settled in your jungle hut before lunch.

Your first Karen weaving class starts just after lunch. A Karen lady comes and starts teaching you the basic techniques of using traditional wooden hand loom. You use hand died cotton strings to make the distinguishing colourful stripe pattern. Today you start weaving your fabric item, which could be a scarf, small table cloth, or anything you set your mind at!

After the weaving class, you have a cooking class, which is yet another way to learn about Karen culture. You learn to cook some traditional dishes on open fire, just like the local hill tribe people do.

After a delicious dinner, you are free for the evening. You spend the night in your private jungle bungalow.

Meals included: Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Private bungalow at Spicy Villa Eco-Lodges

DAY 2
After breakfast it’s time for your second Karen weaving class. Today you will finish the item that you starter making yesterday and perfect your weaving skills even further.

After your very own Karen fabric item is finished, it’s time to stretch your legs and back. Sitting on the floor and working on the loom is not easy. We go for a hike and visit a nearby Karen tribe village. Your guide can tell you about traditional lifestyles of the villagers and you can see them working in the fields and in the village.

You have lunch with the villagers, then it’s time to say goodbye and we take you for a trek to a local waterfall in the jungle. You can go for a swim and relax before we head back to Chiang Mai.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch