📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The Green Lion
💼 What the programme involves
One of our most diverse programs in one of the most stunning spots in Thailand. This visit to Thailand”™s northern Hill Tribe community will be hard to forget. The Akha people are a disadvantaged minority that migrated into Thailand. By living and breathing their culture you will learn about their unique and distinct lifestyle.
This program will have you immersed in the village, experiencing a range of cultural activities, as well as enjoying the surrounding fauna, wildlife and tourist attractions on the final day.
Your main activity will be to help out the local Akha people through various means such as teaching, gardening and light construction and renovation.
The idea here is not to try to alter their culture or perceptions in any way, but rather to embrace their way of life and learn from one another. This means open mindedness and a willingness to help and understand the needs of the Akha people.
The hilltop village is not far from the Northern city of Chiang Rai and is surrounded by lush jungle, which provide with natural resources that the Akhas use to survive. Plants are used for healing, bamboo helps construct their homes, hunting and farming provides them with food. The Akha people have their own unique language, religion and culture.
🏠 Accommodation on site
About the Accommodation
Some of you might like to choose this location for a night, to fully experience living in the village as a typical villager. If you go into this homestay, you will be sleeping on the floor on basic grass mats in wooden huts. You will be sharing space with a local family and will eat and live with them, even taking part in the completion of their daily chores.
During your stay, you will be sharing a room with other participants. Your 'bed' will be a thin Thai mattress - don't expect much luxury! We recommend that you bring your own mosquito nets with you due to your rustic lifestyle at this location.
Cell phone reception is incredibly limited - you really are living in and experiencing rural Thailand at this location! You might be able to reach some reception at higher levels.
Food Arrangements
Local dishes are provided on site. Some families might even ask you to help out with the kitchen chores, so get prepared to learn some authentic Akha recipes!
📍 About the location
For one night during the week long program, you have the option to fully immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the Akhas by having a homestay with a local family. In this way, you will learn about their morning routine, how they sleep, how they cook, what they eat, etc. This experience will provide you with opportunities to learn the true way of life of the Akha people, firsthand.
ℹ️ Additional information
Open all year, starting on Mondays, every week, participation fee 350€ per week. Culture week mandatory: 175€ to start the programme