Truly a magical experience that we will never forget. I have been interested in the Akha hill tribe for about 10 years. I did a lot of research to find an authentic experience that benefit the people of the village. This is definitely an authentic experience. We stayed with Dia, Ama and family in a grass-thatched bamboo hut, cooked and ate with the family, visited the rice paddies where Dia works and bamboo groves to make crafts, strolled through the town and met the locals, and played with the kids from the school. We were the only tourists there in this semi-remote village and everyone welcomed us with open arms. This was one of the most memorable and enjoyable visits on our travels through Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan. Much love to the family and we will be back again.
We had a great experience spending some days with diya, ama, agu, minia and midaw. Our kids really loved the family and we had a great welcome. We spend two nights there and enjoyed discovering the dialy life of a great akha family. If you want to switch off your phone and get some time with real human relations, this is the place. They accepted us immediately and we all played much with all the kids and the grand mother as well. There was no equivalent in our trip and will remain a great souvenir for long. But I do not rate this as excellent because the price is just hard to understand. More than 8000 baht for two nights, one day. We thought there would be some special activites or something else that would justify this but... maybe they lack people? Maybe the agency takes too much? I do not know. But for more than the price of a luxury hotel we had a bamboo hut and no special activity. The family does not have much money either... We all love them much and would love to help them more next time. Hope all the money goes to them. This was just my feedback to remain a bit more objective on this very human guesthouse :) …
Thanks to Grand-ma, Dia and the children, we spent three wonderful days. Their warmth and humanity was very powerful. There was no need to speak the same language. I strongly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a fulfilling human experience, rich in ancestral traditions. An experience never to be forgotten.
My boyfriend and I went there and we felt inlove with Akha, Jem, his beautiful girls and his whole family. They were welcoming, friendly and warm, always helping and authentic. We talked to the local monk who was teaching us how to meditate, played with the kids, learned about Akha culture, ate their amazing food and slept as close to the jungle as we wanted to. Looking forward to meeting them all again :) Blessings and love
I did an incredible amount of research to find a home stay where the payment would go directly to the people that were working so hard to give you a real - not contrived hilltribe experience. Most in Chiang Mai are tours that pocket most of the money and don't benefit the people giving you the experience. Chiang Rai is much better and closer. Jems and his family (Akha), with the computer booking support of their dear friend Julie have put together an unforgettable true experience where you live, learn and stay an Akha way of life. From the walks in the fields and forests learning what is eaten and used, to cooking over open fire and learning handicraft, this is a true home stay. An evening of song and dance is also enjoyed on longer stays with family friends dressed in their traditional Akha clothing. The grass thatched, woven walled bungalow you stay in is basic with a 1 inch bed pad with sheet/blankets, clean and safe. The bathroom is NOT in your room but a very basic sit over urinal down the hill. So if you can't handle such basics and are squeamish about bugs (noise of bugs) and food you can't identify, this isn't the experience for you! BUT if you are open minded, eager to learn, and can appreciate this simple way of life and the love of the people that comes with it..I highly recommend! A taxi can be arranged to pick you up right at the airport of Chiang Rai with a stop at the White Temple and will take you to the village center where Jems will meet you....and you meet many in the village if late in the day :) This is an experience that really makes you appreciate the little things in life and puts a smile on your face. The countryside and views from your bungalow area are outstanding!…
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