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BACKGROUND

The community started with a few families settling in the area more than 100 years ago. The village got its name from its physical characteristic of having several streams passing through the village. In Northern Thai language, the stream or river is called “Nam Mae.” And also, there is the native flower (locally called “Dok Kam Pong”) growing along these streams. Thus, the village’s name is a combination of the names of the stream and native flower. According to the village’s elderly, the early settlers migrated from Doi Saket district, the nearby district in Chiang Mai province, to search for land for the forest-tea orchard cultivation. The reason for migration was the scarcity of cultivated area in their original villages. After the development of the settlement, the Khamu hill ethnic group also migrated to this area as wage laborers in forest-tea orchard farming. Later this group assimilated into the Northern Thai culture.

In the past, the area was a dense forest, with various kinds of wild animals. Local villagers were self-sufficient. Rice, salt, and some dried foods were the only basic necessities to be bought from outside. When the settlement grew larger both from the natural increase and migration, the temple was built to serve as the village spiritual center. Buddhist monks from the lowland villages were invited to reside in the temple. At present, about 95 per cent of villagers are Buddhists. Baan Mae Kam Pong was officially set up in 1914. Baan Mae Kam Pong is the Village No. 3 of seven villages in Huai Kaew Sub-District, Mae On District, Chiang Mai province. It is an upland village, located 50 km northeast of Chiang Mai city along the Mae On-Huai Kaew Road. The village got its name from its physical characteristic of having several streams passing through the village.

The early settlers migrated from Doi Saket District, the nearby district in Chiang Mai Province, to search for land for the forest-tea orchard cultivation. The topographical feature of the area could be classified as hilly terrain with an elevation of 800-1,000 m above sea level. The village was further divided into six village clusters, covering an area of approximately 6.22 square kilometers, or 3,887.50 rai. The village area was classified into various land uses, 2,523.82 rai of the agricultural area, 930.38 rai of the forest area, and 433.30 rai of residential area. The village can be accessed to all year round although there is no public transportation to the village.

As of 2004, the village contained a total population of 418 persons (216 males and 202 females). This population comprised 130 households in total. The majority of the populations 70 per cent) were in the working age group. Baan Mae Kampong is a fermented tea- producing community. About 97 per cent of villagers are currently engaged in fermented tea production, locally called “Miang.” In the fermented tea production cycle, the tea leaves can be harvested four times a year. However, in recent years, the villagers have turned to growing coffee by planting it in the forest-tea garden. This crop diversification occurred in response to the decline of fermented tea production and to gain an additional income. The average household income from agricultural production was 35,000 baht per annum.

ITINERARY

Day 01- CHIANG MAI – BAAN MAE KAM PONG (-/L/D)
08:00 Picking up either from your hotel in Chiang Mai or from Chiang Mai Airport or from Chiang Mai Railways Station and transfer to Baan Mae Kam Pong village, which are 1,300 metres above means sea level. The journey takes about 1 hour (50 kms.) from Chiang Mai. On the way to the village, stops can be made at stone garden, Teen Tok Royal Project and Pha Num Lord Cliff.

Upon arrival at the village, foreign visitors will meet chief of the village, who will introduce them to their hosts and their guides. The village chief will brief the guests about the village and the activities. Hosts will take their guests to their houses. After lunch guests will take a village tour, observing the making of local hats, bamboo furniture making, bamboo handicraft, herbal products and the process of old tea leaves fermenting. A visit to tea and coffee plantations, the 7-level waterfall, local school and temple are also included. Return to home and at leisure until dinner. Dinner will be served in the host’s house and dine together with the hosts. Overnight in the host’s house.

Day 02 - BAAN MAE KAM PONG (B/L/D)
This morning, guests will be taken to the temple to offer alms to the monks and return home for breakfast. After breakfast, guests will be able to choose one of the two activities:

a) To trek through the forest to Mon Lan Peak, which is 1,700 metres above means sea level and 5 kilometres from the village. At the peak, guests will view the three provinces – Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Lampang. Return to the village late afternoon and at leisure until dinner.

b) To visit by car the areas surrounding the village, such as, Sankampang Hot springs and Muang-on Cave. Return to the village late afternoon and at leisure until dinner. Dinner will be held at the community’s centre. During dinner, the welcoming ceremony, welcoming dance together with local music (using local instruments) will be performed.

Overnight in the host’s house.

Day 03 - BAAN MAE KAMPONG - DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
Breakfast will be served at the host house.
After breakfast, time will be at leisure at the village until the departure time
Transfer from Baan Mae Kam Pong Village to Chiang Mai Town. Arrives in Chiang Mai Town and drop you off either at your hotel in Chiang Mai or at Chiang Mai Railways Station or at Chiang Mai Airport for your onwards travel destination

PRICE

The package price as per the above itinerary is calculated in basis of sharing twin-bedded room according the hotel and/or accommodation below;

INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICES ARE:

• Accommodation with daily breakfast
• Transfers, entrance fees, and tours by air-conditioned transportation with local English speaking guide
• Meals as state in the program
• Service charges, room tax, VAT and baggage handling

NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICES ARE:

• Optional tours
• Hotel’s accommodation in Chaing Mai
• International air ticket to/from Bangkok
• Domestic airfare Chiang Mai – Bangkok or v.v.,
• Domestic airport tax
• Train ticket Bangkok – Chiang Mai or v.v.,
• Peak season surcharge and/or compulsory meal during festive, if any.
• Visa Fees
• Immigration & custom formality fees.
• International airport tax at THB 700 NET PER PERSON (present rate and subject to change)
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc.
• Other tours & meals than mentioned in the program