(5 Reviews)
Our driver will meet you at your hotel at 0800. Today you will visit the organic coffee farm Suan Lahu in Doi Saket district.
You will drive past Doi Saket town and onwards to the Mae Kachan Hot Springs. Just before the hot springs, we will turn right and head into the mountains toward Chaesorn National Park. We have time for photo-stops at one of the flower nurseries. After arrival at Suan Lahu, you will be received by your native hosts, who will brief you on Suan Lahu and organic coffee growing. A local Lahu guide will take you around the 80 rai (12 hectares) coffee plantation of which 60 are planted with Arabica coffee and fruit trees. Forest makes up for the remaining 20 rai. Views are amazing.
Having seen lychee, lemon and avocado trees, amongst others, you will have time to engage your first volunteer activity. There are several seasonal activities possible at the farm, ranging from taking care of farm animals (pigs and chicken), freeing the plants from strangulating vines, to grading, roasting, and harvesting the coffee beans. This will keep you busy until lunchtime. Enjoy a vegetarian, home-made lunch prepared by your Lahu hosts.
After lunch, you will visit the Lahu Sheleh community. A sub-group of the Black Lahu, they are an ethnic minority originating from the Tibet/China border area. We will show you some old pictures of the Lahu from yesteryear and show you around Doi Mod, the community located next to the organic coffee farm. After this, we will head back to the farm for the afternoon’s activity which can be one of your choosing. You can join local villagers working at the farm on a seasonal basis, or support Suan Lahu project founders in their natural and cultural restoration activities. At around 16:00 you will say goodbye to your hosts after an active, educational and fun day full of enjoyable activities, fresh air, healthy food, and most delicious coffee. Drive back to Chiang Mai.