Lampang Teak Town and a Karen Village: Two Nights from Chiang Mai
Two slow days outside Chiang Mai: a teak-trade town of wooden mansions, Burmese temples and horse carriages, and a day with a Pga K'nyau (Karen) village that weaves, works silver and cooks without meat.
Tour overview
A century ago Lampang grew rich on teak. British and Burmese timber merchants built wooden mansions and temples in Burmese style along the Wang River, and the old quarter, looked after by its own residents, still keeps them. You stay two nights in a family-run guesthouse in this quarter, ride the town's horse carriages and paint your own rooster bowl, the ceramic Lampang is known for. On the second day you drive into the hills of Lamphun province to a Pga K'nyau (Karen) village known for its living traditions, where families keep their language, dress and vegetarian way of life. The women weave on backstrap looms, the men work silver and iron, and lunch is cooked in the community kitchen. Your English-speaking guide stays with you and translates.
Scheduled stops
- •Lampang's old teak quarter
- •Burmese-style temple
- •Horse-carriage ride
- •Rooster-bowl painting
- •A day in a Karen village
- •Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Three-day programme
Times are approximate and may vary depending on traffic, queues, temple access and local conditions. The order of visits may be adjusted when necessary to provide the smoothest experience.
Pickup in Chiang Mai
About 1 hour 15 minutes to Lampang.
The teak quarter
Old wooden mansions and a Burmese-style temple with your guide, then lunch of northern curry.
Rooster-bowl painting
Paint your own bowl with a local ceramic workshop.
Horse carriage and check-in
A carriage ride through town along the river, then check-in at your guesthouse.
Into the hills
Drive to a Karen village in the hills of Lamphun province.
Weaving, silver and iron
Backstrap weaving with the village women, the silver workshop and the blacksmith.
Community kitchen
A vegetarian lunch with the families, then the hilltop temple; back in Lampang around 17:30.
Lampang Luang and back
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, a walled 15th-century temple, on the way back to Chiang Mai, arriving around 14:00.
Photo gallery
Photos: Mr.Peerapong Prasutr (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) · Adam Jones (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons) · Varvara Kless-Kaminskaia (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) · Varvara Kless-Kaminskaia (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)
Frequently asked questions
Is the trip private?
Yes. The guide, the car and the programme are only for your group (1–8 people).
What is the price?
The price depends on the season, the number of guests and the rooms available. Send us your dates and group size and we will send you a personalised offer.
Where do we sleep?
In a family-run guesthouse in Lampang's old quarter, simple and clean, with private bathrooms. A restored teak boutique property can be booked instead on request.
Do we sleep in the Karen village?
Not in this programme: the village visit is a full day trip from Lampang. A night in the village can be arranged on request where a family can host.
What is included
- Licensed local English-speaking guide for the three days.
- Private car with driver from and to Chiang Mai, fuel, tolls and parking.
- Two nights in a guesthouse in Lampang, breakfast included.
- Horse-carriage ride, rooster-bowl painting, the Karen village programme and a vegetarian lunch there.
- Basic travel insurance for every customer, the guide and the driver.
Tour price inclusions and exclusions
- Price on request: we send you a personalised offer for your dates and group.
- Other meals and drinks are not included.
- Price for the whole private group, VAT included.
Practical tips
- Bring modest clothes for the temples and a light jacket: mornings in the hills are cool from November to February.
- The Karen village is vegetarian: please don't bring meat as a gift.
- Cash is useful for weaving and silver bought directly from the makers.