Our Responsible Tourism Policy

We aim to offer travellers a way to visit the hill tribes of northern Thailand in an authentic and respectful way. We believe in local travel away from the tourist crowds and commercial tourism. Our small private group tours, allow for more intimate and meaningful connections between locals and travellers. We like to visit off-the-beaten-path areas, so that travellers can enjoy visiting places that are closer to the local way of life, this also brings tourist revenue to remote rural communities where a little goes a long way.

Overall, our mission goes beyond providing tours, to one that channels tourism to improve the welfare of the hill tribes and locals directly and sustainably.

• Ensuring the economic benefits of tourism goes directly to local people and local businesses. For example, we use locally-owned guesthouses, restaurants and shops.
• Allowing tourism to add value to host communities by encouraging cultural and knowledge exchange between locals and visitors. We don’t only go into villages to take photos
• Allowing tourism to contribute to the sustainable development of host communities, for example by visiting local artisans and showcasing their skills and products
• Recruiting staff locally. Our guides and drivers are often from hill tribe villages, we provide them with training and a livelihood in the tourism sector
• On our tours we like to talk about the socio-economic issues of the area to offer a realistic and full picture of the life that locals live and the challenges they face.

Responsible Travel tips

Your visit and interest in local culture, gives locals a sense of pride and helps to sustain their traditional identity and way of life. By following a few simple guidelines, your visit can have a positive and long lasting impact.

• Buy locally made products such as handicrafts from local artisans, this is a great way to support their traditional skills and products.
• Travel with a local guide, your experience will be much richer and you will gain a deeper insight into the local way of life, whilst contributing to a local salary.
• Choose locally owned guesthouses, restaurants and shops.
• Pay a fair price. Avoid excessive bargaining, a few baht may not mean much to you, but means a lot more to the vendor.
• Provide your tour operator or host family with any feedback about your stay.  If you had a positive experience offer to write a testimonial or review.
• Travel with an open mind and open heart, and remember a smile goes a long way 🙂