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View all Chiang Mai toursChiang Mai: Gibbon Trek & Mae Kampong Village Small-Group Tour
A small-group day trip into the mountains east of Chiang Mai — trek through forest in search of wild gibbons, then explore the century-old village of Mae Kampong.
Highlights
- Trek through forest in search of wild, rehabilitated gibbons
- Explore the century-old mountain village of Mae Kampong
- Portion of tour price supports gibbon conservation caretakers
- Small-group format, never a big bus tour
- Home-style Northern Thai lunch included
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Small Group Gibbon Trek & Mae Kampong Tour
Full description
High in the mountains east of Chiang Mai, the village of Mae Kampong sits wrapped in mist and forest, its wooden houses connected by narrow paths above a running stream. This small-group tour uses the village as a base for a real forest trek — before you reach the village itself, your guide leads a short hike in search of gibbons that were reintroduced into these forests through a local rehabilitation project.
These are genuinely wild animals now, free to roam, so a sighting is never guaranteed, but the walk itself through untouched jungle is worthwhile regardless, and a portion of your tour fee goes directly toward the caretakers who continue to support the gibbons' safety and food supply. Afterward, you'll walk through Mae Kampong village, a community that has kept much of its traditional way of life intact — home-brewed Miang tea, waterfalls tucked into the hillside, and locals who've lived here for generations. Lunch is a home-style Northern Thai meal, and the small group size (capped low) keeps the day personal rather than feeling like a bus tour.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Hotel Pickup
Pickup from your Chiang Mai hotel and drive up into the mountains toward Mae Kampong.
Gibbon Forest Trek
Hike into the forest with your guide, keeping an eye and ear out for the rehabilitated gibbon troop.
Mae Kampong Village
Walk through the village, see the Miang tea houses and waterfall, and learn about daily life in the community.
Lunch
Home-style Northern Thai lunch in the village.
Return to Chiang Mai
Drive back down the mountain to your hotel.
Detailed Itinerary
Your day starts with an 8am pickup from your hotel, followed by a scenic drive up into the mountains east of Chiang Mai. Once you reach the trailhead near Mae Kampong, your guide leads the group into the forest on foot — this is a real hike over uneven jungle terrain, so comfortable shoes matter here. The gibbons living in this stretch of forest were reintroduced through a rehabilitation project and are now fully wild, so your guide listens and watches for signs of the troop, though a sighting is never guaranteed.
By late morning you'll arrive in Mae Kampong itself, a mountain village that has resisted much of the change seen elsewhere in the region — wooden houses on stilts, a running stream through the center of the settlement, and locals still processing Miang tea leaves by hand. You'll have time to wander the narrow paths and see a small waterfall before sitting down to a home-cooked Northern Thai lunch. The drive back to Chiang Mai takes about 90 minutes, getting you back to your hotel by mid-afternoon.
Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- English-speaking guide
- Gibbon-forest trek
- Mae Kampong village walking tour
- Lunch
- Bottled water
Excludes
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Travel insurance
Important information
Meeting point
Hotel pickup in central Chiang Mai
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts
About this activity
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Traveler Reviews
We actually spotted a small troop of gibbons in the canopy, our guide was so excited and quiet the whole way so we wouldn't scare them off. Mae Kampong village afterward was gorgeous, felt like stepping back in time. Lunch was some of the best home-cooked Thai food we had all trip.
Small group of just 6 of us made the forest trek feel really personal. No gibbon sighting for us but the hike itself through untouched jungle was worth it. The village's wooden houses and stream running through the middle were beautiful.
Loved that a portion of the fee goes to the gibbon caretakers, felt good knowing we were supporting real conservation. Guide was knowledgeable about the reintroduction project and the village's tea-making traditions.
Genuinely challenging trek in parts, good shoes are a must. We heard the gibbons calling but didn't see them, guide said that happens sometimes. Village walk and lunch more than made up for it.
Such a refreshing change from the usual temple-hopping itinerary. Mae Kampong's waterfall and tea houses were a highlight, and our guide's stories about growing up in a similar mountain village added real depth.
We got lucky and saw the gibbons swinging through the trees, incredible moment. Small-group format meant we could actually ask questions throughout instead of just following a big crowd.
Beautiful mountain scenery throughout the day. The trek is genuinely physical so come prepared, but the village and lunch at the end were worth every step.