Lisu Lodge Adventure

Thailand Destinations

Relaxing Holidays

Tailor Made Tours

Honeymoons in Thailand

When To Go

Travel Essentials

Lisu Lodge morning view

Lisu villagers show

Lisu villagers

Lisu Lodge guest room

Elephant Riding

Bullock cart ride

Cycle trip

Overview
Itinerary
The Lisu
Pricing
Customise

Lisu Lodge Adventure

Built in traditional Lisu style with an eye for western comforts, the Lisu Lodge overlooks the lush fields and hills surrounding the valley and serves as a base camp for a magical blend of adventure, relaxation and insight.

During the tour, a family elder will guide you around the village to introduce you to Lisu customs and culture. View the local shrine, admire the work of skilled silversmiths and marvel at fine embroidery work, and perhaps even be invited into someone's home to share some tea.

This overnight adventure includes accommodation in comfortable king-size or twin bedded rooms with en-suite bathrooms (where applicable), electric fans (non air-conditioned), meals and drinks as specified in the programs, as well as a English speaking tour guide and local Lisu guides.

At a Glance

1 night Lisu Lodge
Village tour
Temple visit
Activities
All meals
Transfers from Chiang Mai

Day 1: Chiang Mai – Lisu Lodge

You will be picked up from your hotel in Chiang Mai by air-conditioned car at around 7:30 for the 1.5-hour drive to the Lisu Lodge.

After a welcome drink, check-in and receive a briefing to select your afternoon activity.

Enjoy a walk from Ton Lung temple to visit the herbal garden accompanied by a Lisu villager as guide.

Continue through the village with a stop for a cup of tea at the village shaman’s house.

Chat with the Lisu Shaman and learn about his life, beliefs, curing rites and Lisu traditions.

Enjoy lunch at Lisu Lodge and afterwards visit the cultural center and ‘museum’ created by the villagers.

Inside is a collection of typical household items and tools from the Lisu as well as the Akha mountain peoples.

Afterward, you have a choice of activities:

Guided bike tour around the Lisu Lodge area

Steam bath or Massage

Ox-cart ride through farmlands and orchards to a Thai Village (about 1 hour).

A second additional 1-hour activity can be booked at a nominal charge but as a free activity you are welcome to go cycling by yourself.

Dinner is served at the lodge with a traditional Lisu dance show.

Overnight Lisu Lodge. Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 2: Lisu Lodge – Chiang Mai

After breakfast at the lodge, return to Chiang Mai by air-conditioned car, arriving in Chiang Mai around 11:30.

Drop-off back at your hotel.

The Lisu

The Lisu are one of the 56 ethnic groups recognized by China and there are about 730,000 Lisu people living in Yunnan Province, China and in Burma, the Lisu are one of the seven Kachin minority groups.

With a population of about 450,000 living in northeastern Burma, it is believed that many of them moved to northern Thailand in the late 19th century.

Nowadays, there are approximately 55,000 Lisu people living in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Petchaboon provinces.

Lisu Settlements

Lisu villages are usually close to waterways to provide easy access for washing, drinking and farming. The Lisu families around Lisu Lodge are rice and vegetable farmers even though their previous generation practiced slash and burn agriculture and considered Opium as a major cash crop.

Lisu homes are traditionally built on the ground and have dirt floors, bamboo walls and a thatched roof. Windows are absent and there is only one door; although this makes the inside of the house rather dark, it keeps it insulated from cold winds during the winter.

You may also see stilt houses in some Lisu villages that are located in mountainous areas. However, modern Lisu houses are built from wood or even concrete.

Crafts

The Lisu at Lisu Lodge are skillful silversmiths. Lisu men make silver ornaments on the Lisu women’s dress and other unique jewelry.

The Lisu women still make their own dress, using traditional patterns to embellish the costume. You can see them sewing the fabric during the tour in the Lisu village near the lodge.

Beliefs

Even though many Lisu in China and Burma have converted to Christianity, The Lisu in Thailand still practice animism and ancestor worship.

Most important rituals are performed by shamans. The elected shaman can be young or old, and he must be a male. There may be more than one shaman in the Lisu village.

The Shaman of the Lisu tribe is a spiritual leader in any traditional ceremonies. He is believed to have a special ability to communicate with the ancestor spirits in the village.

For example, the shaman can communicate with the spirit world to determine causes and a cure of illnesses. Many Lisu villages, nowadays, accept western medication among the options.

Costume

The Lisu costume is among the most colorful of any hill tribe. Lisu women are known for their brightly colored dress. They wear a multicolor knee-length tunics of red, blue or green with a wide black belt and blue or black pants.

The male Lisu’s outfit is much simpler, composing of a pair of baggy bright color pants with a low-hanging crotch. Often light blue, these pants can also be found in a variety of other colors. The shirt is made of felt, with long-sleeves and an inside lining.

The main Lisu Festival usually coincides with the Chinese New Year and is celebrated with music, feasting and drinking. Lisu New year is the time, in addition to the wedding ceremony, when the Lisu wear full traditional costume with an elaborate headgear and large amount of silver jewelry.

Modern Lisu people in Thailand may not wear full traditional dress on a daily basis. Their everyday dress may consist of long sleeve dress and a belt for women and a T-shirt with baggy pants for men.

The Lisu Lodge

Accommodation at the Lisu Lodge consists of comfortable king-size or twin bedded rooms with en-suite bathrooms (where applicable), and electric fans (non air-conditioned).