While the buzz of boutique hotels, restaurants and drinking taverns gets ever louder in Chiang Mai town, the serenity of the surrounding countryside stretches unbroken to the horizon. Just a 30-minute drive from town, Chom Thong district is where we meet Somsak Krireephomthong - a Karen from Mae Klang Luang village who will guide us through traditional culture and natural beauty on the trail to Pha Dok Sieo Falls and Mae Klang Luang village.
The trekking kicks off in the foothills of Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain. From here it's a two-hour downhill walk through the 20,000-rai rainforest, home to many Karen villages.
We set off for Mae Klang Luang, with Somsak and his friend leading the way on a tour through Karen history, lifestyle, culture and beliefs.
The sloping trail lays colourful treats of beautiful flowers and rare plants at our feet as well as well-tended fields of organic vegetables and arabica coffee. We finally reach the graceful Pha Dok Sieo Falls, and suddenly everyone feels like a superstar. The waterfall had a supporting role as backdrop for the romance in the recent hit film "Rak Jang".
We plunge back into the deep forest then out into the bright green of a massive terraced rice paddy, where a group of friendly villagers give us a ploughing demonstration. They come from the nearby Mae Klang Luang, a 100-family strong Karen community where we are invited to take a break and savour a cup of quality arabica. Those who like the taste and aroma of the mountain can take it home for just Bt100 a bag.
We also take the chance to browse in Somsak's small museum, a showcase of Karen culture that's stuffed with traditional kitchenware, handicrafts and musical instruments.
"Our agricultural lifestyle is based on a philosophy of sufficiency," explains Somsak. "We want to preserve our natural resources, so we use only organic fertiliser on our 800 rai of fields, growing organic vegetables, strawberries, peaches and plums".
For anyone who wants to soak up the serenity for more than a few hours, the village offers a homestay package for Bt200 per person, inclusive of breakfast, with 18 comfortable houses available from Bt500 to Bt3,000.
