Enjoy a half-day experience getting to know the Akha people of northern Thailand. Learn all about Akha culture while cooking some delectable meals made from local produce.
The Akha tribe is one of the six recognised hill tribes that populate the mountainous regions of northern Thailand. These groups made Chiang Mai their home over many centuries, often coming from China to the North East. Their culture and status are protected in Thailand. Akha people are known for their distinctive colourful traditional dress and their traditional animist beliefs.
Though there are still communities in the mountains, many city-dwellers also claim heritage from one of the six hill tribes. On this trip, you’ll get to know all the intricacies of Akha culture from our hosts.
The bulk of the activity consists of a trip to a local market in the old city to gather the fresh ingredients for the upcoming feast. Our Akha guides will help explain all the different spices and help guests navigate the hustle and bustle of the market.
Once they have sourced the ingredients, it’s on to the cooking class, where guests will work alongside the chefs to create a delicious, flavourful feast for all to enjoy with varying levels of spice to keep everyone happy! Guests will get to cook and sample 11 dishes during their visit.
Throughout the morning, our hosts will share stories, information about their culture, and what it’s like to be a Thai Akha. The emphasis is very much on a celebration of this fascinating aspect of Lanna life.
