Lisu Lodge

Ninety minutes north of Chiang Mai, a valley of rice paddies and tea gardens gives its name to 20-room community-run Lisu Lodge, named after the Lisu hill tribe village next door, one of several ethnic communities scattered through these hills. The lodge is staffed entirely by Lisu villagers, part of a community project built to conserve the natural and cultural heritage of Chiang Mai's hill tribes, and meals use produce from the lodge's own organic rice fields and vegetable garden.

The landscape here is ideal for trekking and mountain biking. Back at base, cookery classes using whatever's ready in the garden, and visits to the nearby Araksa tea plantation can be organised. Village walks can introduce guests to the Lisu community.