What a fabulous day. Mr Jack and the other guides were knowledgable and great fun. Everything about the day was brilliant, from bouncing around in the back of a 4x4, trekking up to the coffee farm - not a difficult walk at all - to planting a tree. Then a delicious lunch and toasting your own coffee. Just do it, it’s a great experience.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- V60 pour-over brewing workshop and guided coffee-tasting session
- Fresh, locally sourced farm-to-table lunch
- Guided coffee forest trek and tree planting with a local Karen host and English-speaking guide
- Off-the-Grid 4WD Adventure: Go Where Others Can't.
- Travel accident insurance and all community entrance fees
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within a 3-kilometer radius of Chiang Mai Old City
- ONLY 2 GROUPS DAILY · MAX 8 GUESTS EACH · ONE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE
- Hands-on coffee-roasting workshop and take the beans home.
- Coffee and/or Tea
Excludes
- Personal expenses
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
06:50 – 07:30 AM | Hotel Pickup: Pick up from your hotel (within 3 km of Chiang Mai Old City). Prepare for a journey away from the modern world.
Welcome Coffee & Adventure Briefing Begin your Chiang Mai coffee adventure with a freshly brewed local coffee and seasonal fruit. Meet your guide, learn about the day’s journey, and discover how coffee connects the Karen community, forest, and local way of life.
Into the Karen Highlands — Off-Road Adventure Travel into the mountains by air-conditioned van, then switch to a rugged 4WD for the final off-road journey into a remote Karen community, far from the usual tourist routes.
Coffee Forest Trek & Planting for the Future Walk through a hidden, shade-grown coffee forest where Arabica grows in harmony with nature. Learn to identify coffee plants and discover the Karen community’s sustainable farming, forest stewardship, and traditional herbal knowledge. Then plant a coffee seedling with your own hands—supporting forest restoration and leaving a living legacy in the mountains.
Farm-to-Table Lunch (Karen Style): Enjoy a wholesome vegetarian lunch prepared with fresh ingredients from the village farm. Experience the flavors of a diet rooted in nature—simple, organic, and deeply nourishing.
Understand the process — Your host walks you through each stage of roasting, explaining what's happening to the bean and why — so you leave not just having roasted coffee, but truly understanding it.
The Art of Brewing (V60 Workshop): Conclude your learning by mastering the V60 pour-over method. Understand how to brew the perfect cup that honors the hard work of the farmers. ** ROAST YOUR OWN: Get hands-on and fire-roast your own batch of premium Arabica. This is your edible souvenir. ** BREW YOUR CUP: We'll show you how to brew a V60 pour-over. You'll taste the difference the forest makes. It's not about being a perfect "master"; it's about connecting with the craft.
Hands-On Roasting Masterclass: Learn the craftsmanship passed down through experience. Roast your own batch of green beans, learning how to control fire and heat to unlock the bean's true potential.
Between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m., we’ll drop you back at your hotel—happy, well-caffeinated, and full of unforgettable memories.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
This was the highlight of our trip to Chiang Mai! Jack and the rest of the guides were incredibly knowledgeable, welcoming, and helpful. Anyone who enjoys coffee will absolutely love this one-of-a-kind experience. 100% recommend!
Gold star to Jack and his fantastic local team. Friendly, full day coffee exploration worth the trek into the mountains from Chiang Mai. Hospitality second to none, being hosted by local Karen hill tribe family. Clean, simple but delicious farm to table lunch. Knowledgeable guided trek through the forest, identifying herbs, plants, fruits and crops. My favorite was cinnamon ! Then into planting your very own coffee tree on the local coffee forest farm. One of the very best tours I’ve ever booked. Not to be missed by any coffee fans looking for an authentic and unique experience.
We researched things to do in Chiang Mai before we left the UK. We loved the review by Bangkok Jack of this tour and decided to book directly. Communication was great and we were picked up from our hotel exactly as planned. Our guide Jack was cheerful and knowledgeable throughout the day, offering us an insight into the changing lives of the Karon Hill Tribe. Moonshine was equally charming, disappearing on the trek to return with a plant or piece of bark, explaining the importance or use. We loved how Jack respectfully listened to Moonshine before translating for us. The 4WD to the coffee farm is an adventure requiring some ducking and diving to avoid the branches, all adding to the fun of the day. Lunch was wonderful, sat in quiet nature and the brewing and roasting was great fun, even though I managed to fling half of my practice beans into the vegetation 🙈. The base is a beautiful place and we would recommend this trip 💯 Hoping our little coffee plant grows strong.
This experience has been the highlight of our trip to Thailand. Although it’s a full day with four hours of travel it is worth it. The spectacular beauty of the area is picture postcard stuff. Jack, Claim and Moonshine were amazing in sharing their wisdom of the area and the coffee production process. The lunch was more than we could eat and very tasty. The ride in the four wheel drive was an unexpected highlight. Even a non-coffee lover would enjoy this day.
Absolutely great day out and couldn’t recommend it enough! In summary, you go for a walk/trek in the jungle to see/learn about coffee plants, environment etc, then back to camp for lunch and a bit more “hands-on” insight, before going home. You can obviously read the itinerary to see exactly what you do, but we don’t wanna spoil the little “activity” in the jungle and “souvenir” you get at the end. Even though my partner wasn’t a coffee fanatic, they enjoyed the walk amongst the greenery of the fields and appreciated being so close to nature, so definitely something for everyone regardless of your level of interest in coffee. Tips: wear clothes/shoes you don’t mind getting a little dirty - it could rain (drizzled for us) and the walk in the jungle has soft soil. The day is long. We got picked up at our hotel at 7am and got back about 5/6pm - the drive to their camp is about 1 and half hours. They give you water, fruit breakfast snacks and a massive lunch! I can’t recall the name of our guide, but he absolutely made the trip - he’s very knowledgeable and so passionate about coffee. Strongly recommend going - we travelled as a couple. We were lucky enough to be the only ones there.
"This is one of the the best tours I ever did.” This statement by my partner after the van dropped us off at our hotel again pretty much sums up our experience with the Chiangmai Hill Tribe Coffee Tour. As a life-long coffee lover I wanted to learn more about coffee, from the plant to the cup. The tour gave me that - and so much more. The two guides, Jack and Claim, were knowledgeable and very friendly. Jack had a long hands-on experience with the coffee trade which he loved sharing with us. On the farm we were greeted by the farmer, Moonshine, and his family. Moonshine is a larger than life character. He grows coffee, knows the forest as the back of his hand, distills a delicious plum brandy, and grows rice. During the trek through the jungle (don’t fear, it is very doable and profoundly impressive) he repeatedly dashes off to return with a handful of herbs or a deliciously smelling piece of bark from the cardamom tree. He is the embodiment of the cycle of life that the forest is. Moonshine’s wife cooks a lunch fit for royals. The tour includes a welcome coffee (and tea made from the fruit of the coffee tree, plus a taste of Moonshine’s brandy), a walk through the magnificent forest where the coffee trees grow, the planting of tiny coffee saplings (we dedicated them to our small grandsons), the aforesaid lunch, explanation of the various types of drying (in the fruit, in the sticky layer around the bean, etc), roasting your own beans under the expert guidance of Moonshine and Jack, and the technique for making the perfect drip coffee. And, not to forget, the exciting drive with the four-wheel drive truck over the steep, muddy path to arrive at the start of our jungle trek. All this takes place in one of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. But what really gives the tour its 'soul 'as it were, is the friendliness, generosity, and good cheer of everyone involved. We felt among friends and discussed everything from the history of the Golden Triangle to the effect of climate change on the coffee plants. The Hill Tribe Tour is not the cheapest one among the coffee tours but it is worth every penny. It was indeed an unforgettable experience.
We were met at our hotel by our guide Jack and his partner Zara. At first meeting he was so passionate, enthusiastic and warm. We were at ease for the whole journey to the coffee farm. Their hospitality was second to none. Not only did they embrace us into their community, we embraced ourselves in theirs. It doesn’t matter if you don’t like coffee that much, you will soon learn to love it while you’re in the jungle. Mr moonshine was also very knowledgeable and a joy to be around as we learnt about his culture. Thank you for such an amazing experience Jack, Zara and Mr Moonshine. You will be in safe hands during this tour. DO IT!
And wonderful experience! Very worthful to join
Flawless organization. Very nice and relaxed atmosphere. Jack, the guide is friendly and communicative of his passion for coffee. Khun Moonshine and his family, and all his Karen community are very nice and it was a joy to see them sharing their sane way of life. It was fun to roast its own coffee and we learn quite a bit! I recommended
Jack was our guide and he was absolutely amazing! We learned so much from him about the entire coffee process, from how the coffee is grown and harvested to roasting and brewing. We also got to learn directly from the farmer, Moonshine, which made the experience feel incredibly authentic and personal. One of my favorite parts was riding in the back of the truck along the jungle roads to reach the coffee forest. It was such a fun way to get there and really added to the adventure. Walking through the forest and seeing firsthand where the coffee grows gave us a completely different appreciation for everything that goes into a cup of coffee. One of the most special parts was getting to plant our own coffee plants. We’re already hoping to return in about four years to see how they’ve grown — and hopefully see the coffee they produce! Jack was knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely passionate about sharing the experience with us. This was easily one of the highlights of our time in Chiang Mai and an experience we’ll remember for a long time. Absolutely recommend it!
We had an amazing time with Jack, Moonshine and the team. Pickup and transfer was timely and comfortable, Jack was a warm and welcoming guide and was excellent at explaining everything so that we learnt lots, had fun and got the most out of the tour. The scenery was stunning, lunch was incredible and pacing was very relaxed and enjoyable. We'd highly recommend the tour to anyone!
We had the most amazing time with our tour guide Jack and local farmer 'moonshine'. From start to finish everything was run smoothly and thoughtfully. The lunch was delicious and prepared by the local village. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who is interested in seeing coffee grown in the wild jungle. Thankyou again Jack!!
This whole-day tour was very well run, a lot of fun and really informative. The first half of the day is a personal and genuine introduction to the life of the hill tribe people and how one coffee farm in particular works in harmony with the land to produce the best coffee it can. The second half is a hands-on brewing and roasting workshop where even I, a coffee veteran, learned a few things. In between is possibly the best lunch of our entire 2 week stay in Thailand. Jack, our guide, was friendly and well studied in all aspects of coffee production and consumption. The family we met were exceedingly generous in their hospitality and knowledge, with Jack as a capable interpreter. It is an early 7am start, so be prepared. The jungle is beautiful and not as buggy as I expected, but there are some - so be prepared. The 4x4 ride is only 15 minutes, but it's a serious 15 minutes - so be prepared. You will be inspired and enlightened by this visit - so be prepared. Enjoy!
For us coffee fanatics it was a dream day out. In short - an honest 'bean to cup' experience. Not knowing truly what to expect, we did accomplish (and learnt) a lot. A huge shout out to Jack and Moonshine, who in their own unique way, made this such a memorable and meaningful experience. Their enthusiasm was contagious! We were all buzzing at the end of the day. No doubt the amount of coffee consumed would also have been a contributing factor. We highly recommend you add this to your itinerary.
The whole journey was out of the world good! Our guide, Jack, was fun-loving and incredibly knowledgeable about coffee and the local area. He explained everything to us, from the coffee itself to the village, the everyday life of the tribe, and the history of the region. I didn't expect the coffee trees to be planted right in the jungle, and the commute to get there was a real adventure :P The vegan lunch was made entirely from locally grown produce and was exceptionally good, especially alongside the calming view of the village. The roasting session was also a lot of fun and gave us a wonderful bean-to-cup experience. I am not the kind of person who usually bothers to write a review, but this visit is definitely worth my time to recommend to other coffee lovers~
Strongly recommend for a relaxing day in the beautiful hills outside Chiang Mai. Much more than just coffee. The tour shows the lifestyle of people living off the land in a sustainable way. The tour guides, Jack and Moonshine, were great and we had lots of laughs throughout. Lunch was special and the coffee demonstration very interactive and good quality.
We loved the peaceful setting and the overall experience. The tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable and professional, and it was especially meaningful to have someone from the local tribe involved in the tour. We really enjoyed the intimate, small-group feel of the tour and doing something different away from the usual busy tourist attractions. The walk through the jungle was fun and immersive and it was fascinating to see the entire coffee-making process from spotting the coffee trees to roasting and brewing our own coffee, which we got to enjoy during the tour. As a big coffee fan, I learned so much and gained an even deeper appreciation for the journey from bean to cup.
This was a fantastic excursion for any coffee enthusiast, or for people who enjoy learning and experiencing something authentic. Jack was an enthusiastic and attentive guide, and because the group was small it felt much more personal than a typical tour. The day was really well organised. We visited a real working coffee farm up in the mountains, which was fascinating to see, and then had a hands-on experience brewing coffee ourselves. Jack’s support guide, “Moonshine”, from the local Karen tribe, was brilliant. He shared loads of knowledge about the plants, trees and wildlife in the area, as well as the history of his tribe and their coffee farming. The whole experience felt very special and genuine, especially compared to some of the larger tourist excursions available in Chiang Mai. If you’re interested in coffee or want something a bit more authentic, you won’t be disappointed. Simon
Fantastic experience. Jack was enthusiastic and knowledgeable host. Not only did we learn about coffee, we got to roast our own. We also learned about the land and the Karin people. Truly a memorable experience. Would highly recommend!
First of all, a huge thank you to our guide, Jack. He is calm, generous, and never rushes anyone. He truly makes the time feel like it’s ours. Sabai sabai! February 9th was the day my dream came true — visiting a real coffee farm. We rode in the back of a 4WD truck along a bumpy off-road path for about 15–20 minutes, walked into the cool shaded forest, planted seedlings, picked real coffee cherries, learned about the drying process, and even roasted our own beans. It was an unforgettable experience. Whether you love coffee or don’t drink it every day, you will enjoy this tour. My partner and the lovely guest from England are proof of that. Even if you are not very confident about your stamina, it’s totally fine. The hike was about one hour, with no steep climbs at all. We stopped every few minutes while Moonchai and Jack explained different plants and stories. We walked slowly, taking photos and videos along the way. And the food — it was incredible. The other two groups from England also couldn’t stop praising it. The soup was our favorite. My partner is already thinking about how to recreate it at home! I also have to mention the other guests. The two groups were calm, respectful, and clearly loved coffee and Chiang Mai’s culture. No one rushed anyone. We communicated in simple English and it was perfectly fine. I imagine that anyone who joins this tour comes with respect for coffee and for Chiang Mai, so the atmosphere will likely be just as warm on any day. English ability is not important here. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Jack speaks slowly and clearly. What matters most is your connection with nature and the air around you. People’s kindness, the beautiful nature, the coffee, and the culture nurtured here — everything was special. We will definitely come back someday. I’m already looking forward to that day. コーヒーが好きな方、是非行ってみてください。 コーヒーをそこまで好きではない方も、是非行ってみてください。 ガイドのジャックの雰囲気と、本物の自然と、コーヒーと、料理、すべてが最高です。 コーヒーが我々の見る“コーヒー”になる前のリアルな姿を見ることができます。触って、口にすることができます。そして実際に苗木を植えて、この素敵な輪の一員になることができます。 コーヒーに詳しい人も、このツアーで初めて知る人も、本物に触れる感動を味わうことができます。 ジャックは簡単な英語を、ゆっくり、クリアに話してくれます。そして100%理解する必要はありません。ジャックが言うように、何より大事なのはその場の自然と空気を感じることでした。 チェンマイという場所が好きで、旅先に選ぶ人にとっては、必ず思い出に残るツアーになると思います。 また行きます。
Booked the trip hoping for a special day out. We was almost put off because it’s a more expensive trip to do than most of the ones we had done in the area but having done the trip we now understand why it’s priced higher than the others. The whole experience from start to finish was a real pleasure and our guides Jack and Mr Moonshine really know their stuff and are genuinely passionate about coffee and the process of getting it from the plant to the cup and explain everything about it through the day. We were served with fresh fruit for breakfast and then at lunchtime we had an amazing vegetarian meal that was so tasty. I will honestly never buy coffee again without applying some of the knowledge that we learned on this tour.
My husband & I loved this hill tribe coffee farm tour. Jack, the tour operator, was wonderful. So kind & funny. I lived that the tour was about the people, the farmers, not just the coffee. We were served fruit grown on the farm when we arrived & met Moonshine, the farmer whose coffee farm this was. We trekked through the forest & picked coffee cherries & planted a coffee plant (which we hope to visit in 4 years when it will be producing.) we then were served lunch prepared of the vegetables grown on the farm. We learned to roast & brew coffee. The tour was informative, personal & fun. Jack made this so. He is a wonderful tour guide & a wonderful person who wants to upgrade the infrastructure & help make the villagers life easier. I would recommend this tour to everyone.
The team of Jack and Moonshine provided us with an unforgettable cultural experience that we will always remember. Jack’ s visit program, based on hands-on learning, allowed my wife and I the opportunity to see and participate in the planting, harvesting and roasting of coffee beans and finally the preparation of several delicious cups of coffee. Moonshine, the coffee farmer, eagerly led us through his 3,000 coffee bean plant farm all the while demonstrating his knowledge of the medicinal uses of many local plants on the way. He was passionate about his farm, engaging and funny. In addition we had a delicious lunch at Moonshine’s farm as well as a wee nip of his homemade rice whiskey. If you are vacationing in northern Thailand we strongly encourage you to spend the day with Jack and Moonshine on this unforgettable experience.
This tour was truly an unforgettable experience! Not only do you get to roast your own coffee and taste coffee grown right on the farm, you also get to trek through the countryside while learning about local culture and the plants around you. Visiting the area where one of the guides lives was such a special perk. The location is also incredibly private since it’s owned by the host, so it feels like it’s just you and your group the entire time. Jack and Mr. Moonshine made the experience even more unforgettable. They are incredibly kind, welcoming, and knowledgeable.
This experience was my favorite in Thailand so far and perfect for people who are looking for something off the beaten path and in small groups instead of in a large impersonal bus tour. It was all so thoughtfully curated and designed to be relaxing and educational. They feed you a couple times a day (snack when you arrive and a delicious vegetarian lunch) and coordinate pick up and drop off for you. All in all, it took from 7am to about 5pm. This really feels like ethical tourism; Jack works directly with a local family who has opened up their farm and teaches about how coffee traditions started in the region. He’s supported by Moonshine, the local farmer and guide, who shares some of the local ecology and how the community uses the various plants in the area. For the intimate setting, the comprehensive info on coffee from growing to brewing, and gorgeous and relaxing campsite, I think we got everything we paid for and more. Jack and Moonshine were amazing hosts and were very cheerful and funny. We ended up having the truck get stuck on the way up the hill and it honestly made the whole experience feel like even more of an unexpected adventure. Would trust any experience this company puts together!
This is probably THE best tour you could take in the Chiang Mai area. Don’t skip it! It’s a must & Jack is super knowledgeable.
A truly rewarding experience. The visit was expertly arranged and delivered in a very personal way. It was good to connect with the guide, Jack, and the local tribe. Walking through their forest and seeing and learning about their wild coffee and how it thrives in harmony with the forest was very nice. The roasting and tasting of the coffee beans was a lot of fun and we got to roast our own little souvenir. Logistics to and from Chiang Mai were very smooth. We recommend this tour.
Great experience and a wonderful introduction to this tradition and this part of the country, along with the actual coffee. The tour guides Jack and Mr. Moonshine are both phenomenal. Highly recommended!
My husband and I loved this coffee tour and workshop! We were overwhelmed with options for Chiang Mai activities, but were drawn to this one because of the cultural immersion, active hands on workshop, all with a side of coffee. Every thing from pick-up, to the ride there, to lunch, to walking in the plantations and learning was fantastic. Jack and Moonshine are experts in their craft and we learned so much about the Karen and coffee community. We are grateful for the memories we’ll hold on to forever and the coffee which won’t last long! Thank you and highly encourage everyone to not thinking twice about signing up for a once in a lifetime experience.
One of the best days in Chiang Mai and great if you want a lovely chilled day walking and learning about coffee and the mountain farming. Jack is a great host and will show many aspects of the Karen village and their way of life. Pick, sort and roast some coffee in a hands on workshop and leave with some great memories and experiences…worth getting up early for sure….
This was a super day, collected from our hotel and carefully looked after by at least three people, we were given a fruit breakfast, tea, water, all kinds of coffee, incredible locally grown and delicious lunch, and we had a tour of all of the area around and through the Karen tribe’s village, up into the hills where they farm, full information, planted a tree, sampled assorted herbal plants and spices, learned all about coffee, roasted, ground and brewed ours… we could not have wished for more. Their friendliness is exceptional.
Jack is super passionate about sharing all his knowledge about coffee and the coffee camp. They did a terrific job managing the time, sharing information about the coffee plants in the jungle and other medicinal plants. The lunch was delicious!! And the coffee workshop terrific. Great instruction, information, timing so all got a chance to make their own. Was so pleasantly surprised by this tour!
One of the coolest things we did in Chiang Mai! If you are a big coffee lover, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this tour. Small, personal, very relaxed; Every part of this tour was carefully curated and got to leave with a batch of coffee beans I roasted myself! Jack and his team are excellent hosts and will make you feel right at home!
We had an amazing time on this tour! We started the day with a drive out to the village in a comfortable van. Following fresh fruit at the village, we proceeded out to the farm with our host Jack and his farming friend Moonchai. Walking through the jungle and farm we could really feel the sense of how connected to nature they are as they stopped by many local plants and taught us about them. It was so fun to learn about it all. We also got to taste the coffee cherries which was such a treat! After that, it's back to the farm for a delicious lunch made from food grown on the farm and coffee roasting. Jack and Moonchai do a great job of explaining the roasting process and helping everyone to roast their very first batch. It was so much fun and a souvenir unlike any other that I will remember forever. The whole day was wonderful and I would highly recommend this adventure!
The best tour we had in chiang mai! We learned the story behind the coffee farm of a hill Tribe. My favorite part is that we walked through the jungle to see the native plants and coffee trees with Jack and his Tribe partner during which they showed us why coffee is grown in a unique way here. The day is not tourism focused, I can feel throughout the day that Jack created this tour to share the love of coffee and the farm with people. I hope more people will discover this hidden gem of chiang mai, spend a day on here, and support Jack to make a sustainable business.
We had a most memorable experience with Jack, from the first moment when he picked us from the hotel to the evening. We learnt so much about coffee and how Jack’s farming partner has been meticulously farming tiny batches of coffee plants, in their shared philosophy of sustainable farming, despite it being a slower economic return than other methods. If you want a pesonalised experience, this is it. Nobody is trying to upsell you anything at all, it’s truly all about sharing their love of the land and farming coffee.
Our coffee tour with Jack and Moonshine in Chiang Mai was truly one of the highlights of our entire trip! As passionate hobby coffee lovers, we wanted to learn more about preparation techniques — and what we experienced went far beyond anything we had imagined. Jack and Moonshine don’t just introduce you to coffee; they introduce you to the people and the passion behind every bean. They rekindle the excitement for coffee, spark curiosity, and inspire you to experiment. From the origin of the plant all the way to the perfectly crafted cup, they guide you through every step with warmth, expertise, and genuine enthusiasm. Their knowledge is impressive, their dedication unmistakable, and the experience feels wonderfully intimate — like being welcomed into the home of a friend rather than joining a typical tour. And even if the price initially seems a little higher than other local offers, it becomes crystal clear afterward: it’s worth every single baht! 12/10 – truly outstanding!
I had an amazing experience learning about the background and stories behind the coffee while actually seeing and feeling the process myself. It helped me understand and appreciate coffee on a much deeper level. The tour was warm, authentic, and truly memorable. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants more than just tasting coffee — this experience lets you understand its whole journey. 日本人ですが英語がある程度聞き取れるなら、問題なく参加できます!
We had an amazing day with Jack on the hillside coffee tour. The experience is split in to two parts. The first is a casual paced walk through the forest to see the farm, learn about how they grow their coffee and plant our own coffee plant! The second part we learned about how the coffee production method works, roast our own coffee beans (to take home) and a workshop to learn how to make a tasty filter coffee. The hillside coffee crew are knowledgeable, friendly and create a really nice relaxed atmosphere, which made it feel like we were on a day out with friends. This has been one of the best day experiences that we have done on our travels through South East Asia, I would 100% recommend!
This was THE MOST MAGICAL trip we have done on any of our travels around the world. Jack and Saira were beautiful hosts picking us up from our hotel and taking us into the mountains outside Chiang Mai to visit the Coffee Farm they share in. On arrival at the stunning location of Mae Win we were treated to delicious teas, coffees and local snacks. We then rode in the back of a 4x4 into the jungle where we started a walk on which we passed paddy fields, tasted cinnamon straight from the tree bark, had our senses numbed by a local plant the locals use as an antiseptic. All along Jack explained to us what we were seeing and the history of the farm ably supported by his co-worker Moon Shine. My personal highlight was when we got to plant our own coffee tree in the ground with our names on labels around them. Thailand has always been a special place for means in this simple act, which I found deeply moving, I place the tree in the ground and drew the soil around it and it felt as if I have left a bit of myself in Thailand. We returned to Mae Win and were served the most delicious lunch. Had the trip ended there we would have had a wonderful time. But there was more - Jack had a workshop in which he explained to us the principles of coffee growing, showing us the beans at the various stages of drying. He then taught us about the roasting process and proceeded to set up a hand operated roaster which we all got a chance to use to roast our very own beans to our choice. We sifted them and then they were bagged up for us to take home a sensual memory of the most wonderful day. We were a family of three with a 13 yr old. There was plenty to engage all of us. Our daughter was totally engaged in all the various aspects of the visit. Jack had been in touch the evening before to confirm arrangements and there were plenty of toilet opportunities. They also gave good advice on what to bring with us so that we were prepared for the walking. The walk lasted about 1 ½ hours and was gentle with some uphill but not taxing. Jack and Saira were knowledgeable, engaging, personably and fun. We would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this tour and are so glad that we chose to do it.
Incredible experience. Jack and his team were very friendly and accommodating. Get ready to drink tons and tons of coffee! It is truly a full day adventure with a ride in the back of a pickup to a beautiful 2 km walk through the forest to see where coffee naturally grows. We even got to plant our own coffee trees! The tour finishes after lunch where you get to toast and brew coffee. It was very interesting learning more about the roasting process!
We had an absolutely fantastic day doing the coffee tour, I cannot express how much we learned, talked and laughed (and drank copious amounts of coffee of course). We were coffee beginners and we learned so much about the processes involved and how they affect the final flavour/caffeine content etc as well as the history of coffee in Thailand and the history of the village itself. The walk through the jungle to the plantation was incredible despite the weather and the day absolutely flew by. Planting our own coffee trees was an unexpected bonus as well! Jack was an incredible host, so friendly and knowledgable, and it honestly felt like the group were old friends by the end of the day. If you’re a fan of ethical tourism and coffee you would love this tour! Thank you to Sala and Mr Moonshine as well.
We dived into the jungle, to learn about growing organic coffee. The second part is roasting and tasting. If you are looking for a relaxed day, abroad the city, in the green, I can only recommend. The tourguide is really into the sustainable coffee culture, together with the local farmer.
This was a fantastic experience! Jack was an amazing host who clearly is very passionate about what he does. There’s so much I could say, but the main thing is this is much much more than just a coffee farm tour. You learn about the Tribe village, how the coffee in the jungle grows differently and the history behind it. A fantastic lunch was served with incredible fresh fruit. The roasting was very fun, and you get to brew some fantastic beans and other a V60 to finish it off. Overall fantastic and if you love coffee this is a must. Thanks Jack and Co!
Jack and his team provided the perfect experience. His passion for coffee and all things ethical and communal was inspiring. Thoroughly enjoyable day, totally recommend to all.
You might think I’m exaggerating, but I’m not. This was one of the best tours I’ve ever done. Jack, our guide, picked us up from the hotel and I could tell straight away it was going to be a good day. His fluent English and deep experience around Chiang Mai set the tone. What I wasn’t expecting was how good it would be. The drive (about 1½ hours) with Jack and his wife Sala, who was our safe and friendly driver, was comfortable and easy. Our small group—just my brother, me, and a delightful young Canadian couple—made the day feel personal and relaxed. We began with a tasting of coffee grown in the jungle near the Karen village we visited. Then came a two-hour jungle trek, accompanied by a local farmer who showed us rice paddies, coffee plants, and the many medicinal plants used in daily village life. Fascinating and beautiful. Lunch followed and was absolutely scrumptious. Afterwards we joined a hands-on coffee-roasting workshop using beans grown right there. We roasted, learned the science of roasting, and discovered that a coffee bean is actually the seed of a fruit. Even if you’re not a coffee drinker, it’s captivating. Jack’s passion for coffee and for sharing local knowledge shone through. As a regular coffee drinker from Australia, I left with a whole new appreciation for how different roasting levels affect the flavour of the final brew. In addition I learnt at a grassroots level alot about hill farming, Karen village history and lifestyle. I even got my hands dirty and planted a coffee seedling. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Chiang Mai—whether you love coffee, nature, or just want an unforgettable day. Its much better than any cookie cutter tour available around Chiang Mai!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What an incredible experience, worth every penny, 11/10. Our guide, Jack, his passion, deep knowledge, and genuine desire to immerse us in the local culture made this tour unforgettable. He shared the traditions and history of the towns with such respect and pride, and it never felt scripted – just authentic storytelling. The tour was also very hands-on. We roasted our own coffee blend, trekked through a jungle farm, and even planted and named a baby tree! These little touches made the day so special and personal. I also loved that the groups are kept very small, so it felt exclusive and intimate rather than crowded. It gave us the chance to connect more closely with the place. If you’re visiting Chiang Mai, I can’t recommend this tour enough. It’s the perfect balance of culture, adventure, and authenticity – an absolute must-do!
Worth every single penny!!! This was such an incredible tour and Jack was a fantastic tour guide with the best attitude a person can have! We got to tour the jungle coffee farm (which is a different way of growing coffee, and as such a very unique experience), plant a coffee tree and roast our own beans for home. On top of all this we received a very knowledgeable guide and had all of our questions answered very thoroughly. Jack and Mr Moonshine really know their stuff! I cannot recommend this tour enough! 11/10
Amazing experience. This is not just a coffee tour but an insight into village life of a hill tribe.The tour began with a prompt pickup from our hotel then driving for about 1 1/2 hours up into the mountains to a small White Karen village. After sampling some coffee and coffee tea, we went in a 4WD further up the mountain then began a short trek through the jungle with Jack and a local tribesman. We learnt about how the locals use the plants and trees in the area as part of their everyday lives. We learnt about the reasons why the tribe started growing coffee, saw the coffee trees and were given the opportunity to each plant a coffee seedling. The trek also took us through rice paddies before returning to the 4WD. We returned back to the village for a very nice vegetarian lunch prepared by the tribe. They even catered a gluten free meal for my wife who is coeliac. Following our lunch, we learnt how to roast coffee beans using a hand roaster and got to take our own beans home. Jack was not only knowledgeable but also extremely passionate about coffee. His wife, Sala, was not only an excellent driver but also very personable. They make an excellent team. Would highly recommend.
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