Chiang Mai Jungle Coffee Experience: Farm Trek, Roast & Brew.

Fabulous trip, highly recommend

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.

Response from the operator: Dear Sharon, Thank you so much for this lovely review, and for booking with us directly all the way from the UK! 🙏 Moonshine will be delighted to read this. His knowledge of the forest is something no book can teach, and we're glad you noticed how much it means to us to let him tell it in his own words. It's the heart of what we share about Karen life here. As for the beans you flung into the vegetation, don't worry: with a bit of luck, you've planted a second coffee tree. 😄 We'll keep an eye on your little plant and help it grow strong. Warm regards from the hills, Chiang Mai Hill Tribe Coffee Tour team ☕

via Tripadvisor

Highlight of our Thailand trip

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.

Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We are truly honored to have been the highlight of your visit to Thailand. While it is indeed a full day on the road, we’re delighted that the scenery, the 4WD adventure, and our local lunch made the trip so memorable. We will be sure to pass your lovely compliments along to Jack, Claim, and Moonshine—they will be thrilled to hear your feedback. Thank you once again for spending the day with us. Safe travels!

via Tripadvisor

An amazing day out, one of the highlights of Thailand

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.

Response from the operator: Dear cliffawd, Thank you so much for making us one of the highlights of your Thailand trip! We’re thrilled to hear that both of you—even without being coffee fanatics—truly enjoyed the jungle trek, the greenery, and being so close to nature. It warms our hearts to hear your kind words about our guide. He is incredibly passionate about what he does, and sharing that with wonderful guests like you is what makes it all worthwhile. Thank you also for leaving such helpful tips regarding the attire and schedule for future travelers. We loved having you at the farm and hope to welcome you back to the jungle again in the future! Warm regards, Chiang Mai Hilltribes Coffee Tour Team

via Tripadvisor

A Truly Unforgettable Experience

"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.

Response from the operator: Dear Hendrik and Barbara, Thank you for sharing such a perceptive and detailed account of your journey with us. It was an absolute privilege to host guests who approach the craft with such genuine curiosity. True coffee people are simply the best, bringing a profound appreciation for both the land and the intricate process behind every cup. We look forward to welcoming you back to the hills of Chiang Mai whenever your travels bring you this way again. Warm regards, Chiang Mai Hilltribes Coffee Tour Team

via Tripadvisor

Embrace it ❤️

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!

via Viator