Karen Silver Jewelry Making Tour — Day Trip from Chiang Mai
チェンマイ坂田Spend a day making your own silver jewelry with Karen artisans.
In a small village in Lamphun, Northern Thailand, you will try the silversmithing that the Karen hill tribe has passed down for generations. Make a ring or bangle from high-purity silver and enjoy time with the artisans and villagers.
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3 Highlights of This Tour
1. Make Your Own Jewelry
Choose a ring or a bangle and decide the size and design yourself. An artisan works beside you, so beginners are welcome. You take your finished piece home.
2. Learn from the Artisans
Karen artisans show you how to stretch the silver and stamp patterns. You will feel how soft high-purity silver is and learn the tricks of stamping.
3. One-of-a-Kind Pieces
The village shop sells many Karen Silver designs you cannot find in Chiang Mai. If you find something you like, you can buy it at local prices (not included in the tour price).
What Is Karen Silver?
The Karen are a hill tribe of about 400,000 people living in Northern Thailand. Their culture blends animism, Buddhism and Christianity.
"Karen Silver" is handmade jewelry crafted from high-purity silver.
3 features of Karen Silver
- High-purity silver: 95–100% pure, higher than standard sterling silver (92.5%). It is soft, easy to shape, and has a warm matte shine.
- Motifs from nature and daily life: animals, plants, the sun, moon and stars. Some patterns carry meaning and work like a protective charm.
- 100% handmade: every piece is made by hand with skills passed down through generations, so even the same design looks slightly different each time.
Village Hosts & Co-organizer
Your hosts will be the Wako family or Amarin and Pep.
The Wako Family
Wako has been making Karen Silver for over 30 years, assisted by her daughter Som. Their home doubles as a workshop, so you also get a glimpse of the family's warm daily life.
Amarin & Pep
Amarin and Pep have welcomed many guests. They designed their workshop and shop themselves — a talented and stylish couple.
Co-organizer: Yanagi-life
We created this tour together with Yanagi-life, a YouTuber based in Chiang Mai, who brings a passion for silver and a fresh perspective to the program.
YouTube: Yanagi-life / Yanagi's Instagram
Itinerary
* Times are approximate and may change with weather or road conditions.
7:30
Pickup from your hotel in Chiang Mai
A private vehicle picks you up at your hotel. The drive to the village in Lamphun takes about 2 hours 20 minutes.
10:00
Arrive at the workshop and choose your design
Look through the samples and decide on your pattern. Then choose the materials with the artisans.
Melt the silver and stamp your pattern
Start by melting the silver (at Amarin's workshop only). With the artisans' help, stamp your design into the silver and shape it with heat. You experience the whole process.
Your one-of-a-kind piece is ready
Use traditional Karen patterns or create your own. We finish with a group photo.
12:30
Lunch
Lunch at the village's vegetarian restaurant or at Amarin's home. Meat-free Pad Thai, Khao Man Gai and other simple, gentle dishes.
13:30
Continue crafting, or shop and stroll the village
Finish your piece. If you are done, visit the village's Karen Silver shop. If time allows, we walk through the village, where families keep a traditional, self-sufficient way of life.
16:00
Head back to Chiang Mai
Return to Chiang Mai by private vehicle.
18:30
Hotel drop-off
Take home a piece of jewelry that is truly yours, along with memories of the day.
Prefer email? Use our inquiry form →
Guest Reviews
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Yanagi (female, 30s)
"I made the perfect ring!" In Chiang Mai I could only find traditional designs, but on this tour I made a simple ring just to my taste. The artisan taught me so carefully — I was truly moved.
Yama (male, 30s)
"They taught me so patiently!" I'm not good with my hands, but the Karen artisans guided me gently. We also explored the village — a wonderful memory as a couple.
H.K. (female, 30s)
"Easy to resize!" High-purity silver is soft, so you can adjust the size yourself. I wear it both as an ear cuff and as a ring.
Y
Not only did I make Karen Silver, I also got a glimpse of village life. I worried whether a beginner could make anything decent, but I ended up with a ring so beautiful it surprised even me!
H
Learning directly from the Karen people was a precious experience. Everyone was kind and friendly. Foot-pumped bellows for the torch, polishing with charcoal instead of sandpaper — so many things I had never tried!
R (female, 20s)
"The most valuable experience of my life." As a Karen Silver fan, this tour was a treasure. Learning the background of Karen Silver, made by hand alongside beautiful nature and village life, was the most valuable experience of my life.
Recommended For
- People who love making things by hand
- Anyone not satisfied with mass-produced silver jewelry
- Small groups who want an authentic cultural experience
- Travelers curious about Karen village life
Price & Tour Details
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | 7,900 THB |
| 2 people | 5,900 THB |
| 3 or more | 4,900 THB |
For larger groups, please contact us.
| Price | From 4,900 THB per person (depends on group size) |
|---|---|
| Duration | Day trip (approx. 7:30–18:30, about 12 hours) |
| Minimum group size | 1 person |
| Meeting point | Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Chiang MaiWe will confirm the pickup time after your booking. For larger groups, we may meet at a central, easy-to-reach spot. |
| Language | English / JapaneseThe hosts speak basic English and Japanese. A Japanese-speaking Thai guide is available as an option. |
| Included |
|
| Not included |
|
| Options |
|
| Payment | Cash (Thai baht), bank transfer within Thailand, credit card, or Wise (international money transfer service) |
Cancellation Policy
| Before the deposit is paid | No charge |
|---|---|
| After the deposit, up to 21 days before the tour | 50% of the tour price |
| 20 to 7 days before the tour | 75% of the tour price |
| 6 days before the tour or no-show | 100% of the tour price |
Bank transfer and remittance fees are non-refundable.
See our Travel Terms and Conditions for details.
Examples of What You Can Make
What to Bring & Notes
What to bring
- Comfortable clothes you don't mind getting dirty
- Sneakers or easy-to-walk sandals
- Rain gear (rainy season)
- Personal medication (motion sickness, insect repellent, etc.)
Please note
- The schedule may change due to weather or village conditions.
- High-purity silver is soft — please handle your piece with care.
- Naoto Sakata of ManiTabi or Yanagi may not always join the tour. In that case, a village host will guide you.
Upcoming Dates
Confirmed dates (day trip)
- Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Friday, December 4, 2026
- Monday, December 21, 2026
Other dates are possible too — feel free to ask about availability.
FAQ
Where do we meet?
A private vehicle picks you up at your hotel in Chiang Mai. We will confirm the time after your booking. For larger groups, we may meet at a central, easy-to-reach spot.
What can I make?
The standard option is a ring. You can switch to a bangle after seeing the samples on site (additional fee). You can choose your design freely as long as it is not too complex.
Can I also buy silver?
Yes. The village shop sells many designs you cannot find in Chiang Mai, at local prices. Purchases are optional and not included in the tour price.
I'm worried about food hygiene.
Meals are at local village eateries. Our team visits them in advance to check conditions and taste. No guest has fallen ill so far, but please bring your own medicine if you are concerned.
Can children join?
The craft uses fire and tools, so children are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian. It makes a great family memory.
Booking & Questions
Just curious? That is perfectly fine.
Questions, dates, group size — send us a message on WhatsApp or use the inquiry form.
Message us on WhatsAppWe reply personally — questions are welcome
