Chocolate & Culture: The Secret of the Lisu Tribe
Naoto
Welcome to a Hidden Journey: Discover Lisu Life and Cacao in Chiang Rai.
Step into the untouched beauty of northern Thailand and connect with the Lisu people — a vibrant ethnic group living in harmony with nature.
Learn how cacao turns into chocolate and explore the deep cultural diversity of Thailand, all in one unforgettable trip.
①Tour Highlights
1. Experience a Unique Lisu People Culture
Lisu tribe roots trace back to the mountains of Tibet, and they bring color and joy to their lives through bright traditional clothing, week-long New Year dances, and a language of their own.
Walk in their shoes and discover both the striking differences and heartwarming similarities between your world and theirs.
2. From Cacao to Chocolate — A Delicious Journey of Learning and Taste
We all love chocolate, but do you know where it comes from?
Join the “Li-ja” family in their cacao farm and follow the bean-to-bar journey firsthand.
Walk through the trees, see the cacao pods, and learn how the Lisu people care for the land that feeds them. This is more than chocolate — it’s a story of connection, nature, and community.
3. Discover Thailand’s Beautiful Diversity — Ethnic and Spiritual Harmony
Thailand is often seen as a Buddhist country, but there’s so much more. From spirit-worshipping hill tribes to peaceful Muslim communities, many beliefs and ways of life live side by side here.
Take a walk through the village, visit a local mosque, and open your heart to the rich cultural tapestry that makes Thailand truly unique.
②Village host
Name: Supo Lija (Nickname: Ja-Heh)
At 55 years old, Ja-Heh is a passionate leader in two roles: preserving Lisu culture and running a cacao farm.
Driven by a deep question — “What crop can bring economic value while still protecting nature?” — he chose to grow cacao over trendy alternatives like coffee. But Ja-Heh is more than a farmer. He also leads cultural events and ceremonies in the village, inspiring young people to take pride in their heritage and carry it forward.
Through this tour, you’ll not only learn how cacao becomes chocolate but also feel Ja-Heh’s dedication to keeping Lisu traditions alive. His stories and work offer a powerful glimpse into a life shaped by resilience, respect for nature, and cultural pride.
Jahee's son, Win, will also explain about the village.
③Schedule
Day 1
07:00 — Pick-up in Chiang Mai City OR 10:00 — Pick-up at Chiang Rai Airport / Chiang Rai City
We’ll arrange pick-up based on your accommodation.
Travel time: From Chiang Mai: approx. 4 hours / From Chiang Rai: approx. 1 hour. All transfers are by private van.
11:00 — Arrival at the Village & Meet Your Hosts
You’ll be greeted by Ja-Heh and his family. After a short introduction and a mini Lisu language lesson, you’ll enjoy a cacao juice welcome drink, once said to be a magical elixir for kings!
12:00 — Home-Cooked Lisu Lunch
Enjoy traditional home-style cooking by Ja-Heh’s wife. If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know in advance.
13:30 — Cacao Harvest Experience
We’ll walk about 1 km to the cacao farm and hand-pick fresh cacao pods. You’ll get to taste the pulp inside — what does it remind you of?
15:00 — Chocolate-Making Workshop
Learn how chocolate is made: from fermentation and drying to roasting and grinding. Then, try making your very own chocolate bar using cacao nibs from the farm!
Want to learn more? See our full guide to chocolate-making.
マニタビ
18:00 — Dinner & Traditional Rice Cake (Mochi) Making
End the day with another delicious Lisu-style meal.
We’ll also try our hand at making traditional rice cakes together — a sweet way to bond and wrap up the evening.
You’ll pound the sticky rice, shape it by hand, and wrap it in banana leaves.
Freshly made mochi is incredibly delicious!
21:00— Rest for the Night
Day 2
07:30 — Breakfast
Start your day with a hearty breakfast made by your host, using local ingredients and time-honored recipes.
8:30 Wear Traditional Lisu Clothing & Explore
Put on a colorful Lisu traditional costume and take a photo with your host and group. Lisu clothing is known for its vibrant colors and intricate designs.
We’ll then take a walk around the village, guided by locals and your Manitabi guide — visiting places you could never reach alone.
Along the way, we’ll also visit the village mosque, where you can learn about Islam in Thailand and experience the country’s rich cultural diversity.
11:00 — Depart the Village
Say farewell to your hosts and leave the village with a heart full of memories.
12:00 — Visit Mae Sai & the Myanmar Border
About 1 hour later, we’ll arrive in Mae Sai, Thailand’s northernmost town.
See the Thai–Myanmar border.
And visit the famous Mae Sai Market, where you can browse goods from both countries.
14:30 — Depart Mae Sai
Drop-off Options
16:00 — Chiang Rai Airport or Chiang Rai City
19:00 — Chiang Mai City
Let us know your preference, and we’ll make arrangements accordingly.
You can also join from Chiang Mai and finish in Chiang Rai if that fits your travel plan better.
④Participant Voice
① 「一族の知恵とカカオの感動」
K.K. さん
収穫したてのカカオの果肉に感動！リス族の平和を求めた歴史やシャーマンの暮らしなど、奥深い文化にふれられました。
⑤Ohters
What to Bring
| Recommendation | Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | □ Comfortable clothes that can get dirty | Recommended to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. |
| □ Long-sleeved top and pants | It may get chilly in the mornings/evenings. Also helps with insect protection. Long pants that allow easy movement are ideal, especially when crossing rivers to reach the cacao farm. | |
| □ Personal medication | ||
| □ Comfortable walking shoes | Recommended for visiting the cacao farm. Sandals may expose you to insects or leeches. | |
| □ Sandals | ||
| □ Toothbrush | ||
| Nice to Have | □ Sunscreen | |
| □ Hat | ||
| □ Small towel for sweat | ||
| □ Small bag | Just enough to carry water, a towel, and valuables. | |
| □ Sunglasses | ||
| □ Shampoo | Please bring it if you have a preferred brand. | |
| □ Conditioner | Same as above. |
When you go to the cocoa plantation, you have to cross a river and your feet get wet.
You will stay at a local guesthouse in the village. While there is no bathtub, a warm shower is available for your comfort.
What’s Provided
The village will prepare the following items for you:
Towel, Shampoo and Body soap
Feel free to bring your own if you have a specific preference for shampoo or conditioner.
How This Tour Was Born
This tour was born from a serendipitous encounter between the host family and me, Naoto Sakata from Chiang Mai.
While I was traveling in Chiang Rai, I happened to meet Win, the son of Jahae (the host), who was selling cacao products at a local market.
I had always been curious about cacao, so I asked if I could visit their farm. That visit turned out to be truly eye-opening.
I was amazed when I witnessed the hard work behind making chocolate, a treat I’ve eaten thousands of times. And more than anything, I was deeply moved by the passion and dedication of the Leeja family.
During the visit, I also had the chance to experience Lisu culture—vibrant traditional clothing, joyful dances, and the warmth of a family-centered way of life. I immediately felt, “I want to share this with everyone.”
Important Notes
- The schedule may change depending on the weather or local circumstances.
- As the cacao production and processing are not done in large quantities every day, it may not be possible to observe every step of the chocolate-making process during your visit. However, we will explain each step in detail.
- Please note that local villagers may not be wearing traditional Lisu clothing during your visit. While many older people still wear them daily, younger generations often wear them only for festivals and special occasions.
- What’s Included
- Private transportation, Day 1: Lunch & Dinner, Day 2: Breakfast & Lunch, Accommodation, Activity fees
- Not Included
- Personal shopping, Drinks or snacks at unplanned cafés or shops
This tour offers more than just sightseeing or beautiful landscapes — it invites you to step into the everyday life of the Lisu people and experience how they live in harmony with nature and their cultural traditions.
If you’re curious about the lives of the Lisu and the journey of cacao, join us for this special tour and create memories that will stay with you forever.
Explore our other ethnic village tours here 👇
