Try and visit the hill tribes during a festival such as the New Year festival when the women will be dressed in their finery. Lahu, Lisu and Yao hold their New Year festivals around the time of the Chinese New Year but the Hmong and Akha hold theirs in late December. Be aware that the festival times may vary across villages. For instance the Akha 'swing' ceremony takes place 108 days after a rice planting ceremony but the date of this (May/June) is decided when the village elders feel the time is right.

Try and have an idea about the traditions and customs of the tribe before going on a trek and behave with courtesy at all times. Do not dress scantily and ask permission before taking a photograph. Offer payment for accommodation.

A Trekker's Guide to: The Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand (John R. Davies, Footloose Books, UK. 1992) and Chiang Mai & The Hill Tribes (Goldrich, Richard. Sangdad Publications, 1992) are both small enough to be taken on a trek. For in depth research, visit the library at the Tribal Research Institute at Chiang Mai University.

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