Et in Arcadia: The Highlands

INTRODUCING ET IN ARCADIA

Et in Arcadia (from the Latin ‘Et in Arcadia Ego’ or ‘And in Arcadia, I was’) is our private nature, culture and gastronomy trip series, taking you to special, beautiful places around the world, producing some of the most delicious, natural foods – that are also steeped in historical and cultural stories.

Coupled with wellness, educational and light social activities with like-minded souls, our deepest wish is to support you in holistically restoring your harmony with nature.

Et in Arcadia: The Highlands

The 4th edition of our signature trip 'The Highlands’ will be taking you to explore Akha tribal traditions life amidst the highlands of Chiang Rai. Join us on a unique hike to harvest and forage for mountain produce and herbs, learn how to make (and eat!) traditional Akha tribal dishes with your bounty, try a (very) rustic wild herbal sauna, sip artisanal farm to cup drip coffee at dawn - and indulge in our special Forest Gastronomy: Akha Natural Wine Dinner under the stars, with a beautiful mountain vista.

Most importantly, closely experience the Akha way of life, make new friends from another culture - and understand what a life lived in harmony with nature can teach us about true 'sustainability'.

DATE & LOCATION

• Friday 7 August to Saturday 8 August, 2020 (1 night, 2 days)

• Doi Pangkhon (1200m), Chiang Rai, Thailand

ITINERARY (subject to adjustment based on weather conditions)

Day 1

0800 Arrival at Chiang Rai Airport and direct transfer to Doi Pangkhon, Chiang Rai

0900 Arrival at Pangkhon Village and traditional Akha welcome from village elders

0930 Food Forest and Wild Foraging: Explore and learn about the fauna, flora and produce of the forest with our local Akha friends - and do the hard work of collecting your own ingredients for lunch!

1130 Akha Tribal Food Traditions: Learn how to make rare and unique Akha traditional dishes from ‘Mae Luang', in the home of our gracious host, the Village Headman of Pangkhon Village.

1300 Akha Traditional Lunch: Aside from your own creations, enjoy the sumptuous feast prepared for us by 'Mae Luang'

1500 From Farm to Cup: Sip on locally-grown, roasted and brewed coffee at the village coffeeshop with scenic views

1600 Herbs of the Highlands: Learn about medicinal highland plants and herbs from the local herbalist - and try a (very) 'rustic’ wild herbal sauna!

1700 Leisure time

1830 Sparkling Sunset: Refresh yourself with our favourite biodynamic cava while admiring the sunset, at our welcome drinks.

1900 Forest Gastronomy: Experience an Akha Natural Wine Dinner featuring a sumptuous feast of Akha specialties paired with 5 award-winning organic, biodynamic and natural wines.

Day 2

0600 Pick-up to head to our sunrise viewpoint

0615 Wake Up, Smell the Coffee - and See the Sunrise: Enjoy handcrafted drip- local coffee personally prepared for your sunrise experience.

0700 Local Breakfast: Enjoy a simple, local breakfast at your homestay

0900 Leisure time / local shopping

1130 Departure to Chiang Rai Airport

1230 Check-in and lunch at airport (not included in programme)

1525 Depart for Bangkok

PACKAGE PRICE (per person)

• Adult - Single Occupancy

• Adult - Double Occupancy

• Child (sharing with parents, no alcohol)

• Friends of Arcadia community members receive a 5% discount on standard price

• Inquire at info@arcadia-fine-foods.com for details

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Airport transfer (two-way)

• 1 night’s accommodation in a basic but comfortable local mountain homestay

• Food forest and wild foraging half-day excursion

• Akha traditional cookery class, including lunch and afternoon coffee at a scenic view point

• Forest herbal knowledge-sharing and 'rustic’ local sauna

• Akha Natural Wine Dinner, featuring 5 critically acclaimed organic, biodynamic and natural wines

• Sunrise drip coffee experience

• Local homestay breakfast

NOT INCLUDED

• Flight ticket - we highly recommend VietJet flights VZ130 (departure from Bangkok 6.30am on Friday 7 August) and VZ133 (return from Chiang Rai 3.25pm on Saturday 8 August) as the most value-for-money flights to Chiang Rai, leaving from Suvarnabhumi Airport

• Travel and health/accident insurance (recommended)

ADDITIONAL POINTS TO NOTE

Expect Rustic - but Cosy

We will be special guests in a rural village, staying at locally hosted homestays and eating in the home of the village headman. Please don’t expect 5-star luxury and facilities - but do expect 5-star hospitality and warmth. :)

Food and Beverage

Any additional food and beverage consumed outside of what is stipulated in the retreat programme shall be settled directly with the vendor.

Weather 

Being the monsoon season, please expect some rain during your stay.  This may range from a light drizzle to a torrential – but usually short-lived – thundershowers.  We hope that we will not need to change our itinerary, but we have plan B's at the ready if needed.

Nature

Please bring with you your love of nature (including non harmful insects such as moths, harmless spiders, ants & geckos)!  In addition, you may wish to consider:

• Waterproof trekking shoes

• Long pants (to avoid insects)

• Raincoat or rain jacket

• Torch

• Hat, sunglasses and sunblock

• Warm clothing (it can get chilly in the mountains)

• Insect repellent

• Water bottle

• Powerbank 

Being in a forested area, we also occasionally experience black-outs - but there are candles and emergency lights available and electricity is usually restored relatively quickly!

Bring a gift for our community 

Any of the below will be gratefully received for donations to local communities in our area:

• Pre-loved toys and soccer balls

• Children’s and adult’s clothing 

• Children’s books

• Pre-loved small appliances

To register for our trip or more information, please contact us at info@arcadia-fine-foods. com. Each trip is limited to a maximum of 10 participants only for a personalised experience.