We have planned our visit to Thailand last year by googling the internet. We were looking for detox programs near Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) and came across the Lisu homestay website (www.LisuHillTribe.com). This could be a hidden gem. We did not want a luxury and expensive spa and Lisu Homestay is no such place. We have booked the program for a week by email. The travelling was quite easy. We went by bus from Chiang Mai to Pai and changed bus towards Mae Hong Son and dropped off at Soppong village. There we have called Albert, our landlord, host and guide in detox and he fetched us with his motorcycle to the Lisu vilage.
The village is very cosy and we took a walk through it every morning. The tradition of the Lisu hilltribe is different from Thai. Our room is located on the first floor, next to the yoga and meditation, massage hall, just above the home of the family. There we were, in the middle of the country side, completely relaxed. We followed the detox program, as already said, but you can also stay for a couple of nights, do some workshops (Lisu craft, jewelery, lisu massage, herb walk, meditation). We felt very much at home and tasted a great deal of Lisu culture, while we were cleansing our body and mind. Although our bathroom has been "upgraded", do not expect any luxury. There is a couch where you can relax thoughout the day, but that is about it. It is not quiet, you hear lots of village noice, roosters calling and pigs oinking. When there is a funeral next door, you can easily be disturbed by fireworks and festivities in the middle of the night. When power is off, this can easily happen during the rainy season, you have good opportunity to encounter fireflies.
The detox program was also very inspiring. At home in Amsterdam we still incorporate the changes in lifestyle in our daily food pattern and feeling good about it.
So to come short, I surely would like to recommend the Lisu homestay for everyone who is not seeking for luxury and being pampered, but for those who are willing to undergo a wonderful experience, which besides is good for you.

Daniel and Joe Ay

If you look for luxery don't go here. If you look for a beautifull new expierence go here. Go back to the roots of farmer life & stay in this village. PLs go there for atleast a week like I did, to really get into the daily flow of life. The morning ritual walking through the village, the late afternoon ritual listening: the neighbour men sit in front their house in the shade quitly singing songs. Albert knows a lot about the vipassana meditation; and as long as you are in thailand what better to do then expierence a little bit of the knowledge of buddha ; vipassana meditation. It really did something for me. Susanan is warm & practical, always working & taking care, always with a smile. One walk with her through the forest and you know that about every plant or tree you see can be used for something; remarkable to realize. Food; fresh of the land or from the trees! Lisu massage ; strong & soft & intens relaxing! The bugs & the dust make farmer life into farmer life & make you realize you are in thailand! I will never forget this expierence, thanks Albert & Susanan

I found out about this homestay from a small poster in Chiang Mai. I went to learn the basics of Lisu massage, but also to see what it was like to live in a village that has maintained its traditions. It was a positive experience. From the amazing views seen traveling by motortaxi from Pai to Soppong, to the vibrantly colourful beauty of the Lisu traditional dress and crafts, to the natural healing foods, to the kindness and knowledge shared by Susanan and Albert (and family), I'm glad to have been there, and recommend it to anyone interested.