Head of ANU School of Art Textiles Workshop Valerie Kirk will be leading a 16-day tour that explores the textile traditions of the northern region of Thailand and Laos in January 2016.

Run by Active Travel, the tour will make its way from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, visiting small communities and diverse ethnic groups to look at the resurgence of textile and craft skills in their economy and everyday life.

Highlights of the trip include visiting ancient temples, markets and villages, with the opportunity to meet with local textile experts. Participants can take part in workshops with weavers and dyers who use natural dyes, and learn about sewing and embroidering techniques used to make traditional costumes.

The tour is from 18 January - 2 February 2016.