Thailand Small Group Travel For Women

May 23, 2025

Thailand Stole My Heart (and My iPhone Storage): Adventure in the Land of Smiles

- By Candice Bartlett

Continue reading Thailand Stole My Heart (and My iPhone Storage): Adventure in the Land of Smiles

Thailand had already cast its spell on me years ago, but lately, I’ve been feeling the pull of Thailand travel again—maybe from binging White Lotus and hearing “sa wat dee ka” echo through every dreamy scene. The Land of Smiles isn’t just a nickname—it’s a mood, a vibe, and a welcome wrapped in jasmine and sunshine.

As I spent last weekend doing a digital declutter (avoiding real chores while watching elephant videos on my phone), I found myself deep in the memories of a recent work-meets-adventure trip with Wild Women Expeditions—the Thailand small group travel for women experience in Northern Thailand.

Why Women Travelers Are Falling in Love with Thailand (Again and Again)

It’s been just over two months, yet every detail is still so vivid—the tangled green of the jungle, the cool splash of water on my legs as we floated downstream on bamboo rafts, the steaming bowls of delicious everything during our cooking lesson with locals.

I first went to Thailand over a decade ago on my honeymoon—one unforgettable month of hammocks on the beach, longboats, and way too many mango-sticky rice runs. But this time? Less black moon party, more soul-stirring journey. This was Thailand through a whole new lens—small group travel for women who crave meaning, culture, connection, and adventure that goes way deeper. A full-body, full-heart experience for the senses… and the soul.

A Wild Welcome from the Karen Hill Tribe

The Karen Hill Tribe welcomed us with open arms. The women—wrapped in stunning handwoven textiles—weren’t just our hosts. They were storytellers, wisdom keepers, and protectors of a rich cultural legacy. We shared a traditional dinner and gathered around the fire in connection. And as we tucked into our homestays that night, surrounded by the quiet hum of the hills, something shifted. We weren’t outsiders. We were part of the story—even if just for a night.

Thailand Small Group Travel For Women

What Happens When Women Travel Together

We came from different cities, backgrounds, and crossroads. Some of us were celebrating, some were healing, and some simply needed a break from the noise. But through jungle treks, temple offerings, and late-night talks, we became more than just Thailand travel companions.

We shared rooms and reflections. Thai snacks and sacred silences. We cried over coffee and laughed ourselves breathless on three-person kayaks. We showed up for each other—strangers turned friends, in just under two weeks.

Floating, Feasting & Falling in Love with Local Culture

Ever floated downstream on a bamboo raft? We let the jungle do its thing—lush, wild, and ridiculously beautiful. The cool water lapped at our feet while birds swooped overhead like they were showing off, and yes, actual elephants strolled past us like it was just another Tuesday ( or Wednesday, who keeps count when you’re floating in the jungle?). We moved at the speed of peace—guided by local raft captains, with a few unexpected delights drifting in.

There was laughter. There was wonder. There was that magical feeling of, “I can’t believe this is real.” One woman admitted she’d been nervous about the rafting part earlier in the trip, but by the end? She was glowing. She let go of the “what ifs” and just floated. “I can’t wait to tell my daughter,” she said, grinning. “She’s never going to believe I did this.”

Cooking with Local Women

In a sun-drenched village kitchen, we learned to cook with women at the Prapat family home who carry generations of tradition in their hands. There was no ego, no pressure—just joyful sharing. We chopped lemongrass and ground chilli paste with mortar and pestle, our eyes watering and our hearts full.

Climbing the Sticky Waterfalls

Yes, they’re real. And yes, you can climb them—barefoot or in water shoes. I felt like Spiderwoman. The Bua Thong “Sticky” Waterfalls are a geological marvel. The mineral-rich rock creates enough friction to make your climb easy—and it’s exhilarating. Like nature’s velcro! We laughed. We conquered. And in that moment, we felt like kids again, unburdened and wild.

Thailand Small Group Travel For Women

It wasn’t just about the climb up the fall either—in a way, it was also about what we left behind at the bottom. Doubt. Overthinking. That little voice that says, “Can I really do this?” Turns out, yes. We could. And we did. There’s something wildly healing about getting a little scrappy in nature, barefoot and beaming, surrounded by women cheering each other on.

Meeting Elephants the Ethical Way at ChangChill

At ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary, we experienced ethical elephant tourism at its best. No touching. No riding. No bathing. Just elephants living freely in the hills, doing elephant things—roaming, dusting, foraging, and being their glorious selves.

We stood quietly, awed. We watched their giant feet stir the earth. We listened to their breath, their trumpets, their stillness. It was intimate in the most respectful way.

Thailand Small Group Travel For Women

What Ethical Tourism in Thailand Really Means

A few days later, we passed by another so-called elephant sanctuary, and the contrast was gut-wrenching. Bikini-clad influencers posed on visibly stressed elephants, camera flashes going off like fireworks. There was no reverence, no awareness, just photo ops disguised as care. It wasn’t about the elephants. It was about the likes.

That moment drew a clear line in the sand for me. I felt deeply honoured to stand alongside a team committed to doing ethical tourism right. At Wild Women Expeditions, animal welfare and ethical travel aren’t feel-good extras tacked onto the Thailand small group travel for women experience—they’re foundational. It’s about presence, education, and intention. It’s woven into our DNA.

Choosing sanctuaries like ChangChill is a responsibility. Here, elephants roam freely through the forest, graze at their own pace, and splash in the river—exactly as nature intended. You’ll help prepare their food, observe them from a respectful distance, and witness the magic of ethical elephant tourism in action.

Endorsed by World Animal Protection, every visit to ChangChill directly supports the freedom and well-being of these gentle giants—and helps protect their future.

Temples, Traditions & Thai Spirituality

Thailand is steeped in a quiet, reverent spirituality. The temples aren’t tourist attractions—they’re sacred spaces where daily life and devotion meet.

We explored ancient temples wrapped in mist and marigolds, where monks offered blessings and bells chimed in the breeze. We stepped gently into a world of golden Buddhas and whispered prayers.

At  Wat Pha Lat, a serene forest temple tucked into the hills, we learned about Buddhist teachings and took part in a lotus offering. I wasn’t expecting to feel so much—but the emotion came in waves. Maybe it was the quiet, the sacredness of the space… or maybe it was the weight of recent years catching up with me. Having lost both of my parents not long ago, I found myself thinking of them—how excited they would’ve been to know I’d returned to Thailand and to hear about the peace I felt in that temple.

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In Thai Buddhism, offering a lotus flower is a powerful symbol of purity, spiritual awakening, and devotion. The lotus rises through muddy water to bloom in the light—just as we strive to rise through life’s challenges with grace and clarity.

Placing a lotus at the temple is a way to pay respect to the Buddha, make merit, and set intentions—whether for healing, clarity, or simply finding your center again. It’s a small act with centuries of soul behind it.

These types of travel experiences root themselves in your bones and bloom long after you’re home.

In the Stillness, We Return

We surrendered to nature. The land itself is medicine. Lush green hills that hug you back. Jungle paths that whisper ancient stories. Misty mornings that invite you to breathe a little deeper. Nature here doesn’t just relax you—it restores you.

Our stay at Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort, an eco-retreat nestled in the misty highlands of Northern Thailand, was heaven. Phu Chaisai—which means “Mountain of Clear Heart”—is a women-led sanctuary founded by Mom Da, a devoted nature-lover who infused every corner of the retreat with intention. She chose bamboo as the primary building material, embracing the land’s renewable resources and honouring the surrounding forest with sustainable design.

Our open-air veranda overlooked the rolling green hills, and my roomie and I quickly fell into the rhythm of the land—slow, steady, nourishing. It was the kind of place where your nervous system exhales. Where you don’t just reconnect with nature, but with yourself.

One woman in our group had just come through a breakup. This was one of the first times she’d had the space to truly ground herself after the emotional tailspin of divorce. Each morning, as she looked out over the misty hills and the green crown of the jungle, something quietly shifted. Even if she couldn’t name it, she felt held—by the land, the women around her, the stillness. It was exactly what she didn’t know she needed.

Nature, Turned All the Way Up

Toward the end of our journey, we laced up for one final hike—an unforgettable trek across the Mae Wang mountains to the village of Mae Win. The trail wound through dense jungle, every shade of green bursting to life under a canopy of mist. For nearly two hours, we moved through a dreamscape of tangled roots, birdsong, and breath-stealing beauty.

And then, just like the forest had written us into its favourite scene, we found a swing hanging beside a waterfall, wild and cinematic!

It just so happened to be my birthday that day. And while some might toast with bubbly and brunch, I marked the moment differently—weightless, flying through the jungle air on that swing, water rushing below, and the cheers of Wild Women echoing through the trees. This is what Thailand small group travel for women is all about: spine-tingling, soul-lifting, fully alive moments. A reminder that nature knows. She meets you exactly where you are—and gives you exactly what you need.

Thailand Small Group Travel For Women
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A 10-Day Thailand Adventure That Felt Just Right

You might wonder if ten days is enough. But here’s the thing—it was exactly right. Just long enough to fall in love, just short enough to leave you longing for more. Every day was rich with color, culture, and connection. Expect to connect with strangers who become friends. With locals who become teachers. With a version of yourself that’s been waiting to come alive.

Thailand wrapped us in warmth, challenged our assumptions, opened our eyes—and left us changed. It’s not just a place; it’s a mirror. It shows you what you need to see and reminds you how to live with your heart wide open. If you’re craving transformational travel, meaningful connection, and a journey that fills you up instead of burning you out—Thailand travel isn’t just a good idea. It’s your next must-do. Learn more about our Northern Thailand Adventure.

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Wanna hear more about the Thailand small group travel for women experience? Check out our upcoming Webinar on June 2, 2025, at 6 PM ET. You’ll get the inside scoop on our BaliThailandCambodia, and Vietnam adventures!

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