DAY ONE: CHIANG MAI ARRIVAL

ยินดีต้อนรับ (welcome) to Chiang Mai!

Upon arrival at Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), make your way to Starbucks (near the domestic arrival)–a smiley Wild Women representative will be patiently waiting for us. We’ll take a group shuttle to our hotel at 3PM. Grab a Cantaloupe Cream Frappaccino for the ride! Alternatively, if you arrive earlier in the day (or 72 hours prior to Day 1 of the itinerary) a shuttle will be provided to the rendezvous hotel accordingly.

Our rendezvous and briefing will be in the Rachamankha Boutique Hotel lobby (where we are staying) at 4PM. There will be  time to refresh, recharge and revive before dinner tonight at The House by Ginger. Get ready for an authentic introduction to the fragrant spices and distinct flavours of Thai cuisine!

Meals Included: Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Rachamankha Boutique Hotel
How much further? 20 minutes

Head’s up: We’ll be spending two nights at this hotel.
Roadmap: Chiang Mai Airport to Rachamankha Boutique Hotel

DAY TWO: SPICE OF LIFE

We’ll ease into the day and Thailand’s warm embrace this morning as we fully indulge in self-care. Experience traditional spa treatments like the Fah Lanna healing treatment, aromatic herbal steam, an oil massage and surrender to the powerful, near-hypnotic effects of Thai massage techniques.

Today will be spent far removed from the buzzy tourist congestion of Chiang Mai. Instead, we’ll be intimately immersed in the local culture courtesy of Ms. Yaowaluck. Our gracious host will provide a hospitable welcome to her property and typical Lanna house as she shares knowledge of local architectural styles and stories from the traditional way of Thai life.

There may be an opportunity to watch an intricate basket-weaving demonstration–a handmade process that has remarkably remained unchanged for centuries.

We’ll wander through Ms. Yaowaluck’s robust organic gardens and forage for the freshest ingredients for our interactive cooking experience. Don an apron and get ready to make notes of coveted family recipe secrets during the demonstration of northern Thai cooking techniques. We’ll swap stories and family recipes while learning about staples like Thai bird chilies, curry paste, Thai basil and Vietnamese coriander as we prepare today’s lunch. 

Today’s lunch with Ms. Yaowaluck will be spiced up by a Thai Northern Traditional dance performance. Don’t worry–there will be an opportunity to join in on the dance and sing along.

Dinner tonight will be at the Michelin-recommended Khaomao-Khaofang Restaurant. It’s celebrated for its imaginary jungle experience complete with an enormous, crashing waterfall, blooming flowers and soundtrack that adds to the vibe.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Rachamankha Boutique Hotel
How much further? 30 minutes (hotel to  Ms. Yaowaluck’s home)

Today’s Zen Moment: Fah Lanna healing treatment, an aromatic herbal steam and Thai oil massage

DAY THREE: MAE NGAT LAKE RESERVOIR 

We’ll have an early bird start today with a 7:30AM departure. This will allow us more time to explore the famed limestone “Sticky Waterfalls.” We’ll make a beeline for Sri Lanna National Park this morning (a 1.5 hour drive from Chiang Mai) to visit the park’s famed Bua Tong (Sticky Waterfalls). The name of the falls is derived from the mineral deposit that makes the surface of the rocks super grippy. The limestone is callous and feels like a hardened sponge–no algae adheres to the rock allowing the falls to be ascended like an agile Spiderwoman. There are five different levels and ropes in addition to steps alongside the waterfall if you’re not feeling very Spiderwoman-like!

We will have a picnic pitstop in this area, allowing for ample time to climb up these surreal falls and enjoy the surroundings with local fruits, sweet cake, tea and strong coffee.

Afterwards, we’ll transfer to Mae Ngat Lake Reservoir and climb into the narrow hull of a long tail boat for an exhilarating ride out onto the lake’s placid waters. Crossing the reservoir, the panorama of the distant landscape is mesmerizing.

Lunch will be at a floating raft house where we’ll be presented with an array of tempting traditional dishes. Mae Ngat Dam reservoir is known best for its one-room bamboo floating houses. We’ll spend the afternoon here in the tranquility of this setting. We can swim in the refreshing waters or kayak to the more remote corners of the reservoir. Or, you can simply chill out on the dock to catch some rays and watch the world go by.

Tonight we’ll be hugged by the wild and natural riverside surroundings of our resort in Mae Taeng.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Sibsan Resort & Spa Maetaeng
How much further? 1 hour and 30 minutes

DAY FOUR: MOVING THROUGH MOUNTAINS

This morning will be leisurely–yes, there’s time for another cup of coffee and reflection. We will leave our resort at 1PM for Ban Yang Pu Toh and an extended dose of serenity. 

In Chiang Dao,  we will strike out on a 2 to 3 hour moderate hike (depending on group pace) to Ban Yang Pu Toh, a small local village that sits in the foothills of a cone-shaped limestone mountain Doi Luang Chiang Dao. It rises 2,195m (7,201ft) above sea level, making her the third highest mountain in Thailand and a part of the Himalayan mountain range. The village of Ban Yang Pu Toh is adjacent to the Doi Chiangdao Wildlife Research Station and surrounded by protected evergreen forest

The 230+-million-year old limestone massif of Doi Luang Chiang Dao in the Daen Lao Range is renowned for its jawdropper vistas, diverse forests and meadows. Here, endangered species like long-tailed gorals (a darling ungulate), Sumatran serows (a unique forest goat), Asian golden cats (known as “rock cats” in China), Deignan’s babblers (*a bird species, not a chatty Wild Woman!), and the Huia melasma (an endemic frog species of western and northern Thailand) are part of the biodiverse region. More than 300 species of birds live in this complex ecosystem in the company of the Rhacophorus Kio, an emerald flying frog.

We’ll end our Chiang Dao trek in the Ban Yang Pu Toh village where we’ll be greeted by locals and invited to relax in the communal hot spring, an enterprise managed by the village, before dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Azalea Village Resort
The skinny on today’s trek: The San Kang Jong – Huay Mae Mad trail is a moderate hike that takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.

DAY FIVE: CHIANG RAI HILLTRIBES

After a nourishing breakfast, we will hop in the van and head towards Chiang Rai (approximately 2 to 3 hours) just in time for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we will visit Mae Salong and the hilltribes around Chiang Rai. In Hloyo village, a small community of Akha hilltribes, we will be welcomed into Hloyo by the head of the village and the residents. Our hosts will provide an engaging introduction to the Akha people and their beliefs, religions, traditions and ways of life. Inside the mud house museum, we will gain a deeper understanding of the tribe’s customs through insightful displays on the history of the Akha. 

We’ll have a slow walk through the village of traditional bamboo houses constructed by hand before meeting with local artisans and assisting with the creation of small, handmade crafts. 

Later, we’ll step into the kitchen for a hands-on Akha cooking class and prepare typical dishes using uber-fresh ingredients and traditional, generational techniques. Over this hyper local lunch, we’ll have the opportunity to exchange stories with our host. 

Following lunch we will  visit local farms and learn of the village’s reliance on the land’s precious resources and bounty. We’ll see how the Akha make clever use of the forest’s natural resources and their co-existence with animals and the delicate biomes that surround the village.

We’ll return to the village and say farewell to the hosts with a solid appreciation of Hloyo and the Akaha tribe. With the intense flavours of Thailand on our tongue, we will have a final transfer to the luxury eco-lodge, Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort, set in the bamboo hills. It’s a big slice of heaven in the mountains of Chiang Rai. Prepare to be pampered for two nights! Laze about in the pool, let your muscles recover from yesterday’s trek with a steam or sauna. Book a volcanic lava stone massage (not included) or simply wander along the calming pathways that skirt the koi pond and elaborate gardens of paradise!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Phu Chai Sai Mountain Resort
How much further? 2-3 hours (driving) to Chiang Rai, 50 minutes from Hloyo village to Phu Chai Sai Mountain Resort.

DAY SIX: PHU CHAISAI

Today is wholly dedicated to pure relaxation in the open arms of Phu Chaisai and the property’s incredible amenities and activities. Sign up for a yoga class (scheduled times for each will be provided by the property) if you’re in the mood to bend and stretch! 

If you’d like to explore the area independently or opt for another activity, be sure to ask our guide.

Please note that only breakfast is included today.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Phu Chai Sai Mountain Resort
Today’s Zen Moment: Yoga (optional)

DAY SEVEN: WHITE TEMPLE

We’ll have a long ride ahead of us today but it will be peppered with history and highlights as we drive. We’ll leave our gorgeous resort at 9:30AM with a full (and quirky) agenda to anticipate. First, it’s a one-hour drive to Wat Rung Khun. 

Wat Rung Khun (the “White Temple”) is a contemporary ornate temple and one of the most famous and instantly recognized buildings in Thailand for its prevalence of white plaster which represents the purity of Buddha. Designed by renowned artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the remarkable depictions of heaven and hell are displayed in vivid mural paintings and an eccentric sculpture garden. Unlike any other temple in Thailand, The White Temple pushes the boundaries of Buddhist art, resulting in an evocative and controversial experience.

Tonight’s stay is at Kaomai Lanna Hotel and Resort (a 3-hour drive from The White Temple). This unforgettable boutique property in the Sanpatong district is surrounded by serene tropical gardens. In 2018, the resort won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific award for Cultural Heritage Conservation in New Design in Heritage Contexts. Kaomai is an ode to northern Thailand’s tobacco industry and heritage. The former tobacco farm and curing barns have been converted into sumptuous guest rooms thoughtfully curated with colonial-style antique furniture. 

Upon arrival, Kaomai’s architecture expert will walk us through the evolution of the property and the transition from tobacco curing barns to a resort on a 30-minute tour.

After the tour, we can take five by the poolside, wander around the gardens or visit the on-site cafe, Tao Cah, which serves house-blended herbal teas made from local ingredients and the estate’s own garden.

Dinner will be at 6pm tonight!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Khao Mai Lanna Hotel & Resort
How much further? 4-5 hours (total)

Head’s Up: For tomorrow’s homestay with the Karen hilltribe, please pack your overnight clothes (pajamas and necessary toiletries) into your day pack. Tomorrow, the remainder of your luggage will stay in the van for the evening.

DAY EIGHT: MEET THE ELEPHANTS OF CHANGCHILL

This morning, after a bright and healthy breakfast, we’ll depart Kaomai Lanna at 8:30AM to meet the mahouts and magnificent Asian elephants of ChangChill (we’ll have a private tour at 9:30AM). Each elephant has their own mahout (a person who works with, rides and tends to an elephant’s needs) who will demonstrate how to speak to them including simple commands.

Supakorn Tananseth, the owner of ChangChill, comes from a family that has worked with elephants for several generations. He originally operated a camp that offered elephant rides but discontinued this practice to establish Happy Elephant Care Valley. Here, his wish was to provide his elephants better, ethically-sound living conditions. Fast forward to today, Happy Elephant Care Valley is now the 8-acre home of ChangChill, which offers 100% touch-free elephant experience in alignment with World Animal Protection’s new ethical tourism model. ChangChill’s commitment is to allow their resident elephants to have a more natural, free-roaming life where they can bathe, graze and socialize with each other, versus humans.

We’ll learn about ChangChill’s history, pachyderm personalities and behaviour before joining the mahout on a one hour forest hike to learn more about their daily life and environment. The mahouts will also share the secrets and unique charms of their beloved elephant. 

Back at the pavilion, we’ll have a snack break and observe the behaviour of the four resident elephants before helping to feed them (this is a touch-free experience). Afterwards, we’ll have our own lunch at camp.

The bonding experience between the mahouts and their elephants is a remarkable and indelible one. We will learn how to make a simple medicine and supplement for the elephants. 

Around 3PM, we will transfer to the Hilltribe community village of Baan Mea Sapok. We’ll have time to slow things down and walk around Baan Mea Sapok before a traditional dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Hilltribe Community Village
The skinny on today’s walk: Easy-peasy. It’s a 10-minute walk to the ChangChill sanctuary and a 10-minute stroll into the jungle.

DAY NINE: RAFTING ALONG THE RIVER

We’ll have breakfast before kicking off  on a 2-hour-long walk across Mea Wang mountain to Mea Win village. We will pass several waterfalls en route for a refreshing splash and some selfies. Then, we’ll indulge in the ultimate childhood dream: bamboo rafting along the Mea Wang river! We’ll enjoy the thrill of a few rapids on our one-hour float (depending on the water levels) before gathering for a riverside lunch bright with colourful, seasonal fruits and jungle scenery.

At 12:30pm, we will transfer to our Chiang Mai hotel and arrive at Rachamankha Boutique Hotel around 2pm. We will have time to journal, catnap or review memory cards full of elephants, Sticky Waterfalls and cat poop dessert before our night market visit.

At the famed Chiang Mai Night Market and Bazaar our guide will provide us with an orientation, snacks, and offer some suggestions on the best genuine street food. *Note: Tonight’s dinner is not included and you are free range to try whatever tempts you in the market! 

Expect to see the unexpected–everything is for sale here! Football jerseys, noodles, furniture, samurai swords, sarongs, Starbucks…it will be one wild, hectic and memorable shopping experience.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Rachamankha Boutique Hotel
How much further? 1 hour and 10 minutes
Roadmap: Mae Taeng to Chiang Mai
Today’s Highlight: Bamboo Rafting! 1 hour depending on the water levels, beginner-friendly, easy!
The skinny on today’s hike: 2 hours

DAY TEN: HANDS-ON HANDICRAFTS

We’ll have a bright and early breakfast today before embarking on our final trek of the trip. At 8:00AM we’ll transfer to the trailhead of the monks’ trail Wat Pha Lat, one of Chiang Mai’s least visited temples which is tucked away in a forest. This leisurely 45-minute walk is sacred and short–just 1.2km (.8mi).

Around 9:30 AM we will transfer to Ban Pong Huai Lan, a small village that is an integral part of the Royal Initiative Project, where local people are dedicated to living in a sustainable way. We’ll take part in various activities and interact with the village members. While sipping a fresh herbal drink we’ll hear stories about the efforts of the Royal Initiative Project and King Bhumibol’s sustainability initiatives and ideas which helped establish the forest preservation unit and helped build Huai Lan Reservoir. 

We’ll also visit the Fishery Department and learn how this fishing farm has become a vital food resource for the local community before continuing on to take in the views of the Huai Lan Reservoir. We’ll have a lunch of simple dishes cooked by the villagers before visiting Grandma Som’s Farm, a sustainable farm inspired by the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy. The Philosophy revolves around primarily growing enough to eat and selling off the surplus bounty.

Later, we’ll enjoy a hands-on experience with a traditional handloom and learn about weaving, thread-spinning and all the weaving processes from the village’s professional women’s group. The dedication of these women help preserve the traditional handicraft, local wisdom and generational 0 history. We’ll watch as the women demonstrate how to make wicker and weaving crafts before we test our skills to create a cute tiny rice box mobile as a memorable take-home souvenir.

Before saying goodbye to the talented community, we’ll have an afternoon break and try a delicious local dessert known as “Kanom-Khee-Maeo” which literally translates to “cat poop dessert”. Rest assured the dessert is an incredible, sweet combination of rice flour and coconut! We’ll try a fresh herbal juice and learn the simple recipe to share (and shock) family and friends back home.

Mid-afternoon, we’ll transfer to Baan Kang Wat which is a small, sustainable crafts village. At the village there are many activities that we can take part in. The workshops are all laid out in an easy house-to-house path format so you can walk through the village and try as many activities as you’d like. Locals from the Chiang Mai area allow guests to join in their workshops and will be displaying their own handiwork as well. Alternatively, there are a few cafes, smoothie joints and clothing shops if you’d prefer to browse and wander.

We’ll shuttle back to the hotel in Chiang Mai, time to refresh for our final dinner together at the lively and colourful Airniversary Camp and Café Chiang Mai.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Rachamankha Boutique Hotel
How much further? 50 minutes (to Ban Pong Huai Lan), 50 minutes (to Baan Kang Wat) and just 5 minutes from our hotel to the restaurant.

DAY ELEVEN: JOURNEY’S END

Our trip has come to an end in a physical sense–but Thailand’s powerful effect will stay deeply stitched in your DNA. It’s time to say goodbye to your Wild Women tribe, swap contact info and future travel plans. Please book your departure flight anytime between 8am – 4pm so that transfers (25 minutes) to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) can be accommodated.

Where next?

Meals Included: none
How much further? 25 minutes (transfer to airport)
Longing for Pad Thai: HUGE