About the Experience
All of Thailand will embrace you in an instant. The mesmerizing aromatics of the curries fill the air–simmering coconut milk, lemongrass, Thai basil, garlic and the fire of bird’s eye chilies. Add the buzz of the neon night markets and bazaars, vibrating with vendors selling everything from noodles to football jerseys to smoothies and intricate Hilltribe embroidery.
This itinerary is packed with childhood dreams–float down the Mea Wang river on a bamboo raft! Learn about Asian elephant behavior and antics from the dedicated mahouts at ChangChill. Hop in a long-tail boat and visit the bamboo floating house village of Mae Ngat Dam Reservoir.
The scenery is a guaranteed knock-out: koi ponds, rice paddies, tea plantations, bamboo hills and exotic fruit orchards. We’ll take it all in on foot and by bamboo raft while drinking some of the world’s best coffee from the Chiang Rai beans! This is a deep immersion in Thai culture–visit secret temples, climb up the famed Sticky Waterfalls like Spiderwoman and learn kitchen secrets from the hilltribes.
Did we mention the pampered days of Thai massage and aromatic herbal steams? The eco-lodges and resorts on this trip revolve around harmony, meditation and celebrating the natural soundtrack. Kaomai Lanna Hotel and Resort is an unforgettable boutique resort that celebrates the heritage of Northern Thailand’s tobacco industry. The former tobacco farm and curing barns have been repurposed as sumptuous guest rooms.
We know what you’re thinking…check! Check! Check!
This trip delivers a HUGE sensory experience from spending time observing the four resident elephants of ChangChill to soupy jungle trails and century-old paths travelled by monks.
Northern Thailand is spiritual, satiating, rejuvenating and jammed with unreal scenery. You’ll see.
To learn more about why Wild Women Expeditions has redesigned this trip to ensure a more ethical elephant experience, this post by WWE owner Jennifer Haddow explains her connection and unswerving commitment to putting animal welfare at the forefront of all of our adventures.
About the Experience
All of Thailand will embrace you in an instant. The mesmerizing aromatics of the curries fill the air–simmering coconut milk, lemongrass, Thai basil, garlic and the fire of bird’s eye chilies. Add the buzz of the neon night markets and bazaars, vibrating with vendors selling everything from noodles to football jerseys to smoothies and intricate Hilltribe embroidery.
This itinerary is packed with childhood dreams–float down the Mea Wang river on a bamboo raft! Learn about Asian elephant behavior and antics from the dedicated mahouts at ChangChill. Hop in a long-tail boat and visit the bamboo floating house village of Mae Ngat Dam Reservoir.
The scenery is a guaranteed knock-out: koi ponds, rice paddies, tea plantations, bamboo hills and exotic fruit orchards. We’ll take it all in on foot and by bamboo raft while drinking some of the world’s best coffee from the Chiang Rai beans! This is a deep immersion in Thai culture–visit secret temples, climb up the famed Sticky Waterfalls like Spiderwoman and learn kitchen secrets from the hilltribes.
Did we mention the pampered days of Thai massage and aromatic herbal steams? The eco-lodges and resorts on this trip revolve around harmony, meditation and celebrating the natural soundtrack. Kaomai Lanna Hotel and Resort is an unforgettable boutique resort that celebrates the heritage of Northern Thailand’s tobacco industry. The former tobacco farm and curing barns have been repurposed as sumptuous guest rooms.
We know what you’re thinking…check! Check! Check!
This trip delivers a HUGE sensory experience from spending time observing the four resident elephants of ChangChill to soupy jungle trails and century-old paths travelled by monks.
Northern Thailand is spiritual, satiating, rejuvenating and jammed with unreal scenery. You’ll see.
To learn more about why Wild Women Expeditions has redesigned this trip to ensure a more ethical elephant experience, this post by WWE owner Jennifer Haddow explains her connection and unswerving commitment to putting animal welfare at the forefront of all of our adventures.
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. You will be shuttled to your hotel, timing TBD, we will send out instructions in the pre trip bulletin. 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” as we 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 and 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: Breakfast
How much further? 25 minutes (transfer to airport)
Longing for Pad Thai: HUGE
Wild Women Expeditions and our local partners intend to adhere to the described itinerary. This is only a general guide to follow on your tour of the region. Our itineraries are subject to change, as we cannot predict the weather or other environmental conditions. We are continually striving to make improvements to all our trips based on feedback from Wild Women members, guides, partners, and other research. We reserve the right to alter itineraries based on the above at any time.
Arrival into Chiang Mai
Note: For international destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes, which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return result in you missing the group tour departure. For these reasons, we encourage you to consider arriving a day early, which will also help you overcome any jet lag from traveling.
The airport in Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is not very big, there are only 2 sections, domestic and international.
If you are arriving on Day 1 of your itinerary, your airport transfer pick-up will be at the Starbucks coffee shop. Starbucks is located near the domestic arrivals in the Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). Look for your name(s) and “Wild Women Expeditions” on their board. They will bring you to first night’s hotel. Please note transfer times are based on your arrival time you submitted in your Travel Details Form.
If you arrive earlier than Day 1, you will be picked up at the airport based on the information you provided in your travel details form, and your airport transfer pick-up will be at the Starbucks coffee shop (see above for Details). Once you land you will be transferred to your hotel, as long as your pre arrival hotel is within the city, and preferably at the first night’s hotel.
Group Rendezvous
- Date: Day 1
- Time: 4:00 PM
- Location: Hotel lobby,Rachamankha Boutique, Nong Kwai, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230 | Phone Number: +66 (53) 114 006
If you will be arriving early we recommend you stay at our arrival hotel in Chiang Mai: Rachamankha Boutique and you can book a room on this website.
Departure from Chiang Mai
You will be transferred from Rachamankha Boutique Hotel to the Chiang Mai International airport (CNX. ) Please plan to book your departure flight anytime between 8 AM – 4 PM so that transfers to (25 minutes) to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) can be accommodated.
Drop-Off Point:
- Date: Day 11
- Time: Depends on your flight
- Location: Chiang Mai airport
If you want to stay in Chiang Mai longer we recommend booking at our departure hotel, Rachamankha Boutique and you can book a room on this website. Early or later airport transfers can be booked directly with the hotel.
You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements. Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:
Megan and Zale | Now Boarding Travel Travel Specialists
Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel
Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.
Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. We encourage you to consider arriving one or two days early, which will help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!
You are fully responsible for your own visa requirements, permits, and certificates for your trip. It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. It is your responsibility to check with the country’s Consulate and your country’s travel website such as Canada’s for up-to-date information about traveling internationally.
Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs oversees immigration and visa issues. There are frequent modifications of visa regulations so check the website or the nearest Thai embassy or consulate for application procedures and costs. The best online monitor is Thaivisa.
If you plan to stay in Thailand longer than 30 days, you should apply for the 60-day tourist visa from a Thai consulate or embassy before your trip. Recent changes to this visa now allow multiple entries within a six-month period. Contact the nearest Thai embassy or consulate to obtain application procedures and determine fees for tourist visas.
Visas and Customs in Thailand – Lonely Planet
Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.
Immigration Card Information:
Prat Rajapruek Resort & Spa | Address: Nong Kwai, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230 | Phone: +66 (53) 114 006
Tips for your minivan drivers, hotel porters, restaurant waiters are included in your trip price. Your local leader will provide more details when needed throughout the trip about tipping local guides but the advised rate is $2 – 5 USD per person per day.
Tips for your Tour Leader should range from $5 – 10 USD per person per day. Tour Leader tips can be paid in USD to Thai Baht. “Per person per day” means each Wild Women in the group contributes this amount.
Our trip prices are based on a twin share (minimum of two people per room), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel partner.
You can get a single upgrade for all but 1 night of the trip. The rooms are double occupancy for the night at the Homestay. Single upgrades are subject to availability. Please email support@wildwomenexpeditions.com to inquire about a single room.
There will be Western flush toilets with toilet paper and there will be some squat toilets. Bring your own toilet paper, sanitary wipes, and hand sanitizer for bathrooms that may be of lower quality when you are on the road or in remote areas. You may also have to pay for bathrooms when not at your hotel so make sure you have small denominations of the local currency with you.
If you have an unlocked phone you can purchase a phone chip with wifi data in Thailand at the airport. If you do not have time to do this at the airport you can ask your local guide to help you purchase one.
Most hotels will have WiFi available. The hill tribe village and van will not have wifi.
Drinking water is provided throughout the expedition. It is advised to not drink the tap water, even in major hotels.
If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!
- Rachamankha Boutique Hotel
- Sibsan Resort & Spa Maetaeng
- Azalea Village Resort
- Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort
- Khao Mai Lanna
- Karen Hill Tribe
You will stay at a local house of the Karen tribe, you’ll experience the original way of life of this hill tribe. Accommodations are very rustic, traditional and authentic. Shared accommodation will be in a single room bamboo hut. Washroom facilities are shared, outside bathrooms, with a scoop shower and an Asian squat toilet. This is pretty much camping – Thai style!
We will be sleeping on the floor but there are mattresses that are about 6 cm thick. Mosquito nets and clean sleeping bags and/ or sleeping sheets and blankets are provided. There is no internet and no power. Be sure to pack your headlamp!
220 V; Plugs A & C. You will need a voltage converter, and plug adapter in order to use North American appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit. (See Packing List)
Travelers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including; dogs, monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats. Some infections found in some areas in Southeastern Asia, like avian influenza and rabies, can be shared between humans and animals.
We highly recommend that you obtain advice from a travel clinic prior to traveling, to ensure that you have all of the recommended vaccines necessary for the destination.
Days are usually hot with balmy evenings, so visitors should pack light and cool clothing.
The average temperature in Chiang Mai in October for a typical day ranges from a high of 81°F (27°C) and a low of 67°F (20°C).
Wild Women Expeditions recommends that each participant should bring enough cash in local currency or available credit/debit funds to cover their meals during travel to and from their destination. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, meals not included in the trip package, shopping, etc., and we also suggest you have access to emergency funds.
The currency in Thailand is the baht (THB). There are 100 satangs in one baht; coins include 25-satang and 50-satang pieces and baht in 1B, 2B, 5B and 10B coins. Older coins have Thai numerals only, while newer coins have Thai and Arabic numerals. The 2B coin was introduced in 2007 and is confusingly similar in size and design to the 1B coin. The two satang coins are typically only issued at supermarkets where prices aren’t rounded up to the nearest baht, which is the convention elsewhere. Paper currency is issued in the following denominations: 20B (green), 50B (blue), 100B (red), 500B (purple) and 1000B (beige). In the 1990s, the 10B bills were phased out in favour of the 10B coin but occasionally you might encounter a paper survivor. Automated banking machines (ABMs) are widely available and are the easiest ways to get Thai baht, however bank fees can be as high as 200 Thai Baht.
Almost all money exchange booths and banks will change Canadian dollars. We suggest not to change too much money at the airport in Bangkok as they don’t offer a good exchange rate. At the airport and other places in Chiang Mai they offer better rates. Current exchange rates are printed in the Bangkok Post and the Nation every day, or you can walk into any Thai bank and ask to see a daily rate sheet.
Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter
We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.
Major credit cards (like Visa & Mastercard) are widely accepted in big cities and resort hotels but not in family-run guesthouses or restaurants.
You don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.
That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.
Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:
You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!
Think ‘interval training’, which means doing short bursts of high-intensity work with recovery time in between. Depending on how fit you are this can mean strolling with bursts of power walking, or jogging with sprints. Either way, the aim is to get your heart rate up.
This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.
The most spectacular views aren’t from the bottom of a valley – so the places we go on our trips aren’t flat. A little time training on hills and stairs is an investment that’ll pay off big-time when you’re on your trip. When it comes to hills there’s no hurry – get into a slow steady rhythm and you’ll be at the top before you know it.
If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.
Grab your backpack (or borrow one) and head for the hills! If you’re bringing your own backpack, practice adjusting the various straps so you know how it feels in different positions. We aren’t multi-day hiking every day, but you’ll be carrying a day pack almost everyday, so it’s well worth a bit of practice. Backpacks sit differently and so change your centre of balance when it’s full of gear so make sure you put a few pounds of weight in it in training.
Blisters and sore feet are no fun at all! So make sure that while you’re getting yourself ready you’re doing the same for your boots. Start by just wearing them around the house, then down the road, and walking the dog. Then ideally do a couple of decent length weekend hikes to prepare them for what is to come.
When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.
Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!
The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.
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Starting At$3,995Deposit$495Duration11 DAYS
- 🇺🇸USD PRICEFOREIGN EXCHANGE FEES MAY APPLY
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RISK-FREE GUARANTEE!
Sign up now with a deposit to book your spot and it’s fully refundable for the first 7 days after your booking! This gives you a week to sort out flights, vacation time, cat-sitters– and ensure that no one else takes your spot!IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU?
This is an active multisport adventure travel trip. You must be comfortable:
- Walking up and downhill, over uneven terrain for 4-5 hours
- Cycling at a moderate pace for 2-4 hours, with breaks
- In the water, as there may be unexpected swims! We’ll be on long-tail boats and bamboo rafts!
Note: You can opt out of certain activities like the mountain trek and cycling section.
What's Included
- 10 nights shared accommodations in cool eco-lodges and rustic resorts
- A genuine, divine Thai menu – daily breakfasts (from Day 2), 8 lunches, 8 dinners
- Drinking water and 1 reusable water bottle
- Admission to Sri Lanna National Park
- Private tour at ChangChill (Elephant Sanctuary)
- Cooking classes
- Airport transfer upon arrival and departure
- Note: Tips are included for porters, restaurants and drivers
- Optional single private upgrade, subject to availability
- All applicable taxes are included in the trip price