Hidden Gems of Thailand

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Your adventure begins in Chiang Mai – northern Thailand’s largest city, famous for its abundance of Buddhist temples (more than 300!), walled Old City and bustling night markets. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, you could join a Thai cooking class, go on a cruise down the Mae Ping River or have lunch at the Chuan Chom Vocational Training Center, where you’ll hear about the work that the centre does to prepare women from the correctional institution with skills to return to society. After the meeting, why not explore the Night Bazaar in search of northern Thai classics like khao soi (coconut curry noodle soup) and larb (a zesty salad of minced meat, herbs and chilli).

Travel by minivan to Doi Inthanon National Park this morning. Doi Inthanon is the highest peak in Thailand at 2565 m tall, and today you’ll take in spectacular views of the cloud forest on this summit. On the way there, you’ll make a stop to check out Wachirathan Waterfall. Hear the water rushing down onto the rocks and breathe in the crisp forest air. After lunch, continue your drive to the start of the Ang Ka Luang Nature Trail. This trail takes you through cloud forest, along a boardwalk that winds through misty landscapes of vibrant green moss and ferns. Keep an eye out for birds, too – Doi Inthanon is home to more than 300 bird species. As you walk, you’ll come across Thailand’s highest peat bog, covered in Sphagnum moss and ancient tree ferns. The cool, wet climate of the cloud forest is a perfect habitat for rare orchids and wild rhododendrons to flourish (seasonal). Later, continue to the small mountain village of Khun Yuam, where you’ll spend the night. Settle into your accommodation and rest up – you have a full day of exploring the town coming up tomorrow.

Today you’ll visit the small village of Baan Muang Pon for an insight into Tai Yai (Shan) culture. Take a walk through the village to see the wooden stilt houses and visit a temple built in the traditional Shan style. Then it’s time to get hands-on – learn how to make some typical Shan desserts and craft your own banana leaf flower basket known as a krathong, often used for village blessings. Enjoy some authentic home-cooked Shan flavors before leaving the village to visit the WWII Thai-Japan Friendship Memorial Hall. Here, you’ll learn about Khun Yuam’s role as a Japanese base in WWII. This afternoon, continue to Mae Hong Son, AKA ‘The City of Three Mists’. Located off the beaten track and nestled between mountains, this is an excellent place to get close to nature and soak up your surroundings.

Take a private vehicle, then a scenic boat ride to reach Baan Huay Pu Keng – a Kayan village located on the Pai River. This community is comprised of refugees who fled the Kayah State in Myanmar between the 1980s and 1990s. You’ll spend a few hours here, learning about local life and traditions, including the brass neck rings worn by some of the local women. Get involved in a weaving or wood carving workshop and hear about how this village is transitioning into a more sustainable community-based tourism model and enjoy a delicious lunch at the community. After, head to Mae Hong Son city. Visit some of the most important local temples including Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, which sits on a hilltop and offers panoramic views of the valley. Head downtown to visit the twin temples of Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang. Both temples showcase Shan-style architecture and feature detailed glass paintings and wooden dolls. Return to your accommodation for the evening.

This morning, you’ll have the option to visit Tham Lod Cave. This vast limestone cave system was carved out by the Nam Lang River and stretches over more than 1500 m. Joined by local guides, you’ll follow the river through the cave system on a bamboo raft. See the impressive rock formations including stalactites and stalagmites and keep an eye out for ancient relics like prehistoric rock paintings and teakwood coffins. Emerge from the cave system and travel onwards to Ban Jabo village. Sitting on a mountain ridge, this village is home to a Black Lahu community. Get a glimpse into the local way of life as you walk through the village and meet the locals. Then, you might like to sit on the wooden edge of the famous local noodle shop, tucking into a bowl of noodles with your legs dangling over the edge and the misty mountains below you. Next, head to the small town of Pai, arriving in the afternoon.

Depart Pai this morning, headed for Lampang – an off-the-beaten-track town filled with teakwood temples and rich Lanna heritage. On the way there, you’ll make a stop at the WWII Memorial Bridge in Pai. Step onto the bridge and take in views of the surrounding mountains and vibrant green countryside. The steel bridge that stands now was built in 1976 to replace the original wooden bridge which was built in 1941. Continue the drive to Lampang, arriving in the afternoon. Settle into your accommodation, then you’re free to explore Lampang. If it’s a weekend, you could check out the Kad Kong Ta night market, where lively stalls serve up plates of local favourites like kanom jeen nam ngiew (pork and tomato noodle soup) and miang kham (betel leaf bites).

Start your day with a drive to Phrae, where you’ll visit Kham Mee Studio for a ceramics workshop. The owner of the studio, Ko, built everything from the clay house to the kiln himself, and the space has flourished into a community hub for arts and crafts. Under the guidance of a local artist, get your hands dirty as you sculpt from clay and paint your ceramic creation, plus enjoy some homemade pizza prepared by the owner's wife. Then, visit Khum Chao Luang Museum – a teakwood mansion that blends European architecture with traditional features of Lanna design. This house is known as the ‘gingerbread house’ because of its detailed wooden carvings. Once the home of the ruler of Phrae, it now displays antiques and personal belongings of the former ruler. After, make your way to the district of Khao Kho, located in the province of Phetchabun. Enjoy a leisurely evening looking out over the misty mountains that have earnt this region nicknames like the ‘Thai Alps’ and ‘Thailand’s Little Switzerland’.