Part 2
Signature Routes
Wider and deeper into the North
The Northern Gateway
The Perfect First Step
Chiang Mai · Mae Rim · Chiang Dao
Ethical elephant experience and hands-on time with local craft communities.
4 Days 3 Nights
Nov–Feb
19.37°N 98.97°E
Itinerary
Day 1: Chiang Mai - Old city temples · Night Bazaar · Local dinner
Day 2: Mae Rim - Ethical elephant sanctuary · Organic farm lunch · Craft village
Day 3: Chiang Dao - Chiang Dao Cave · Mountain walk · Hot springs at dusk
Day 4: Return - Morning market · Community breakfast · Return journey
What Makes This Different
— Ethical elephant experience prioritizing welfare over tourism
— Hands-on time with local craft communities in Mae Rim valley
— Chiang Dao wilderness — one of Thailand’s most important bird habitats
— Evenings free — no forced activities
"A short route. But it will change what you expect from travel."
The Long North
The Complete Journey
Chiang Mai · Chiang Dao · Chiang Rai
Through ancient lanes, wild mountains, and tea hills. Includes community homestay on Doi Mae Salong.
8 Days 7 Nights
Nov–Feb
20.17°N 99.63°E
Itinerary
Day 1-2: Chiang Mai - Old city · Doi Suthep · Saturday Walking Street · Cooking class
Day 3-4: Chiang Dao - Wildlife Sanctuary · Cave temple · Hot springs · Slow morning market
Day 5-6: Chiang Rai - White Temple · Blue Temple · Hill tribe village · Night Bazaar
Day 7-8: Doi Mae Salong - Tea plantation · Border town walk · Farewell dinner · Return
What Makes This Different
— Two full nights in Chiang Dao — rare for most tours
— Community homestay option on Doi Mae Salong with tea families
— Private access to a hill tribe weaving cooperative in Chiang Rai
— One full free day built in — go back to the places that caught you
"Seven nights is just enough time to stop being a tourist."
The Western Way
The Road Less Travelled
Chiang Mai · Mae Chaem · Mae Hong Son
Hidden Lanna valley bypassed by tourism, traditional indigo weaving, and misty temples.
8 Days 7 Nights
Nov–Feb
19.30°N 97.96°E
Itinerary
Day 1-2: Doi Inthanon - Thailand’s highest peak · Karen community · Waterfall · Village market
Day 3-4: Mae Chaem - Ancient Lanna valley · Traditional weaving families · Organic rice farms
Day 5-6: Mae Hong Son - Shan temples in morning mist · Tham Pla Fish Cave · Pai River walk
Day 7-8: Pai to Chiang Mai - Pai valley · Hot springs · Mountain road through 762 curves
What Makes This Different
— Mae Chaem — a Lanna valley almost entirely bypassed by tourism
— Traditional indigo weaving with families who have practiced for generations
— Mae Hong Son in cool season — mist on the temples every morning
— Karen community lunch on Doi Inthanon with produce from their own terraced fields
"The west is where the north hides what it hasn’t sold yet."