Northern Thailand Hiking Tour

Known as the Land of a Thousand Smiles, Thailand is a perfect destination for those seeking excellent food and rich culture with a dash of outdoor adventure. While most travelers in Thailand opt to spend their time on the beach, we’re proud to offer another choice: a journey along a unique and less traveled path into the northern province of Chiang Mai, the heart of the ancient Lanna Kingdom. Lush rainforests, tumbling waterfalls, tall mountains and tranquil lakes home to floating villages characterize this landscape and offer outdoor activities unique to the region. In Northern Thailand, you’ll find a mixture of adventure travel and cultural immersion – and memories to last a lifetime.

Our trip begins in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand and the international economic hub of Southeast Asia. This city is home to more than eight million people, among them the Thai royal family. We set out in local tuk-tuks and long boats to explore Bangkok’s busy streets and picturesque canals, stopping along the way to visit local craftsmen, grand Buddhist temples, and other landmarks. We then fly north to Chiang Mai, where the people are friendlier and the pace of life slower. Did we mention the food is amazing too?

Founded in the 13th Century by King Mangrai, Chiang Mai served as the seat of the Lanna Kingdom for centuries. It is now the capital of the mountainous Chiang Mai Province, home to the important Ping River, rich wildlife conservation areas, national parks and ancient Lanna culture. We explore the old city of Chiang Mai with its medieval fortifications, vibrant shops, restaurants, and famous Sunday Night Market. We then travel outside of the city to a sanctuary for elephants formerly used for logging the area’s endemic teak forests. Teak is prized for its strength and rot resistance. When logging was banned in 1989, many of the elephants lost their homes. They are now cared for at local sanctuaries where visitors can learn more about them and interact with them.

From Chiang Mai, we drive a couple of hours north to a beautiful mountain lake on the Mae Ngat River, where we take a boat to a floating hotel surrounded by views of waterfalls and rainforest. We swim, kayak and enjoy dinner, then fall asleep to the sound of the gentle waves around us. In the morning, we transfer to the Mae Teang River for a day of exciting whitewater rafting, or an ATV excursion, before driving to our next lodge nestled at the foot of the Doi Luang Chiang Dao Mountains.

Doi Luang Chiang Dao is the second highest point in Thailand at 7,135 feet. We trek up its pristine slopes to our camp in the rainforest, then we enjoy a sunset and a sunrise from high on the mountain, with views across Northern Thailand and into Myanmar. It is possible to climb to the summit of Doi Luang Chiang Dao only from November to January. Due to the mountain’s unique environmental status as a protected area, park access is restricted at times, preventing us from entering the park. Alternately, we visit a tribal mountain village where we can immerse ourselves in the ancient culture of this famous limestone massif.

We conclude our journey with a visit to the Mae Rim Valley, where we take a zipline through old growth forest home to rare wild gibbons. We return to Chiang Mai to relax with a Thai massage or stroll through the shops, restaurants and temples of the old city before flying home the next day.

Fly your lantern in Chiang Mai! Every year, people throughout Thailand celebrate the beautiful lantern festival of Loi Krathong by floating lotus shaped baskets, decorated with candles and flowers, on rivers after dark. In Northern Thailand, another light festival, called Yi Peng, is celebrated alongside Loi Krathong on the same evening. For Yi Peng, paper lanterns are released into the sky instead of onto rivers. The largest Yi Peng festival occurs in Chiang Mai, where thousands of lanterns decorated with wishes and good luck prayers float into the night sky.

Loi Krathong and Yi Peng are usually celebrated on the full moon of the 12th month of the traditional Thai lunar calendar, which usually falls in November. The light festivals are thought to have originated as an expression of gratitude and homage to the spirits of the rivers and the water god who brings rain. Yi Peng was celebrated in the ancient Lanna Kingdom, which had its capital in Chiang Mai.

Unforgettable highlights of Loi Krathong and Yi Peng:

• Thousands of baskets with candles floating on the river at night
• Flocks of lanterns flying into the sky over Chiang Mai
• A Buddhist purification ceremony to cleanse your spirit
• Make a private wish among huge crowds of people making their own
• Candles flickering on the streets at night
• Traditional Thai dance shows

Since the festival happens only once each year and lasts several days, Mountain Gurus offers the festival as an optional event which may require an additional night in Thailand. Options range from simply floating your lantern and watching a free parade and fireworks, to attending an exclusive event with thousands of sky lanterns or a cultural Lanna festival.

If you are looking for an invigorating and exotic adventure, consider our Northern Thailand Explorer. Our trips to Southeast Asia are led by local Thai guides and coordinated by Mountain Gurus’ Director Dennis Broadwell, who has spent decades travelling in Thailand and connecting with its people and culture. Thailand is the perfect venue for a thrilling vacation, where you can enjoy tropical jungles, thriving marketplaces, delicious food, and a deep cultural experience. To maximize your enjoyment, we recommend that you visit Thailand during the cool season, from November to January.

The better question would be: what can’t you do in Thailand? The Land of Smiles is known for its temperate climate and friendly people and is the perfect destination for those looking for more than your typical tourist destination. Because of the wide variety of activities available, our Thailand Explorer trip focuses on the ancient Lanna Kingdom in the north. For those who prefer to go off the beaten path alone, we can organize a self-guided tour personalized just for you.

If you’re looking for a vacation that includes outdoor sports, Thailand is an excellent choice. The beautiful waters of Thailand are perfect for scuba diving, paddle boarding and snorkeling. Sports like rock climbing, caving, kayaking, canoeing, cliff-jumping and whitewater rafting are readily accessible.

Thailand’s mountainous terrain is perfect for hiking. Or join an elephant trek and ride high into the lush hills of Chiang Mai to explore tribal villages and spectacular vistas. If speed and heights are your thing, why not zip line through the canopy of the ancient Thai rainforest? No matter what type of multi-sport adventure you crave, we can fulfill it in Thailand!

Thailand’s rich history is well worth the journey. In ages past, this beautiful country was known as the Kingdom of Siam. Its culture has been heavily influenced by India, Laos, Burma, Cambodia and China, and by local, historic empires such as the Lanna Kingdom. Our Northern Thailand Explorer immerses you in this cultural legacy. We begin among the bustling streets, quiet canals, royal buildings, and ornate Buddhist temples, or “Wats,” of the capital city of Bangkok. We then travel to the northern city of Chiang Mai, seat of the historic Lanna Kingdom. We hike to tribal villages in the mountains on the border of Myanmar, visit craftsmen who have plied their trade for generations, and browse bazaars where we soak up the local culture and gain a glimpse into everyday, modern life in Thailand.

Angkor Wat in nearby Northwestern Cambodia – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – is the largest religious monument in the world. As you explore this ancient temple you will see both Hindu and Buddhist iconography and statuary. This Wat is in Siem Reap, which is also home to a historic French Quarter, nightlife, local culture, and markets.

Also close to Thailand is Laos – a perfect addition to your Thailand trip. There you can enjoy the romantic city of Luang Prabang and its ancient temples. For more adventure, the hill country of Laos offers multi-sport activities. We also offer a Golden Triangle tour that includes two days travel via slow boat from the Thai border down the Mekong River.

Mountain Gurus has deep roots in Thailand. Our staff have lived and worked in Thailand for many years and have forged strong bonds in the communities we visit. We draw on our decades of experience to offer you deeper insights into Thai culture, as well as dining opportunities, sights, and experiences that most visitors overlook. If you want romance, we can design a trip featuring beachside candlelight dining, relaxation in the sun on pristine beaches, and low impact hikes. If you are seeking luxury, we can plan a five-star journey to pamper you as you explore. For those who prefer the wild outdoors, we offer the best multi-sport outings in Thailand.

Thailand is an adventurer’s dream come true. On our custom tours, you do not have to choose between sports or culture or romance – we can customize a trip for you that combines any or all of these. To learn more about our services, history and philosophy, please visit: Why Mountain Gurus.