Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand’s mountainous region. The mountainous gem presents an enchanting bouquet of options, ranging from breathtaking verdant landscapes, picturesque drives, delectable food, soul-stirring culture, majestic temples, unrivalled hospitality, and rejuvenating wellness therapies, making it a premier tourist destination.
Shreya Shimpi
‘The Mountains are calling and I must go’
When you think about Thailand, sun-kissed beaches come to mind. However, Chiang Mai breaks this idea one mountain at a time. A post-FAM tour was organised for the Mumbai Travel Media representatives after the successful conclusion of TTM+ 2025 by TAT Mumbai from 5th-11th June, 2025. The attendees had the chance to explore the untouched beauty of Chiang Mai, Pai, and Mae Hong Son. It was a soulful sojourn exploring Thailand off the beaten track.Relatively unexplored by Indian tourists, Chiang Mai ticks all the boxes as a rejuvenating ‘hill station’. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is taking active efforts to spotlight Chiang Mai as a destination among Indian travellers, which appeals to all market segments and budgets.
Pai
Navigating close to 4000 sharp hairpin bends and enjoying enthralling views of the valley, we checked into Belle Villa Resort, followed by an Italian dinner at Limoncello. The next morning, we witnessed an ethereal sunrise at ‘Yun Lai’ viewpoint in Ban Santichon. Later, we strolled across the ‘Boon Kho Ku Sui Bamboo Bridge’, meandering through emerald green paddy fields. At the Shan village, we enjoyed hands-on activities of Tai-Yai culture, such as broom-making. A memorable ‘Farm to Table’ experience awaited us as we picked vegetables from Aunt Phit’s Garden, which transformed into a delicious lunch along with a live culinary demonstration. After a quick stop at the ‘Zai-Ngam hot-spring’, the day concluded with a rejuvenating spa at the Sapaiya-Spa.
Lod Caves
The Lod Caves are one of the largest caves in Northern Thailand. With hand-held lanterns and all-female guides, our adventure continued at the enchanting caves with their stalactites and stalagmites. En route, ‘The Doi Kiew Lom Viewpoint’ offered captivating views of the valley.
Black Lahu village at Ban Jabo.
At a memorable stop at the Ban Jabo, Black Lahu village, immersive hands-on activities such as playing Lahu traditional instrument, bamboo weaving, dressing in traditional Lahu costumes gave us an authentic peek into their ethnic tapestry.
Ban Rak Thai
Our next halt was at Ban Rak Thai, a quaint Chinese village. We checked in at the lakeside Chasa Rak Thai resort. We started our morning with a tranquil Chinese boat paddle ride, after which we departed for Mae Hong Son.
Mae Hong Son.
After enjoying a delightful lunch at the Ban Thai restaurant, we paid a visit to the famous temples by the lake at Wat Jong Kum – Jong Klang, home to the wooden craft dolls brought from Myanmar. Known for its serenity and alluring location, the hilltop temple at “Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu” exemplifies the majestic architecture and peaceful atmosphere that Thai temples are known for. That night, we stayed at the Fern Resort amidst nature’s serenity.
Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon National Park was a 4-4.5-hour drive via Mae Chaem. The drive was a sensory treat full of lush-green paddy fields and cascading waterfalls. The highlight was a visit to the highest spot in Thailand at Doi Inthanon summit (2,5653341 Meters Above Mean Sea Level). We took a short hike on the Cloud Forest Trail (Ang-Ka trail). It was raining, and the park was enveloped by a layer of fog. The temperature was about 17 degrees! This unseen, misty, and cool side of Thailand left us pleasantly surprised. On our way back, we enjoyed local Arabica coffee at Karen village of Ban Mae Klang Luang and drove back to Kao Mai Lanna Resort. The next day we visited two beautiful temples, Doi Suthep and Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, and then checked in at Hotel U-Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai is Thailand’s ‘chilly and hilly surprise’. The trip to Chiang Mai felt like a postcard journey. It is a gastronomical haven for food lovers. Its culture, cuisine, and charm beckon the Indian traveller. It is a sustainable and eco-friendly destination. As the mountains and the winding roads faded behind, the memories of Chiang Mai left me in a reverie of a soulful part of Thailand, which only a few have seen.
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