Northern Thailand

Northern Thailand’s sprawling countryside, lush paddy fields, unspoilt terrains, roaming water buffaloes, ancient traditional handicrafts and historical sites all add to its unique, unhurried charm.

Northern Thailand is a wealth of distinct cultural customs and is home to some of the country’s best traditional cuisine. Our trips to Northern Thailand are primarily rural, offering truly restful surroundings while immersing yourself in the heart of Thai culture.

In the mountains beyond Chiang Mai and near the border of Myanmar, is one of our most favorite places in the world. Home to Karen, Lahu, and other indigenous communities, the diversity and abundance of this region is why we designed our Rewild Yourself experience, where the people and the land encourage an exploration of our non-cultivated selves.

We base our travels from a mix of intimate, environmentally-minded boutique hotels and stays in the local homes of our hosts when visiting remote mountain villages.

We’ve selected Northern Thailand for its gentle sensuality, aromatic foods, and down-to-earth culture.

OUR NEXT TRIP:

Dates:

Oct 28 – Nov 7, 2025

Registration closes on Sept 29

Theme:

Rewild Yourself

Trip Investment:

$3,950 USD

Trip Details:

This 11-day experience is designed to help you reconnect to nature and your own inner wilderness.

When we let go of control, we create space for the unimagined. The jungles, mountains, and people of Northern Thailand will host our exploration. While most of the experiences will be designed into the trip, we will travel with an attitude of spontaneity. We have selected experiences that will stretch you while stealing your heart in the way that Thailand tends to (through its radiant people, food, and lush landscapes.)

We have lined up several friends in the area who will help guide us through the wilderness within us and beyond. In the end, we hope you feel a little more free, more empowered, and more joyful.

Some of the things we’ll do:

Eat Northern-style food, discover forest-grown coffee & tea, make friends in mountain villages, hike through the jungle, find the secret hot springs, explore local craft, celebrate the annual Yi Ping/Loy Krathong festival, dance under the stars, and generally enjoy this vibrant and abundant province of Thailand.

Who This Trip is For:

Curious explorers of nature, culture, each other, and ourselves. Connecting with those you meet in the local communities as well as your fellow travelers will be an important part of your experience. Come with an open, flexible mind.

You should have relatively good health and fitness, as you’ll enjoy it better if you do. If you have any doubts, however, please contact us! We are happy to discuss and accommodate you as best we can.

If you have any questions, contact us at info@hinokitravels.com or send us a message.

Important Notes:

This trip is limited to travelers 21 years of age or older.

Vegans/Vegetarians/etc: We are traveling to remote areas where we will eat whatever we are given by our hosts. Preparation of traditional foods is an important part of this trip, and that will include meat. Accommodating serious food allergies and restrictions may not be possible. Please speak with us if you have any concerns.

Luxury seekers: While some nights might make you feel spoiled, this trip is primarily a rustic experience that intends to provoke your wild heart. Expect to be uncomfortable at times. The luxury and privilege of accessing these remote communities for an uncommon stay is the luxury and privilege that we offer.

What's Included:

10 nights in boutique guesthouses and village homes. Solo travelers will enjoy having their own room, except when we’re staying in villages where we will stay in one large room together (4 nights)

Cooking, eating, and learning about Thai food in one of the country’s most vibrant provinces. Most meals are included with a few exceptions

We’re going to get you off the grid and stretch you out of your comfort zone, safely

Once you arrive at the hotel for our welcome dinner, we’ll take you from A to B for the whole trip

We will bring you closer to Thai culture in a way that goes deeper than the travel stereotypes. Spirituality, wildness, rawness, and vibrant personal stories will color our days

We will be joined through each day with 1-2 professional local guides who know the best trails, the best food stops, and the most interesting local people

You will need to book your international flights to and from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)

A personal travel and health insurance policy is not included and is a required condition for booking this trip

Tips for our guides and any service providers you wish to show gratitude to are not included

In the unlikely scenario that Thailand may require Covid-tests or other related entry requirements, they will be at your own expense. We will notify you of any updates

Most alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are not included, with the exception of a few of our meals

Photos by Jean Paolo Ty

Words from Our Travelers

Finding myself nearly speechless, I have to say this is one of the most fantastic and deeply meaningful travel experiences I have ever had, and this is coming from a true world traveler. The amount of care, expertise, mindfulness and reverence Hinoki weaves into their trips is just BEYOND. In focusing on slowing down versus the normal "tourist circuit" and getting you off the beaten path, you will have experiences you may have never thought you would, it will stretch and grow you, and expand you and your life in all the best and most needed ways. And, you will have a ton of fun doing it while bonding with other adventurous travelers. Trips at the pace that Hinoki does them, are also a beautiful way to truly connect to yourself as you find enough stillness to just be. I can think of no greater gift in the world. I am crying tears of joy as I write this! There is no other trip like this. Thank you SO much, Hinoki Travels, and I can't wait for our next trip together, and the one after that, and after that, and so on!

This has been my second adventure with Hinoki. What stood out for me on this trip was the privilege of experiencing Northern Thailand on a raw, intimate level in lesser-known parts of the country. Various local hosts and families welcomed us warmly into their homes, fed us like their own, and invited us to experience life in their villages. With these, I caught a glimpse of the fiercely independent and communal spirit of the hill tribe peoples, and their deep connection to nature. It remains clear to me that Hinoki deeply respects the local community, and takes into consideration what they value, and what they are willing to share with travellers, at their own pace. This trust has resulted in profound moments of generosity and spontaneity — and formed memories that will stay with me for a very long time. Looking forward to my next adventure with Hinoki!

This was my second trip with Hinoki, and I feel really lucky to be a part of it. Any pre-conceived notions I had about Thailand were expanded much further. It's gotten me a lot more excited about exploring this part of the world. Together with a small lovely group, we had so many unique experiences packed in a short span of 10 days. It was a balanced mix of food, culture, nature and people. And throughout the trip, we were accompanied by kind and knowledgable local guides, each one striving to impact their communities positively. I will always appreciate Hinoki's pursuit to connect travelers with nature. This trip allowed me to see how self-sustaining communities can maintain an ancient sacred connection with the land, as they move towards the future. I can't wait to embark on another journey with Hinoki!