Chasing summits with Trail Adventours will always hold a special thrill, but my five-day Chiang Mai getaway offered a different kind of adventure. With majestic waterfalls, energizing jungle trails, and an unforgettable dive into the local food and culture, Chiang Mai gave me the perfect reset I needed.
Tale of The Trail
Read about: Year of The Franc Bente
Tired, but grateful—that’s how 2025 wrapped up for me. Between work, back-to-back events, talks, and always being on the move, I felt completely drained. I needed a reset, so I booked a Northern Thailand hike with Trail Adventours. For my international hikes, it’s always been Trail Adventours: I know most of the lead guides, and the trips are full of smart, thoughtful people who make every adventure more meaningful. I booked everything last month and also upgraded my training to add elevation and trails via Mount Ulap, Mount Bidawan and of course, my home trail, Camp John Hay.
Adventure Chiang Mai
Day 1 was all about coffee, temple tours, overlooking views, a touch of nature, and, of course, the food. Our first stop was Banmong Doipui Market, where I picked up fresh macadamia nuts and almonds still in their shells, and savored slow-brewed coffee made from freshly ground beans. We then visited the iconic Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Temple, taking in its stunning architecture and sweeping views of Chiang Mai below. We also had our lunch within the area – a really sumptuous bowl of curry noodles. Finally, we went to the serene Wat Umong, a forest temple known for its tunnels, tranquil ponds, and peaceful atmosphere.
Chasing Trails and Waterfalls
Day 2 was where the action began with a quick visit to the market and Mok Wa Waterfall. It was a short hike to the falls and it was also really scenic. We had a quick lunch after before we started our hike at Huai Nam Dang National Park.
It was a short but scenic hike, starting with a descent to the river followed by a brief climb, all accompanied by an animated narration of the trail’s stories by our guide, including the local scented woods, crafts, and nature. After the climb came a steep descent along jungle trails, leading us to our hut in the Karen Village, where we were treated to a feast of local delicacies for dinner. The climate at the village was really cold, and I layered up in several jackets just to stay warm.
Chasing Sunset and Enjoying the Trails
Day 3 started with chasing sunrise atop a hill nearby. You can see the fields, the mountains, the sea of cloud while the sun slowly made its rise over the mountain range. After the sunrise, we went back to the hut for breakfast and then resumed the hike. This was the longer trail at about 14 kilometers. The good part of our hikes is that we didn’t do it extra early and the mood was always laid back.
We had about 9 kilometers to hike before lunch and another 5 kilometers afterward to reach our hut in Karen Village. The hike began on ascending trails, allowing us to maintain a steady pace along wide dirt tracks before we veered onto single-track paths about a kilometer in. The trails felt mystical and calming, giving me plenty of time for quiet reflection as I moved through the forest. I found myself looking back at life while also looking forward to what lies ahead. Along the way, I also enjoyed insightful conversations with fellow hikers—a long trail often brings new trail buddies to share the journey with.
The trails were mostly downhill and forested though the last few kilometers were ascending and open. We felt the heat as we were approaching our next village for lunch, which was by the side of the river. We had noodles for lunch, some snacks and a lot of stories within the group.
The last 5 kilometers were mostly descents as the jungle trails were just parallel to the river. It was relaxing seeing the forested trails. On the later part, we were descending the trail just beside the river as we reached our next accommodation at another Karen Village. At a lower altitude, the climate was still cold but was tolerable. We had dinner, which we helped in preparing, and also had food and stories over bonfire.
Rafting Along Mae Tang River
Day 4 had us rafting for about two hours, covering a little over 8 kilometers along the Mae Tang River. It was an exciting ride, with a mix of small and big rapids that left us soaked and thrilled. At first, I was nervous—I’m not very comfortable in river environments—but as the ride went on, I found myself truly enjoying the experience. I even got the chance to paddle our raft.
We made a short stop along the riverbank for a quick break, then another where some of our group bravely tried edible bamboo worms. After that, we finally reached our lunch stop by the river, where Pad Thai was waiting for us. For our final stop before heading home, we visited the gentle giants—the elephants.
Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s Highest Peak at 2,565 MASL
We spent our last day in Chiang Mai at Doi Inthanon, starting with a visit to the highest peak marker at 2,565 meters above sea level. It was freezing at the top, and I was seriously underdressed—turns out my efficiency the night before, when I packed all my jackets, backfired. Anyway, I survived with just my arm warmers. Next, we headed to the King and Queen’s Pagodas, which had a beautiful vantage point, and both Pagodas were really impressive.
After visiting the pagodas, we had lunch, stopped by a local market, and finally headed to Wachirathan Waterfall. Wachirathan was even more impressive than Mok Wa Waterfall, with a higher drop and a wider area. After that, we made our way back to the hotel to freshen up before catching our flight later that night.
Chiang Mai was impressive with the laid back lifestyle, unlimited adventure and great food. It was a 5-day well spent.