Northern Hills Retreat

3 days in the mountains changes something in you. The Northern Hills Retreat is built for hikers who want a meaningful challenge without the pressure of a fast pace — enough elevation to feel earned, enough time to actually savour what's around you. Two nights in local homestays — one in a bamboo hut nestled in the rice terraces with sunset over the hills, one in a mountain guesthouse with Doi Luang directly in front of you. Three days where the pace matches the landscape, where you sleep where the locals sleep, and where you never once share a trail with another tour group. That's what the Northern Hills Retreat gives you — three days that feel complete from the first step to the last.

Day 1 — Jungle, waterfalls and sunset in the rice fields

11 km · 6 hrs hiking · 900 m elevation gain.

The trail begins along the Mae Tang river, winding through dense jungle before opening up at a first waterfall — your initial stop to rest and take it in. From there the path continues deeper through jungle and bamboo forest, completely away from anyone else, until it reaches a second hidden waterfall  — one of those places that feels entirely yours. Swim, cool off, and breathe before the climb up to a charming Lahu village where lunch is waiting. The afternoon follows the historic opium route — now transformed into a landscape of rice, corn, and bean fields. By late afternoon you arrive at your bamboo homestay perched in the rice terraces, just in time for sunset over the hills. Dinner is homecooked by the host family, and the campfire does the rest.

Day 2 — Plantations, pine forest, summit and a hidden village

16 km · 6 hrs hiking · 900 m elevation gain.

The longest day of the retreat and the most rewarding. The trail climbs through thriving hill tribe farmland first — rice, corn, avocado, banana, pumpkin, chilli, passion fruit, and more — a whole mountainside in cultivation. The path then enters cool pine forest, steadily climbing to the summit at 1,650 meters where sweeping panoramic views of Northern Thailand's layered mountain ranges open up in every direction. After lunch in the jungle, the trail descends to a hidden Lahu village tucked beneath the shadow of Doi Luang — one of the most peaceful spots on any of our treks. Arrive at the mountain guesthouse with Doi Luang directly in front of you, and settle in with a warm cup of freshly brewed tea — grown by the villagers themselves on the slopes surrounding the guesthouse.
It's the perfect way to end a long day in the mountains.

Day 3 — Descent through the wilderness

11 km · 5 hrs hiking · 1,800 m elevation loss.

The final day has a different feeling to it. The hard work is behind you, the mountains are familiar now, and the descent through lush jungle feels almost like the trail is walking you home. The path winds through one of the most striking landscapes of the entire trek — a vast tea plantation where every family in the village grows their own leaves, the hillside covered in neat rows of green as far as you can see. You'll cross streams, pass waterfalls, and move through forest that three days ago would have felt overwhelming — but today feels like yours. Lunch by a waterfall is the last quiet moment before the path leads back to the pickup point and the drive to the city. You'll arrive back at your hotel tired, full, and already thinking about when you can come back.

  • Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
  • Total distance: 40 km
  • Daily hiking: 6 hrs
  • Total trekking: 18 hrs
  • Elevation gain/Loss: 1,900/1700 m
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Price: THB 9,500 (person)

Highlights:

  • No crowds, guaranteed
  • Pure hiking — 6 hours every day, deep into the mountains
  • Two hidden waterfalls — one to start, one to finish
  • Summit at 1,650 m — panoramic mountain views
  • Doi Luang views (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, 2,225 m)
  • Vast tea plantation — grown by the villagers themselves
  • Thriving hill tribe plantations — rice, corn, avocado, banana, pumpkin, chilli, passion fruit
  • Authentic Lahu villages — real life, no tourist setup
  • Bamboo homestay in the rice terraces with sunset views (Night 1)
  • Mountain guesthouse with Doi Luang as your backdrop (Night 2)
  • Fresh brewed local tea on arrival at the guesthouse
  • Homecooked meals every day

What's included

  • Round-trip hotel transfers (Chiang Mai city area only)
  • Local guide, full three days
  • All meals included — lunch on the trail, homecooked dinner and breakfast at both homestays
  • Drinking water and soft drinks throughout
  • Towel, soap and shampoo provided — though we recommend bringing your own
  • Night 1 — bamboo homestay in the rice terraces
  • Night 2 — mountain guesthouse with Doi Luang views
  • National park and protected area entrance fees
  • Trek insurance
  • Phone charging available at all homestays


What's not included

  • Personal travel insurance
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Tips for guides, drivers, and homestay hosts (appreciated but never expected)
  • Personal expenses — souvenirs

What to bring

  • Sturdy hiking shoes — expect muddy and wet trails, especially in rainy season
  • Lightweight layers — temperature drops as you gain elevation
  • Light rain jacket or poncho — essential during rainy season
  • Hat and sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Trekking poles — helpful on descents
  • Energy snacks or bars
  • Your own towel, soap and shampoo — provided but we recommend bringing your own
  • Camera
  • Any personal medication or first aid items
  • Small amount of cash — no ATMs in the mountains
  • Light daypack — pack as little as possible

Day 1

  • 8.00-8.30 am. Hotel pick up.
  • Drive 1.5 hour to the north where our fun trip begins.
  • Trek through the jungle along the Mae-Tang river.
  • Arrive at stunning waterfalls, relax and get yourself refreshed.
  • Continue trekking to the first charming Lahu village where our lunch is served.
  • Take 1 hour break and explore around the villager.
  • Continue trekking through the opium route where now full of plantations and crops.
  • Arrive at our homestay, chill and enjoy sunset
  • Dinner with Lahu cuisine
  • Campfire under stars 
  • Bed time

Day 2

  • 7.00-8.00 am. Wake up and have breakfast
  • 8.30am. Leave from the homestay and get on the trek.
  • Trek through the lush forest, though villager's farmland where the whole mountain is full of plantation and crops.
  • Trek through the pleasant pine forest where the weather cool all year round.
  • Summit point, 1650 meters above sea level. Enjoy the stunning view layers of mountains.
  • Lunch break in the jungle.
  • Continue trek to a hidden Lahu village where the Doi Luang mountain serving as a backdrop view
  • Chill and exploring the village
  • Dinner, camp fire 
  • Bed time

Day 3

  • 7.00-8.00 am. Wake up and have breakfast
  • Goodbye to the host and get on trek
  • Trek through the forest 
  • Descending toward to waterfalls 
  • Lunch break and refreshing shower
  • Continue trek to pick up point
  • Drive back to the city
  • 6.00 pm Arrive at hotel