Why the North
Most Indian travellers know Thailand through Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi. The North is a different country in mood: cooler hills, teak houses, a slower pace and a Lanna culture that predates modern Thailand. It suits couples who want something quieter than the islands, families with older children, and anyone who wants a holiday that leaves them rested rather than tired.
Chiang Mai: temples, markets and the old city
Chiang Mai's moated old city holds more than thirty temples within walking distance. Wat Phra Singh and the ruined great chedi of Wat Chedi Luang are the essentials; go early, before the heat and the tour groups. Above the city, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep looks out across the valley from the mountainside.
On Sunday evenings, the Walking Street fills Ratchadamnoen Road with crafts and street food. For something more considered, we arrange private cooking classes on organic farms outside the city, with vegetarian menus on request.
Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle
Three hours north by road, Chiang Rai is best known for Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, an extraordinary contemporary work by a Thai artist, and the deep-blue Wat Rong Suea Ten. Beyond it, the Golden Triangle marks the meeting point of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar on the Mekong, and is home to some of the region's most secluded luxury camps.
Elephants, responsibly
We only work with sanctuaries where elephants are not ridden and do not perform. Days are spent walking with the herd, preparing their food and watching them bathe, which tends to be far more memorable for children than any ride.
Wellness in the hills
Northern Thailand is one of the best places in Asia to slow down. Traditional Thai massage is taught here, and the region's resorts and retreats offer everything from a single restorative spa day to week-long programmes built around yoga, meditation, nutrition and sleep. We suggest ending, not starting, a trip with two or three wellness nights, so you go home properly rested.
When to go and how to get there
November to February brings clear skies and cool mornings and is the best time to visit. March and April can be hazy with smoke from agricultural burning; the rains run from roughly June to October, when the hills are at their greenest.
From Delhi, fly to Bangkok and connect onward to Chiang Mai, about an hour and a quarter by air. Thailand's entry rules for Indian passport holders have changed several times in recent years, so we confirm the current position before every booking.
