About This Trip
Perhaps you're feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and daily stress, in need of a genuine reset. Come to Chiang Mai. Here, you will learn to reconnect with your inner self and discover how to better care for your mental well-being. Whether you are planning a solo trip for self-discovery or with a partner or family to deepen your bonds, this 10-day Chiang Mai wellness vacation offers the perfect blend of cultural exploration in the old city and a 1-week mindfulness training course. It's time to pause, breathe, and begin a new chapter of calm.
Itinerary Summary
| DAY | PLACE | HIGHLIGHTS |
| 1 - 10 | Chiang Mai | Morning Market, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Pha Lat, and Various Optional Activities, Introductory Mindfulness Trainning Course |
Suggested Itinerary
Your healing journey in Thailand begins today. Upon arrival, you'll be warmly welcomed by your private guide and driver, who will escort you to your riverside hotel for check-in.
If you arrive during the day, take this time to slow down and unwind by the pool, letting the tropical atmosphere ease you into the rhythm of Thailand. Enjoy a relaxed dinner at the hotel and a peaceful evening to rest, reset, and gently recover from the long journey.
Accommodation: De Chai the Deco Chiang Mai, Deluxe Room
- Chiang Mai
Today’s Highlights
- Shop for offerings at a local morning market
- Join Chiang Mai’s morning almsgiving tradition
- Visit Doi Suthep & the forest monastery of Wat Pha Lat
Your Day in Detail
This morning starts very early (at 5:30 am), allowing you to experience Chiang Mai at its most authentic and unfiltered. Begin with a visit to a traditional local morning market, select your own offerings for the upcoming almsgiving ritual, immersing yourself in the sights, scents, and energy of the market.
At the foothills of Doi Suthep Mountain, observe and take part in the Buddhist almsgiving ceremony as monks descend to receive offerings. You may join the ritual. It provides a quiet and meaningful introduction to Thai Buddhist traditions.
Continue up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai's most revered temple and a key spiritual landmark of Northern Thailand. The golden stupa and sweeping city views create a reflective and memorable setting. On the return journey, you will stop at Wat Pha Lat, a secluded forest monastery hidden among jungle paths and flowing streams.
Return to the hotel for breakfast, with the rest of the day free for relaxation or personal reflection.
Optional: The afternoon is free for you to relax or choose an optional half-day tour to an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary or the unique Buatong (Sticky) Waterfalls.
Accommodation: De Chai the Deco Chiang Mai, Deluxe Room
- B
- Chiang Mai
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and travel by private van on a scenic drive into the mountains of Northern Thailand. As the road winds through lush forest landscapes, the pace gradually slows, marking the transition from city life to a more tranquil setting.
Upon arrival, settle into your tent and receive an introduction to the retreat environment. The afternoon is free to explore the surroundings at your own pace. Take a gentle walk through the forest, relax in nature, or simply enjoy the quiet atmosphere. After dinner, the retreat begins with an introductory meditation session, setting the tone for the days ahead.
Accommodation: iRETREAT Jungle Bliss, Pa Pae, Tent
- B D
- Chiang Mai
This day marks the first stage of your meditation class: helping your body and mind slow down and transition into a more relaxed, mindful state. The focus is on learning how to notice and release tension, becoming aware of how your body and thoughts are connected, and establishing a foundation for meditation practice.
Throughout the day, you will participate in three guided sessions. The first session introduces how to observe the body and the mind, helping you recognize physical and mental patterns that affect your well-being. The second session explores common unhelpful thought patterns, often called "viruses of the mind," and teaches ways to notice them without being controlled by them. The third session provides an introduction to mindful meditation with a focus on comfort and ease, helping you experience the calm and clarity that comes from simply being present.
By the end of the day, you will have practical tools to relax your body, observe your thoughts without judgment, and practice meditation in a gentle, approachable way.
Accommodation: iRETREAT Jungle Bliss, Pa Pae, Tent
- B L D
- Chiang Mai
On this day, the retreat moves into a more active phase of inner training. You begin to explore how thoughts, habits, and attention shape your everyday experience, and learn ways to strengthen your focus and self-discipline.
The morning session delves into understanding the mind and the world, helping you notice how perception influences emotion and action. Later, you practice the Five Acts of Self-Discipline, discovering techniques to bring steadiness, intention, and mindful choice into daily routines. The final session introduces visualization and mantra practices, giving you practical tools to focus your mind, reinforce positive intentions, and deepen your meditation.
By the end of the day, you leave with clear, usable strategies to enhance mental clarity, stabilize emotions, and carry mindfulness into daily life, laying the groundwork for deeper understanding in the next stage of the retreat.
Accommodation: iRETREAT Jungle Bliss, Pa Pae, Tent
- B L D
- Chiang Mai
After two days of practice, you have already established a solid foundation in mindfulness and meditation. Today, you will take your learning a step further, exploring deeper aspects of how the mind works. Are you ready to go deeper?
The first session will introduce the concept of mental "defilements," habitual patterns that can cloud perception and trigger stress or emotional reactions. You will learn to recognize these patterns in everyday thoughts and behaviors in a practical, relatable way.
The second session focuses on the fundamental aspects of the mind, often called the "Seven Bases," providing a framework to understand how attention, perception, and intention interact. Guided exercises help you observe these processes without judgment, allowing a calmer and clearer response to life situations.
The final session is an extended meditation that integrates the day's session. This longer practice strengthens focus, deepens awareness, and reinforces your connection to the present moment.
Accommodation: iRETREAT Jungle Bliss, Pa Pae, Tent
- B L D
- Chiang Mai
By now, you have established a solid meditation practice and gained insight into your mind. Today introduces new challenges designed to help you explore mindfulness on a deeper level. ou may notice a greater sensitivity to your own emotions and those of others, which is a natural step as your practice deepens.
The morning session explores the Four Noble Truths, providing a framework to understand the sources of stress and suffering in everyday life. Through this, you can begin to see patterns that previously went unnoticed, connecting your personal experiences to broader insights from Buddhist philosophy.
The afternoon focuses on the Five Hindrances, common mental obstacles such as restlessness, doubt, or craving. Through extended meditation, you practice observing these challenges without reacting, developing focus, patience, and emotional balance. By the end of the day, you will have a deeper understanding of your mind and practical ways to navigate its natural tendencies.
Accommodation: iRETREAT Jungle Bliss, Pa Pae, Tent
- B L D
- Chiang Mai
Today is designed to help you bring together the insights and skills developed over the past days while exploring deeper aspects of mindfulness and compassion. Your practice moves from understanding the mind to actively cultivating warmth, patience, and kindness toward yourself and others.
The morning session introduces the Eightfold Path, offering practical guidance on mindful living and intentional choices. You will reflect on how these principles can shape daily habits and support a more balanced and conscious way of being.
In the afternoon, extended meditation and observation exercises allow you to consolidate your focus and awareness. This period encourages sustained attention and helps integrate the lessons from previous days into a cohesive personal practice.
The day concludes with a ceremony focused on Metta loving-kindness meditation, often accompanied by a candlelight setting that creates a serene and reflective atmosphere. This practice invites you to open your heart, foster a sense of connection, and carry a feeling of calm and compassion beyond the retreat.
Accommodation: iRETREAT Jungle Bliss, Pa Pae, Tent
- B L D
- Chiang Mai
Today marks the conclusion of your mindfulness program. The morning begins with a final session reflecting on the Four Responsibilities in Life, allowing you to review and integrate the insights and skills you have cultivated over the past week. This gentle reflection helps you connect the mindfulness experience to your daily life and personal intentions moving forward.
A closing ceremony follows, providing a moment to honor your practice, celebrate your progress, and acknowledge the journey you have undertaken. Afterward, you will enjoy a final lunch at the retreat center.
In the afternoon, a private transfer will take you back to Chiang Mai town for an overnight stay. You will leave the retreat feeling lighter, more centered, and equipped with practical mindfulness tools, carrying a sense of ease and clarity into the days ahead.
Accommodation: De Chai the Deco Chiang Mai, Deluxe Room
- B L
- Chiang Mai
Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel. When it is time to leave, your private driver will transfer you to Chiang Mai International Airport for your departing flight. Carry with you the calm, clarity, and insights gained from this journey, taking a sense of peace and mindfulness into your everyday life.
- B
Accommodation Options
The hotels listed below have been carefully selected based on customer feedback. You can either choose the ones you'd like to stay in or allow our travel experts to recommend options tailored to your specific requirements.
What's Included in Your Private Tour
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A dedicated travel expert will work with you to design and arrange your itinerary based on your interests, travel style, schedule, and budget. Your trip can be adjusted as your plans take shape.
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Accommodation is selected based on location, quality, your preferences, and budget. Depending on the destination and itinerary, options may include international hotel chains, boutique hotels, and locally distinctive properties.
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Local guides are arranged in each destination, with strong language skills and in-depth local knowledge. Your guide will help you make the most of each destination while sharing local history, culture, and everyday life.
Guide arrangements may vary depending on your destination and itinerary. Please refer to your Tour Program for the specific guide arrangements for your trip.
If you have any special requirements for your guide, such as in-depth historical and cultural interpretation or expertise in a particular industry or subject, please let us know in advance so we can take your preferences into consideration when arranging your trip. -
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with a dedicated driver, as specified in the itinerary
- Domestic trains as specified in the itinerary
- Domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
- International flights for selected multi-country tours, as specified in the itinerary.
Transportation arrangements can be adjusted to suit your itinerary and travel needs.
*As each trip is tailor-made, transportation arrangements may vary by itinerary and destination. The final arrangements will be detailed in your Tour Program.*International flights to and from your home country are normally not included in the initial Tour Program. If you would like, your travel expert can also help arrange these flights upon request.
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- Breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D) as specified in the itinerary
- Additional meals can be arranged upon request
- Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request
FAQ About the Trip
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This journey combines Chiang Mai’s temples, local traditions, and natural surroundings with a dedicated mindfulness training program. You’ll experience the city and its spiritual side before spending several days at a peaceful jungle retreat.
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Yes. The Introductory Mindfulness Training Course at iRETREAT Jungle Bliss, Pa Pae is designed as an introduction to meditation and mindfulness. Buddhist monks guide the meditation sessions and introduce the related practices and teachings.
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The meditation program can be adjusted according to your available time and interests. Options range from a short 2D1N program to longer courses of up to 14 days. Your travel consultant can check the available courses and packages for your preferred dates.
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Yes. As a private tailor-made trip, the sightseeing, hotel, optional activities, and length of the meditation program can all be adjusted. If you’re interested, submit an inquiry form and our travel consultant can discuss the available options with you.
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