High in misty cloud forests above Mae Sot, a world away from the city’s busy streets, there’s a deep sense of strength and stillness; in this rare habitat, a small herd of rescued elephants has found a home. Set up by the Mahouts Elephant Foundation, the inspiring LIFE project puts elephant welfare firmly front and centre. They protect the remote forest habitat around Mae Sot and provide gentle care to allow the elephants to roam free.
With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.
Trek gently through the undergrowth with the project guides, listening to tales of the elephants’ distinctive personalities and complex behaviours. Watch from a respectful distance as the elephants forage in the undergrowth, splash in slow-flowing streams and seek out leafy spots to shelter from the midday heat. It’s always a bit of a challenge to reach such remote places, but this is well worth every effort. Our Thailand Specialists will make sure every detail runs smoothly – all you need to do is pack your sense of adventure and put your best foot forward!
The LIFE project is a rare chance to get close to some of Thailand's most inspiring - and responsible - elephant conservation.
Relax and digest your time with the elephants by top-and-tailing your adventure in a few of Thailand’s historic spots.
Marvel at Buddha statues and ruined temples in ancient Sukhothai.
Plunge into the historic streets, green hills and busy markets of riverside Tak.
Explore Bangkok’s bustling thoroughfares and less-visited backstreets
Wander through the old-town alleys, sacred sites and foodie delights of northern Chiang Mai.
The exact shape and details of your journey will be personalised to you by our team of Destination Specialists, so get in touch to start planning your perfect trip…
Get in touch to start planning your bespoke Asia trip.
From getting up close to dedicated elephant conservation to feasting on Chiang Mai’s best street food, take a closer look at the details of our In the Footsteps of Giants journey below…
It’s a true privilege to see LIFE in action, and spend time in the elephants’ extraordinary forest home, knowing that your visit is helping to keep this vital work going, and ending the day in comfort is the cherry on the cake.
It’s a true privilege to see LIFE in action, and spend time in the elephants’ extraordinary forest home, knowing that your visit is helping to keep this vital work going, and ending the day in comfort is the cherry on the cake.
Round off each day in a welcoming Karen-community guesthouse, relaxing into the village pace, learning about the community’s history, trying your hand at traditional crafts, and sipping a cup or two of freshly brewed mountain tea.
A tempting place to linger on any journey through Thailand, Sukhothai really comes into its own as a pausing point on the slow-road north. This ancient city, known as ‘The Dawn of Happiness’, is celebrated as Thailand’s first capital, and a sense of that bygone gravitas still infuses its streets.
A tempting place to linger on any journey through Thailand, Sukhothai really comes into its own as a pausing point on the slow-road north. This ancient city, known as ‘The Dawn of Happiness’, is celebrated as Thailand’s first capital, and a sense of that bygone gravitas still infuses its streets.
Meander through peaceful parkland to one of its legendary legacies: a vast area of more than 200 ruined temples, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll beneath the benevolent gaze of the Buddha statue at Wat Mahathat, soak up the tranquility of the towering island chedi of Wat Sra Sri, and gaze up at the strikingly-carved standing Buddhas of Wat Trapang Ngoen.
If you’re keen to dig even deeper into the region’s history, venture further afield to the crumbling palaces and temples of nearby Si Satchanalai – the ‘City of Good People’ – on the bank of the river Yom, to explore by bike or on foot. Away from the imposing architecture, explore the lush surrounding countryside, meet a local artisan and learn to craft your own simple clay amulet, and stroll through the bustling night market in search of the best bowl of the city’s famous sweet-but-spicy Sukhothai noodles.
The laid-back riverside town of Tak is the perfect place to ease back into urban living after a peaceful few days in the forest. Generations of travellers and traders have passed through Tak, heading east to the wonders of Sukhothai, or west to the border with Myanmar, bringing with them myriad distinctive traditions, tastes and customs.
The laid-back riverside town of Tak is the perfect place to ease back into urban living after a peaceful few days in the forest. Generations of travellers and traders have passed through Tak, heading east to the wonders of Sukhothai, or west to the border with Myanmar, bringing with them myriad distinctive traditions, tastes and customs.
The vibrant legacy of this whirlwind phase in the city’s history is still evident today in Ban Chin Alley, a historic street near the river lined with the strikingly grand, pastel-washed wooden mansions built by merchants who settled in the city. Changing pace, cross Tak’s historic suspension bridge to wander the banks of the Ping River, watching the boats amble gently through the water.
Just out of town, Wat Phra Borommathat, a relic shrine with special significance to those born in the year of the horse, where you enjoy a few moments of peace. Experience the city’s artistic side with an afternoon at Sela Eco Printing House. Set up by retired professors, this community-led project promotes ways of living in harmony with the surrounding forest, using leaves and natural dyeing techniques to create beautifully patterned fabrics. South of the city, nature-seekers can follow shady trails around the Khlong Lan Waterfall and take a dip in the refreshing pool.
Chiang Mai is definitely northern Thailand’s crowning jewel rather than a hidden gem, but its thriving streets still hold a few lesser-known spots if you know where to look. This is the epitome of an ancient capital layered around a modern hub, and all of Thai life is here, old and new.
This northern hub is, of course, also one of Thailand’s top culinary capitals, the perfect place to feast on fabulous street food dishes, discover local flavours and expand your palate.
Chiang Mai is definitely northern Thailand’s crowning jewel rather than a hidden gem, but its thriving streets still hold a few lesser-known spots if you know where to look. This is the epitome of an ancient capital layered around a modern hub, and all of Thai life is here, old and new.
This northern hub is, of course, also one of Thailand’s top culinary capitals, the perfect place to feast on fabulous street food dishes, discover local flavours and expand your palate.
The Old City’s greenery lined moats and crumbling walls shelter quiet neighbourhoods, bustling markets, streetside cafes, and fascinating museums where you can while away the hours. There are said to be more than a hundred temples, but we wouldn’t suggest trying to visit them all! Explore the cool riverside and low-key suburbs, or head out of town to nearby artisan communities, hill-top sites and rushing waterfalls.
Walk through the markets in the company of a local foodie, scouting for fresh ingredients, before getting hands-on recreating a smorgasbord of northern Thai specialities. Prefer to let your taste buds do the work? Hop between street food stalls on foot or by tuk tuk, savour a personalised multi-course menu prepared by a renowned chef, or visit a local family to select fresh ingredients from their garden and prepare a meal together. If you leave Chiang Mai hungry, you’re definitely doing something wrong!
Bangkok’s sensory overload needs no introduction, but we recommend going beyond the lights and glittering temples to discover a patchwork of calmer, characterful local neighbourhoods, each well worth exploring in its own right.
Bangkok’s sensory overload needs no introduction, but we recommend going beyond the lights and glittering temples to discover a patchwork of calmer, characterful local neighbourhoods, each well worth exploring in its own right.
Take a tuk tuk to Phraeng Phuthon, deep in the old city, home to well-preserved shophouses, street-side markets and tempting food stalls. Explore the shrines, street art and dim sum of Talad Noi, one of Bangkok’s oldest Chinese communities, and cycle around Bangkrachao, the ‘Green Lung of Bangkok’, stopping to visit local temples, leafy parks and a renowned Muay Thai boxing gym.
One of the best ways to explore Bangkok away from its crowds is by boat. River-taxis chug along the city’s khlongs, a historic network of waterways flowing from the Chao Phraya River to criss-cross the city. Skyscrapers tower over wider waterways, and traditional teak houses overhang narrow canals. Navigate by long-tail boat to the quieter outskirts of the city, past seldom visited temples, well cultivated gardens, and small communities living by the water’s edge.
The guide price above is a per person price (not including international flights) staying 3 nights in Bangkok, 2 nights in Sukhothai, 2 nights in Tak and 4 nights in Chiang Mai, all in our favourite mid-range hotels, and 3 nights at the Mahouts Elephant Foundation LIFE project near Mae Sot.
Every Selective Asia trip is fully customised, and the shape of your tailored route is always finely tuned to your wishes.....
Lean into the details of your bespoke Asia trip to discover rare experiences, exceptional hotels, local connections, inspiring conservation and much more…
With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.
Every Asia trip we build is finely tuned to fit you, and that all starts with a chat. Let us know what you're hoping to see, feel and experience on your travels, and the places you're dreaming of, and your Asia Specialist will craft a route that includes everything you want and more.
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