After two years without international travel, many people are looking for a more conscious and sustainable travel experience. According to guest author Michael Cullen, many want to travel with purpose – with their hearts.

After more than two years with little to no travel, airlines, tour operators, and international travel organizations are seeing an increase in global mobility thanks to the easing of restrictions. And with the final reopening of borders, new travel trends are emerging.

People are no longer looking for the same things they did before the pandemic. Many are traveling more consciously and seeking sustainable travel, individual and authentic experiences. They want to experience nature and the great outdoors, enjoy intense and intimate encounters, and engage in activities that have a positive impact on the local community and the environment.

People want to travel with purpose, or, to put it another way – they want to travel with their hearts.

To help you plan your trip through Northern Thailand – Chiang Mai, the Golden Triangle and Chiang Rai – here is a selection of activities, experiences and options that fit the concept of “traveling with the heart”.

Organic, direct marketing from the farm and Slow Food

Food is an essential part of any trip, and Thai cuisine is among the most popular in the world. Within Thailand, each region has its own distinctive style and dishes, especially in the north. Influences from Laotian, Burmese, and Chinese cuisine characterize northern Thai cooking. The cooler climate favors the cultivation of a wide variety of vegetables, both cultivated and wild, as well as the use of mushrooms and aromatic herbs. Less coconut milk is used, and the curries are milder than in the south.

In the north, a growing trend is emerging: farmers are increasingly turning to organic farming, especially for fruits, vegetables, herbs, coffee, and tea. Direct marketing from the farm has been a tradition for locals for centuries, and now restaurants in Chiang Mai are making this concept accessible to the general public. Here, we introduce you to three local businesses that are putting these ideas into practice for your culinary enjoyment.

Ginger Farm, originally a rice plantation on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, has converted to organic farming and free-range animal husbandry and offers educational tours. The easily accessible and popular Ginger Farm Kitchen restaurant in One Nimman serves Thai dishes made with fresh, farm-grown produce. Another example of organic and locally sourced cuisine is Ohkajhu, founded in 2013 by three local college graduates. They operate two restaurants in Chiang Mai, supplied with produce from their own farms—the original location in Sansai, north of the city, and another near the airport. I love the generous portions of their delicious Thai dishes.

Ori9in Gourmet Farm is the brainchild of Michelin-starred chef James Noble and his wife Khun May. They supply some of the finest restaurants in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, as well as some of the region's most prestigious hotel chains, with organic, sustainably grown produce. During the dry season (October to March), they operate the "Waiting for May" picnic restaurant on the farm. Enjoy a gourmet picnic in the garden featuring freshly harvested ingredients and culinary creations by Chef James. Farm tours are also available for picnickers.

Anyone looking for a culinary experience in Chiang Rai should definitely visit Chivit Thamma Da Café and Bistro. Located in two charming colonial-style buildings on the banks of the Kok River, the restaurant is a staunch advocate of the Slow Food movement. This means organic and sustainable, regional (without long transport routes), and Fair Trade ingredients. This ensures that local producers and suppliers share in the restaurant's success. A true favorite in Chiang Rai, open daily from 9 am to 9 pm.

Cooking schools – practical learning

Cooking schools are easy to find in Northern Thailand. Here are two suggestions that fit well with our travel motto "Travel with your heart".

The Thai Akha Cooking School is located just one kilometer south of the old town and offers morning and evening classes. It is run by members of the Akha hill tribe. Besides preparing and enjoying various Thai dishes, you will gain insights into Akha culture and history. Our cooking instructor, Niti, captivated our group from beginning to end.

As the name suggests, the Thai Farm Cooking School is located on its own organic farm, just 17 km from the center of Chiang Mai. It has an office in the old city and offers a pick-up and drop-off service as part of its full- or half-day courses. Besides preparing and enjoying several classic Thai dishes, you'll see where your organic produce comes from – literally just a few meters from the kitchen. The enthusiasm of organic farmer and cooking instructor Khun Sawat is contagious.

massage

A holiday isn't complete without relaxation and pampering, and a Thai massage is an absolute must when visiting the "Land of Smiles." Originating in India and practiced for 2,500 years, Thai massage is renowned for its healing properties. From simple to luxurious, Thai massage studios can be found throughout the kingdom, including northern Thailand. Here are a few options that perfectly fit our theme.

Lila Thai Massage operates two conveniently located studios in Chiang Mai's Old City, offering a comprehensive range of treatments. The studio's story is moving: Naowarat Thanasrisutharat, the former director of Chiang Mai's women's prison, initiated a training program for massage therapists during her tenure. The aim was to equip selected, soon-to-be-released inmates with skills that would facilitate their reintegration into society. In 2008, Khun Naowarat founded Lila Thai Massage, creating a direct employer and vital training center for these women seeking to reintegrate into society. Before the pandemic, Lila Thai Massage operated eight studios in Chiang Mai and hopes to reopen them with the return of international visitors. For us, Lila Thai Massage is the top choice for Thai massage in Chiang Mai.

Our second option is massage for the blind. Many of today's massage therapists owe their breakthrough to Dr. Aud Kaewthong. In the 1980s, he attended a massage course in Bangkok and realized that his sense of touch was exceptionally acute due to his congenital blindness. Thanks to Dr. Aud, over 1,000 blind massage therapists now work in Thailand, and his training has spread to other Southeast Asian communities. One example is Supatra Blind Massage in the northeast of the Old City, a simple but highly regarded studio. Perception Blind Massage offers a slightly more elegant setting and is located just inside the Thapae Gate of the Old City. Both are excellent choices for a massage for the blind.

Community-based tourism, hill tribes and immersive experiences

Located just a 50-minute drive north of Chiang Mai, Lisu Eco Lodge is a community-based tourism project run by the local Lisu hill tribe. The lodge features four spacious guesthouses nestled in a tranquil valley surrounded by organic rice paddies, vegetable gardens, and orchards. A two-night stay with half-board offers an immersive experience of community life, including a guided village tour. Additional activities such as guided nature walks, bamboo raft trips, and other hill tribe experiences can be arranged. Be sure to visit the award-winning Araksa Tea Gardens, less than 6 km from Lisu Lodge.

"Journey to Freedom" is a week-long intensive project that integrates volunteers (for a fee) into a Karen hill tribe community, offering them fascinating insights into the lives of rehabilitated elephants. Experience the daily life of the Karen people, become involved in the community, and encounter the world's largest land mammals up close. You will learn about agriculture and community life, develop educational programs for local schoolchildren, assist with the daily care of the elephants, and live in a village in the mountains of Chiang Mai as part of a cultural exchange.

Elephant Nature Park is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation center located just 60 km north of Chiang Mai. Founder Lek Saengduean Chailert has been dedicated to the ethical protection of elephants since 1996. Her "saddle-off" approach to caring for rescued elephants has since been adopted by many camps and wildlife parks throughout Thailand. The park provides a home for elephants, buffalo, numerous dogs, cats, birds, and many other rescued animals. You can visit the park for a day or an overnight stay, or participate in the comprehensive and highly regarded week-long volunteer programs. If elephant care seems too demanding, many furry friends await your attention in the dog and cat enclosures.

Chiang Rai – Authentic farm stays and eco-luxury resorts

Located approximately 40 km northwest of Chiang Rai, at the foot of Mae Salong Mountain, lies Ahsa Farmstay. This working farm offers four charming, rustic-luxurious guest rooms – ideal for couples, solo travelers, and families. Stays include full board, and many of the products come directly from the surrounding fields. As most meals offer the opportunity for a cooking class, you can learn the art of Lanna cuisine (Northern Thailand) alongside your host family or even actively participate in the farm work.

There's plenty to discover on this 13-hectare farm: from collecting fresh eggs and feeding ducks and geese to learning about rice cultivation or tapping the farm's own rubber trees. Guided hikes into the surrounding hills, including visits to mountain villages, are offered. Back at the farm, you can treat yourself to a traditional massage or relax in Ahsa's interpretation of a traditional herbal sauna. There's always something to see, learn, and experience on this working farm.

Phu Chaisai, which translates to "Mountain of the Clear Heart," is located just under an hour from Chiang Rai and is one of Thailand's first boutique resorts. Perched high atop a bamboo-covered mountain with spectacular views of the Mae Salong Valley, Phu Chaisai serves as a reminder that living consciously in harmony with nature is still possible today. Designed and overseen by one of Thailand's leading interior designers, ML Sudavdee Kriangkrai (affectionately known as Mom Da by locals), the resort's design blends seamlessly with its surroundings while offering guests the utmost in comfort.

The fresh mountain air has a cleansing effect, making air conditioning unnecessary; you won't find a television or alarm clock here. Explore the marked hiking trails of the 800-hectare organic estate, visit the oolong tea plantation, or learn local dishes in the hotel's own cooking school. Phu Chaisai's "less is more" concept offers you the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural rhythms and surroundings of the magnificent far north.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of "traveling with the heart" is a more intense, fulfilling, and unforgettable experience for travelers. Experienced travelers know that it's the genuine connection with people and communities that transforms you, not the destination itself. This kind of responsible travel gives the communities visited a face and a name. It's an opportunity to find peace, ground ourselves, and rediscover something we've lost.

Northern Thailand offers travelers who want to delve deep into the soul of the region and travel consciously a wealth of eco-friendly, sustainable, and community-oriented activities. This article highlights some of them that we believe deserve special mention. Happy travels!

Article by Michael Cullen.