2-Day 1-Night Jungle Experience with Treehouse Stay

Tree House Hideaway is a purpose-built wooden treehouse above the village of Mae Mae in the Chiang Dao foothills, about an hour and a half north of Chiang Mai. It is run by a Thai family together with their English partner as a homestay, and this two-day trip, which the family calls its 1 Tree Hill tour, is the simplest way to stay there: transfers, meals, a guided trek and the night are all arranged. It suits couples, small groups and families with children who can walk a few hours, and anyone who wants real jungle without a tent.

Day 1

You are collected in Chiang Mai and driven up to the treehouse, where you meet your English-speaking guide, check into your room and have lunch on the terrace looking over the forest. In the afternoon you set off on a trek of about three hours through the surrounding forest to a waterfall, led by a local guide, with a stop at the village school on the way. The walk is mostly gentle with a few steep pulls and several river crossings, so your feet get wet; walking sticks are provided and there is time to swim. Back at the treehouse the family cooks a traditional dinner, and the evening is yours on the big terrace.

Day 2

Breakfast on the terrace, then you say goodbye to the family and are driven to the local hot springs for an hour of bathing before the drive back to Chiang Mai. The hot spring entrance fee is paid on the spot. Elephant visits, ziplining and white water rafting can be added on the way up on day one as optional extras.

The treehouse is comfortable but simple: private rooms with clean bedding, mosquito nets, fans and 24-hour electricity, and bathrooms with western toilets and hot showers, some ensuite and some shared.