Field Trips for Chiang Mai, Thailand
You are encouraged to participate in the organized field trips, which are included in your program fees. In addition to the program field trips, you may also have course field trips and numerous informal activities that expose you to the local culture as well. Destinations may change at the discretion of the Resident Director.
The following are possible destinations, view term calendars for specifics.
Included Overnight Field Trips
Chiang Rai through Multicultural Lens
Study abroad in the northern Thailand would not be completed without a trip to Chiang Rai. Students will immerse themselved in the rich culture and legends at the world-famous colorful temples and learn the history of opium and the fight against it by King Rama IX's Royal Project at the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos merge.
Lampang Heritage
Starting with a train ride from Chiang Mai to Lampang, students can immerse themselves in the natural beauty along the railway routes with rice fields, mountains, and simple lifestyle or local farmers. Lampang town is a laid-back riverside charm, generous spread of attractive historical buildings and local markets in the north. The province offers a less touristy, more undiscovered destination in the north, a truly off-the-beaten-track destination.
Included Day Trips
Basic Thai Cuisine Workshop
Learn how to cook Thai food with a professional chef at Nuan Thong Organic Farm, nestled in the green area of the northern Chiang Mai. Chef Tong will start the day with a visit to a local market, showing the diversity of ingredients in Thai cuisine and tasting local delicacies. The cooking workshop includes an appetizer, main dishes, soup, and desserts. Fun facts and stories behind the dishes will be shared for learning the Thai eating culture. Any kind of food preferences and/or allergies can be arranged for the cooking workshop.
Chiang Mai Old City and Temples
Summer, fall, and spring terms
Explore the Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Pan Tao, and Wat Phra Singh temples in the heart of the "Chiang Mai old city" to learn the cultures and history of beautiful northern Thailand.
Craft and Culture
Summer, fall, and spring terms
Experience the famous craft street in Chiang Mai by visiting the Chiang Mai Celadon Factory and Living Museum and the Bor Sang or paper umbrella village. Students can try making a celadon porrery and make/paint paper umbrella (with additional cost).
Doi Inthanon National Park
Fall and spring terms
One of the 14 original national parks of Thailand, Doi Inthanon National Park is a must-see location for students who will be in Chiang Mai during for a semester or year. Nicknamed the "roof of Thailand," the park consists of high mountains, including the highest peak in Thailand Doi Inthanon, waterfalls, and rivers that generate electrical power for the region. Students will make the 35 mile trip from Chiang Mai to the park and will spend the day enjoying the breathtaking scenery, visiting the waterfalls and mountaintop temples, and exploring the national park.
Elephant Care and Bamboo Rafting
Summer, fall, and spring terms
Curious why elephants are so fondly important to Thai people and history? Observe, touch, and feel the experience of elephants caring and existing in Thai culture. This tour takes you to a truly elephant sanctuary run by the local people and with support of Karen communities. You learn about the elephants from birth to death, its meaningful presence in Thai history and Karen lives presently, their habits and daily life, as well as conservation project. The tour also takes you to cool down on a bamboo raft along Mae Wang River in the afternoon.
Jing Jai Organic Market
Summer, fall, and spring terms
From organic vegetables and fruits to organic clothes, Jing Jai is popular for healthy living people in Chiang Mai. The open market runs every weekend morning with hundreds of stalls to dive yourself into, also with live jazz band.
Lamphun Hundred Thousands Lantern Festival
Fall term only
The hundred thousands paper lanterns hanging all over the sacred temples. The most important spot for the Grand Lantern Festival is at Wat Phrathat Haripunchai Woramahawihan. People normally offer lanterns as a form of worship to a relic of the Buddha, which brings a rare, colourful touch to the atmosphere as around 10,000 lanterns are lit as offerings.
Mae Kampong Ecotourism Village
Summer term only
Named as the best homestay village nestled in the eastern mountains of Chiang Mai, Mae Kampong offers a living experience of local Chiang Mai people. Students spend a day exploring local orchards, nature trails hiking to the watershed and cool down in the waterfalls in the morning. After lunch, students immerse themselves in the herbal therapy with sauna and massage or wander around the village small streets and wooden houses.
Tha Pae Sunday Street Market
Summer, fall, and spring terms
Spreading along 2km streets in the heart of the old city, Chiang Mai Sunday Street Market is considered the best night open-air market in Thailand. You can find gift items to local tasty food to massage on the street, all at very affordable prices.
Trekking
Summer, fall, and spring terms
A one-day trekking through the lush nature of Mae Wang in the southern part of Chiang Mai. Walking through the dense forests, serene stream, and local orchards along the way. Lunch in banana leaves and by the waterfalls to cool down. This is a full-day trek for lower-intermediate level and above.
Wat Phra Doi Suthep Temple
Summer, fall, and spring terms
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the historical and Buddhist symbol of Chiang Mai as the temple was built by the effort of the venerable Kru Ba Sri Vichai, in gathering Chiang Mai locals to build the roads up to the temple in the mountains. It is considered one of the most sacred places to visit in Thailand.