Northern Thai Foodie Experience
A special experience for real foodies; learn to prepare northern Thai dishes, use local ingredients, forage for ingredients in the jungle!
From 110 USD per person to 220 USD per person
Quick facts
Tour type: Private
Operated by: Next Step Thailand
Location: Mae Wang, Chiang Mai
Tour duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
Pickup: 9:30 AM in Chiang Mai
Drop off: Afternoon in Chiang Mai
- Trekking difficulty
Our Northern Thai Foodie Experience is much more than a cooking class; you learn how to prepare traditional northern Thai dishes and beyond that you also discover local ingredients, explore how locals grow and prepare their food staples, forage for ingredients in the jungle, and cook a jungle style meal.
Pickup and drop off
Baan Kart market
Spicy Villa Eco-Lodges
Karen village
Khun Puay waterfall
Tour highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
We pick you up at 9.30 AM from either your accommodation or a convenient place in Chiang Mai, such as the airport or train station. On our way to Mae Win area, we first make a stop at a local market to buy ingredients for the dishes we will make during the two days. This is also a good opportunity to start learning about different spices, herbs, vegetables and fruit used in traditional northern Thai dishes.
We then drive up the mountain to Spicy Villa Eco-Lodges where you have some free time to settle in your bungalow. Before lunch, we start with first cooking class and learn to make a traditional jungle curry and other northern Thai dishes. You can tell your cooking instructor if you would like to learn to prepare one of your favourite dishes, otherwise, he will make suggestions for you.
After lunch, you have some free time before your second cooking class in the afternoon. This cooking lesson will highlight a local seasonal ingredient. For instance, during the second part of the rainy season, bamboo shoots are in season and you will learn how locals use them to prepare a variety of dishes. Some other seasonal highlight ingredients are: kaffir lime leafs, lemongrass, banana blossom, and more. After dinner you spend a night in a private bungalow.
Meals included: Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Private bungalow at Spicy Villa
Day 2
After breakfast, we visit a local Karen tribe village and explore it with your guide. You learn how the villagers prepare their food staples and see what handmade equipment they use. You also hike around the village over rice paddies and farmland and learn which food staples locals grow and how they grow them. Depending one the season, you could even get a chance for a hands-on experience on growing or harvesting rice.
From the village, we go on a short trek to a local waterfall where you can take a break and refresh. During the trek, your guide points out wild medicinal and edible plants. You also forage in the jungle for ingredients for lunch.
Our third cooking class takes place by the waterfall and you learn how to prepare and use bamboo for cooking. For centuries bamboo stems have been used instead of pots to cook dishes in the jungle. One popular dish we learn to make this way is sticky rice!
After the cooking class, we have lunch by the waterfall and then trek to pickup point and drive back to Chiang Mai.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
More info
Pickup & drop off
Pick up and drop off in Chiang Mai city is included in the price for this trip. Pick up and drop off locations include accommodations in Chiang Mai city (15 km area around the old city centre), Chiang Mai airport, Chiang Mai train station and bus stations.
If you would like us to pick you up outside of Chiang Mai city, for instance in Mae Rim, Sankampaeng and similar, additional charges might apply, please enquire about options.
Meals
All meals are prepared with fresh ingredients by your guide or bought fresh at a local market. Each meal consists of several northern Thai dishes. For breakfast, we also prepare some western dishes, such as toast or pancakes for instance. Let us know if you would prefer to eat only Thai dishes.
If you have any kind of dietary restrictions, let us know in advance, and we will make sure to provide suitable meals for you. We can cater to most dietary restrictions and prepare vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, milk free meals and more.
Guides
Your private guide will be with you at all times, from pick up to drop off. He is local and speaks good English and will be able to tell you a lot about local plants, animals, culture and traditions. He will also adjust trekking route and difficulty according to your wishes, but please let us know in advance how long and difficult you would like your trek to be, so we can prepare a suitable route. You will also have an assisting guide.
How to pack
We have prepared a packing guide with instructions on how to pack for our tours. We hope you find it useful. You can also have a look at our article that covers how to dress for activities.
Insurance
In accordance with Tourism Authority of Thailand regulations, we provide accident insurance for every traveller for the duration of the booked trip.
Tour pricing
One guest
Private tour for one guest
USD
220
Per person
Two guests
Private tour for two guests
USD
160
Per person
Three guests
Private tour for three guests
USD
130
Per person
Four+ guests
Private tour for four or more guests
USD
110
Per person
Included
Prices include:
- Transportation – choice of JEEP (up to six passengers) or covered pickup with benches
- Accommodation at Spicy Villa Eco-Lodges
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Private guide
- Guide’s assistant when needed
- All entrance fees
- Compulsory insurance
Excluded
Prices do not include:
- Drinking water
- Drinks
- Snacks
- Personal expenses
Questions and inquiries regarding Northern Thai Foodie Experience
If you have any questions or inquiries about this tour, please fill out the form below and we will get back to you in one working day.