Chiang Mai is Thailand's northern capital — a city of temples, night markets and a mountain backdrop that starts almost at the city limits. Over seven days we run out from it into the hills: forest single-track, hidden temples, and rice terrace valleys, building toward a two-day overnight adventure deep into the mountains north of the city.
The centrepiece is Trails and Tribes — a two-day running journey along forgotten trails and mountain roads to a remote Hmong hilltribe lodge, with a nourishing village lunch en route and a barbecue dinner under the stars. The following morning, before daybreak, we climb to one of Chiang Mai's most epic viewpoints for sunrise, before a fast, technical descent back to the valley.
Away from the trails, Chiang Mai's Lanna culture runs through the whole trip — from the centuries-old temple at Doi Suthep to an evening exploring the city by songthaew. This is a compact, single-region trip done properly: mountain running, genuine cultural depth, and one unforgettable night in the hills.
Our Chiang Mai base for the trip — a Superior Room category hotel, set in the heart of the old city and perfectly positioned for the temple runs, Doi Suthep, and everything Chiang Mai has to offer on your free day. Comfortable, characterful, and the ideal spot to return to after two days in the mountains.
A charming, simple mountain lodge deep in the hills north of Chiang Mai — the reward at the end of the Trails & Tribes running day. Surrounded by rice terraces and remote village life, this is the one night of the trip guests remember most. A barbecue dinner under the stars, and a pre-dawn start the following morning for the sunrise summit.
Chat directly with Charlie & the team — no pressure, no sales pitch. Just an honest conversation about whether Northern Thailand is the right trip for you.
Book Your Free Call →Fly into Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). There are no direct flights from the UK — most routes connect via Bangkok, or via a Middle Eastern hub such as Doha, Abu Dhabi or Dubai, with total journey times typically 14–16 hours including the connection.
A private group transfer is included on arrival and departure days as standard on this trip. Please share your flight details ahead of departure so we can coordinate pickup times.
Late October falls right at the changeover from Thailand's rainy season into the cool, dry season. As the rains ease off, days become clearer and humidity starts to drop, though this window sits closer to the tail of the transition than the settled heart of the dry season. Daytime temperatures typically range from 26–31°C.
Evenings are noticeably cooler, particularly at the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge, where it can drop into the high teens after dark and cooler still before the Day 5 dawn start. As this is still within the seasonal transition, a shower is more likely than it would be later in the season — most days are dry, but a burst of rain isn't unusual. A lightweight waterproof is worth packing as standard kit rather than just a precaution.
A genuine mix — dirt roads and single-track trails throughout, running through temple grounds, forest, farmland, dense jungle and terraced rice valleys. Day 4 and Day 5 in particular include sustained climbing and a technical, fun descent on the final morning.
Daily distances range from 8km to 23km. This isn't a race-pace trip — there's plenty of time throughout to take in the views, the temples and the villages along the way.
Graded Adventurous. You should be comfortable running up to 23km on hilly, technical terrain, including a big final day with 900m of ascent. If you're training consistently and comfortable with back-to-back running days, you're well placed.
The two-day Trails & Tribes leg is fully vehicle-supported, so there's no need to carry more than a light daypack — the focus stays on the running and the experience, not logistics.
Yes — we can cater for most dietary requirements throughout, including at the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge and on the trail. Chiang Mai has an excellent food scene with strong vegetarian and vegan options. Worth knowing: fish sauce and shrimp paste are common seasonings in Thai cooking, even in dishes that look vegetarian at first glance — please flag any requirements so we can brief the team accordingly.
Please flag any requirements at the time of booking so we can plan ahead with our local team.
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all guests on this trip. Your policy must cover trail running and adventure activities, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation or curtailment.
Standard travel insurance often excludes adventure sports — please check your policy carefully before travel.
Thailand uses the Thai Baht (THB), currently around £1 = 43–45 THB. Card payment is widely accepted in Chiang Mai, though cash is still needed for markets, street food and the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge, where card payment isn't available.
British, EU, US, Australian and Canadian passport holders can currently enter Thailand visa-free for stays of up to 30 days — plenty for this trip, and at no cost. Thailand's entry requirements have changed more than once recently, so please double-check via the official Thai e-Visa portal or your nearest embassy closer to your travel date.
This trip is run in partnership with a ground operator certified under the Easia Sustainability Guidelines, developed with ChildSafe and Travelife — ensuring the villages and hilltribe communities we visit see a genuine, controlled, positive impact from tourism rather than a negative one.
We ask all guests to be mindful and respectful when visiting the Hmong hilltribe lodge and any village communities along the trail — ask before photographing people, follow your guide's lead, and treat every stop as a privilege rather than a photo opportunity.
Adventurous
Challenging