We visit Wat Khantha Phueksa, better known as Wat Mae Kampong, the local temple hidden among tall trees beside a small stream. This temple is famous for its serene atmosphere and for the ordination hall that appears to float above the water. Inside, the wooden walls and old murals create a calm, meditative feeling. It’s one of the most peaceful corners of northern Thailand, a perfect place to take in the stillness of the forest.

Your day begins with a scenic drive through winding mountain roads lined with trees and small villages until you reach Mae Kampong, a picturesque mountain village about 1.5 hours east of Chiang Mai. At an elevation of around 1,300 meters, the air here is cool and fresh year-round, and the sound of flowing streams fills the valley. The villagers have lived here for generations, making a living from tea, coffee, and fermented tea leaves known as miang. Many of the wooden houses are built along the slopes, surrounded by forest and blooming gardens, giving the village an almost storybook charm. We make a leisurely walk through Mae Kampong Village. Watch how locals prepare tea leaves for drying, roast coffee beans grown in the surrounding hills, and sell homemade snacks and herbal products from their small wooden shops. Your guide will help you interact and learn more about the community-based tourism that supports the village.

Continue to Teddu Coffee, one of Mae Kampong’s most popular cafés. Perched above the river and surrounded by lush forest, Teddu Coffee is famous for its locally roasted beans and its picturesque swinging bridge, which connects both sides of the stream. Here we enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while taking in the mountain views and the peaceful rhythm of village life, a perfect moment to slow down and breathe in the cool mountain air.

Enjoy a tasty local lunch at a family-run restaurant in the village before boarding a local truck (songthaew) for a short ride through the forest to the Mae Kampong Waterfall. This beautiful seven-tiered waterfall cascades gently down mossy rocks surrounded by ferns and bamboo. You can take a walk up along the lower levels, listen to the sound of the rushing water, and enjoy the cool forest shade, it’s a refreshing and photogenic spot. Total duration includes lunch break.

After your time in Mae Kampong, continue your journey back toward Chiang Mai through the San Kamphaeng area, known for its traditional crafts, wood carving, and pottery. Stop at Baan Jang Nak, an impressive wooden museum and workshop founded by a local artist who spent decades creating intricate wooden elephants of all sizes. Each sculpture is unique and beautifully detailed, reflecting Thailand’s deep cultural connection to elephants. Visitors can watch artisans at work and learn more about the local woodcarving traditions that have been passed down for generations.

Before returning to Chiang Mai, visit Kad Aui Ta, a charming local market where residents from nearby villages gather to sell fresh produce, local snacks, and handmade goods. It’s an authentic northern Thai market with friendly smiles, colorful stalls, and tempting aromas, a lovely final stop to soak up the everyday life of the countryside. Return to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon after a day filled with culture, nature, and genuine encounters. This private tour offers a perfect blend of mountain scenery, local traditions, and peaceful moments.