International Retreats
Thailand Multi-Adventure Wellness Trip
January 16-28, 2027
Note: This trip’s dates are compatible with the 2027 Laos and Cambodia trip for anyone wishing to combine both trips.
Overview of Thailand
Our multi‑adventure wellness retreat combines yoga, nature, and cultural exploration in northern Thailand. We begin in Chiang Mai, the 'Rose of the North,' where golden temples rise above forested hills. We balance adventure and restoration with yoga, massage, and cooking lessons amid the region’s botanical gardens and mountain sanctuaries. Our journey continues north to Chiang Rai, gateway to the Golden Triangle, where intricate temples, hill tribe villages, and calm riverscapes create an unforgettable retreat conclusion.
Day 1- January 16
Departure from U.S. and Travel
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Jan 17th-Jan 18th (Delta/ Korea Air)
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Jan 17: 7:48am-10:00am IND-JFK
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Jan 17: 12:00pm-5:45pm (+1) JFK-ICN
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Jan 18: 7:05pm-11:05pm ICN-CNX
Recommended Group Flight IND-CNX-IND (Option 1):
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Jan 25th (Korea Air/Delta)
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Jan 25: 12:15am-7:05am CNX-ICN
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Jan 25: 9:35am-8:40am ICN-DTW
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Jan 25: 10:00am-11:22am DTW-IND
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Jan 16-17 (Delta/ Korea Air)
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Jan 16: 7:48-10:00 IND-JFK
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Jan 16: 12:00-17:45 (+1) JFK-ICN
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Jan 17: 19:05-23:05 ICN-CNX
Recommended Group Flight IND-CNX-IND
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Jan 28 (Korea Air/Delta)
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Jan 28: 00:15-7:05 CNX-ICN
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Jan 28: 9:35-8:40 ICN-DTW
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Jan 28: 10:00-11:22 DTW-IND
Note: there are various Delta flight options from IND or your city of origin to reach Seoul (ICN) but choose one that gets you on the final Korean Air flight from ICN-CNX if you’d like to be included in the group transportation option.
Day 2-January 17
Arrival
Arrive in Chiang Mai and transfer to Horizon Village & Resort, a 115-acre botanical retreat with a focus on wellness and mindfulness. If you are traveling on the group flight, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the resort. If you arrive separately, you may take a local taxi or rideshare (Grab or Bolt) to the hotel (approximately 25 minutes, depending on traffic), or contact the trip leader if you prefer to arrange a private shuttle. Check-in begins at 14:00. If you arrive before the check-in time, the front desk can securely store your bags at no charge, and you can enjoy the hotel facilities, spa, and restaurants. Overnight: Horizon Village & Resort**** Horizon Village & Resort is a welcoming haven nestled within a magnificent 115-acre Botanic Garden. Renowned for its wellness retreats, the resort emphasizes health and mindfulness. The culinary team prepares Thai and Western fusion menus featuring organic, nutritious dishes that sustainably support the local community. There is a coffee shop, several pools, and a fitness center to enjoy. You can also book rejuvenating treatments at the spa and hot air balloon rides (additional charge).
Day 3-January 18
Yoga & Old City Temples (B/L/D)
Buffet breakfast is available from 6:30–10:00. At ~9:00, we meet for a short walk through the botanic garden, ending at our yoga location for a one-hour introductory session. Getting morning sunlight in our eyes helps ease jet lag. Around midday, we head into town for lunch, followed by a massage at the Women’s Prison Massage Center, a social enterprise that provides vocational training for formerly incarcerated women in Thai massage services, enabling them to earn a livelihood after release. We relax with a foot or body massage, knowing we are contributing to rehabilitation and empowerment efforts. (More information: https://dignitynetwork.org/womens-massage-center.) After the massage, we visit a few of Chiang Mai’s most notable landmarks, including the Three Kings Monument, which honors the city’s founders; Wat Phra Singh, known for its revered Buddha image and classic Lanna architecture with intricately carved teak and multi-tiered roofs; and Wat Chedi Luang, famous for its massive stupa. We end the day with a group dinner. Overnight: Horizon Village & Resort****
Day 4-January 19
Market Tour; Cooking Class & Waterfall; Yoga (B/L)
If you are joining the cooking school, it is suggested to skip breakfast at the hotel because we have breakfast in the market. Our excursion runs from approximately 8:30–16:30, beginning with transport to a local open-air market where we are introduced to fragrant herbs, tropical fruits, and other essential ingredients that feature in the Thai dishes we prepare. The guide purchases prepared foods, which we enjoy for breakfast with coffee or tea in the market. Afterward, we proceed to the cooking school, where each of us prepares and enjoys a multi-course lunch and receives recipes to recreate the dishes at home. On our way back to the resort, we stop at Bua Thong Waterfall, known for its limestone-rich rocks that create a “sticky” surface, allowing us to climb the waterfall with relative ease. A sunset yoga session will be offered by the pool. Dinner is on your own. (The cooking school sends us back with leftovers from lunch, or you may dine at the hotel restaurant.) Overnight: Horizon Village & Resort****
Day 5-January 20
Doi Suthep & Monk’s Trail; Nimman District (B/L/D)
Eat an early breakfast at the hotel or request a packed breakfast. We depart at 7:30 for the approximately one-hour drive to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a gilded temple perched atop Chiang Mai’s highest mountain, revered for its spiritual significance and expansive views. According to legend, the site is chosen when a Buddha relic carried by a white elephant comes to rest on the mountain. We wear modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered). After climbing the 300 steps to the temple—or opting for the elevator—and taking in the views, we continue to Wat Pha Lat, a quiet forest monastery once used as a resting place for monks ascending Doi Suthep. Here, we participate in guided meditation beside the waterfall. We then hike down the Monk’s Trail (approximately 2 miles) through the forest, emerging near a café where we stop for lunch. After lunch, we head to the Nimman district, known for its creative energy and contemporary design. We have time to browse the boutiques and galleries at One Nimman, a cultural mall that blends traditional Lanna-inspired architecture with modern elements, or enjoy treatments at the numerous spas. We have dinner in the area before returning to the resort. Overnight: Horizon Village & Resort****
Day 6-January 21
Waterfall; Doi Inthanon National Park; Cloud Forest Hike; King & Queen Pagodas (B/L/D)
We depart at 7:30 for a full-day tour of Doi Inthanon National Park. There are multiple opportunities throughout the day to purchase drinks and snacks. Pack a warm jacket, long pants, a hat, and gloves, as temperatures can drop to around 40°F or lower as we gain elevation. After a scenic drive, we stop at the cascading Wachirathan Waterfall. We then trek the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail for approximately 2–3 hours, followed by lunch at a local open-air restaurant and an opportunity to taste locally grown coffee. After lunch, we drive to Doi Inthanon, the highest point in Thailand at 8,415 feet, and take a short walk along the Ang Ka Luang cloud forest trail. We continue to the King and Queen Pagodas to view the flower gardens and mountain scenery, then visit a Hmong market offering fresh and dried fruits, nuts, honey, plum wine, and infused whiskey. We return to the resort, stopping for dinner on the way back. Overnight: Horizon Village & Resort****
Day 7-January 22
Elephant Sanctuary; Yoga (B/L)
We depart at 7:30 for our excursion to the Elephant Nature Park Sanctuary, a refuge dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating elephants while promoting ethical tourism through a strict no-riding policy. Upon arrival, we join a guided walk with the staff and the elephants, learning about their history and the sanctuary’s conservation work. Along the way, we visit the river that skirts the park to observe the herd in their natural environment and gain insight into their habitat and daily life. We also have the opportunity to meet Wan Mai, the elephant supported by donations from the Peace through Yoga Foundation. A vegan buffet lunch awaits us, offering a range of Asian and international dishes. In the afternoon, we return to the resort with time to relax before joining a sunset yoga session. Dinner is on your own. Overnight: Horizon Village & Resort****
Day 8-January 23
Agape Home Orphanage; Transfer to Chiang Rai; (B/L)
Pack your bags for checkout. We leave at ~9:45 to offer lunch and donations for the children at Agape Home orphanage. After our group lunch near the orphanage, we begin our scenic three-hour drive north to Chiang Rai, passing through mountain landscapes, forests, and tea and coffee plantations. We should reach our next hotel Le Meridien Chiang Rai by early evening, with time to rest and enjoy the riverside views. Overnight: Le Meridien***** Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort is a luxurious 5-star hotel located along the calm banks of the Kok River, offering a serene retreat surrounded by picturesque gardens and expansive views. The resort tastefully blends contemporary design with traditional Thai elements, providing a refined and culturally immersive experience. Its spacious and elegantly designed rooms and suites offer either river or garden views, while guests can enjoy an infinity-edge swimming pool, a fully equipped fitness center, and a spa offering relaxing treatments for a rejuvenating stay.
Day 9-January 24
Yoga; Relaxation Day; Night market (B)
You have a day of relaxation after many full days of sightseeing. Morning flow yoga will be offered under the large shade tree. You can relax by the pool and enjoy the in house spa. At about 18:00 we head to the bustling Chiang Rai Night Bazaar for dinner—a lively evening market brimming with handmade textiles, silver jewelry, wood and bamboo crafts, herbal soaps, teas, and local artwork. You have time to wander among the stalls and sample northern Thai foods like Khao Soi, Pad Thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice—or, for the adventurous, durian, BBQ crocodile or snake whiskey. Each person pays for their own dinner. We return to the resort when you’ve had your fill of shopping and eating. Overnight: Le Meridien*****
Day 10-January 25
White Temple, Singha Park; “Big Buddha”; Black House; Blue Temple (B/L)
We depart at 8:00 for Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), admiring its intricate white design and symbolic artwork, followed by Singha Park, surrounded by tea plantations, orchards, and flower gardens. Here we rent bikes, golf carts or ride the hop-on-hop-off bus to see the park’s various attractions. We have lunch in the park and then proceed to Wat Huay Pla Kang, home to the towering white statue of Guan Yin and panoramic views of Chiang Rai. We also visit Baan Dam Museum (the Black House), a striking complex of dark teak structures showcasing contemporary art and northern Thai symbolism. Our final stop is Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) with its brilliant blue and gold interior. We return to the resort by early evening for dinner on your own. Overnight: Le Meridien*****
Day 11-January 26
Waterfall, Trekking and Bamboo Rafting; (B/L/D)
We depart the hotel at 9:00 and drive to Lam Nam Kok National Park, where we take a two-mile round-trip hike to Khun Kon Waterfall (230 feet), the tallest in Chiang Rai Province, with time for an optional swim. From there, we continue to a riverside restaurant for lunch, followed by a choice of hikes: an easy walk with a farm tour or a moderate 3-4 hour trek through bamboo forest, and terraced farmland, passing rice paddies, pineapple fields, rubber plantations, and other local crops. Both groups reconvene at the guide’s farm, where we take a short bamboo canoe ride across a quiet lake. We end the tour at a restaurant near the hotel for a farewell dinner. Overnight: Le Meridien*****
Day 12-January 27
Closing Yoga; Transfer to Chiang Mai; (B/D)
After breakfast, we conclude our retreat with a reflective yoga session. Pack your bags for checkout by 12:00. We’re welcome to continue enjoying the resort’s amenities—relax by the riverside pool, indulge in a spa treatment, or enjoy lunch or afternoon tea at one of the hotel’s restaurants or cafés. The hotel front desk/ trip leader can also assist with organizing a taxi to downtown for those who’d like to explore more or do additional shopping. The group shuttle to Chiang Mai Airport departs at 16:00, with a stop along the way for dinner, and is expected to arrive by 21:30—in ample time for the 00:15 group flight on January 28. If you’re not joining the group flight or departing at a different time, the trip leader can assist with arranging private transportation from Chiang Rai at an additional cost to match your travel schedule.
Day 13-January 28
Return to the U.S.
PRICE PER PERSON:
$3399 DOUBLE OCCUPANCY + $1000 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Payment
Schedule:
Book your space by filling our Reservation Form below and call Susie Morwick at 317-544-8391 (Venmo also an option)
Send checks to:
Peace through Yoga Foundation
Attention: Susie Morwick
7904 Pine Lake Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
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A $500 non-refundable deposit per person is due at booking; balance due 120 days before departure.
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Payable by check or venmo to Peace through Yoga Foundation; 3.5% fee for credit cards.
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Cancellation: $500 fee up to 120 days prior; 100% fee after.
Trip cancellation insurance is recommended
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Travel Guard at 800-454-7107
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i travel insured - 317-655-4500
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
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Pre-departure discussion group to orient you and answer any questions
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Airport transfers (if on the recommended group flights)
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Accommodations at a four star resort in Chiang Mai and a five-star resort in Chiang Rai
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Daily activities as described
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Meals as described
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Meditation and yoga classes as described
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Trip leaders
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
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Airfare
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Airport transfers
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Beverages
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Personal expenses
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Tipping to guides
Notes:
Itinerary may vary based on availability, weather, and local events.
Trip Leaders:
Christine Klotz, MPH, has lived as a nomad for almost 20 years, balancing a career working as an international public health professional in refugee camps around the world with long distance walking for thousands of miles in more than 100 countries. She has lived in various locations in Thailand including Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Lanta and Chiang Mai, participating in the thriving digital nomad scene, and sampling an array of yoga retreats, hiking excursions and cooking schools. On her first day in Chiang Mai she was immediately reminded of Thai hospitality when she got disoriented on a forest trail in an area without mobile phone coverage. As sunset was approaching and her phone battery was dying, she hitchhiked with a local family back to their village where they charged her phone with their solar battery, fed her, dressed her in the largest Santa sweater they could rustle from the closet to stem the post run chills, and drove her to a nearby main road to catch a taxi, finally bequeathing her with a bag of freshly boiled eggs from their free range chickens and all the while staunchly refusing any kind of material compensation with broad smiles. They did, however, reluctantly accept the return of the prized Christmas sweater. Christine is always dreaming about the next adventure. “It's a beautiful world, and I'll be thrilled to explore it with you one step at a time.”
Christine Klotz
Margherita Milite, PhD, is a physicist and RYT 200 yoga instructor from Salerno, Italy, between the Amalfi and Cilento coasts. For more than 22 years she has worked in research, first in particle and astrophysics and later in diagnostic imaging, living in Germany and the United States. Wherever she goes, a pair of hiking shoes and a yoga mat travel with her—tools for recognizing beauty and diversity along life’s path. Walking in nature has been a lifelong passion. She serves as a trained volunteer hiking guide with the Federazione Italiana Escursionismo (FIE), supporting nonprofit groups on trails across southern Italy. Yoga has steadily deepened her perspective; she is a Yoga Alliance–certified instructor and practices Yoga Ratna, a tradition developed by Gabriella Cella that draws on symbolic awareness and energy. She has completed certifications in Yoga for Healthy Aging and Therapeutic Yoga for Disabilities. She values sharing her passions and learning from others.
Margherita Milite
To register for this trip, complete the Booking Request, then call Reservations Manager, Susie Morwick, if you would like to book via credit card at a 3.5% feel or use VENMO, at (317) 544-8391. Or send initial deposit of $500 to:
Peace through Yoga Foundation
7904 Pine Lake Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
*A $500 deposit is due upon booking (no more than seven days after confirmation). Balance is due 120 days prior to departure.