This unique trip takes you to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand — an exotic paradise nicknamed “The Rose of the North,” and often referred to as Heaven on Earth. Here you’ll revitalise your mind, body and spirit while delving deep into the Thai culture and exploring its customs, cuisine and sports first-hand. You’ll meet locals, run jungle trails and revel in the country’s natural beauty and delicate peacefulness in a way that you’ve never dreamed possible — all while our personal trainers take you on your own bespoke fitness journey to get you into the best shape of your life.
Thailand’s hospitality is unrivalled. Whether you’re sipping tea in a private hill tribe home, enjoying a relaxing massage or learning the art of Muay Thai from a master, you’ll feel the calming pull of Thailand’s wonderful culture.
And for the foodies among you, prepare your taste buds to be dazzled: top Thai chefs will prepare a delectable array of dishes to keep you nourished throughout your schedule of workouts and adventures. They will also escort you on a trip to a local market where you’ll learn to select the best, freshest ingredients and then teach you how to prepare your own delicious and healthy Thai dishes — a skill you’ll cherish forever.
Planned in cooperation with our Thai partners, this fitness expedition takes you to the heart of Thailand, giving you exclusive access to authentic, rich experiences that you’ll never forget. Once you arrive, your feet will barely touch the ground as you embark on a journey to discover your true inner strength while also improving your physical strength, stamina and appearance.
Experience Thailand like never before. Northern Thailand is an unspoiled exotic piece of paradise. Visiting an exotic country is one thing, however to immerse oneself deep into the heart of a country, delve into a jungle and experience the touch and feel of nature like never before, it’s a totally different story. A completely unique experience. Fitness Travel Company have come together with our Thailand partners to create this magnificent adventure. Revitalise mind, body and spirit on this exhilarating trip of a lifetime. Once the trip begins your feet will never touch the ground, and you’ll discover a whole new side of excitement you didn’t know existed. As with all Fitness Adventure Travel departures, we included 3 weeks one-to-one training before you depart, plus 1 week when you return
Lisu Lodge is a spectacular hotel built in the traditional style of the Lisu people, a Tibeto-Burmanethnic group that inhabits the nearby Lisu Hill Tribe village. The hotel itself is part of a community-based project devoted to conserving the natural heritage of the hill tribes of northern Thailand. Lisu Lodge was designed with an eye for western comforts and is famous for its magical atmosphere and stunning setting overlooking the lush fields and hills surrounding the valley. This is the perfect base camp for your days of adventure, insight and relaxation.
Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai is Chiang Mai’s most magnificent resort. Spread over 60 acres of diverse landscape, it boasts serene paddy fields, exotic plantations and ancient palace-like structures. Here you’ll be enveloped in the rich heritage of the Lanna Kingdom. All of the resort’s spacious suites, villas and residences have been meticulously built in keeping with traditional Lanna and colonial-style architecture. They have private seating areas and generously proportioned bathrooms. Throughout the resort, an atmosphere of culture and calm prevails; beautiful artifacts from the resort’s private collection are displayed amidst the welcoming shroud of lush tropical greenery.
Day 1 – Chiang Mai, Arrival
• Arrival at Chiang Mai international airport and transfer to the Lisu Lodge in Mae Taeng
• Arrive at Lisu Lodge, receive welcome drink, snacks and program briefing for your action-packed week
• Short drive to Mae Taeng Valley for escorted Deep Jungle Run through the area around Lisu and on trails that connect the indigenous, rural community with other local villages
• Cool down with a fascinating walk through the local village guided by a village elder who will introduce you to Lisu customs and culture
• Relax, kick back and relish the wonder of your exotic surroundings
Day 2 – Spectacular Mountain Bike Ride
• Wake up with a morning revitalization juice delivered to your door
• Morning jungle jog
• Outdoor stretch with an emphasis on the power of breath
• Muay Thai training: A Master Instructor will introduce the fundamental techniques and skills of Thailand’s national sport. Classes will focus on punching, kicking, balance, rhythm and boosting power and coordination
• Spectacular mountain bike ride down winding dirt paths through the cool, deep jungle, upland pine forests and remote villages. Using only the highest-quality equipment, we will deliver a fun and exciting trip for all, with an emphasis on calorie burn and safety
• A healthy packed lunch picnic on the trail
• Relaxation time
• Dinner and overnight at Lisu Lodge
Day 3 – Trade Route Hike
• Early morning revitalization juice delivered to your door
• Outdoor Jungle Pump class
• Stretch and Movement class: a well deserved, soothing session designed to relieve any tightness in the joints or muscle soreness resulting from two action-packed days
• Muay Thai training session
• Trade Route Hike: We will navigate old trade routes through local forests, valleys, and streams on this full-day adventure. This unforgettable, rigorous workout takes you through a stunning landscape rich with colourful flora and fauna
• Lunch on the trail before trekking back to Lodge
• Relaxation time
• Dinner and overnight at the beautiful Lisu Lodge
Day 4 – Mae Taeng Challenge
• Early morning revitalization juice delivered to your door
• Yoga session
• Muay Thai training
• Mae Taeng Challenge: this will combine two popular team-building programs that require the group to work together to overcome physical challenges and successfully collect the gear needed to set-up a comfortable camp along the Mae Taeng River. This will be followed by a relaxing evening along the river enjoying a healthy meal and campfire
• Teaming With GPS: an engaging challenge in which the group is divided into “geo teams” for a competitive, high-tech treasure hunt. Each team is given critical resources, including GPS units and two-way radios. Participants work together to retrieve booty hidden on hillsides or along the river — you may even be required to captain a local bamboo raft!
• Bridge to Success: teams are challenged to cross a natural bridge made out of static ropes under the supervision of our rock-climbing professionals and using state-of-the art safety equipment. Secure rope systems are also provided as a precaution
• The Tyrolean Bridge: teams compete to construct a one-rope bridge. This requires mental and physical skills — not to mention leadership and teambuilding!
• Overnight Jungle Camp in basic Igloo tents
Day 5 – Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Bike Ride
• Early morning revitalization juice
• Jungle Stretch
• River raft adventure: adrenaline-pumping water rafting down the Mae Taeng river. For this activity, Fitness Adventure Travel has partnered with the only kayaking and rafting company in Chiang Mai to require that all guides be certified in swift-water rescue
• Transfer to Chiang Mai
• Arrival at the luxurious Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai resort
• Bike adventure: we bicycle up the steep mountain road to the holiest temple in Northern Thailand, the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, perched high above the city. This exhilarating ride takes us past picturesque waterfalls and vistas. Once at the top, the view is well worth the sweat
• Visit the temple to observe the monks’ evening rituals, chanting and prayers
• Return to the resort (transfer is available for those wishing for a more relaxing return)
• Dinner at Huan Soontaree, situated in a stunning location along the Mae Ping River. Hear famed singer Soontaree (the restaurant’s namesake) and other musicians serenading you with northern Thai folk music while you enjoy the local culinary delights
• Overnight at Dhara Dhevi
Day 6 – Thai Cooking Lesson
• Morning wake up with revitalization juice delivered to your door
• Outdoor circuit/speed yoga class
• Learn to prepare Thai Cuisine: this morning, one of the Dhara Dhevi’s Thai chefs will guide you at the local fresh food market, and teach you how to select the best, freshest ingredients. Return to the resort and learn to create delicious and healthy Thai dishes in a hands-on class where you will prepare your own lunch!
• Muay Thai training
• Overnight at Dhara Dhevi
Day 7 – The Amazing Race of Lanna
• Morning revitalization juice delivered to your door
• Early morning stretch
• Final Day Adventure Hunt: this activity combines exotic sightseeing, competition and hard-core fitness within a fast-paced, culturally thrilling treasure hunt. Participants will work together in teams to navigate Chiang Mai’s maze-like markets, bargain with street vendors and discover ancient ruins to complete their mission. Local fitness professionals will challenge you to high-energy challenges at cultural and historical checkpoints and at local gyms and parks. The final stop is a real Muay Thai gym where participants will put their week’s training to the test
Lanna Race challenges include:
• Tai Chi with locals in the park
• Scale a bouldering wall
• Complete mini circuit training
• Navigate maze-like Gad Luang, Chiang Mai’s oldest and biggest market, sample tasty local dishes, enjoy insect delicacies (if you dare!), learn about local handicrafts, and follow the aromas to the stunning flower market
• Discover the secrets of the five gates to the ancient city and learn the names of the three founders of the kingdom
• Sample Chiang Mai’s incredible range of delicious street food
• Ring an ancient temple gong for good luck and learn about the 8-fold path to enlightenment
• Locate the largest teak Buddha in the world
• Dine at a local restaurant
• Farewell dinner party at a riverside restaurant
• Overnight at Dhara Dhevi
Northern Thailand is geographically characterised by multiple mountain ranges, which continue from the Shan Hills in bordering Myanmar and Laos, and the river valleys which cut through them. Though like most of Thailand, it has a tropical savanna climate, its relatively high altitude and latitude contribute to more pronounced seasonal temperature variation, with cooler winters than the other regions. Historically it is related to the Lanna Kingdom and its culture.
Next Departure:
For further information please phone: +44 (0) 20 7971 1037
Duration:
7 nights – 8 days
Price:
Trip experience: £5,950 (based on two people sharing)
Single supplement: £850
Price Includes:
All accommodations, meals and daily detox juice
Daily personal fitness sessions with your personal fitness trainer
Authentic Thai cooking lessons and all activities as per itinerary