Picking up where we left off on our little adventure in Chiang Mai, Thailand, D and I were ready for another day of exploring. This time, we were heading out of the city to discover the charming mountain village of Mae Kampong.
We hired a private tour guide with a car for a more relaxed and convenient trip. He picked us up from our hotel at 9:00 AM, and soon enough, we were on our way to the mountains.
The drive from Chiang Mai to Mae Kampong typically takes around an hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic and one’s starting point in the city. As we left the Chiang Mai streets behind, the scenery gradually changed into winding mountain roads and glimpses of rural life.
Mae Kampong is a small village nestled in the mountains east of Chiang Mai, known for its traditional wooden houses, cooler climate and forest surroundings. With streams running through the village, it offers a refreshing escape from the busier parts of Chiang Mai. Our tour guide shared that many locals, not just from Chiang Mai, head to Mae Kampong for weekend getaways.
Our first stop was the Mae Kampong Waterfall. It was a beautiful attraction surrounded by dense forest. When we arrived, there were hardly any other visitors around, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Our guide gave us some free time to explore the area, so D and I made our way up the waterfall trail, which was a moderate climb. We went as far up as we could but didn’t reach the top as the trail grew steeper and became increasingly obstructed by overhanging branches.
High above I appreciated not just the sound of the water cascading over the rocks, but also the greenery enveloping us. Pretty wildflowers appeared along the way, and though it was not an elaborate adventure, it was a genuinely refreshing one.
After a while, we made our way back down to the parking area, where our guide was waiting for us. It was time to move on to our next stop.
Our guide drove us to Rabiang View, a café overlooking Mae Kampong village. We managed to secure seats with a wonderful vantage point, allowing us to look out over the village below while enjoying a cup of Thai iced tea.
On our way back towards the village, our guide made a quick stop at Wat Kanthapruesksa, a small temple set amid a stream.
It was an interesting little detour. The temple itself was modest in size, but its setting made it memorable.
Finally, we arrived at Mae Kampong village itself, where we were ready for lunch.
D and I enjoyed a wonderful Thai meal, and naturally, we ordered som tam, one of his favourites. Som tam is a Thai salad traditionally made with shredded unripe papaya, tomatoes, long beans, lime juice, fish sauce, chillies, garlic, and palm sugar. The ingredients are pounded together in a mortar to combine their flavours, resulting in a refreshing salad that balances sour, sweet, salty, and spicy notes. Depending on the version, it may also include dried shrimp, peanuts, or fermented fish. D loves this so much that no trip to a Thai restaurant would be complete without it.
After lunch, we set off on a leisurely stroll through the village streets. Mae Kampong has a quaint, lived-in charm, with traditional houses, little souvenir shops, cafés, and some street art lining its narrow roads. There was no ATM in the village and most of the shops only accept cash.
After window shopping our guide drove us to our final stop, Paradise Sunset Cafe, was one of the highlights of the day. It was a café with treetop views and the setting was incredibly picturesque. I understand that the property also accommodates overnight guests, but for this visit, D and I simply enjoyed the café and its surroundings.
From our elevated vantage point, we could appreciate just how lush and expansive the landscape was. It was so tranquil there, and hearing the birds made the experience more special.
We could have stayed there for much longer, but eventually, it was time to leave and drive back to Chiang Mai.
When we settled back into our hotel, the night market was setting up once again. Rather than simply following the same stretch of street we had explored the previous evening, D and I decided to venture a little farther down the road. We discovered a cute, serene spot filled with elephant sculptures.
I remember wishing I had brought a book with me. I could imagine sitting on one of those benches for an hour or two, reading quietly while enjoying the surroundings. But since I had no book with me, I settled for something just as enjoyable. I watched the birds flying about overhead.
For dinner D and I went to Hia Chai TomYum and Yentafo Noodles shop near our hotel. I was so happy as we only get to eat yentafo in Thailand, and I don’t see any Thai restaurants in my city which have this in their menu. Yentafo is a savory-sweet dish which has a distinctive pinkish-red broth. For dessert we had sticky mango rice.
That wraps up our second day in Chiang Mai. Our day trip to Mae Kampong was a lovely addition to our short adventure. It offered a different perspective on northern Thailand, one that was quieter, greener, and more closely connected to nature.
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