At Home with the Thai

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Den Chai - Homestay - Den Chai
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
from ££ 185.- per person (excluding flights)
When to go:
November - May

Sometimes when travelling in Thailand, it can be hard to discover authentic experiences or take a detour off the well-worn tourist route. However, we've found an authentic homestay in the Thai countryside. You'll stay with a local Dutch-Thai family who run their Thailand homestay in a sustainable, eco-friendly way and offer you a unique opportunity to experience real life in rural Thailand. You'll take a trip to a local village and learn all about the traditional Thai way of life before jumping on a bicycle and cycling through the untouched countryside. Here the landscapes are more rugged, the stars seem to shine brighter, and the people are ready to welcome you.

Day 1 – Arrival in Valley of Phrae

Upon arrival at the train station you’ll be met by your host for the next few days who’ll take you by songtaew to their home. The journey normally takes around an hour, but if you arrive before lunch time (and your train is on time!) you’ll make a few stops along the way at a local ‘mohom’ home-craft centre where you can see how the traditional indigo blue clothes are made. Along the way you’ll notice how rural, mountainous and rugged the landscape is in this quiet province. You’ll stay with the family in their Thai style house where you’ll have a private bedroom and shared bathroom. This evening you can watch the sunset and admire the stars in the clear night sky.

Day 2 – Village visit & free time

You’ll awake to the sounds of the Thai countryside and the small of breakfast prepared by your hosts. Today they’ll take you to the nearby village of Song a Thai village reminiscent of days gone by. You won’t find many other tourists here, but you will see the villagers going about their daily lives. Depending on the time of year you can expect to see rice farming, drying tobacco leaves, incense stick and charcoal production or rubber tree planting. Along with your host, you’ll head to a local restaurant for lunch. This way you’ll directly support the local community.

After a simple, but tasty meal you’ll travel back to your homestay. This afternoon is essentially free for you to do as you please. Although a sleepy village, you can still find plenty to do to fill your afternoon. Not far from the homestay is an artificial lake with a dam. Almost the entire district of Song is irrigated with water from this dam and the lake is quite a peaceful spot for relaxing or taking a dip in the cool waters. We recommend hiring a bike for the day during your stay. Your hosts can lend you one free of charge so you can explore the untamed landscape under your own steam. In the evening your hosts will arrange a camp fire and you can enjoy a delicious barbecue before heading back to your room with a full stomach.

Day 3 – Departure from Valley of Phrae

If you’re an early riser, you won’t want to miss a particularly memorable alms giving ritual that takes place every morning at sunrise. Religious Thais bow their heads and give monks rice and fruit while on their knees. Remember to keep your distance and be respectful towards the monks. For breakfast, you can choose to have a local breakfast at the morning market or a western one at the homestay. You might find it tough to say goodbye when your hosts take you back to the train station ready for your onward journey.