Dates available:
Sun 30 November - Sat 06 December 2025
Sun 25 January - Sat 31 January 2026

Disconnect to Reconnect: A Transformative 7-Day, 6-Night Retreat in a Remote Karen Hill Tribe Village

Escape the noise of the outside world and step into a realm of pure, grounded magic. This soul-stirring retreat invites you to spend seven unforgettable days immersed in the serene cloud forests of Northern Thailand, nestled atop a mountain in a remote Karen hill tribe village.

Each day unfolds with a spiritually enriching rhythm — from sunrise yoga and mindfulness meditations to sunset sound healing and nourishing wellbeing practices. You’ll move gently with nature’s flow, surrounded by misty peaks and ancient trees.

This sacred mountaintop sanctuary is also home to a family of majestic elephants, living freely in their natural habitat. Guided by skilled and compassionate mahouts, you’ll trek through the jungle to observe these gentle giants and learn about their deep, symbiotic bond with the land and local community.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the Karen people through hands-on experiences in traditional crafts like basket weaving and fabric making. Your stay in a welcoming family homestay allows for authentic connection, offering insight into a way of life that is simple, rooted, and deeply respectful of nature.

This once-in-a-lifetime journey is designed to awaken your senses, open your heart, and stir your spirit. Reconnect with yourself and others in the most meaningful of ways — guided by ancient wisdom, wild beauty, and the profound peace of presence.

Wild Heart Awakened x The Mahouts Elephant Foundation
A Transformative 7-Day Retreat in Northern Thailand

Elephant Conservation, Indigenous Culture & Inner Awakening

This retreat is a unique and powerful collaboration between Wild Heart Awakened and The Mahouts Elephant Foundation, offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity to disconnect from modern life and reconnect with what truly matters—nature, community, and self.

You are invited to journey deep into the remote mountains of Northern Thailand, where the cloud forest meets indigenous wisdom and ethical conservation. Over 7 days and 6 nights, you’ll stay in an authentic Karen hill tribe village, surrounded by pristine forest and a family of elephants who now roam freely in their natural habitat.

This is a retreat for the wild-hearted, the soul-seekers, and those who wish to walk gently on the Earth, supporting real change while experiencing deep personal renewal.

An Ethical Approach to Elephant Tourism

The Mahouts Elephant Foundation is a ground-breaking organization that rescues elephants from the exploitative tourism industry and reintroduces them into protected forest sanctuaries. Here, elephants are not ridden or made to perform. Instead, they are free to live as they were meant to—wild, unchained, and in harmony with the land.

By joining this retreat, you directly support this ethical model. The mahouts, traditional elephant guardians, earn a sustainable income by guiding guests into the forest to observe the elephants with respect. Local families benefit from preparing your meals and sharing their homes and traditions. Meanwhile, the foundation continues vital research into elephant behavioural and social ecology, helping to shape the future of ethical elephant care in Thailand.

This retreat is not just a visit—it’s a living example of conservation in action.

Option 1: Village Homestay (included in retreat fee)

Staying with a host family is both welcoming and comfortable. Placing you in the very heart of village life, leaving you with a real sense of community living. Each homestay is different, but all host stunning views and friendly smiling faces – all of which will be eager to learn more about you, your family and your country, making you feel right at home in no time.  

Your host family will provide you with bedding and a mosquito net. The Karen sleep on the floor and this is what is also provided for you, with the addition of a small mattress for additional comfort.  Bathrooms are clean and accessible with Asian style squat toilets or a western toilet and either traditional bucket shower – which are both refreshing and bracing depending on the time of year!  -  or in some households, you may even have a hot shower!

Your host family will cook for you throughout the duration of your stay, providing you with delicious traditional Karen dishes to share, and the opportunity to be a part of their incredibly unique and special way of life.

Option 2: Our guest lodge (available at an additional supplement fee)

The Mahouts Elephants Foundation guest lodge has been built at the very top of the village, providing guests with the most incredible views over the village and out across the stunning forest and mountains.  

The lodge is equipped with comfortable beds, mosquito nets, and a large communal area allowing you to soak up the surrounding views. There is a shared bathroom with a western toilet and hot shower too, plus a kettle to make tea & coffee at your leisure. 

While you will not be staying with a host family, there will be a family allocated to cater for you during your stay, providing you with delicious traditional Karen dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner... and your meals will be shared with the other retreat guests at the family home.

Traveling to and from Mae Sot is incredibly easy and there are multiple travel styles to choose from. Mae Sot is accessible from both Chiang Mai and Bangkok, with easy flight connections both on land and from the beaches in southern Thailand.

Fly to Mae Sot
Nok Air provides between 4/5 direct flights from Bangkok daily.

If this is the option of travel for you, please try to arrive in Mae Sot by lunch time on Day 1.
Please do not book a flight any earlier than 11:00am on the day of your departure, as our team will need time to transport you back to Mae Sot airport. An 11:00am flight will give you plenty of time to connect with further flights traveling within Thailand.

VIP Bus to Mae Sot
Green Bus Thailand provides 2 buses from Chiang Mai to Mae Sot daily (8:30am and 1:00pm), this journey takes approximately 6/7 hours through beautiful Thai countryside, and includes a 20 minutes rest stop.

The Teak Hotel
Nights 1 and 6 will be spent at the Teak Hotel in Mae Sot. A private hotel room for these two nights is included in your fee. The Teak Hotel is a 4 star hotel, complete with a swimming pool, gym, and buffet breakfast (veg & non-veg) which is available to indulge in on Day 2 (before we depart for the village) and on departure Day 7 before check out.

Day 1 - Meeting:
We will meet at the Teak Hotel at 5pm on Day 1 of your trip, before heading to dinner (included) together at the Mahouts Elephant Foundation quarters in Mae Sot. 

Day 7 - Departing:
Check out is on Day 7 after breakfast (included). You are welcome to depart at any time. 

Please note: an optional farewell dinner will take place on the evening of Day 6, once we have returned to Mae Sot. This dinner is the only meal expense not included in the trip. 

If you would like to extend your stay for any additional nights before or after the trip, we recommend that you book this directly with the hotel. 

Dates available: 

Sun 30 November - Sat 06 December 2025 

Sun 25 January - Sat 31 January 2026 

Select your chosen dates when booking your place from the options drop down.

Elephant Trekking
You will be walking through hilly forest in the heat so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
It is essential that you come equipped with appropriate hiking footwear or gum boots, and layered clothing suitable for all weathers. We recommend wearing dark/earthy tones rather than bright colours which can startle the elephants and wildlife. More information on what to bring and how to prepare will be sent to you in advance of the trip. 

Insurance
We work with Elephants in Forest who have local insurance but it is ESSENTIAL that you travel with your own personal travel insurance.

Visas
You are responsible for arranging your own travel and visa when visiting Thailand. This is not included in the trip. 

Non-Refundable Deposit

The deposit will be taken for each person when completing the booking. This deposit is strictly NON REFUNDABLE and non-transferrable. The deposit will be paid to Mahouts Elephant Foundation, a UK registered charity, who will take care of you on your trip to the village.

Donation to Mahouts Elephant Foundation

Part of the money for your trip includes a donation to the elephant fund within the village. This is vital income to help run a sustainable project to ensure all of their elephants are returned to the forest in the future. If you would like to make any additional donations to Mahouts Elephant Foundation, this can be organised in advance of the trip via your trip booking, or you can donate directly via the Mahouts Elephant Foundation website, or in person.

ATMs & Cash
Please note there are no ATMs at the Karen village. You will be able to access an ATM before and after your trip, in Mae Sot. If you wish to purchase local crafts from the villagers, you will need to be prepared with cash in Thai Baht currency. The villagers cannot accept card payments or bank transfers. 

 
Snacks
There are no major food shops available at the Karen village, but there is a small local hut which offers (great!) coffee and a small selection of Thai snacks. If you desire to bring additional snacks for your own comfort, you are welcome to do so, and these can be easily purchased in Mae Sot before we transfer to the village.

Please note, you will not have access to a fridge/freezer, so only bring items which can withstand being stored at room temperature. There is also a kettle available in the guest lodge if you wish to bring your own tea/coffee (homestayers can use this too). Don't worry though - you will be fed well by the families!

WIFI
There is no WIFI in the village, and extremely limited data signal. It is very likely that you will experience no phone connection whatsoever during Days 2-5 of the retreat. Nomads - be prepared to leave your laptops at home... this is an opportunity to fully disconnect from the outside world and immerse yourself in nature & connection with others! If you do need to send a message home in the case of an emergency, our team will assist you.

Meals & Dietary Requirements
All meals at the Karen village will be homecooked and freshly prepared using local ingredients. We operate a full vegetarian menu throughout the retreat. Day 2 and Day 7 will include a buffet breakfast at the Teak Hotel, where non-veg options are also available. Please contact us if you have any notable dietary requirements or allergies. 

The Mahouts Elephant Foundation rescue elephants caught in the tourism industry and introduce them to protected forest in their projects across Thailand. Their approach ensures that elephants, the forest and the local community benefit.
 

The Foundation offer one-of-a-kind trips to observe the elephants in their natural habitat and experience living in a Karen hill tribe community, learning about and being immersed their ancient and fascinating culture.

"We are a foundation that works through ground-breaking collaborations with local communities fostering harmony and protecting Asian elephants and the communities that coexist with them."

The elephants roam free all day, the mahouts earn a sustainable income by leading guests into the forest to see them, the community earn additional income from catering for guests throughout their stay, and the project facilitates our research program into the elephants behavioural and social ecology in their natural habitat.