Nan Experience 2025
 

Nan Experience is a unique 10 day package of cooking classes and cultural tours and activities based in the township of Nan. We aim to give you an authentic taste of northern Thai food and culture. Set in this unspoilt corner of north eastern Thailand, close to the Laotian border, Nan retains its essential Thai-ness and is an ideal base to truly relax and immerse yourself in the sights, tastes and sounds of
this area. 

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Your host, Duang Tengtrirat, has partnered with a very committed and knowledgeable team of local women - a hotel owner, an accredited tour guide and a chef - who provide the wealth of their combined expertise and local knowledge to give you a unique experience. Nan Experience operates as a responsible and sustainable social enterprise, supporting and encouraging the businesses it works with to adopt ecologically sustainable practices and to use ethically sourced products. It works with and supports small, locally owned businesses and promotes the maintenance and resurgence of traditional crafts and skills. It reinvests its revenue in local communities and businesses. Nan Experience works with the values of respect, integrity, creativity and equality in every aspect of its activities.

 

You will be staying at Nan Boutique Hotel, which has won numerous sustainability awards, the latest being the 2023 and 2024 ASEAN Green Hotel Award. The very comfortable accommodation at Nan Boutique Hotel is provided on a single occupancy basis. Rooms are air conditioned, and the ensuites are supplied with organic local personal products. Delicious breakfasts are served on the open air balcony in the hotel grounds. Nan Boutique Hotel is a short walk to Baan Ya, the traditional shopfront house that will be our base.

 

Duang grew up in Nan. She spent her adult life living in the USA and Australia but has kept strong ties to her home town and to Thai culture throughout her life. Duang is a passionate cook and learnt by watching and helping her mother prepare fresh food daily for her family of 11 from her outdoor kitchen. It’s in this kitchen at Baan Ya that our cooking classes will be held. Duang has refurbished her mother’s kitchen to create a comfortable space for groups to cook, dine and relax, maintaining its traditional Thai charm but adding some 21st century conveniences. Cooking classes are hands-on and fun, and culminate in a shared lunch served with cooling herbal infusions or ice cold local beer.

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Cooking classes will alternate with excursions out of Nan that will enable you to see and experience more of the area. Excursions will include visits to: a Thai Lue village where you’ll observe traditional spinning, weaving and broom-making; a Hmong family home where we will observe and learn their traditional techniques of batiking and indigo-dyeing; a Thai farmer who has transformed his home to include a pizza oven whilst continuing rice farming; an ancient salt pit in the hills behind Nan, and much more.*** We’ll also spend time with a Thai farming family on their permaculture farm and prepare food from produce grown on the farm. As well, there will be visits to Nan’s wonderful night market, a local coffee house (the Nan region is known for its high quality coffee) and a variety of local eateries.

 

There will be plenty of free time to shop, have a relaxing Thai massage (onsite at your accommodation), go for a swim at nearby Nan Resort Hotel, explore Nan on pushbike or just relax in your hotel room. Early risers can enjoy checking out the morning food market, attend the free community qi gong classes in a nearby park or be part of the community’s daily alms-giving to local Buddhist monks. 

 

In 2025 we will offer two small group tours (see dates below). Each group will have an English-speaking host who will be your first point of contact for day to day matters and tour logistics.

 

**Subject to change. The wet season can be unpredictable and very heavy rains can cause the closure of roads preventing some excursions to go ahead. If this happens, alternate excursions and activities will be substituted.

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TOUR DATES FOR 2025 

Group 1: 21 - 30 August

Group 2: 11 - 21 September

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Group size - 12 maximum

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WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• Pick-up and drop-off at Nan airport.

• 10 nights accommodation at Nan Boutique Hotel, winner of 2023 and 2024 ASEAN Green Hotel Award. 

• 10 breakfasts, with choices of Thai or international food.

• Wifi at Nan Boutique Hotel and at Baan Ya.

• All tours and local transportation.

• Local registered tour guide.

• 5 cooking classes.

• 10 lunches and 10 dinners. 

• Filtered water and local beer.

• Pushbikes for those who want to explore Nan on wheels.

• Tips to all service providers.

 

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• Domestic and international flights.

• Personal expenses such as: laundry, phone, massages, drinks, etc.

• Personal travel insurance (it is highly recommended that you take out suitable travel insurance before you leave home).

• Accommodation before and after the designated 10 days of the tour. You will need to arrange and pay for any additional accommodation directly with Nan Boutique Hotel & Resort or elsewhere.

 

WHAT TO BRING:

• Light breathable clothing, easily washable (natural fibres recommended).

• Shoes suitable for walking in and able to withstand wet conditions.

• Sunhat and sunscreen.

• Swimwear.

• Insect repellent.

• Water bottle and electrolytes.

• Personal medications as required.

• Electric adaptor (Thai wall plug-in is same as Japan and US).

• Book/s - there is a small exchange library at the hotel and at Baan Ya.

• Charging cables for your devices.

• Cash - most local transactions are made in cash.

 

IS THIS TRIP RIGHT FOR YOU?

All cooking classes will have vegetarian and vegan options if requested, and the restaurants with whom we are partnering are keen to adapt dishes to vegetarian and vegan options. However the tour is unable to accommodate people on FODMAP diets or who have coeliac disease. 

 

During August and September, the weather in Nan is hot and humid, and on some days it can get very hot. Remember to use sun protection, drink plenty of water and add electrolytes regularly, as even short walks can take it out of you quickly. On some of the tour days you will be walking up to 1 km at a time, so prepare yourself to be in the best condition you can for the tour.

 

It is the rainy season so be prepared for heavy tropical downpours - umbrellas will be provided.

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TOUR COST

AUD $3,900 per person Single Occupancy

USD $2,600 per person Single Occupancy

If you are travelling as a couple or with a friend with whom you want to share a room, please contact me to discount the price. 

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CANCELLATION POLICY

• $500AUD or $300USD non-refundable deposit is to be made at the time of booking to secure your place. Your deposit will be refunded if for any reason the tour cannot proceed.

• The balance of the total fee is payable no less than 60 days before the commencement of your Nan Experience group.

• Once your final payment has been made, no refund will be given unless you can find a replacement.

 

Email: Nan.experience3@gmail.com 

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