As far as unforgettable experiences go, this has to be one of my top five. I’d always seen pictures here and there of a tree house near Chiang Mai, but I never knew much about it, until now.
If You want a unique experience in Chiang Mai that get’s you away from the crowds, this is sure to be it!
Staying in a treehouse is a must and should not be missed! This is one of those Thailand bucket list moments that you will always remember.
1. Where It Is
About an hour and half outside of Chiang Mai City, there are ten tree-houses in a resort property called Rabeang Pasak.
Located just northeast, in the Doi Saket District, you’ll find this perfect little getaway retreat.
Whether you are traveling for a romantic time with your partner, adventure time with friends, of want to “unplug” the family for some fun in nature, this place will deliver.
The Rabeang Pasak Tree House Resort does offer transportation from the city. Our cost was 950THB (about $27USD) each way.
We did pay an additional 300THB (about $9USD) on the way there to stop at a market as well as the “Sticky” waterfall.
The market was nothing new to us as we shop at similar markets in the city. The waterfall, however, was an amazing experience.
It was a good idea that we took the opportunity to stop along the way to see it. if we had gone on our own it would have been a difficult motorbike ride.
2. The Property – Rabeang Pasak Tree House Resort
The friendly folks that run this property are welcoming and warm from the very first moment you check-in.
They are quick to show you around and advise you of where to go and what to do. There are lots of chickens, cats, and dogs running around that give this place it’s charm and liveliness.
The farm-like feel here is enhanced by the gardens between the tree-houses as well as the creek that runs between the fronts desk/dining area and the houses.
When you first enter, you will be at the front desk which also has a small shop next to it. Further in, you will be in the dining area that overlooks the creek down below.
As you walk past the dining area and down, on the right there is an open space for reading and relaxing with tables and a small bed. Everything is made of wood, of course!
As you walk over the bridge you enter the tree house area.
They are spread out in a circular-type shape and while they are close to each other, there is plenty of space in between to give each area privacy.
Most of them have a swing, and plenty of sitting area outside to relax and take it all in. I was surprised to find that there is a toilet, sink, and shower built-in for each tree-house.
3. Our Tree House
We had chosen the Tamarind Tree-house. Mainly because of how tall and unique it looked in the pictures we had seen.
We had a toilet and shower on the “first level” as well as a porch and swing. Two flights of stairs up, there was an additional porch and sitting area.
Another two flights of stairs and you arrive to the room. Next to the room is a toilet (enclosed) and a sink, so it’s nice to not have to climb down in the middle of the night for a bathroom.
Inside the room is a built-in bed and counter with fan. There are several hooks to hang things from since space is limited.
They provide you with some books, in case you feel like reading before bed. The room has electricity and all the outdoor area does as well.
The temperature was on the hot side during our stay, but still not as hot as the city.
We did not need the blanket for most of the night and had the fan on during the day, if we were in the room.
4. The Food
Dining is available at set times for guests at Rabeang Pasak Tree House Resort. They include breakfast every morning between 8am and 10am.
Our “America” breakfast included two eggs (fried or scrambled), sausage, ham, and salad, along with toast and butter.
Lunch is available for 150THB (just under $5USD) and dinner is 300 THB (just under $10USD), per person.
They cook great food and the portions are very big.
One of the best parts of our stay were the meals we enjoyed daily!
There are designated times when lunch and dinner are served. They give you about an hour and half window to catch a bite to eat.
The hours are very realistic and we never felt that we were going to miss any food.
There is not much to get lost in doing nearby, you just have to make sure your naps don’t drag out too long!
5. Our Two Nights There
Needless to say, we spent the first few hours just trying to wrap our heads around all that we were experiencing. It made us feel like little kids and we forgot anything else existed!
Just being in nature and relaxing on the swing under the shade of the tree gives you so much time to reflect on life and can inspire you!
There is no wi-fi in the tree house and cell reception is not that great, so it’s a good way to disconnect with the outside world and connect with yourself for a while.
While we only spent two nights here, the relaxation and peacefulness that we gained felt like two weeks’ worth!
The tree house is the tallest and most exciting one, in my opinion. There is a slight caveat, though. Be prepared to feel the tree sway and shake with the wind.
After the sun set each night, there was a gust of wind that moved the tree house and caused lots of creaks and loud noises.
It was a bit frightening at first, but we trusted that the tree house was sturdy and could withstand the “storm.”
6. Activities During The Stay
We chose to do a bit of relaxing as well as some physical activity during our stay at Rabeang Pasak Tree House Resort.
The manager there showed us how to make flowers out of leaves. It was a very fun activity for me. You’d have to be into that sort of thing.
There are also wood carved elephants that you can purchase and paint to pass the time.
I would suggest bringing your favorite book with you or borrowing one from them, since there are lots of great spots to sit and catch up on some reading.
As far as being more active, you can visit the small temple that is within a 5 minute walk (very nice Monk there that will greet you) or borrow a bicycle to take out on the trails.
There are trails that are clearly marked with signs to take you to the bat cave as well as a cave with stalactites and stalagmites.
The staff at Rabeang Pasak provide you with a map to these and other sites.
I would recommend going with a group of 3 or more. It is a quiet and desolate area along these trails.
This is not a bad thing, I just think it would be safer with more people, in case of an emergency.
The woods were very dry along the trail as Chiang Mai has been experiencing a drought, but, nevertheless, it was an enjoyable bike ride.
The trail is not difficult to ride if you are moderately in shape. Do make sure to take water along with you to stay hydrated!
If you are looking for a short trail to walk, you can take the one directly in front of the resort. It will lead you to a very beautiful viewpoint.
From there you can look down the valley as the sun sets behind the mountains. It’s a quick, 15 minute walk and well worth it!
7. Should You go?
Yes! If you have an adventurous bone in your body and love nature, then this is the place for you.
I would recommend visiting this wonderful little resort (There are some really amazing and unique resorts in Chiang Mai) for it’s natural beauty and serene qualities.
If anyone has 3 or more days in Chiang Mai, spending at least one night at the Rabeang Pasak Tree House Resort can really center you and give you a nice “re-boot.”
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the city and all the night bazaars, but spending a little bit of time to just rest can be well worth it, whether you are an expat or tourist.
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