Explore Chiang Mai
Your Chiang Mai, the way we live it.
You came to train. But there are mornings off, long afternoons, and a whole city around the camp. Here's how the family helps you make the most of it.
We're not a tour desk. We're your family here.
Wildcat sits in Nong Kwai, Hang Dong, a little south of the old city, surrounded by rice fields, mountains and quiet lanes. It's calmer than the centre, and that's the point: train hard, recover slow, then go explore when you're ready.
This page is the short version of what we tell every guest who asks. No affiliate links, no packaged tours we resell. Just how things actually work up here, plus the spots we'd send a friend to. For the specifics, ask us in person; that's the fun part.
How people actually move around Chiang Mai
You don't need a car. Most of our guests get by with a scooter and the odd Grab. Here's the honest rundown.
Scooter
The freedom move. We rent them right at the camp, so you ride from day one. Best way to reach the fields, waterfalls and night markets on your own time.
Songthaew (red trucks)
Shared red pickups that roam the city. Flag one down, say where you're going, hop in. A flat ~30 THB for most short hops in town. No app needed.
Grab
The ride-hailing app (like Uber). Easy, fixed price, no haggling. Handy at night, in the rain, or for the ride out to us from the centre.
On foot
The old city is small and walkable; temple-hopping inside the walls is best done slowly on foot. Out by the camp, though, you'll want wheels.
We keep a small fleet at the camp and sort you out when you arrive. See scooter rental.
The seasons, told straight (yes, including the smoke)
Cool season (roughly November to February) is the sweet spot: dry, mild mornings, perfect for training and exploring. Hot season (March to May) is intense but quiet. Green season (June to October) brings short afternoon rains and the most beautiful, lush countryside.
And then there's burning season, late February through April, when farmers clear fields and the air quality drops, sometimes a lot. Most camps won't mention it. We will, because you deserve to plan around it. There are still good ways to train and live through it; you just need to know it's coming.
We're writing a proper, honest guide to burning season and how we handle it. Read our Chiang Mai guides.
Where to watch a real fight night.
Seeing live Muay Thai in Chiang Mai is a rite of passage, and it hits differently once you've thrown a few kicks yourself. Some of the guests who've trained here have fought on these very cards. Tell us the night you're free and we'll point you to a good one.
The places we'd send a friend
We're locals, not a guidebook. These are the kinds of spots we love; ask Meaw and the team for the exact names and directions when you're here.
Eat
Northern Thai (Lanna) food is its own world: khao soi, sai ua, nam prik. We'll send you to the little family kitchens near the camp, not the tourist menus.
Temples & culture
From Doi Suthep above the city to the quiet forest wats most visitors miss. We'll tell you which ones are worth your morning and how to visit respectfully.
Nature & day trips
Waterfalls, lakes, mountain loops and ethical elephant sanctuaries. The countryside around us is the real reason people stay longer than they planned.
Guides from the blog
We're writing longer, honest guides to living and training in Chiang Mai, burning season, where to watch fights, day trips and more. They'll land here soon. In the meantime, just ask us anything.
Come see for yourself
Train hard, explore slow.
Build your stay around the training and we'll help with the rest, from the scooter to the best bowl of khao soi in the neighbourhood.