This winter, enjoy a cup of coffee in Mae Kampong and soak in the hot springs of San Kamphaeng.

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Amidst the chilly air, a warm cup of beverage amidst the mist and fresh air would be delightful. This trip, our destination is Mae Kampong Village and San Kamphaeng Hot Springs. It's a 2-day, 1-night trip by private car, following the GPS on Google Maps. You won't get lost, I assure you.

This trip started from Chiang Mai city. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to drive from Chiang Mai to Mae Kampong in normal traffic conditions. We stopped for breakfast at the Royal Project Tointok, which is located about 3.6 kilometers before Mae Kampong village. The Tointok Royal Project Development Center.

The Royal Project Development Center at Tin Tok

Established in 1981, the Tin Tok Royal Project Development Center received a royal grant of 300,000 baht from His Majesty the King to cover construction costs. The center was established to serve as a development, demonstration, and promotion center for shiitake mushroom cultivation and coffee planting as supplementary income-generating activities for local residents, in addition to betel nut cultivation. The center's area of responsibility covers 34.65 square kilometers (21,656 rai), of which 52.1 rai is the center's own land.

Source: royalprojectthailand.com

GPS: Google Map

Royal Project Shop Sign at Tin Tok

The project offers a range of services, including accommodation (book in advance), a restaurant serving both savory and sweet dishes (cakes, tea, and coffee), sales of project products, and demonstration plots for agriculture (coffee, vanilla, potted plants, and fragrant mushrooms).

Enjoy a meal amidst lush greenery and flowing streams.

The open-air restaurant offers seating options both indoors and outdoors.

Every dish from the Royal Project is truly delicious.

Royal Project Food

Royal Project Food

Royal Project Food

The Royal Project Food is highly recommended. The braised pork ribs are very delicious, with tender and flavorful meat.

After a hearty breakfast, we took a leisurely stroll to aid digestion before continuing our journey to Mae Kampong. The project features a small stream that flows through the center, dividing the restaurant zone from the accommodation zone.

The stream flowed slowly, crystal clear and refreshingly cool.

Across from the restaurant is a residential area.

Bridge to the accommodation zone

The journey continued towards Mae Kampong village after spending some time taking photos at the Royal Project Toin Tok. The drive from Toin Tok to Mae Kampong takes approximately 10 minutes and is relatively easy due to the two-lane cement road that allows for comfortable passing of vehicles. The primary purpose of this visit to Mae Kampong was to enjoy a warm beverage while admiring the scenic views of the village from "Chom Nok Chom Mai" cafe.

Directions to Chom Nok Chon Mai
Chom Nok Chon Mai Coffee Shop

GPS: Google Map

One of the must-visit cafes in Mae Kampong, Chom Nok Chom Mai is located just outside the village with parking for about 7-8 cars. Alternatively, you can park along the road. The parking lot is on the left before reaching the cafe. After parking, you can walk across the street to the cafe. The wooden cafe is built on a hill surrounded by tall trees. The cafe offers a variety of teas and coffees. If you visit during lunchtime, it can get quite crowded. If you're lucky, you'll get a seat by the window overlooking the village.

The cool, misty air made for a comfortable sleep.

The dense fog enveloped the surroundings, creating a surreal atmosphere. As I sipped my warm beverage, the mist gently brushed against my face, adding to the enchanting ambiance. The lack of visibility, however, prevented me from witnessing the panoramic views of the village, leaving a tinge of regret.

The beverage boasts a well-balanced flavor profile, avoiding excessive sweetness or richness.

In this chilly weather, a warm beverage is a delightful treat.

After soaking in the atmosphere and savoring the full-bodied tea, it's time to head to the next destination: Mae Kampong Waterfall. You can drive directly to the waterfall or take a leisurely 5-minute walk.

Directions to Mae Kampong Waterfall

While walking, take photos as you go, but be careful of passing vehicles.

The road has many curves, so please walk carefully.

Taking photos while walking.

Coffee shop at the entrance of Mae Kampong Waterfall (parking available here)

As is customary, I took a photo with the location sign.

Upon entering, you will first encounter the water mitigation department.

We have arrived at Mae Kampong Waterfall.

Mae Kampong Waterfall has 7 levels. You can climb to the different levels using the stairs on the left-hand side in the picture. This time, I was not well prepared, and my shoes and clothes were not suitable for climbing. So I decided to stay at the 1st level only. I will come back and conquer it next time.

Mae Kampong Waterfall, San Kamphaeng Hot Springs

GPS:San Kamphaeng Hot Spring

It takes 40 minutes from Mae Kampong Waterfall to San Kamphaeng Hot Springs via Route 1317 and 4041.

Directions to San Kamphaeng Hot Springs

The entrance fee is 40 baht per person. Inside, there are services such as accommodation, camping grounds, and hot spring/hot spring rooms, which require additional fees. Foot soaking is free of charge, and the facility has provided a water channel with seats for visitors to soak their feet in the hot spring.

Hot springs with a temperature suitable for soaking feet and legs, accommodating hundreds of tourists.

Behind the sign is a pool for boiling eggs and a hot spring with a temperature exceeding 105 degrees Celsius.

Eggs are available for purchase and boiling. Choose your desired cooking time according to the instructions provided. Sippa Hot Spring.

GPS: Sippat Hot Spring

Tonight's accommodation is right next to the San Paeng Hot Spring. "Sippa Hot Spring" is a resort surrounded by nature, full of large and small trees. The accommodation is in the form of bungalows, with an earthen house style. There are private hot spring baths in the rooms, or you can soak in the hot spring in the open air in the communal bath.

Bungalow room

The private hot spring bath in the room mixes hot spring water with tap water to reduce the temperature. However, the water will be slightly dark purple, not as clear as the water outside. The staff explained that the tap water makes the water darker, but it is still safe to soak in. However, when I tried turning on only the hot spring water, the water was still dark.

Spacious room with a large, comfortable bed.

Outdoor hot spring pool

Outdoor Hot Spring Bath

The atmosphere within the resort

The resort's ambiance

The breakfast buffet offers a limited selection of options, including fried rice, rice porridge, toast, fried eggs, hot coffee, sausages, and seasonal fruits. However, the quality of the food is decent. The rice porridge, served hot, is particularly recommended to warm you up on a chilly morning.

This trip lasted two days and one night.

Tourist Attractions and Accommodation

Places to visit:

• Royal Project at Doi Inthanon: This project promotes sustainable agriculture and provides income for local communities. Visitors can learn about the project and purchase local products.
• Mae Kampong Village: This charming village is known for its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and delicious food. Visitors can explore the village, visit the local market, and enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the many cafes.
• Chom Nok Chom Mai Cafe: This cafe offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and serves delicious Thai food and coffee.
• Mae Kampong Waterfall: This beautiful waterfall is a popular spot for swimming and picnicking.
• San Kamphaeng Hot Springs: These hot springs are said to have therapeutic properties and are a great place to relax and rejuvenate.
• Sippang Hot Spring: This hot spring is located in a beautiful natural setting and offers a variety of pools and treatments.

Places to stay:

• There are a variety of accommodation options available in the area, including hotels, guesthouses, and homestays.
• Many of the accommodation options are located in Mae Kampong Village.
• It is recommended to book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak season.

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This concludes our trip. Thank you for following along.