“WRITING & WELLBEING IN CHIANG MAI” WITH ERIC WEINER

JANUARY 25TH – FEBRUARY 4TH, 2026

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.”

This sentiment, from the French writer Anaïs Nin, lies at the heart of the Himalayan Writers Workshop. Writing expands awareness. Writers, be they experienced or beginner, strive to be fully present in the moment and, later, to recollect with fresh insight and clarity. Writing is an unsung path to wellbeing.

Best-selling travel writer Eric Weiner will guide participants along this path during this ten-day workshop in Thailand, the Land of Smiles. We’ll explore Chiang Mai’s numerous temples, as well as the tribal villages and jungles of Northern Thailand.  We’ll hike the famous Monk’s Trail, high above Chiang Mai city, and visit Wat Phra Thai, on Doi Suthep mountian, the “last mountian of the Himalayas." We’ll meditate. (No experience required.)  Will visit Chiang Mai’s famous night markets, enjoy a Thai cooking class, and even spend an evening at the storied Writer’s Club on Rachadamnoen Rd. We’ll seek inspiration in some of the classics of travel writing. And, of course, we will do plenty of writing ourselves (again, no experience required.) We’ll learn how journaling can enrich our journeys, and how writing about a place enables us to experience it more deeply. 

Join us for this unique opportunity to deepen your craft, meet fellow writers, and draw inspiration from the lush landscapes and peaceful energy of Northern Thailand. The workshop provides a collegial, nurturing environment, with the unique culture of Thailand as our backdrop. Join us for what promises to be a truly once in a lifetime journey.  

Day 1: Landing in CHIANG MAI. As you approach the city of Chiang Mai, nestled into the mountainous region of Northern Thailand, you may spot Doi Suthep mountain - “the last mountains of the Himalayas” - off to the left. Upon landing, our drivers will be there to welcome you to Chiang Mai! After you’ve received your bags, you will be driven to the beautiful Kodchasri Thani Hotel, inside the walls of the historic Old City, where you can unwind from your journey, relax, and soak up the atmosphere.  Once everyone has arrived and checked in, each person will have private one-on-one meeting with Eric and James, and afterwards there will be a brief orientation meeting for our new community of writers. In the evening our group will head out to dinner and to explore the famous Sunday Night Market.

Day 2: CHIANG MAI. After our morning meditation & an early breakfast at the Kodchasri Thani Hotel, we’ll gather for a brief group meeting and then head out on our first adventure.  We’ll enjoy an easy one-hour hike up the famous Monk’s Trail to the 14th century Wat Pha Lat. Afterwards, we’ll drive up to Wat Phra Thai Doi Suthep, with its golden spires and stunning views out over Chiang Mai city below, before returning to the city for lunch. We'll spend the afternoon writing or relaxing, perhaps having a traditional Thai massage, before gathering again for dinner at one of the amazing restaurants in Chiang Mai.

Day 3: CHIANG MAI.  After our morning meditation & a delicious breakfast at the Kodchasri Thani Hotel, we’ll gather for our daily group meeting with Eric & James. This morning we’ll set out on a walking tour of the Old City’s quiet lanes, visiting Wat Chedi Luang with its towering brick chedi and the elegant Wat Phra Singh. We’ll enjoy lunch at James’s favorite restaurant, the GoodSouls Kitchen. After lunch we'll spend the afternoon writing or relaxing, enjoying a massage, or you may take your own personal journey through the streets & markets of Chiang Mai before the writers gather once again for dinner.

Day 4: DRIVE TO PAI. This morning, after meditation and breakfast at the Kodchasri Thani Hotel, we’ll gather for our daily group meeting with Eric & James. Today we’ll pack up and leave the city of Chaing Mai as we set off on a scenic four-hour drive along the Mae Hong Son Loop, famous for its 700 mountain curves, arriving in the charming highland town of Pai. Our home for the next four nights is the Purapai Villa Health & Wellness Center, set beside a quiet river and surrounded by rice fields. In the evening we’ll come together for a group dinner and an introduction to the natural surroundings that will inspire the next stage of our writing.

Day 5: PURAPAI VILLA, PAI. For the next 3 days, we’ll dive deep into our writing amid the inspiring natural setting of Pai. In addition to excellent food, the villa offers gardens, a health & wellness center, a swimming pool and it’s own yoga meditation hall. After meditation & breakfast we’ll have our morning meeting, and then set out on a guided nature hike through the bamboo groves and forested hills around Pai, returning to the villa for lunch. The afternoon is left open for writing, reading, one-on-one mentoring sessions with Eric, or taking advantage of the Villa’s spa and wellness offerings. We’ll gather again for dinner and informal conversation about the day’s discoveries.

Day 6: PURAPAI VILLA, PAI

After meditation & breakfast, we’ll have a leisurely morning with Eric, and we’ll have the option of traveling into the village of Pai to join a Thai cooking class. Guided by a skilled chef, you’ll prepare classic northern Thai dishes and then enjoy them for lunch. Following lunch, we return to Purapai Villa where the late afternoon is free for writing writing, reading, one-on-one mentoring sessions with Eric, or enjoying the Villa’s spa & wellness center.Dinner is served at the villa, with time to exchange stories and impressions.

Day 7: PURAPAI VILLA, PAI

Today begins with a peaceful meditation, an unhurried breakfast, and morning writing class with Eric. We then drive to Mo Paeng Waterfall, a favorite local spot where smooth rock slides and cool pools invite exploration. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch beside the cascading water and set aside quiet moments for journaling. The rest of the afternoon is free to stroll through Pai’s art galleries or head back to Purapai Villa for mentoring sessions or writing on your own. As night settles in, we may take the opportunity to gather around an open-air fire for a group reading, sharing selections from our week’s writing.

Day 8: RETURN TO CHIANG MAI. After morning meditation and breakfast we will enjoy our final class with Eric at Purapai Resort before we make the return journey to Chiang Mai. Upon our return to Chiang Mai, we’ll check in at the Khum Phaya Resort & Spa, a resort of traditional Lanna-style in the heart of the city. Spend the afternoon relaxing as you wish, or meeting for one-on-one mentoring with Eric. In the evening, if we feel inspired, we’ll head over to the Writer’s Club or to the North Gate Jazz Club to perhaps reconnect with the livelier side of Chiang Mai.

Day 9: Khum Phaya Resort & Spa. After morning meditation and a delicious breakfast at the resort, we will enjoy a final class with Eric, as well as helpful feedback from our fellow writers. Today we will visit the Kalm Village arts and crafts complex to browse their library, gallery & shops or just to enjoy a cup of tea in their beautiful cafe. We will have lunch at the fabulous Kalm Kitchen. The afternoon invites you to write, wander the streets, enjoy a traditional Thai massage, or continue writing in a favorite corner of the hotel garden. In the evening we will embark on a private dinner cruise on the Ping River, just for the members of our group, where the illuminated riverbanks create an unforgettable setting for our last evening together.

Day 10: Saying farewell to CHIANG MAI. After morning meditation and a luxurious breakfast at Khum Phaya Resort group of writers will gather for one last group meeting with Eric. We will share final thoughts, and our personal writing aspirations, and then it will be time to say goodbye & head back home.  Our staff will provide transportation to deliver you to Paro airport & will be available to help you with anything you need for your onward journey…

Program Fee:

$3,990 (USD) regular program fee double occupancy (+$700 for single room depending upon availability)
Final payment deadline: Dec 25, 2025.

A non-refundable deposit of $600 is required at the time of registration to hold your space.

Late registration: After Dec 25, 2025 we can accommodate late registration only in the event that a space remains available. If a late registration is possible after Dec 25, 2025, full payment is required at the time of registration to hold your space and the entire payment is refundable.

The program fee includes: 9 nights accommodations, 3 vegetarian meals per day on most days, bottled water and tea/coffee at meal times, scheduled excursions to pilgrimage sites, knowledgeable guides and teachers, all entrance fees, land transportation within Thailand, and airport transfers.

Fee does not include: airfare to and from Chiang Mai, additional hotel nights before or after scheduled program dates, unscheduled activities and excursions, soft drinks, alcohol and espresso drinks, phone calls, massage services, shopping, laundry or other personal expenses, additional meals, drinks and snacks, travel insurance, or single supplements ($700 depending upon availability).

The program begins Sunday afternoon (around 1pm) January 25, 2026 and ends after breakfast on Tuesday, Feb 3rd, 2026. If you're pressed for time, you may arrive on January 25th and depart on February 3rd. It may be possible to arrive a few days early, or stay for awhile after the workshop has concluded. Please inform us if you require an extra night or two on either end of the trip and we'll put you in touch with our agent in Chiang Mai to make those arrangements for you. (A cost for extended visa & extra hotel nights would apply)