The Radiant Hand Northern
Thailand Healing Yoga Retreat, December 2025
This year we are offering an exciting week of discovery in the Old City of Chiang Mai. This will give all avid travellers a full and a wonderful opportunity & experience of what Northern Thailand has to offer, from cultural to gastronomic. It will be a healing, inspiring and exciting journey for all to experience, which will create many memories of joy, laughter and happiness.
The Ancient ‘Old City’ of Chiang Mai: Sunday 14 December - Sunday 21 December 2025.
Our journey will begin in the cultural centre of Thailand, Chiang Mai, within the walls of the Old City.
This week will offer the opportunity to experience and explore the wonders and delights of the ancient Old City of Chiang Mai. Our accommodation will be in a traditional Thai family run guesthouse, with its own shala and swimming pool, which is located in a prime location within the walls of the Old City, where everything is available within walking distance. We hope to help in bringing back some of the nostalgic days, of old school travelling (before there were smart phones!). All rooms overlook the pool; each room comes with its own ensuite bathroom with hot water showers, air-conditioning, fridge and TV. Towels will be provided and there is free WiFi all over the property. This week will be half board, breakfast and lunch included, and daily water.
From here you can explore the city by foot, with its bustling and exciting cultural atmosphere, its ever growing and expanding cafe/coffee scene, its infamous Night Markets, and some of the oldest temples in Thailand, all located within the walls and ancient gates of the Old City. Or take an experience, by having a Northern Style Thai Massage or a day trek to Don Inthanon National Park, to see the twin stupas and the stunning mountain scenery, visit a traditional Hill Tribe, take a trip to one of the many waterfalls, or grab some of the many different and delicious foods from street vendors.
Exclusively for this week, is a "Device Detox" mid week trip to stay overnight in the mountains, in a traditional village of the Karen people, called Pong Noi. Here there are village elephants, that are looked after by the villagers to slowly help them reintegrate back into the wild (re-wilding). On the following morning, we will feed them and walk the elephants into the National Park. There will be morning yoga in the mountains on a purpose built yoga platform, overlooking the Sea of Clouds. Afterwards, we will spend the morning having breakfast in the mountains, with a traditional Karen village weaving workshop where you will be taught traditional weaving and make an item to take home. We will then embark on a small trek through the jungle to the hot springs, finishing off the day with another session of yoga, hot spring bathing and dinner at the hot springs before we are shuttled back to the Old City.
As we want to keep this exclusive retreat special, personal and intimate, the retreat has limited availability.
Retreat Centre
Our destination and stay will be in a traditional Thai family run style Guesthouse, run by our Thai cousin Dao and her family since 1987.
Set in a prime location in the Old City, to give you the experience of nostalgic old school travelling and the opportunity to explore the exciting Old City markets & ancient temples by foot.
Accommodation
Old City stay, Chiang Mai. Most rooms are pool view & are solo occupancy.
Old City Stay, Chiang Mai, Thailand 2025
Old City Stay, Chiang Mai, Thailand 2025
Food
The retreat is
Breakfast will be Continental/Thai, with tea, coffee, fruit juices or fruit shakes.
Lunch will be Thai home cooked food, with tea, coffee, fruit juices or fruit shakes.
Dinner is at your own discovery from many of the local restaurants or street food vendors, which Chiang Mai is famous for. You can check out the famous pancake seller who has a Michelin Star from 2021 -2024, her pancakes are divine!!!
Thailand is renowned for its fantastic, healthy cuisine. Not only delicious, Thai food uses an abundance of flavoursome ingredients such as turmeric, galangal, ginger, lemon juice, coconut milk which work together to boost immunity, fight inflammation and speed up metabolism. Explore Thailand's amazing cuisine when exploring the Old City, by day and by night.
Yoga
About the teacher…
The retreat will be led by Kristian Stephan (GuruDev) E-RYT 500 and SYTYP, teacher of 30 years, & Founder and Director of The Radiant Hand, (our London based studio) The Radiant Hand Academy of Yoga (our Teacher Training school) & Radiant Therapies (our therapy centre).
All classes will be structured for all levels to help you to de-stress, offload, deepen your practice & take your personal healing journey to a deeper level. You will be personally guided by this very knowledgeable and experienced teacher, where you will be challenged, guided & supported to reach your personal goals and successes, immersed through a medium of joy & laughter. Through his compassionate, highly intuitive practice and devotion to his subject, all students will be supported by his unshakable faith, enthusiasm & passion for yoga but through his often humorous, playful & spontaneous approach to teaching & to Life itself.
This retreat will offer a unique combination of Classical Dynamic and Anahata Agni Hotra styles, through which GuruDev will be guiding and supporting each and every one of you on an awe inspiring journey of healing & self-evolution.
There will also be the opportunity to engage in daily satsangs (group audiences) with GuruDev, to give you an opportunity to ask questions and further one's ‘sadhana’ or spiritual practice, as well as being introduced to other spiritual healing disciplines like Tai Chi, Qi Gong, chanting, mindfulness and awareness, appreciation and gratitude practices. These disciplines will teach one to enhance and better one’s life, all through GuruDev’s considered and consistent teaching and guidance. All these elements will be included and be part of the scheduled sessions & experiences for each week.
There will be 10 yoga classes over the week; 2 per day, with 1 day off per week for a full-day excursion.
Activities & Excursions
Old City Stay, Chiang Mai
Exclusively for this week, is a mid week trip to stay overnight in the mountains in a traditional village of the Karen People, called Pong Noi Village, which is nestled within the boundaries of the Doi Luang National Park. It is a very small village
We will leave after breakfast and lunch up in the mountains, where we will be spending the night. During this time we will be wifi free and enjoy a device detox as there is limited electricity and no wifi or phone signal. The only thing your phone will be useful for will be photos of this amazing place.
Here there are two sister elephants, that live in the village. Looked after by the village and our family at the guesthouse in Chiang Mai, who are slowly helping the two sister elephants reintegrate back into the wild (re-wilding).
On the following morning in Pong Noi, we will feed and walk the elephants into the National Park. There will be morning yoga in the mountains, on the purpose built yoga platform, overlooking the Sea of Clouds. Afterwards, we will spend the morning having breakfast in the mountains, with a traditional Karen village weaving workshop where you will be taught traditional weaving and see some of the amazing items made by the villagers which they sell to support the village and their families . After lunch, we will embark on a small trek through the jungle to the hot springs, finishing off the day with another session of yoga at the hot springs & after yoga enjoy the hot spring baths, before we are shuttled back to the Old City in time for dinner.
During the week you have ample opportunities to explore Chiang Mai and Northern Provinces of Thailand, the guesthouse can arrange day trips on the day off, where you can have a guided tour & visit Chiang Rai or Doi Inthanon National Park. On other days, you can do half day trips to Doi Suthep, which will also include a trip to Wat Suen Dok which is an ancient Royal temple associated with the ancient Lanna Kingdom, a visit to the Arts & Cultural Halls, which gives a history of Chiang Mai, finishing at Wat Chiang Man, the first temple built in the Old City. Or you may prefer to go visit one of the beautiful waterfalls like "Sticky Waterfalls" in Bua Tong for a wild swim, or just spend the day in one of the many buzzing cafes all over Chiang Mai, now world famous, for its Northern Thailand jungle coffee scene. There really is so much to explore and discover, you won't be lost for options for things to do, see & experience.
What is included...???
What’s Included???
The retreat is Half Board includes breakfast & lunch, daily water, towels
7 nights ensuite accommodation in a "Thai family-style" guesthouse, which is run by our Thai family.
Solo occupancy
Pool facing room
10 x yoga classes
Midweek excursion to Poi Nong village in the mountains, with elephant experience, jungle trek and hot springs.
Daily opportunities for informal discussions and questions with GuruDev
Unlimited water
Unlimited use of swimming pool
Free WiFi
Transfers to and from the airport
What’s NOT included??
Flights, travel insurance, yoga mats, laundry, alcoholic beverages, excursions beyond the overnight elephant trip, evening meals
Getting there
The closest airport is Chiang Mai International.
Airport transfers from and to Chang Mai International Airport are included in the price of the retreat.
Prices
Old City Stay, Chiang Mai
Price: £985 per person
To reserve your place on this retreat, please book on our website or via The Radiant Hand App (under Courses and Retreats tab).
This will enable you put down a non-refundable deposit for this truly amazing retreat. Outstanding balances need to be paid by 1st October 2025.
Non-refundable deposit price of:
£350 per person
*** We will be confirming places by email, so please do not book any flights until you have received a personal confirmation email from us ***
To organise a payment plan, please email us [email protected] and we will organise this with you.
I have recently returned from The Radiant Hand's yoga retreat in Chiang Mai, and it was an experience that left me rejuvenated, both mentally and physically. The retreat, wonderfully organised in every aspect, offered the perfect mix of nourishing and challenging yoga sessions - all led by Gurudev, our yoga instructor, whose expertise and intuitive teaching style always stands out. Throughout the week, I witnessed significant improvements in my yoga technique and strength, thanks to his thoughtful guidance - and encouragement from all my lovely fellow yogis!
Liz Allen, Thailand, 2023
The Radiant Hand retreat in Sri Lanka surpassed my expectations. In the yoga classes I felt supported and able to push my practice up a level. The food and location was amazing and it was a very nourishing experience. I came back feeling refreshed and energised and it’s a memory I hold dear to this day. I’m really grateful that I gifted myself the time and space on the retreat, and I would thoroughly recommend it.
Emma Corbett, Spectacular Sri Lanka, 2017
I really enjoyed the retreat I attended in Spain with The Radiant Hand. It was a great opportunity to take time off with like minded people and give back to myself. I felt totally rejuvenated and found it to be a transformative experience, with the added fun of going on holiday.
Brodie Leithhead, Spain, 2018
I have enjoyed many a long weekend retreat with the Radiant Hand over the years. The yoga classes are carefully balanced and varied throughout to challenge and inspire, but also heavenly relaxing and nurturing. The meals are delicious and plentiful and after long walks and laughs throughout the days, we collapse into comfy beds for long deep sleeps. We return to London and our busy lives rejuvenated, relaxed and glowing with new skills and friendships. If you have the chance to go away with the Radiant Hand, you won’t regret it. The team are caring, knowledgeable and keen to share their love of yoga with you, no matter what your experience or ability.
Rebecca Lyle, Women Only Divine Shakti Retreats & Winter Retreats
