Feel the Meaning of "Small is Beautiful" — An Eco Tour from Chiang Mai
チェンマイ坂田Cycle slowly around town, pick vegetables in the garden, cook and eat what you made.
Spend an "ordinary but special" day in Chiang Mai with Sawan, who travels the world and lives by the idea of "Small is beautiful". Step away from efficiency and speed, and reconnect with what matters to you.
Prefer email? Use our inquiry form →
3 Highlights of This Tour
1. Meet "Small is Beautiful"
The way of life Sawan found while traveling the world: living true to your values, not scale or speed. His stories make room in your heart.
2. A "Slow" Bicycle Ride
Cycle with Sawan through local Chiang Mai scenery you rarely see on ordinary tours.
3. "Simple" Thai Cooking
Pick organic, home-grown ingredients and cook seasonal Thai dishes with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and more.
Recommended For
- People interested in sustainable living
- Anyone curious about unique ways of life
- Those who have forgotten how to pause
Your Host: Sawan
Sawan works half the year and spends the other half traveling the world by bicycle. Through the cultures and people he has met, he came to value "Small is beautiful". For him, richness means enjoying each day and connecting with people — not big success.
At his home in Chiang Mai, he grows vegetables, keeps chickens and is working toward self-sufficiency. This ManiTabi-only tour lets you share his way of life. (Sawan's Instagram)
Itinerary (Planned)
* A shorter version without cycling can also be arranged.
8:00
Meet in Chiang Mai
Travel by private van to a quiet area outside the city (about 30 minutes).
8:30
Meet Sawan, coffee time
Introductions over coffee Sawan roasted himself.
9:00
Cycling through local life
Ride past rice fields and everyday scenes tourists rarely see.
9:30
Garden harvest and cooking
Sawan's house runs on rooftop solar power and rainwater, and he sleeps in a tent upstairs. Harvest lemongrass, kaffir lime and turmeric from his organic garden, then cook with neighbors' organic produce, using a traditional mortar. On this day the menu was morning glory and pork curry, Thai omelet and butterfly-pea jasmine rice (it changes with the season). Rest in a hammock after lunch.
12:30
Cycle back
A relaxing cool-down ride with new scenery. We also stop at a church to glimpse a side of Thai life beyond Buddhism (mass is on Sundays only).
13:00
Van back to Chiang Mai
13:45
Finish in Chiang Mai
Prefer email? Use our inquiry form →
Guest Reviews
Kanto, living in Chiang Mai
"I felt Sawan's way of life." His story of how his values formed over years of travel stayed with me.
H.M.
Cooking Thai food with vegetables I picked myself was so fresh it thrilled all my senses. Meeting Sawan made me rethink my own travels and life.
Price & Tour Details
| Price | 3,500 THB per person |
|---|---|
| Duration | About 5 hours (meet 8:00 in Chiang Mai → finish 13:45 in the city) Afternoon tours and a shorter version without cycling can be arranged |
| Minimum group size | 4 people |
| Meeting point | Meet in Chiang Mai and travel to the countryside by private van (about 30 minutes) |
| Language | English / Japanese |
| Included | Please ask us |
| Not included | Please ask us |
Cancellation Policy
| Before the deposit is paid | No charge |
|---|---|
| After the deposit, up to 21 days before the tour | 50% of the tour price |
| 20 to 7 days before the tour | 75% of the tour price |
| 6 days before the tour or no-show | 100% of the tour price |
Bank transfer and remittance fees are non-refundable.
See our Travel Terms and Conditions for details.
What to Bring & Notes
Recommended
Hat / sunscreen / small towel / sunglasses / drink / insect repellent / small backpack or shoulder bag (handy on the bicycle)
Please note
- In light rain we cycle in raincoats. In heavy rain, for safety, we go to Sawan's garden by van instead.
- Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes you don't mind getting dirty.
- Most activities are outdoors — please prepare for heat, sun and insects.
- Sawan also runs a café on an irregular basis, so we confirm availability for each request.
- Tours are usually in the morning, but afternoons can be arranged.
Booking & Questions
Just curious? That is perfectly fine.
Questions, dates, group size — send us a message on WhatsApp or use the inquiry form.
Message us on WhatsAppWe reply personally — questions are welcome
