Dates & Prices

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Dates: 2nd – 12th April 2027 Confirmed departure

Price: £2,895 2 places

Single Room Supplement: none

Deposit: £500 per person

Price Includes: Accommodation, all meals, ground transport, services of guides & holiday report

Not Included: International travel, travel insurance, drinks & other personal items

Conservation Donation: Butterfly Conservation Europe

Leader(s): Adrian Hoskins & local expert guide

Group Size: Minimum 3 & maximum 5 guests + 2 leaders

Holiday Highlights

  • Take part in an exciting quest in Thailand to see the iconic and dazzlingly beautiful Kaiser-i-Hind
  • Exclusive – our group has special permission to visit the best location to see the Kaiser-i-Hind
  • Enjoy a great variety of other stunning butterfly species
  • Visit the world-famous butterfly puddling site of Chiang Da
  • A true small group tour of no more than 5 guests – perfect for photographers!
  • Beyond Butterflies: Encounter a wealth of other Thai wildlife, from the camouflaged Orchid Mantis and Flying Lizards to a plethora of exotic birds and dragonflies
  • Led by butterfly expert Adrian Hoskins & a local guide
  • Contribute to Butterfly Conservation Europe

A chance to see & photograph the rare & iconic Kaiser-i-Hind, plus many more stunning butterflies!

BOOK NOW

A chance to see & photograph the rare & iconic Kaiser-i-Hind, plus many more stunning butterflies!

We’re absolutely thrilled to be heading back to the mountains of Northern Thailand in 2027! This trip has always been a favorite, and for very good reason—it’s a rare chance to see some of the most spectacular wildlife in Southeast Asia.

The real star of the show is the Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis). In the world of butterflies, this is a true titan. It’s widely considered the most iconic species in Thailand and arguably the most beautiful member of the Papilionidae family in all of Asia. There is something truly mythical about seeing that flash of iridescent green against the forest canopy. We’ve designed this route to take you deep into the high-altitude forests and right up to the mountain peaks where this “Holy Grail” butterfly makes its home.

It’s not just about the Kaiser, though. We’ll also be spending time at the legendary puddling sites of Chiang Dao. Because of the unique minerals in the soil there, you can see hundreds of butterflies from dozens of different species gathered together on the ground—it’s an incredible sight and a dream for any photographer.

To make sure you get the most out of this adventure, there are two things to keep in mind:

First, you’ll need a decent level of fitness and mobility. To reach the best viewing spots, we’ll be taking an easy-to-follow trail that climbs about 300 meters over a 3.5 km stretch. It’s a steady walk, but you’ll want to be comfortable with a bit of an uphill trek.

Second, in terms of camera gear. The Kaiser-i-Hind likes to stay high up in the trees, so if you want to get those detailed shots, a long lens is a must. We recommend a minimum of 300mm, though if you have a 400mm or even longer, definitely bring it along. For photography overall on this trip, we recommend a telephoto lens of around 100 – 400mm and a macro lens.

This trip is always a special experience, and we expect spots to fill up fast. If you’ve ever wanted to see the Kaiser-i-Hind in the wild, this is your chance. We’d love to have you join us—book your place soon!

          

Please note that the following is only intended as a guide. The actual itinerary may be changed if necessary due to local conditions, road closures, etc.

2nd April: Arrive at Chiang Mai airport (CNX) and quick transfer to our hotel. Depending on the time of arrival we may be able to fit in a short visit to Doi Suthep and Doi Pui.  These are good locations with some interesting species. Altitude between 500 and 1,600 msl. Afternoon back to the hotel. Dinner in town.

 3rd April: After breakfast we’ll head to the picturesque village of Mae Kampong (60Km, 75’). There are some interesting species between the waterfall and its trail and the several stream crossings on the mountain road in the Chae Son National Park. Afternoon back at the hotel in Chiang Mai. Dinner in town.

4th April: Breakfast at the hotel and check out. We head to Doi Inthanon and its huge national park. It’s the highest mountain in Thailand, with its 2,565 msl peak. We’ll frequently be between 1,400 to 17,00 msl. Our first stop will be the always interesting park around the Siriphum Waterfall, often rich with rarities and altitude species. Later we can explore the narrow forest roads in the Doi Pha Tang area. Afternoon back to the hotel. Dinner in the park area.

5th April: Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a quick look again at Siriphum waterfall and then, at around noon, we will visit the area of Huai Sai Lueang waterfall, with a good chance to observe the large and beautiful Euthalia patala, locally not rare. Afternoon back to the hotel. Dinner in the park area.

6th April: Early check out and transfer to Chiang Dao (190 Km, 3 hours) and visit at the most famous Northern Thailand butterfly puddling area with great quantity of butterflies. 30’ drive to Doi Chiang Dao, 1000/1300 mt, once home of the now extinct Bhutanitis lidderdallii and still the location of many rare/montane species. Packed lunch. Back to the puddling area until 4pm. Afternoon check in at The Nest2 resort. Dinner at the hotel.

7th April: Breakfast at the resort. One more full day shooting butterflies at the Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary and its puddling area. Everyday there is something new and different to see there! Afternoon back to the resort. Dinner locally.

8th April: 7.00am breakfast and check out, transfer to Fang and a stylish, friendly, and very comfortable resort. We’ll explore the slopes of Doi Pha Hom Pok and Doi Pumuen, home of interesting altitude butterflies. Lunch will be eaten in the field. 4pm back to the hotel. Dinner in town.

9th April: Early start needed today, before we drive to the mountain, up to 1,950 mt. Here we’ll start to hike to the top of the mountain, home of the elusive and rare Teinopalpus imperialis. If lucky we could find the much rarer female too! We suggest the use of a long telephoto lens to get shots of the butterfly up in the canopy. Sometimes they come down to puddle or are attracted by some color. We will also Explore the forest at over 2,000 mt around the top of the mountain, just on the Myanmar border, to hunt for uncommon species. 4pm drive back to the hotel. Dinner in town.

10th April: Another full day in Fang.  We’ll explore the area of Doi Lang a bad but interesting road reaching 2,200 mt. along the Thai-Myanmar border. We can choose together where to go, with a choice of few locations, again in Doi Pha Hom Pok or Doi Pumuen. Lunch in the field. Dinner in town.

11th April: Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Drive (1.15’) to Sri Lanna National Park with its interesting forest edge following a stream and a mountain. Afternoon drive to Chiang Mai (1.15’).  Arrival at the Chiang Mai hotel at 5pm. Dinner in town.

12th April. Transfer to Chiang Mai airport (CNX).

To follow