Chiang Dao Farm Stay.

 More than just a music and arts festival, Shambhala In Your Heart is Chiang Mai’s legendary 10-day festival in the middle of the jungle, celebrating nature, creativity and community in Chiang Dao. With a clear, easygoing DIY ethos and no corporate sponsors, the event is organised by a dedicated group of artists, volunteers and old Japanese hippies (self-confessed!) who promise to always keep it pure, genuine and organic. If you missed it last year, this is your calling – and given it lasts over a week, there is little excuse not to pop your head in. Throughout the 10 days you’ll find a lot of time to chill, meet new people, join workshops, listen to music and simply be in nature. Phone signal is spotty, but everyone likes it that way.  Feb 6-15. B300 per day, B2,000 for 10 days. Tickets here. Chiang Dao Farm Stay. All day

What is it: Analogue music (all live, no DJs) and a oneness with nature might be Shambhala’s calling card today but its roots in the peace-loving No Nukes movement are the foundation stone of this Thai-Japan collaboration that’s spanned, grown and blossomed over three decades in the Chiang Mai region.   Why we love it: So often in Thailand we’re sold events that are good for the soul, but at a chonky price. Not Shambhala. Unassuming, genuinely pure of intention and just B300 a day to enter (or B2000 for the full 10-day pass) this festival is the real deal. Run by a close-knit group of volunteers from Japan and Thailand, who humorously refer to themselves as ‘ageing hippies’, Shambhala is so much more than a music festival – in fact, the music is just the half of it.     Beyond the uplifting sounds from reggae, folk and rock bands are singer songwriters from across the world (the attendees arrived from 86 countries last year too), it’s taking part in conscious workshops, the moments around the campfire and blissing out in the fields and hot springs of Chiang Dao that will leave an indelible mark in your core memories forever. They love nature. We love Shambhala.   Time Out tip: If you don’t have the steam (or annual leave) for 10 days in the campsite, you can dip in for weekend one and if you have such a merry time that you can’t stay away – head back for the second weekend at the close of the festival. 6-15 Feb. B300 per day, B2,000 for the 10-day pass. Details here....