Prices for- Thailand Trekking and Adventures

Trekking in Chiang Mai

Departs Daily, year round.

Grade 2

Trekking in North Thailand to visit the hilltribe Villages of the ethnic minorities that live in this region has been popular with visitors for many years. So much so that many routes have become over-used and the villages very commercialized. This Mae Taeng route combines great scenic beauty with villages that have managed to maintain much of their traditional way of life.

Participants should meet ETC at least one day prior to departure day for orientation of the program.

Day 1, Bangkok / Chiang Mai (-/-/-)

Late afternoon around 16.30hrs transfer to the railway station for the overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Day 2, Chiang Mai (-/-/-)

Arrive Chiang Mai early morning and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day at leisure.

Day 3, Trekking (B/L/D)

Depart Chiang Mai by a pick-up, heading north for about 1 ½ hrs. to Mae Malai. Visit the local market and then continue for 40-50 minutes to Pang Lan waterfall for relaxation and lunch before continuing by truck for about 1 1/2 hours to Huay Nam Dang National Park. Start trekking through the forest for about 1 ½- 2 hours, 5-6 Km. to a Karen village of Baan Mae Jok. Enjoy a village walk to witness their way of living that links to the nature. Dinner and overnight in the village.

Day 4, Trekking (B/L/D)

After breakfast trek for 3 hours, 7-8 Km. to an elephant camp and after lunch take an elephant ride for 1-1½ hours, 3-3.5 Km. to a rafting camp near by a Karen village of Bann Pa Khaolam. The Karen originated in Myanmar and is the largest tribal minority in Thailand.

Dinner and overnight at the Karen village.

Remark: Sometimes you may overnight at a rafting camp near by the village and the elephant riding might be on the next day. This depends on local conditions and can be informed locally.

Day 5, Trekking / Chiang Mai (B/L/-)

After breakfast take a bamboo raft (20-25 Km. in total) down river for 1½ hour to a small Lahu village of Ban Pong Ngan. The Lahu are related to the Lolo of Tibet who migrated through China and Myanmar to settle in Thailand more than 50 years ago. Continue rafting for about 2 - 2 1/2 hours to a Shan village for lunch. The Shans are considered among the earliest inhabitants of this region of Thailand and so their way of living is much alike northern local Thais’. The rafting can take up to 6 hours in the summer when the water level is shallow and the current is slow. After lunch return to Chiang Mai by a pick-up and transfer to hotel.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 6, Chiang Mai (B/-/-)

Termination of the tour after breakfast.

Departure day:

Daily, year round.

Charge for children:

50% of tour rates when sharing same room with 2 adults and no extra bed is required.

75% of tour rates when sharing same room with 2 adults and one extra bed is required.

(Applicable for children aged less than 12 years, except where otherwise stated.)

Remark:

· Trekking itinerary is only a guideline and is subject to change without prior notice due to local conditions, but the same concept is well maintained.

· Not recommend for child under 7 years old for trekking.

Services included in the price:

· Tours and transfers by air-conditioned transport. Non air-conditioned transportation and open pick-up truck will be used in remote areas.

· Except while trekking accommodation will be at standard (or first class) hotels based on 2 persons in twin-bedded room, B/B basis. All rooms are air-conditioned with attached bath and toilet.

· 2^nd class air-conditioned train with sleeper from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

· While trekking, accommodation will be in village huts. Sleeping facilities consist of a floor mat and a sheet. A rucksack, water canteen and lifejacket are supplied.

· Full board while trekking (boiled water provided for drinking during the trek)

· Services of local English-speaking guide.

· Admission fees where applicable.

Services not included in the price:

· Drinks, bottled drinking water & meals not mentioned in the above itinerary

· Sleeping bag.

· Tips for guide & drivers.

· Personal expenses.

Preferred accommodation list:

Standard class

Chiang Mai – Downtown Inn (deluxe) http://www.empresshotels.com/downtown_inn.html )

or The Park (sup) www.empresshotels.com/park_hotel.html

First class

Chiang Mai – Empress (sup www.empresshotels.com/empress_hotel.html) or Chiang Mai Plaza (superior, www.cnxplaza.com )

TREKKING INFORMATION

Trekking

In general the trekking on this tour will not be too hard for anybody who is reasonably physically fit. The precise itinerary of the trekking may have to be changed from time to time to take into account the weather and local conditions, but the same concept is well maintained. The trek will be in a group of 6-15 people.

While trekking participants will sleep in the villagers’ huts. As the huts consist of a single all-purpose room in which the villagers live and sleep, participants will sleep on the covered balcony or a bamboo bed inside the hut. A mat, a sheet and a blanket will be provided but for additional comfort participants may wish to bring a sleeping bag as in mountain areas it can be quite cool at night, especially in December/January.

Additional equipment such as a rucksack, water canteen, life jacket are available from our office in Chiang Mai.

Clients who book pre- and post-trek hotel accommodation through ETC can store their additional luggage at the hotel.

In addition participants will require:

Good trekking shoes (good tennis shoes will do but only in dry season when it is not too slippery), rubber sandals for when not trekking, light warm clothing and rainwear during July - October and heavier warm clothing November - February, (March - June will be only a little cool in the evenings), a sun hat, torch, small first-aid kit (plasters, foot powder etc.), insect repellent, toilet articles and toilet paper.

As participants are required to carry their own kit, unnecessary items should be avoided (a private porter can be provided upon request for an additional charge).

Clients are required to buy their own drinking water. Bottled drinking water is sold in the market and local shops in each village.

Meals while trekking, which start from lunch on Day 1 until lunch on the final day, will be prepared by the porter. During the day a stop will be made by a stream, in a hilltribe village or at some other suitable spot, allowing time for relaxation, and for cooking a simple meal of noodles. In the evening dinner will be prepared in one of the huts by the porter. Similarly with breakfast the following day.

The guide accompanying the group will have long experience of the country through which they will travel and be very familiar with the tribes people and their customs. His advice on these subjects should be followed.

Elephant riding

To experience elephant-back riding is great fun and should not be missed. However, please bare in mind that we do not encourage clients to ride the elephant on its neck. Though some might feel it is challenging it can also be dangerous. Clients wanting to do so must take full responsibility themselves as we cannot guarantee their safety and ETC will accept no responsibility in the event of an accident.

Rafting

The rafts are about 1.5 - 2 M. x 5 - 6 M. and can carry approximately 7-8 persons. The rafting can take up to 6 hours in the summer when the water level is shallow and the current is slow. During the rainy season it might take only 4-5 hours. Along some parts of the river there are a lot of snags (dead trees, big rocks, broken wood, etc.) which can sometimes be dangerous. A life jacket is essential as it will not only keep you afloat if by chance you should fall off the raft but also help to prevent injury if hitting any of these snags. During the rainy season (or the dry season following heavy rainfall) the current will be quite strong and the guide will decide if the rafting should proceed or not. His advice on this matter should be strictly followed.

Material precaution:

The trekking area is not considered a malarial area by the health authorities, it is epidemic only in areas close to the border with Myanmar, not where the trip takes place and there have been no report cases among tourist visitors. Please consult your doctor regarding any preventive measures to be taken. Insect repellent is though the most important protection you can employ.

THE MAIN THINGS NEEDED DURING THE TREK

Good trekking shoes.
Slippers or sandals.
Trousers and T-shirt. A pair of zip-off trousers where the shorts almost come to the knee is a good idea. Not only could you trek in them and then easily switch to something more modest in the hilltribe villages, but they were great for temples and any situation where you want to start off dressing more modestly and then change into something cooler if it was acceptable.
Sweater / jumper, jacket, sleeping bag (Oct-Feb).
Raincoat, poncho (May-Sep).
Torch / flash light.
A T-shirt and shorts for swimming (Swimming trunks and swim suites are not appropriate for the local culture)
Sun glasses, sun protection cream.
A water-proof camera bag
A hat with strap.
Ear plug
Mosquito / insect repellant.
Personal necessities such as soap, towel, tissue, tooth brush.
First aid and personal medicines (pills – diarrhea, cold, headache etc.).
A sense of adventure.

* A mosquito net is not necessary, and please do not take extra luggage or any valuables.

USEFUL ADVICE WHILE IN THE FOREST

In order to preserve our environment and natural resources especially the forests and wildlife and to ensure that the beauty of nature stays with us forever, good trekkers should observe the following:

Do not throw away anything that can start a fire, such as cigarette ends. After cooking, make sure that the fire properly extinguished.
Do not cut, pick out or destroy any tree, leaf or flower.
Do not take anything belonging to the forest out of the forest.
Do not hunt any wildlife.
Do not break the limestone or draw anything on the walls of caves.
Do not drop or leave any litter.
Do not make loud noises in the forest such as gunfire, fireworks, or loud music.

GENERAL ADVICE FOR TREKKING

Check your physical fitness whether or not your health is good enough for the trek. This kind of journey is not recommended for the unhealthy or frail, pregnant women, infants and the elderly.
It is advisable not to the trek on your own. Without a tourist guide you could lose your way and be unable to communicate with local people.
Only necessary items of clothing, a flashlight, camera, water bottle and medicine should be brought along. Valuables such as important documents, passport, developed film, etc. should be left with the hotel you stay.
Foreign tourists should bring along a photocopy of their passport.
Clothes for trekking should be light and strong. It should be able to protect you from poisonous plants or animals. Do wear dress appropriate for the weather.
Listen to and follow the tourist guide’s advice.
Request Thai law and local customs. For example, not bathing naked or even wearing swimming suit or trunk in public, not engaging in promiscuous sex and not using any addictive drugs.
Follow only the recommended route. Do not go off alone because it is easy to lose your way and have an accident.
Be aware and have a sense of belonging to our natural surroundings by helping to preserve and not damage the environment.

ADVICE FOR ELEPHANT RIDING

For many visitors elephant riding is a new and exciting experience. In order to make your riding safe and enjoyable you should do as follows:

Obey the mahout’s directions.
Do not ride an elephant on your own.
Wear light and comfortable clothes, comfortable shoes, sunglasses and a hat.
Sometimes tourists have trouble maintaining their balance on the back of the elephant when riding so it is advisable not to be too excited. Just relax and make yourself as comfortable as you can with the rhythm of the elephant’s steps, and please hold on to the safety rope or the cord prepared on the back of the elephants.
It’s not advisable to ride on the elephant’s neck.
Making loud noises will make the elephant frightened and mad.
People with a fear of high or who suffer from vertigo should not go elephant riding.
Get on or off the elephant only at the places provided and do follow the mahout’s directions.
Do not feet, or take a photos of the elephants except when they are in the control of the mahout. Never ever tease the animals.

ADVICE FOR RAFTING

Rafting is an exciting and enjoyable activity. For your safety please do as the following:

Do not go rafting on your own. Obey the raftmans’ directions.
Do not go rafting when there is heavy rain or serious flooding.
If there is an accident or the raft is broken, find the nearest safe place as quickly as possible and wait for help to arrive.
Clothes for rafting should be light and comfortable. Do wear a lifejacket.
Use a plastic bag to keep valuables from getting wet.

“DOS” AND “DON’TS” WHILE STAYING IN HILLTRIBE VILLAGES

There are 6 principal hilltribes in Thailand: Karen, Hmong (Meo), Ya, Lahu (Muser0, Lisu (Lisaw) and Akha. Other smaller tribes are Lawa, Khmu, Mlabri, Palong etc.

Each tribe has its own customs and beliefs. Therefore it is necessary for tourists to familiarize themselves firstly with each tribe’s customs and the “dos” and “don’ts” before exploring the community. The following advice is vital when entering a hilltribe village.

Do not enter or knock at any hilltribe people’s door which as a fresh branch of a tree hanging in front of the house. This is a sign that the house is in the middle of having a significant ceremony such as giving birth to a new born baby or offering food to their guardian spirits.
Do not touch the sacred objects of the village or the holy objects in the hilltribe peoples’ houses. Examples are the village gate, the giant ceremonial swing and the Akha’s male and female dolls. Do not touch the spirit house of the village or the spirit shelf in the village.
Do not show affection between male and female in public. Most important, do not commit any sexual harassment towards the village girl.
Do not go naked or wear swimming suit while having a bath or swimming in public. You should decently dressed even while sleeping.
Ask for permission before taking any photos of people, places of worship or ceremonies.
If tourists violate the tribe’s rules it is customary for the tourist to pay a fine for their doing wrong against the tribal spirits.
One important thing you should avoid is using narcotics in the hilltribe village. It is not only harmful but also unlawful.
If you would like to donate something, you should avoid assistance to individual hilltribe people. The help should be for the whole community such as donating medicine, money for the village fund or educational material for the school.

For more details concerning the hilltribes’ traditions, rules and festivals, please contact the Hilltribe Research Institute at Chiang Mai University. Office hours are from 08:30 a.m. to 14:40 p.m., Monday – Friday, tel. & fax. 053-221933.

Important: Before you travel please check your Tour Voucher and Arrival Information for the latest joining instructions. This will be sent to you upon receipt of final payment.

All itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.

Prices for- Thailand Trekking and Adventures