Prices for- Thailand Trekking and Adventures

Thailand Trekking & Barge Cruise

A great combination program which is to enjoy the delights of the north (including Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle), experience adventurous trek through isolated hill tribes villages, and explore the rural countryside along the way on board our fabulous converted teakwood rice barge and cruise down along Chao Phraya River to Bangkok.

Day 1, Bangkok

Joint transfer from airport to Royal Hotel and check in. Day at leisure.

Overnight.

Day 2, Bangkok (B)

An early morning at 07 .30 hrs. at the lobby of Royal Hotel, an excursion to visit a floating market. In the afternoon visit three of the most famous monasteries in Thailand and experience the beauty of these spectacular yet delicate Thai architectural works of art: the Marble Temple, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Golden Buddha Temple.

Overnight.

Day 3, Bangkok / Phitsanuloke (B)

After breakfast depart for Phitsanulok at 09.30 hrs. by public air-conditioned bus, a principle city of northern Thailand for more than 500 years. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.

Overnight.

Day 4, Phitsanuloke / Sukhothai / Chiang Mai (B)

Morning excursion to Sukhothai, the oldest of Thailand's former capitals, where the recently restored ruins of the Grand Palace and many temples dating back to the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great (AD 1277-1317) are preserved as historically valuable monuments and essential elements of Thailand's cultural heritage.

Transfer to the railway station for day train to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, transfer to the hotel.

Overnight.

Day 5, Chiang Mai (B)

Tour to Doi Suthep Monastery, spectacularly located on a mountain top at an altitude of 3,520 feet with splendid views of the surrounding countryside. This is followed by a visit to a centre for local handicrafts, such as paper umbrellas, silk, silverware and lacquerware.

Overnight.

Day 6, Trekking (B/L/D)

Depart Chiang Mai by 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, mostly down hills for about 2 1/2 hours to a Lisu village of Baan Huay Nam Dang. The Lisu tribe is a branch of the Lisu of Tibet who intermarried with the Mongols who and specialize in opium and rice cultivation. The lisu is rather independent type and so not as easy going as others, however they still much preserve their tradition way of dressing. Dinner and overnight in the village.

Day 7, Trekking (B/L/D)

After breakfast trek for 3 hours to an elephant camp and after lunch take an elephant-back ride for 1-1½ hours 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 rafting camp. (Overnight at the Karen village if in dry season.)

Day 8, Trekking / Chiang Mai (B/L/-)

After breakfast take a bamboo raft 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 pick-up and transfer to Chiang Mai.

Day 9, Chiang Mai (B/-/-)

Day at leisure.

Overnight.

Day 10, Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai (B/-/-)

Early departure from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by minibus. Make a short stop at a hot spring and then continue to the famous Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Visit Yao and Akha hill-tribe villages and then continue to the border town of Mai Sai with a stop for lunch along the way. Located just across the Sai River from Myanmar the town has a thriving market based on cross-border trade. After exploring Mai Sai set off to overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day 11, Chiang Rai / Chiang Mai / Ayudhaya (B)

Return to Chiang Mai by local air-con bus. Own transfer from Chiang Mai bus station to train station in connecting with night train to Ayudhaya, departure at approximately 16:40 hrs.

Overnight on the train.

Day 12, Ayudhaya- Ban Bang Sadej – Pamok (D)

Arrive Ayudhaya early in the morning (approximately 04:35 hrs), transfer to Ayothaya Riverside Hotel for fresh up, with opportunity to self-explore the historical park and Ayudhaya town.

At 13:30 board the "Thanatharee" rice barge and cruise along Chao Phraya River, passing the splendid Wat Chaiwattanaram. Stop at Bang Sadej village. By bicycle visit its famous temple and a local orphanage where, mainly, hilltribe children receive an education and vocational training. Continue to the main village to meet the local people and see the cottage industries they engage in. Then depart to Pamok for overnight. Dinner on board.

Day 13, Pa Mok – Maenam Noi (B/L/D)

An opportunity to give food to the monks on their morning alms round with time to visit the local Pamok School. Also visit the local market and a local family that makes drums. After breakfast head to the unspoilt Maenam Noi, a small branch of the main Chao Phraya River with lunch on board. Stop at the village of Wat Kophai and set off by bicycle to explore the local villages along the Maenam Noi and witness day-to-day activities of the villagers. Rejoin the barge at Wat Taku and cruise along scenic Maenam Moi. Arrive Wat Singh at approximately 17:30, tie up for the night and enjoy dinner on board.

Day 14, Maenam Noi - Samkok – Ko Kred – Bangkok (B/L/-)

Time for breakfast and the opportunity to give food to the monks on their morning alms round, followed by a cycle ride to explore nearby villages and perhaps a local plantation. Cruise back to the main Chao Phraya River and make a short stop at Wat Pailom, well known as a winter nesting ground of the Asian Openbill Stork which migrates from Northern India and Siberia.

Afterwards depart for Pathum Thani with lunch on board. Arrive at the lively Pathum Thani market where varieties of fresh meats, vegetables and various local goods are sold. Continue the cruise to Ko Kred, an island in the middle of the Chao Phraya River. Explore the Mon pottery-making village on the island. Rejoin the barge and cruise to Bangkok. Disembark at Pinklao Pier at approximately 17.30 hrs.

End of services.

Remarks:

Itinerary of the barge & trekking portion is only a guideline and is subject to change without prior notice due to tide of the river and local conditions.
Not recommend for child under 7 years old for trekking.

Services included in the price:

Tours and transfers by air-conditioned mini bus. Non air-conditioned transportation will be used in remote areas.
Except while trekking & barge cruise 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.
Sleeping facilities during trekking, consisting of a mat for the floor and a sheet, as well as a rucksack and water canteen, will be provided during the trekking.
On board Thanatharee
The barge provides air-conditioned multi-share accommodation for a maximum of 12 persons, the bedroom area being divided into two sections by a curtain. One common bathroom and one toilet are located on the main deck, a second toilet is on the upper deck. Clients should bring their own personnel toiletries (towel and soap are provided).
Public air-conditioned deluxe bus from Bangkok to Phitsanulok.
2nd class air-conditioned day train from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai.
2nd class train with air-conditioned sleeping berth from Chiang Mai to Ayudhaya.
Meals as specified in the program (boiled drinking water provided during trekking)
Service of local English-speaking guide during the excursions and trekking.
Service of English-speaking assistance during the barge cruise.
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.

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