Prices for- Thailand Trekking and Adventures

Barge Cruise and Chiang Mai

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.

Day 1, Friday, Bangkok (-/-/-)

Arrive Bangkok Airport. After customs and immigration formalities your clients will be met by our representative and transferred to Royal Hotel.

Overnight.

Day 2, Saturday, Bangkok – Pakkred – Samkok – Maenam Noi (B/L/D)

Board the “Thanatharee” at Pinklao Pier (Bangkok side) at 08.30 and depart Bangkok to Ko Kred, an island in the middle of the Chao Phraya River. Explore the Mon pottery-making village on the island before continuing to lively Pathum Thani market where varieties of fresh meats, vegetables and various local goods are sold. Lunch served on the way. Continue the cruise with 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 and then head upriver to the unspoilt Maenam Noi, a small branch of the main Chao Phraya River.

Arrive at Wat Chang Noi at approximately 1800, tie up for the night and enjoy dinner on board.

Day 3, Sunday, Maenam Noi – Ban Bang Sadej – Pamok (B/L/D)

Time for breakfast and a cycle ride to explore the village, then depart for Wat Taku. (Lunch served on board.) Set off by bicycle to explore the local villages along the Maenam Noi.

Rejoin the barge at Wat Kophai and continue to Bang Sadej. 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 the second overnight. Dinner on board.

Day 4, Monday, Pa Mok – Ayudhaya - Chiang Mai (B/-/-)

An opportunity to give food to the monks on their morning alms round with time to visit the local Pamok School. Also visit a local family that makes drums and the local market. Have breakfast on board. Then depart for Ayudhaya, Thailand’s former capital (1350-1767) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Arrive at Ayudhaya train station pier at approximately at 12.00 hrs. Disembark and transfer to Ayudhaya Riverside Hotel for a day room.

At leisure with opportunity to self-explore the historical park and Ayudhaya town until time for transfer to railway station for night train to Chiang Mai.

Day 5, Tuesday, Chiang Mai (-/-/-)

Arrive Chiang Mai in the morning, transfer to hotel accommodation.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 6, Wednesday, 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 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 other tribes, however they still much preserve their tradition way of dressing. Dinner and overnight in the village.

Day 7, Thursday, Trekking (B/L/D)

After breakfast trek for 3 hours to an elephant camp and after lunch take an elephant-back ride for 1½ - 2 hours to a rafting camp.

Dinner and overnight at the rafting camp. (Overnight at a Karen village if in dry season.)

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

After breakfast take a bamboo raft down river for 1 ½ hours 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’. After lunch return to Chiang Mai by pick-up and transfer to hotel.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 9, Saturday, Chiang Mai - Bangkok (B/L/D)

At leisure until time for transfer to railway station for night train to Bangkok.

Overnight on the train.

Day 10, Sunday, Bangkok

Arrive Bangkok in the morning.

End of services.

Services included in the price:

Transfers by air-conditioned bus. Non air-conditioned transportation will be used in remote areas.
Except while barge cruise and trekking, accommodation is standard 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 in the barge is air-conditioned dormitory type for maximum 12 persons but the two sides is separated by a fabric curtain. One common bath room and one toilet are located in the main deck. Another one toilet on the upper deck. Clients should bring their own towel and personnel toiletries (towel and soap are provided).
Sleeping kit, consisting of a mat for the floor and a sheet as well as a rucksack, water canteen and lifejacket will be provided during the trekking.
2^nd class air-conditioned train with berth from Ayudhaya to Chiang Mai, and form Chiang Mai to Bangkok.
Meals as specified in the program.
Entrance fee where applicable.
Service of local English-speaking guide during trekking.
Service of local English-speaking assistance during the cruise.

Services not included in the price:

Airport tax.
International flight.
Drinks & meals not mentioned in the above itinerary.
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