Travel to Thailand (Trekking)

Travel to Thailand
If you love trekking the North of Thailand is your answer. I have information and tips for you.

Trekking in Northern Thailand
The North of Thailand is Indeed one of the most charming areas in Southeast Asia and a visit to it would be incomplete without venturing out to experience and enjoy the mountains, the forests and the unique lifestyles of the hilltribes.
Trekking can provide just that experience. It enables you to see the beautiful scenery, learn about the hilltribes, ride elephants, go rafting and mountain-walking in different areas of the three provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son. The unique landscape and local culture will make your trips truly memorable.
 

Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is 700 kms. north of Bangkok. The city is on the Ping River and lies in a fertile plain partially surrounded by forested hills. The countryside around the city of Chiang Mai is still largely unspoiled. The mountains of northern Thailand from the outlying ektermities of the Himalayan foothills and host several hilltribes of Tibeto-Burman origins. The forests are still worked by elephants and there and there are numerous caves, gorges and waterfalls scattered throughout the area.
Chiang Mai is situated on latiude 18 degree north and longitude 98 degree west, 310 metre above sea level. Its area is 20,170 square kilometres, and 90% of these are mountains. The total population is 1.1 million
Map of Chiang Mai

Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand. It is on the Thai Burmese border, 785 kms. from Bangkok. The city is located on the bank of Kok River down which long-tailed boats ply on a 4-5 hour journey to Chiang Mai.
The blue hills on the horizon create dramatic backdrops for the lush, green valleys, providing us with some panoramic views of the countryside with hilltribe villages scattered throughout it. About 70 kms. from Chiang Rai city, there is a picturesque spot where the borders of Thailand, Burma, and Laos meet, which is known all over the world as "The Golden Triangle" Chiang Rai is situated on latitude 19 degree north and iongitude 99 degree west. The total area is 11,678.4 square kilometres with a population of slightly under 900,000.
It's constant cool weather makes Chiang Rai one of the most pleasant provinces in the country.

Mae Hong Son
Like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai,Mae Hong Son, Thailand's mist-shrouded "Shangrila", is one of the most interesting places for trekking. The tranquil little town of Mae Hong Son lies on the north-western part of Thailand close to the Thai/Burmese border, with an intervening territory of rugged, mountainous widerness separating it from Chiang Mai. Mae Hong Son is situated on latitude 19 degree north and longitude 97 degree west. The total area of Mae Hong Son is 12,681 square kilometres with almost 130,000 population.
All three of these provinces share beautiful forested mountain scenery and a pleasant climate. In the countryside of these provinces, several hilltribes lead their peaceful lives in the surrounding mountains.The tribes include Karen, Lahu, Lisu, Akha, Hmong (Meo) and Yao. Most of them prefer tosettle in isolated areas, and cling to their age-old customs and mostly animistic beliefs. Undoubteedly, the best way to see these hilltribes is by trekking.

Trekking Route Part 1
Routes offered by trekking tour companies
There are numerous trekking tour companies in Chiang Mai offering trips from a one night campfire trip to one week or ionger "living off the land" excursions. The prices of the trekking trips depand on the number of trkkers, the duration of the trips, and the services and accommodations offered. So it is best to shop around and discuss arrangements before signing up for a trek.
The prices of the trekking tour compaines usually include accommodation at the local villages, some equipments such as rucksacks, sleeping bags, first-aid kits,food prepared by the trekking guides, and transportation, whether by elephant, raft, bus, boat or airplane (for trips to Mae Hong Son).
However, it is wise to double-check to see what is included and what is not in the price you agree to pay.
For the safety of toturists in general, it is necessary for the companies or guides to notify the Tourist Police of each trip before going on a trek. This will enable the authorities to provide assistance in case of unforeseen in atcidents during the journey.
Although several trekking agencies will cover the same areas, their treks and the routes may differ significantly. So shop around.

In the province of Chiang Mai, there are 4 main trekking areas: Mae Rim-Mae Tang, Chaing Dao, Prao, and Mae Jem. These areas are quite popular, and most of the trekking tour com]anies will offer trips in these areas. Other interesting and unferquented trails will probably be availble upon inquiry. Keep in mind thattrekking in the same area doesn't necessarily mean that the same routes will beused, and that requests for special or specifically out of the way trips will usually means a different price from the going rates

4 Days 3 Night In Mae Tang
Area: Mae Tang District, north-west of Chiang Mai.
Duration: 4 days 3 night, stay overnight at Lisu village, raft camp, Lahu village.
Visit: Lisu, Akha, Karen, Lahu, Hmong and Shan villages, waterfall, cave.
How to get there: by car, on foot, elephant ride, bamboo rafting.

The Area Of Mae Rim And Mae Tang
In general, if you go trekking in this area, you will have a chance to visit a hot-spring, a waterfall, and hilltribe villages of the Karen, Akha, Lisu, Lahu, and Hmong. You will have the opportunity to travel by rafting, walking, and riding elephants.
The cost of trekking in this area also depands on how many days you choose to trek, the service and the accommodation provided.
2 Days 1 Night In Mae Tang
Area: Mae Tang District, north-west of Chiang Mai.
Duration:2 days 1 night, stay overnight at Akha village.
Visit: Lisu, Akha and Lahu villages, and a waterfall.
How to get there: by car, on foot and rating.

3 Days 2 Nights In Mae Tang-Mae Rim
Area: Between Mae Rim and Mae Tang Districts, north-west of Chinag Mai.
Duration: 3 days 2 nights, stay overnight at Hmong and Karen villages.
Visit: Karen, Hmong villages, waterfall and orchid farm.
How to get there: by car and on foot.

3 Days 2 Night In Mae Tang
Area: Mae Tang District, north-west of Chiang Mai.
Duration: 3 days 2 nights, stay overnight at Karen and Akha villages.
Visit: Hmong, karen, Lahu, Akha villages, waterfall and hot spring.
How to get there: by car, on foot, elephant ride and rafting.

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In The Area of Chinag Dao
This area of trekkeing is very famous with trekkers. You will have a chance to visit the Chiang Dao Cave, where a Buddha has been built statue and a small but distinctive white "chedi" with many spires. The hilltribes living in this area are Hmong, Lahu, Akha, and Karen.
You may choose to travel by raft along the Tnag River or use the elephant trails availble in this area. You can spend more than 2 days along this route if you wish. Prices will be adjusted according to the duration of stay.

4 Days 3 Night In Chiang Dao
Area: Between Chiang Dao and Mae Tang Districts, north-west of Chiang Mai.
Duration: 4 days 3 nights, stay overnight at White Karen village, Red Karen village and Lahu village.
Visit: Hmong, White Karen, Red Karen, Po Karen, Lahu and Akha village, waterfall.
How to get there: by car, on foot, elephant ride, bamboo rafting.

In The Area of Mae Jam
The hilltribes you will find in this area will be Karen and Hmong.

4 Days 3 Nights In Mae Jem
Area: Between Mae Jem and Jomthong Districts, south-west of Chiang Mai.
Duration: 4 days 3 nights, stay overnight at Hmong village, Karen village and Doi Inthanon National Park.
Visit: Hmong, Karen, Lisu and Akha villages, a watwefall and the highest point in Thailand.
How to get there: by car, on foot, elephant ride, bamboo rafting.
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In The Area of Prao
Along this route, you will have a chance to visit a waterfall and hilltribe villages of the Akha, Lisu and Lahu.

5 Day 4 Nights In Prao
Area: Prao and Chiang Dao Districts, north and noryh-east of Chiang Mai.
Duration: 5 days 4 nights, stay overnight at Lahu, Karen, Lisu and Akha villages
Visit: Lahu, Lisu and Akha villages, Elephant Training Centre, cave.
How to get there: by car, on foot, elephant ride.

3 Day2 Nights In Prao
Area: Prao District, north-east of Chiang Mai.
Duration: 3 days 2 nights, stay overnight at Lisu village and Akha village.
Visit: Hmong, Lisu, Akha and Karen villages.
How to get there: by car truck, on foot.

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Doi Intanon
Area: Jomthong District, south-west of Chiang Mai.
Duration: 2 days 1 night, stay overnight at Karen village.
Visit: bat cave, Karen and Hmong villages, and waterfall.
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Doi Inthanon Park Information

Doi Inthanon mountain, Inthanon comes from the of Chao (prince) Inthawichayanon, the last ruler of Chiang Mai, whose ashes were placed in the stupa at the summit. It was declared as the sixth national park in 1972. The total area is over 482 square kilometres. It is part of the Thanon Thongchai Range, and is 2,565 metres above sea level. The average temperature in December and January is below 0 degrees centigrade. It is recommended that visitors should bring warm clothing even in the hottest month. Doi Inthanon is a good sp

spot for bird watcher and orchid lovers.

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Trekking To Chiang Rai

One of the most famous trekking routes, which most of the trekking tour companies usually include in their service, is the route from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.

One of the main trekking routes in Chiangi Rai is concertrated mainly along and in the vicinity of the banks of the Kok river. Along this route, you can visit a hotspring, a waterfall, and the villages of six main tribes, which are Karen, Lahu, Lisu, Akha, Hmong and the Yao.

In additon, you will be able to visit the Golden Triangle. The tour companies will usually arrange a one night stay at the Golden Triangle before returning to Chiang Mai.

Like other trekking routes, the price depands on the duration of the trek, the services and the accommodation offered.

4 Days 3 Nights In Chiang Rai I

Area: Mae Chan, Mae Sai and Chiangsaen Districts, north of Chiang Rai.

Duration: 4 days 3 nights, stay overnight at karen village, Akha village and guesthouse.

Visit: hot spring, Karen villahe, Yao village, Lahu village, waterfall, Akha village, Shan village, Mae Sai, the Golden Triangle and Chiangsaen.

How to get there: by car, boat, elephant ride and on foot.


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