Popular 'Jungle Treks', lasting from 2 to 7
days, take visitors through forested mountains
and high valleys and meadows, and include visits
to remote high-altitude hilltribe settlements
for overnight stays. The best guides are hilltribe
youths who customarily speak English, Thai and
at least three tribal dialects.
Treks commonly include travelling by foot, sometimes
by boat, elephant-back, horse-back or jeep;
frequently using a combination of two or three
modes of different transportation.
Four-Wheel Drive Safaris
This popular new activity features exciting
trips by Land Rover between Chiang Mai and Mae
Hong Son, taking five days and four nights,
or Chiang Rai and Ken Thun in Myanmar, taking
three days
and two nights. Much of the journey is along
dirt roads and tracks so that visitors can witness
out-of-the-way areas. Accommodation is in forest
lodges or basic hotels.
Each morning, at Km 10 on the Mae Rim-Samoeng
route, trained elephants demonstrate their formidable
and highly-valued forestry skills from 9.30
until 11.00 AM, at the Mae Sa Elephant Training
Centre. The centre is some 30 kilometres from
town. Admission is 80 baht per person. A jungle
tour on elephant back, lasting more than two
hours through adjacent forests, is offered after
the show and costs 250 baht per person. Elephants
can also be seen at the Pong Yaeng Elephant
Centre at KM 19 on the same route.
 Bird-
Watching
Although bird-watching has been a popular activity
among Thais for many years, it is only recently
that overseas visitors have recognized the potential
of this fascinating pastime. In total, almost
one thousand different species of birds - some
local, others migrating here- have been spotted
in Thailand. Most of Thailand's national parks
offer good opportunities for bird-watching such
as Khao Yai National Park, Kaeng Krachan in
Petchburi and Doi Inthanon National Park in
Chiang Mai province.
Taeng Dao Elephant Camp
This riverside enclave, at KM 56 on Highway
107, features daily shows of elephants at work,
from 9.00 AM until 10.00 AM, and from 10.00
AM until 11.00 AM, and offers elephant rides,
and opportunities for bucolic river-rafting
through largely pristine and tranquil forests,
or jungle treks to neighbouring hilltribe settlements.
Hilltribes
Hilltribe villages provide the chance to observe
diverse cultures and languages. Villages that
are closer to and have greater contact with
towns include the Hmong (Meo) on Pui Mountain,
and the Mae Sa Mai Hmong on the Mae Rim-Samoeng
Rd.
If you are interested in observing hilltribe
villages whose traditions, customs, and vocations
are still intact and also in getting the chance
to experience the adventure of the jungle, you
must travel further up into the mountains. There
are several tour guide companies in Chiang Mai
that provide trekking services. Most treks last
for more than a day, and involve spending the
night in a designated hilltribe village. Prices
vary by facilities provided and destinations. |
