Trekking Thailand

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1 Chiang Mai
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand.

You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting at 18:00 (this time may vary from time to time). Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where and when this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information.

Your leader will collect your local payment today. Please bring notes/bills in large denominations.

Chiang Mai is a great place for cycling and bicycles are easily available for rent. There are so many things to do here - spectacular temples, delicious food and fantastic shopping. Climb to Doi Suthep Temple, sign up for a Thai cooking class or loosen those muscles with a traditional massage.

Note most trekking gear (sleeping bags, mats, small packs, etc) can be rented in Chiang Mai today - your leader can help you organise this after the group meeting.

Our clean, comfortable guesthouse in Chiang Mai is located in a quiet part of town near the old city and has ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning.

Days 2-4 Hilltribe Trek
We have a briefing before setting off on our 3 day trek. The highlight of this trip is meeting the local people in the various villages, each with their own unique language, customs and dress.

The trekking on this trip should not be too hard for anyone who is reasonably physically fit. We walk for approximately 4 hours or less each day so there is no great rush. Please take into account that the ground is muddy and slippery during the rainy season (around July to October), though the scenery is at its most lush and spectacular to compensate. You carry all your own personal belongings and water in a daypack and leave your main luggage at the hotel. All meals while on the trek are provided, but you need to carry and purchase your own water along the way (please allow US$8 for the entire trek).

The exact itinerary of the trek changes from time to time, taking into account the weather and local conditions. The terrain is rural rather than jungle - the hilltribes grow rice and other vegetables on the slopes - and we walk along village tracks.

Accommodation is multi share, sleeping on fold-out mattresses on the floors of the wooden/bamboo huts typical of the villages. There are shared squat toilets and basic washing facilities in most villages (i.e. hose or water pipe) or we may be able to wash in a nearby stream. Warmer clothing and sleeping bags are recommended from November to January as the nights are usually quite cool during this period.

We return to our guesthouse in Chiang Mai on the afternoon of day 4.

Day 5 Chiang Mai/Overnight Train
Our morning in Chiang Mai is free for last-minute shopping and sightseeing. We board the overnight train bound for Bangkok in the late afternoon (approx. 13 hours). We use soft sleeper class train for our overnight train journey. Multi share compartments are fan cooled, with bunk beds; sheets and pillow provided. Our baggage travels in the carriage with us. There is a food and drink service available on board.

Day 6 Bangkok
Our trip finishes on arrival at Bangkok train station in the morning of day 6 at approximately 7:00am. If you are leaving Thailand today, please do not book a flight departing before midday as train delays can and do occur.

Additional accommodation in Bangkok is available on request.