It comes as no surprise to those who check out my blog regularly that hiking is high on my list of favorite things to do. It is a great way to bond with nature, get some adrenaline pumping and feel the good tired afterward.
Hiking also makes me feel part of something so much bigger than me. I stop frequently during a hike, and not only to catch my breath, but to look at what lays ahead. If I am climbing a mountain, I love looking at the top of the mountain, our end destination, and enjoy feeling small, a good sense of small, that is.
So, when checking out things to do for our Thailand trip this coming May, trekking was mentioned in guidebooks, forums, tour operators websites and many other places, so we decided to have trekking as part of our trip. And since we will be spending most of our trip in Northern Thailand, planning a trek in Northern Thailand became a goal of mine.
The more I researched, the more excited I became about it. It is not just going to be hiking for the sake of hiking and exploring nature only, we will also be exploring Thai culture, visiting Thai villages in the highlands, and realizing a part of the local lives in Northern Thailand: interesting and colorful ethnic minorities known as the hill tribes.
From One Stop Chiang Mai :
Most of the hill tribes have migrated into the region during the past 100 years from the Asian interior and have largely preserved their traditional ways, making them a fascinating cultural study. They prefer living above 1,000m, and shy away from the outside world.There are seven broad hill tribe groupings: Karen, Lahu, Hmong, Lisu, Akha and Mien. However, within these categories, there are sub-categories and clans that further divide the groups. Each hill tribe has its own customs, language, dress and spiritual beliefs and this is sometimes true even of the numerous sub-categories within one hill tribe. For example, the Green Hmong and White Hmong speak in different and distinct dialects and dress differently. The hill tribes are most distinctly recognized for their colorful and unique costume, which they continue to wear daily.
After much debate and research, we decided to do our trekking in the Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle Area. We also decided to hire a trekking guide, as trekking independently is not recommended, not that we will know where to go or how to approach the villages anyway.
It was a challenge trying to find a trekking guide. I did not want our tour to be like a zoo outing with so many people, and I I've read that many of the villages,as they are becoming tourist attractions, are losing part of their ethnicity and charm. Many travelers on various forums complained that their trekking trips lacked the ethnic feel to them.
Of course, I could wait until we get to Chiang Mai to arrange the trekking trip, but this would not be me, I need to have things planned out before I leave, or at least somewhat planned. So after hours of research, I came across a tour operator,who goes by the name Sam, in the tripadviser forum.He runs a tour "shop' in Chiang Mai, and hires licensed tour guides based on destinations and interests.He seems to be getting great reviews on Trip Adviser.
So I e-mailed him, and we decided on an itinerary for a three day trek to include a visit to few hill tribes, hot springs, long tail boat ride, waterfalls, and a visit to the Golden Triangle. Accommodation for the two nights will be at bamboo guest houses at the villages. The tour guide is supposed to speak English and some of the local hill tribes dialects.And it will be just us, for an extremely reasonable price.
We will be checking out his place and meeting the guide when we get to Chiang Mai, as we have four days there before we actually leave for our trek, my gut feeling is telling me, it is going to be good, and my only worries right now are mosquito:) I am glad to know they provide mosquito nets, and we will be taking lots of mosquito repellent.
I also checked with few other tour companies on the web, they seem to be offering more or less the same itinerary for double or triple the price, and it did not have a local sense in it. So I am counting on Sam, who promised a good ethnic trek of a lifetime.I can hardly wait!
Note: Photos are from Asia Web Direct.
Comments (5)
Sounds awesome! And I am glad you found a tour operator that can provide a small, personalized tour.
Posted by Chiocciola | March 30, 2009 7:48 AM
Posted on March 30, 2009 07:48
Hi Candi, wow this trekking adventure with an emphasis on getting to know the culture and local hill tribes sounds so awesome. What a fantastic adventure to look forward to and I can't wait to hear more. And the hot springs, long tail boat ride, waterfalls and lodgings at a bamboo guest house in the village sounds so cool! Congrats on the great research to find Sam. I'm sure it will be everything you are hoping for and more!
Have a great day Candi!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | March 30, 2009 9:33 AM
Posted on March 30, 2009 09:33
This sounds so awesome! Amazing internet that helped you connect with Sam. And I love the phrase "good tired." :)
Posted by Annie | March 30, 2009 9:35 AM
Posted on March 30, 2009 09:35
Your trekking plans sound very interesting and how cool to have found a private guide. I can’t wait to hear about your adventures in northern Thailand.
Posted by María I. | March 30, 2009 5:48 PM
Posted on March 30, 2009 17:48
Your trip sounds so exciting. I think you made the right choice limiting your time in Bangkok, planning most of your time in the litte towns and villages. The hike sounds fantastic. I can't wait to see photos and hear all about it. I am glad you found someone you feel good about to do the trekking tour.
Posted by girasoli | March 31, 2009 4:55 AM
Posted on March 31, 2009 04:55