Chiang Mai Trek

Hi all

I was wondering if anyone has done a Trek in Chiang Mai, and if so what do you think is the ideal amount of time to be up in that end of Thailand.

I was thinking of a two or 3 day trek, but wasnt sure how long after the trek I should stay in this are before heading back to bangkok then down to the gulf for party party . Also can does anyone recommend any other areas while I am in northern Thailand??

I am going to Thai Oct 9th til 30th. I know the weather may be hit or miss but still should be warm. Hopefully I wont get washed away, fingers crossed.

Any help would be Great

Arron

A few years back, we did a three day/two night trek around Mae Hong Son (a few hours from Chiang Mai). The first night we stayed in a small village (only twelve houses), and the second night we spend the night in the jungle!
We booked this trip with Mr. Long, a guide I can recommend to everybody.

When you get there you'll be able to book locally from a variety of treks you'll not have any problem. Don't forget it's a malaria area and you'll need anti malaria drugs, take advice on this.

Best of luck and keep safe

Jean

Hi Aarron,

Im in chiang mai now for the past week and it w\has been amazing this place is everythign u could ask for activities are brilliant and the trekking is a great way to see the local wildlife and natural area also if your into activities and fun things to do i really recommend the zip line cable activity flight of the gibbon the city is littered with tourist agencies and can arrange this trip too great fun great way to meet people defo one of the highlights of the stuff we have done also go on a quadding trip with atv quad centre just outisde the city

Happy travels

Claire

Thanks ever so much people....Jeanie, id not realised about the malaria and the fact that its a little worse up in the north during the rainy season.

Claire, your time up there sounds immense......i cant wait to go do some of the things you have mentioned. Im hoping to travel to laos.....so now from what you have mentioned my time up in the northern part may be a little longer than first planned.

How has the rain been while you have been up there? Sept is supposed to be the peak month of the rains isnt it?

Thanks again for you help

Arron

Hi Arron,

My partner and I were in Chiang Mai last year at the end of September and did a two-night, three-day trek in Chiang Dao, about two hours north of Chiang Mai. The place we organised it through is called Chiang Dao Nest, the one we did is the first one mentioned on this link http://www.chiangdao.com/nest/3daytreks.htm. We stayed in villages on both nights, the first night in our own little hut at the base of a mountain and the second in a village at the top, looking out over the most amazing views of the mountains around us. Because it was the low season, my partner and I were the only people on the trek, but I counted by the end something like 15 people who had looked after us over the three days, cooking for us, taking us on the trek itself, driving, bamboo rafting (which is awesome) and elephant riding. All of these people were locals who spoke very little if any English, but we had the best time, and all the money from the trek (which wasn't actually all that much) goes back into their communities. They took us down rivers and through caves and all sorts of stuff.

I would totally recommend booking through this place if you like the sound of it. We also stayed in their accommodation for a couple of days after our trek, check it out on their website, cheap as chips and totally beautiful.

With regards to how long in Chiang Mai, we had four nights there and could have had another week - it was my absolute favourite place in Thailand. I would recommend less time in Bangkok and more time in the north, but all depends on your interests.

Good luck with your planning and have a fantastic time!

Kate

Thanks for the Link all thai, I will be sure to have a good look

And again thanks for your info Kate. How was the weather during your time up there, and what trekking supplies did you take? Are waterproof and long sleeves required when trekking sept/oct?

Di you also take you own mosquito net and other bits?

Arron

It rained overnight on the second night of our trek and a sporatically over the few other days, which make for seriously slippery walking, but it was okay. It only rained one other time during our almost three weeks (in Bangkok, there was a typhoon in Vietnam).

We didn't have much of anything supplies wise. I would make sure you have really sturdy waterproof shoes, a decent first aid kit (I strained my ankle the first day and LOTS of mozzie spray and tiger balm (for when you get bitten by mozzies anyway), but other than that you should be right. They provided us with mozzie nets for the nights.

Have fun and let us know how you go!