Trekking in northern Thailand

All for an unforgettable experience!
Northern Thailand is renowned for its beautiful landscapes and mountain populations.

Akha girl

The hill tribes

Northern Thailand is populated by tribes from Burma such as Karen, China such as Akha, Hmong, Lahu ... or Tibet as Lisu. Although some members of these communities (few) have Thai nationality, they have kept their traditions in the mountains of northern and northwestern Thailand where they have recently settled. They remain very isolated from the rest of the Thai population.

When you go for a trek of two or three days, you are usually spent the night in a mountain village where you can meet friendly and very open people. You can help them cook the evening meal and you can sleep "homestay". It is a very enriching experience, an unforgettable moment.
Formerly poppy cultivation for opium was the main livelihood for some of these tribes, especially in the Golden Triangle. Encouraged by the royal family, programs were undertaken to convert these prohibited crops to coffee, tea, fruit and vegetables.

Tea culture in Chiang Mai

There are many trekking areas in Thailand. In the North, Safarine has selected sites that offer a maximum of assets in terms of natural beauty and meetings with the populations mentioned above. Moreover, before and after the trek, the chosen zones offer many and varied possibilities of visits. The best place to do a trek are located in the provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai which have all these assets.

Survivor trek with Safarine Tours

Chiang Mai offers superb trekking tours, but has the advantage of having a large number of temples, relics of the past and cultural attractions. The city is ideally placed to visit all of Northern Thailand with day trips to Chiang Rai and / or the Golden Triangle.

Golden triangle cultures

What is the best time for a trek in the north?

The ideal period is from July to February. In July begins the monsoon season which ends in October, the jungle is particularly luxuriant and water cascades abundant. At the price of a few drops of water you can enjoy the wonders of nature. The forest is beautiful during the rainy season
In November the rains stop, and until February you are in the most favorable period. The heat decreases and the sky is clear, which puts all the colors in value. The flow of rivers is always abundant, fed by the water accumulated during the rainy season. The nights are cool and sleep is easy. The temperature sometimes drops to around ten degrees on the heights.

Chiang Dao

The warm season from March to the beginning of June is less pleasant, and northern Thailand is often covered by the smoke of clearing forests, although Thai peasants are no longer allowed to burn their fields in this season, but a practice still prevalent in the surrounding countries, Burma and Laos. Because of the lack of wind, and a layer of cold air coming from China at this time and the fumes are plated on the ground, the visibility is bad and the rate of fine particles in the air important. The jungle is dry and far from the luxuriance of the rainy season. The rice terraces are not more green. This period is therefore not recommended for treks.

Lana House Chiang Mai

In conclusion

Northern Thailand is an ideal area for treks. Some areas are preferable to others, by what they can offer and their strategic location for other visits or activities. For you Safarine studied tours including your trek and you benefit from its expertise: you are guaranteed to live a magnificent adventure.

Discover the Safarine Tours treks and adventure trips, in complete freedom and in harmony with nature, wildlife and inhabitants.