TRAVEL
Thailand Travel – Top Tips for Trekking
Thailand is not only about beaches, water sports, and parties. Yes, all of these things define a lot about Thailand, but not everything! The northern part of Thailand has different landscapes featuring highlands and lowlands, remote villages, lush tropical forests, and ethnic hill tribes.
This area of Thailand is often visited by trekkers, hikers, and adventure lovers. So, if you fit in one of these categories, then you must visit Northern Thailand, especially Chiang Mai. Thailand tourism promotes this place because it is the main hub for trekking.
You will find many locals who organize trekking tours here but exploring offbeat trekking trails on your own will be more thrilling. Well, if you are worried about how you will do it in a new land, then stop right there!
Yes, because we are here with the most useful tips for trekking in Thailand. If you will follow these, then you will surely have an amazing trekking experience in Thailand. So, read on:
1.Research Properly to Find Your Trail:
Thailand is full of picturesque trekking trails, and every trail offers a unique experience to the travelers. So, you should research on your own to find the best trekking trails for an amazing trekking experience in Thailand.
Many people just follow the trekking trail given by their tour guide or hotel staff. You will be able to know the features and highlights of each trail after doing research on your own. In this way, you will be able to shortlist the trekking trail according to your personal preferences.
If you want to trek on a less-visited trail, then you can research about the lesser-known trekking places like Mae Sariang, Umphang, Kamphaeng Phet, Chiang Dao, and Sangkhlaburi. These treks will take you through many exciting spots like waterfalls, national parks, caves and tribal villages.
2. Consider your Fitness Level before Choosing any Trek:
Trekking is a physical activity. So, it requires a little bit of strength and stamina. However, the trekking trails of Thailand are not that much challenging; but still, you will need physical strength for embarking on any of these.
So, it is good to choose a trek that matches your fitness level. You can ask the trek operators about the distance of the whole trek, days required to complete it and the terrain involved. If you are trekking for the first time, then go for trekking trails that have lesser distance.
Plus, a short distance can also be tiring if it involves many uphill climbs. If you won’t consider all these things, then you will end up being exhausted after the trek. You won’t be able to enjoy it properly if it will be too much hard work for your body.
3.Trek with a Reliable Trekking Agency:
If you are an experienced trekker, then you can create your own trekking group to explore the forests of Thailand. But you need lots of knowledge about the route, place, and people for that. So, the safe option is to join trekking tours that are organized by trekking agencies.
However, you need to find whether the agency is authentic or not. Don’t sign up with any trekking agency that is offering a trekking tour at a cheap price. Read their reviews, know about the trek they are offering and ask about each and every facility in advance.
Yes, because there are many tour operators who bluff tourists due to their lack of knowledge about the area. They offer exciting offers and then provide a very cheap meal on the trek or take you to the nearest forest. So, beware of all these people.
4. Choose the Right Trekking Gear:
The right trekking gear is very important for enjoying any trek properly. So, pack the things carefully for your trekking journey. Keep essential things like raincoats, torches, first aid boxes, etc. in your trekking bag.
Ensure that your gear is lightweight as you will have to carry this weight during the whole trek. Wear simple clothes, long pants and also keep some extra clothes so that you can change if your existing ones get dirty.
The forests of Thailand Tourism have lots of leeches; so wear plastic boots or hiking boots to avoid them. Keep your sunscreen, insect repellent, and some snacks to provide you last minute energy!
5.Behave in a Respectful Way:
While trekking in the forests of Thailand, you will come across many hill tribe villages. You should respect the privacy of these people and don’t consider them a tourist attraction. Instead of taking photos without permission, talk to them and ask politely for it.
You won’t have a problem with communicating as a lot of tribal people know English. Otherwise, you can take the help of your trek guide. If you are curious to know about their lifestyle, then interact with them in a pleasant way.
Apart from it, don’t throw litter in the forest areas. As a tourist, it’s your responsibility to maintain the existing beauty of the place. If you find litter thrown by other tourists, then dispose of it properly.
6. Be Ready for Unexpected Twists:
One of the most important tips is to embrace the unexpected while trekking. Things will not always go as you planned while trekking. Yes, the weather can be different from what you expected. There can be high rain on some days.
Your trek guide may change the path of the trek due to some immediate reasons. You may forget a few things. You may be bitten by some insect. But, remember that, all of this is a part of trekking in dense forests.
The main thing is that you won’t be harmed in any serious way if you are trekking with a reliable trek guide. You will face unexpected twists, but all of these things add thrill to your trip. So, take it in a positive way!
Hence, embark on your trekking journey and promote Thailand Tour Packages by sharing your Thailand trekking experience with others! Have absolute fun while trekking.
Harper Harrison is a reporter for The Hear UP. Harper got an internship at the NPR and worked as a reporter and producer. harper has also worked as a reporter for the Medium. Harper covers health and science for The Hear UP.