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Tak Province :
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Trails are found in
Umphang Wildlife
Sanctuary and the
western portion of Thung
Yai Naresuan, which
together with the
adjoining Huai Kha Kaeng
Wildlife Sanctuary has
been designated a World
Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Campsites are provided
but you must bring your
own tent and camping
gear. Permits are
required for entry into
the wildlife sanctuary.
These can be obtained at
the Umphang Eco tourism
Club in Umphang. Pack
light for a jungle trek,
and bring insect
repellent. Most who
visit Mae Sot in Tak are
determined to see the
spectacular Ti Lo Su
Waterfall.
Tour operators usually
offer mountain biking,
elephant-back rides,or
rafting for part of the
long trek, but most of
it is done on foot.
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Trekking is one of the most
popular outdoor activities
enjoyed by visitors of all ages.
While trekking you can soothe
your mind and spirit in the
fresh air and stunning scenery
of Thailand's undiscovered
wilds, and get a comprehensive
aerobic workout at the same
time. Treks can range from a
single day's light excursion to
physically challenging
adventures of a week or more.
Phitsanulok & Phetchabun
Province :
Both
provinces are popular camping
and trekking destinations
because they contain several
national parks between them,
each featuring different
landscape and flora and fauna.
The rocky hills along the border
between the two provinces were
Communist hideaways in the
1970s. Nowadays an efficient
road network links the area with
the rest of the country, and
nature lovers flock there for
the waterfalls, the fields of
wildflowers and butterflies, and
the spectacular landscape, which
changes with the seasons. Best
time to go is October-December
for the wildflowers, although
any time of the year is suitable
for hiking and camping.
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Each
of the national parks in the
area has its own distinct
character. Thung Salaeng Luang
National Park, 80 kilometres
from Phitsanulok on the route to
Lomsak, is marked by its open
savanna, which blazes with
colour during the wildflower
season (July-October). Wild
animals are often spotted
feeding around these fields.
Phu Hin Rong Kla, 125 kilometres
from Phitsanulok, got its name
from the strange-looking rock
fields eroded by wind and rains.
The park features many hiking
trails, most of them leading to
beautiful waterfalls.
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Nam Nao National Park on the
Lomsak-Chum Pae route is one of
the top camping destinations in
the cool season
(November-February), with its
picturesque pine forest, caves
of stalactites and stalagmites,
and dry, cool weather. It is a
watershed area and
the source of several rivers in
the North and Northeast.
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Forest trekking
Chiang Mai: The best trails are
found in Doi Inthanon National
Park
where over 360 bird species,
spectacular butterflies,
wildlife, orchids and other
distinct flora vie for the
hiker's attention. Within the
national park, there are
beautiful Siriphum and Chedi
waterfalls. The Army Pack
Division Headquarters on Chotana
Road in Mae Rim District offers
camping trips and horseback
riding along with basic jungle
survival skills training. |
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Loei
Province :
The province has long been a
favourite destination for nature
lovers, most of whom come to
scale the famous mesa mountain
Phu Kradueng. The other two of
Loei's triple lofty treats are
Phu Luang, within whose range
lies a wildlife reserve, and Phu
Rua. Best time to go is November
to April.
Hiking trails on the summit of Phu
Kradueng lead through changing
landscapes, from flower dotted
meadows to pine forests to
waterfalls. The mountain is part
of a national park and a natural
habitat for rare orchids, birds
and wildlife including the
tailed turtle, or Tao Pulu.
Phu Luang, nicknamed "Emerald of
the Northeast" is known for its
biodiversity. A wide array of
wild orchids, ferns and
wildflowers make hiking along
its trails a delight.
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Phu Rua, or Mount Boat, is marked
by a landscape of sandstone
cliffs and oddly shaped
formations created by wind and
rains. The hiking trails are
relatively easy. From the peak,
you have a view of the Mekong, a
natural border between Thailand
and Laos.
Nakhon
Ratchasima
Province :
Khao Yai, or "Big Mountain",
sprawls over parts of Nakhon
Ratchasima, Prachin Buri and
Nakhon Nayok. It is the most
popular national park in the
country, attracting one million
visitors a year with its scenic
beauty and abundant plant and
wildlife. Khao Yai has four
vegetation zones, spanning
elevation from 100 metres to
more than 1,400 metres:
evergreen rainforest,
semi-evergreen, mixed deciduous
and hill evergreen forest.
It is also home to a large array
of birds and animals. Any time
of the year is suitable for
visiting. Fifty trails follow
the migratory paths of wildlife
to beautiful waterfalls.
Commonly spotted animals include
gibbons, langurs, deer, and
monkeys. You can join a night
time safari in which rangers
shine spotlight onto
night-feeding herds, making them
easier to spot.
Kanchanaburi
Province :
Home
to a large ethnic population,
including the Mon, Karen and
Burmese, who have long settled
in the border towns of
Sangkhlaburi and Thong Pha Phum.
Most tour operators in
Kanchanaburi offer trips to
these areas that combine culture
and adventure in one easily
accessible package. Some of the
best hiking trails are in three
national parks: Saiyok in Saiyok
District and Erawan and Chalerm
Rattanakosin in Srisawat
District.
Surat
Thani
Province :
Khao
Sok in western Surat Thani and
the adjoining Khlong Sean
Wildlife Sanctuary provide a
home for tigers, clouded
leopards, Malaysian sun bears,
elephants, gaur and many other
rare species. The park has
hiking trails leading to caves
and waterfalls surrounded by
virgin forest.
Hiking is also popular on
coconut-grove-dotted Samui and
Ang Thong Archipelago's Mae Ko,
which has a lake at its centre.
A number of tour operators on
Samui specialise in trekking on
both Samui and the main islands
of Ang Thong Archipelago.
Trekking preparation
Treks to suit your
requirements are
easily arranged
through many private
operators and
government
organisations. A
trek can range
from a light walk in the
woods to a gruelling
physical challenge.
Assess your
objectives and level
of fitness before
booking a trek that
is right for you.
Safety and medical
considerations are
important if you are
trekking
in the wild, as a simple
sprain can be a real
problem if you are a
long
way from civilisation. Your
trek organiser
should have
contingency plans
and first aid for
any unforeseen
problems.
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Proper equipment is
necessary for
trekking. Good shoes
or boots are a
must.Your trek
organiser will
probably provide
backpacks, but make
sure you have
adequate warm and
comfortable
clothing, proof
against insect
bites, and a hat and
UV block against the
sun.
When exercising in tropical
climates, it is
recommended to drink
up to five litres of
water a day. |
Nakhon Si
Thammarat
Province :
Most of the activities are centred
on Khao Luang National Park,
which contains the highest peak
in the South, Khao Luang. The
area owes a lot of its new found
international fame to the people
of Khiriwong village, who led
the way in community-based
eco-tourism.
The hike to Khao Luang (1,835
metres above sea level) starts
at Khiriwong village at the foot
of the mountain and takes about
two days. The trail spans four
vegetation zones and leads
through the natural habitat of
numerous species including,
Malaysian black bear, tigers,
elephants, leopards and 200
species of bird, plus turtles,
lizards and insects.
Khiriwong Village's Eco-tourism
Club offers biking tours of Suan
Somrom, or fruit orchards that
are grown in the forest
alongside indigenous trees. This
innovative and eco-friendly
growing method is unique to the
village. Local tour operators
offer treks that comprise
rafting down Khlong Klai, which
forms the northern border of the
park, and elephant riding
through surrounding forest.
Elephant
trekking
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Chiang Mai Province:
At
Chiang Dao Elephant Camp
in Chiang Dao District,
elephants are trained to
perform for tourists and
available for rides in
the nearby forest. Mae
Taeng Elephant Camp in
Mae Taeng District,
offers bamboo rafting in
addition to
elephant-back rides. |
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Chiang Rai Province:
Elephant riding is available at
Mae Kok Elephant Camp on the
bank of Mae Kok. You can take a
ride through the surrounding
forest and to nearby Karen
hilltribe villages.
Kanchanaburi Province:
An
elephant ride through the jungle
is popular with visitors to
Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhlaburi.
A ride can be incorporated into
a longer trek featuring mountain
biking and rafting.
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The Thai Elephant
Conservation Centre
in Lampang is offering
an opportunity to
eco-tourists to stay
with real-life mahouts.
The programme lasts
three days and two
nights. The provided
activities are
fun-filled and
environment-friendly.
The participants will
have a chance to gain
first-hand experience on
nature, wildlife and, of
course, elephants.
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Hilltribe
trekking
In northern Thailand, there are
ten different tribes of hill
people. The Karen are by far the
most numerous and they're
easy-going and friendly. Many of
the Hmong people live in Chiang
Mai near the mountain peaks. The
most remote of the hilltribe
people are the Akha, who still
practise shifting cultivation.
Trekking is one way to learn
about their lifestyles and
traditions.
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Chaing Mai Province:
Hilltribe treks are
a popular variety of
trekking in and
around Chiang Mai.
These consist of
stretches trekked on
foot, on elephant
back, and by
mountain bike,
bamboo raft and
rubber kayak.
Popular programmes
include stops and
overnight stays at
ethnic villages:
Karen, Lahu, and
Shan.
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Chiang Rai
Province:
Hilltribe treks at
Chiang Rai also
combine hiking,
elephant back rides
and rafting, and
include stops or
overnight stays at
hilltribe villages.
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Mae Hong
Son
Province:
One of the best
hiking trails in Mae
Hong Son is Doi Mae
Ukor, in Khun Yuam
District. This
centres around the
Mae Surin Waterfall.
The trails here wind
through Waterfalls
and a vast field of
wild sunflowers that
bloom in November.
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Captivating
Khao Yai
Active travellers who like to
explore deep into the forest can
choose one of the 13 trails at
Khao Yai. Note that some
trekking route should be guided
by experienced forestry
officials.
1. Kong
Kaew-Heo Suwat: The
eight-kilometre trail starts
from the back of the visitor
centre. Cross Lam Ta Khong and
follow the red paint markers on
the trees. Gibbons can be
observed. A trail off to the
right goes to Pha Kluai Mai, and
one on the left to Pong Chang. A
guide is needed.
2. Kong
Kaew-Pong Chang II:
The six-kilometre hike takes
four to five hours. Follow Trail
1 to the turnoff for Pong Chang,
then follow the blue markers on
the trees. Sometimes the signs
can be confusing. A guide is
needed.
3. Kong
Kaew-Pha Kluai Mai:
The six-kilometre hike
takes three to four hours.
Follow Trail 1 to the turnoff,
then follow the yellow markers
on the trees. If starting from
Pha Kluai Mai, the entrance to
the trail is on the left of the
road to Heo Suwat, 300 metres
from the campsite.
4. Pha
Kluai Mai-Heo Suwat:
The three-kilometre trail takes
about 90 minutes. From Pha Kluai
Mai, look for the sign to Heo
Suwat. From Heo Suwat, the trail
starts near the toilet.
5. Heo
Suwat-Thung Ya Khao Laem:
Go upstream along Lam Ta Khong
until the bridge and proceed to
Thung Ya Khao Laem. The trail is
three kilometres long and
requires at least two hours.
This trail should be guided.
6. Park
office-Nong Phak Chi:
Start opposite the food stalls and
follow the signs along the
four-kilometre trail to Nong
Phak Chi. From here, follow the
dirt road for one kilometre to a
paved road and walk two
kilometres back to the park
office. This trail is very
popular.
7. Park
office-Wang Cham Pee:
Follow Trail 6 to the first
turnoff, go right and then go
right again at the next turn.
Continue until you reach the
highway at Km 36. It is one
kilometre to the park office.
The circular route takes a few
hours.
8. Kong
Kaew-Golf Course Road:
Start at the back of the visitor
centre and stay parallel to Lam
Ta Khong stream. The easy
1.5-kilometre walk is ideal for
early-morning bird-watching.
9. Park
office-Mor Sing Toh:
Follow Trail 6 and turn left at
the first crossroads. The trail
leads to an open meadow and a
reservoir at Mor Sing Toh. Allow
two hours.
10. Park
office-former TAT restaurant:
Follow Trail 6 and turn right at
the first crossroads. At the
second crossroads, turn left.
This six-kilometre trail
requires a guide.
11. Old
TAT restaurant-Tat Ta Phu
Waterfall: The trail
follows the stream to the
waterfall, with the return trip
taking a full day. A guide is
required.
12. Dan
Chang-Bueng Phai:
Start at Km 32 and proceed for
1.5 kilometres.
13. Nong
Phak Chi-Khlong Ee-Thao:
This four-kilometre hike sets off
from the Nong Phak Chi wildlife
observation tower.
When to
go :
Although Khao Yai is only a few
hours from Bangkok, the weather
is cool all year round. A visit
during the rainy season (July to
October) is the best time to
enjoy waterfalls, and the forest
is at its peak of greenery.
Trails at the park are known for
an abundance of leeches during
the rainy season, so keep some
repellent handy. The cool season
provides refreshing breezes.
Park visitors can also ask park
officials to arrange a
night-time outing to observe
wildlife near the park office.
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Photo
Gallery: