No matter whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned traveler, a trekking trip around the northern hills or in the southern ocean jungles might already be on your list.
Trekking in Thailand brings great opportunities to soak in beautiful nature, go deep into local life and, more importantly, it recharges you physically and mentally. You will be the one in charge: choose your itinerary, your trekking speed, what you want to see, where you want to stop. Many tours can be customized and your guide will take care of your requests.
The most popular routes are in the north, around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. There are hundreds of kilometers you could cover through jungles, mountains, and valleys. In the central plains, we recommend taking a look at the jungle of Kanchanaburi, infamous for activities during World War II.
Before you start planning a trekking trip in Thailand, there are some things to learn. Check our article!
Highlights
- Explore the remote natural areas away from the crowds
- Recharge your batteries with a slow-paced walk in the forest
- Get a close look at the amazing flora and fauna of the country
- Learn more about the Thai ecosystem from a knowledgeable guide
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What Our Customers Said
Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
A special shoutout to our last guide in Bangkok - Ms. Ka-Noon who spoiled us with her kindness and then got us through check in and security for our flight home in record time at that huge Bangkok airport.
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Deby, Feb 2023

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Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
Three weeks encompassing Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. Albee Ning arranged everything perfectly. Not a flaw in the whole 3 weeks. Guides, flights (7 in total), hotels, private tours…everything was excellent. Travelling on a private tour gave us so much freedom to change our day if we chose to rest or go somewhere else.
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Deby, Feb 2023

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Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
Asia Highlights is the way to go without any question. Next overseas trip will be booked with them for sure. Thank you for a wonderful and stress free vacation experience.
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Deby, Feb 2023

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Over the last 5 years we've used Asia…
Over the last 5 years we've used Asia highlights twice. And both times we've had fantastic vacations. Would not want to do it any different when we travel to Asia from now on. Sharon was fantastic. She was a wonderful agent who helped us nail down our trip and make everything go as smooth as possible.
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Family Trip to Thailand
Our trip to Thailand comprised three generations of the family , ten people and an age range of 4 to 70 so a potentially difficult brief.Our itinerary over two weeks involved four locations, and a number of different trips and tours.From out arrival at an extremely busy Bangkok airport Asia Highlights were terrific.In each location we were met by a smiling , knowledgeable and professional guide who simply made everything easy and stress free for everyone.Our transportation was clean and comfortable . Transport was always ready for us at the agreed time and the drivers were excellent.There were so many highlights enjoyed by all the age groups. The floating houses , railway market and elephant sanctuary were particular favourites.We had one minor glitch with the accommodation in Phuket which was immediately dealt with by Tip. I think we would have struggled to resolve the problem by ourselves.
So, thank you Asia Highlights , Cathy, Tip and tour guides Tanny, Sam and Lisa. It was a memorable holiday and we will be back.
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Roger Pyle, Feb 2023

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Family Trip to Thailand
So, thank you Asia Highlights , Cathy, Tip and tour guides Tanny, Sam and Lisa. It was a memorable holiday and we will be back.
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Roger Pyle, Feb 2023

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Trip of a lifetime from Asia Highlights!
I recommend highly Asia Highlights as a travel company. Our travel consultant Albee took the time to connect with us during the planning process to make sure we were comfortable with our itinerary. When we arrived, we were met by our guide and all the details were attended to. They picked great hotels and tours. I often describe our trip as the trip of a lifetime! Would definitely use them again when we come back to Asia
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Asia Highlights and Albee - highly recommended
Asia Highlights is very reliable agency and Albee is an amazing representative of the company. From the moment when we contacted her until our departure, the whole support we received was 6* level. She prepared our trip offer within few hours and afterwards she was extremely flexible to adjust as per our needs. In the period between the offer and the trip, Albee was always available for all our questions and supported us on the best possible way. During the trip she was again flexible to add new activities/transfers and this went on the smoothest possible way. Thank you, Albee and Asia Highlights. Definitely we will approach you again for our next Asian trip
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AZ, Feb 2023

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Best time to trek in Thailand
There are three seasons in Thailand: Rainy season, from May to October; cool season, from November to February; hot season, from March to May.
Of the three, the rainy season is the most unpredictable one, and rainfalls are frequent and heavy. On the other side, both, the hot season and the cool season, are good for trekking. The cool season (which sees the peak of tourists) is ideal for trekking, especially in the south or in the central plains. Temperatures are not too high, and you can get to see the stunning colors of the luscious nature.
The hot season has higher temperatures and some precipitation. Thus, this season is perfect to explore the north, places like Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, two of the most popular destinations for trekking lovers.
Is a trekking trip right for me?
A trekking trip can be right for almost anyone, as it can be planned at any pace. You don't need to rush or to see everything. Plan your trip according to your fitness level and your wishes. Before booking a trip, check the itinerary in detail, so that you will know how much walking you will have to do, and see if it fits you.
Usually, we recommend a 1-day trip (about 6hrs for a maximum of 10km) for travelers with no background in trekking. Professional help is essential, especially if you don't have a lot of trekking experience.
Our trip advisor will help you plan your trip, where to go, how to reach your destinations, where and when to stop, how much you should walk, etc. This is really important, especially for those without a lot of experience. Hiring a guide will ensure you a hassle-free trekking experience, and you will be able to rely on his/her professional help throughout your trip.
When planning a trip with all your family, take into consideration the physical condition of each person, especially the kids.
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Where to trek in Thailand
We recommend three routes among the many: The route from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, in the north of the country, filled with gorgeous forests and misty mountains; the nature trail Kae Maw Pan inside Doi Inthanon National Park, that offers spectacular views of the surroundings; the jungle trail near Kanchanaburi, with its thick vegetation and places of historical interest dating back to World War II.
Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son
The route from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son was used by merchants moving from one city to the other. Today, it is only used by trekkers who want to wander through the forests and the mountains of Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border.
You will trek among some of the most remote natural areas of Thailand, visiting local villages like Huay Hee Karen, and get a glance of their daily life in the midst of nature. Tours on this route usually include a night in a local homestay, where you will be entertained by ritual singers and sword dancers.
To cover this route, you will have to trek for two days, 6 to 8 hours each day.
Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail in Doi Inthanon
Doi Inthanon is a national park near Chiang Mai, known as the roof of Thailand. Due to its high elevation, the park is humid and cool all year round. There are many trails you can follow. Kew Mae Pan suits everyone, and it is perfect if you don't have a lot of time.
The trail goes through evergreen forests to reach the highest peak of the country, and it is filled with wild animals and rare exotic plants. Walk slowly, and take your time to observe carefully all the natural wonders around you. One of the highlights of the trek are the giant rhododendron trees.
Be sure to stop and admire the breathtaking view from the many view points, and to make a visit to the stupas built to honor the King and the Queen. This route can be covered in about 4 or 5 hours, depending on your fitness level and the weather conditions.
The Jungle in Kanchanaburi
Venturing into a jungle or getting in touch with a remote tribe is not something you can do every day. The jungle near Kanchanaburi gives you exactly the opportunity to do so. At the beginning, you will walk among banana trees, and the trail is quite easy. The trail will then keep going with various levels of difficulty, until you will reach the Kratengjeng waterfalls, where you can rest and relax.
A longer journey inside the jungle (up to two days) will give you the opportunity to visit a village of the Karen tribe, maybe sleeping in a bamboo hut, eating local food, and watching a dance show. The day after, you will continue on the river Kwai on a bamboo raft and then board on the Death Railway.
The jungle on this trail is thick, and we recommend wearing long pants and a pair of good boots. You can trek trough the jungle for about 5km, which should take slightly more than 3 hours.
A guide is needed
The importance on relying on professional help can never be stressed enough. It is the best way to ensure your safety and the best possible experience.
Venturing by yourself in the jungle of a distant country is not a good idea. A knowledgeable guide knows how to orientate, how to take care of you and to solve any possible problems. It can be a precious help when choosing your itinerary and a valuable teacher to instruct you about the ecosystem you are exploring. He/she can give you an unbeatable perspective about nature and its wonders.
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Important tips for trekking in Thailand
Trekking means exploring remote areas, immersing yourself in nature, being surrounded by wildlife. It also means that you have to be prepared. You will walk for a long time far away from civilization, and so you will have to be ready for anything.
But don't worry! We have gathered some tips you might find useful when trekking in Thailand:
- Plan and do research: Choose what you want to see and plan carefully your itinerary with the help of an expert. Always consider your fitness level when choosing a trekking trail. Hire a guide.
- Wear proper clothes: Knowing your itinerary, you should also know which clothes are best. Waterproof walking boots are good for any environment, and long pants will be useful when trekking inside a thick jungle.
- Pack everything you might need: Sunscreen, snacks, insect repellant, dry clothes, etc. You won't regret it.
- Stay hydrated: Bring as much water as you can, you are going to need it, especially when temperatures are high.
The Asia Highlights Experience
Certainly, a trekking trip can be accomplished on your own with only a map, a trekking pole and a bottle of water in your hand. Or by joining a trekking group with a bunch of strangers of uneven fitness status.
However, to make it even more worthwhile, you will need a keen guide who is not only able to lead you to the best scenic spot, but also to invite you to the local people's life. This is what we excel in. Talk to us and get more ideas now: