Keeping Akha Traditional Alive

High on some of the most pristine and remote mountains in Northern Thailand live the Akha, a little-known, self-sufficient and culturally unique people who prefer to avoid city life in favour of a distinctly rural idyll.  The Akha are a relatively poor tribal people living on the very top of the most inaccessible peaks. Of Tibetan origin, they are the most recent hill people to have migrated to Thailand, and they are perhaps the least conversant with Thai as a language. They are immediately distinguishable by the elaborate and beautiful headgear of the women perhaps the most remarkable single feature of Thai hill tribes.

Cycling Routes in Chiang Mai

Embraced by the Magic Lanna – Explore the Purity of Northern Kingdom

Route: Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Phayao - Lampang

Route Overview

Destination(s): Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Phayao – Lampang

Tour Duration: 12 Days 11 Nights

Ride Distance: 740 Kms.

Level of Difficulty Moderate: - Challenging

Type of Bike: MTB / Hybrid / Road Bike

Terrain 50% Flat , 50% Ascending – Descending

Season: May – February

Route Details:

Leaving hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai behind, the route will let you warm up by pedaling along Mae Ping River and lush plantation to Chiang Dao, exploring its old teak houses before going up hill to Tha Ton, a sleepy town where you can enjoy scenery of the valley from the hilltop Buddhist temple. Then, ride along the Mighty Mekong River to Golden Triangle where border of Thailand, Laos, and Burma meet, and learn about the drugs in the area from the Hall of Opium. You can ride by the big river to Chiang Saen and explore its ancient town which can be dated back to centuries, then try out Nang Lae Pineapple, famous local fruit of Chiang Rai. From Chiang Rai, take quiet back road through golden rice paddies to tranquil town of Phayao to see its traditional teak houses and enjoy scenery of its vast lake Kwan Phayao. Also along the route, while riding through rice paddies, you can stop by for chatting with smiley rice farmer about their cultivation and local wisdom farming. Enjoy the scenic route all way to Lampang, where you will be stunned with architectural beauty of Lanna style Buddhist temple in Wat Phra That Lampang Luang whose craftsmanship and elegant ubosoth always impress pilgrims. Lampang, which was glory by tember business, will make you love its elephant which once played significant role in logging. Elephants in Elephant Training Centre will show their remarkable talents and make all audience lover them. After long journey, it is a very great idea to relax by dipping your tired body and legs in Sankampaeng Hotsprings. After the refreshment and recovery, kingdom of handicrafts in Bo Sang Viliage, elegant temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, and nightlife of Chiang Mai are await everyone to celebrate.

Hotels in Chiang Mai

Adventurous Activities

One type of ecotourism is adventure tourism. Hard adventure tourism combines excitement and a degree of risk in an outdoor setting, frequently demanding physical exertion and skill. Soft adventure tourism involves only a minor element of risk, little physical exertion, and limited skills.

Whitewater rafting at Nam Wa, Nan Province

The province of Nan, an area steeped in Lanna culture in the north of Thailand, provides many opportunities for whitewater rafting. One of these is on the Lam Nam Wa River in the forests of the Mae Charim National Park. Sections of this river offer challenging grade 3+ rapids with the promise of potential thrills and shivery spills, all in the beautiful scenery of the Mae Charim tropical forest.

Trekking in the hills of Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai Province

Chiang Dao is located to the north of Chiang Mai, on the way to Fang and Tha Ton. Treks to the highest peaks of Doi Chiang Dao will provide you with spectacular sights of stunning mountain scenery. The cool season (December to February) is the best time to visit here since the forests have their own special beauty as the leaves change colour and wild orchids bloom.

Rock climbing at Rai Le Beach, Krabi Province

Krabi province in the South has towering limestone crags, crystalline sunlight, brilliant white beaches, and emerald seas. At Rai Le Beach, there are more than 700 rock climbing routes, varying in diffi culty from 5a (easy )to 8c (extremely challenging).

Abseiling at Tan Rattana Waterfall, Nakhon Nayok Province

Chuck down at the 4 cliffs, 5 waterfalls of heights between 18 and 70 metres at Tan Rattana Waterfall in Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Nayok province. However, the main entrance is in Prachin Buri province. This extreme adventure consists of abseiling down rocky cliff-faces and waterfalls. At the fi rst cliff, the height is 70 metres and steep cliff is about 70 - 90 degrees. The second is 18 metres and steepness is around 70 degrees. The third has a steepness around 90 degrees and the height is 38 metres. The final one, the height is 26 metres and steep cliff is about 90 degrees.

Scuba diving at the Similan Islands, Phang-Nga Province

The Similan Islands are consistently ranked as one of the world’s top 10 dive sites. The Similan Archipelago consists of nine islands arranged like a pearl necklace from north to south of Phang-Nga province, and it has been a national marine park since the mid-80s. The islands have a rich marine life, consisting of sea fans, barrel sponges, feather stars, and an abundance of reef fish, and spectacular underwater granite rock formations.

Kayaking in Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani Province

Kayaking in the Khao Sok National Park allows you to visit magnificent waterfalls and paddle under the stalactites hanging down like icicles from the limestone formations. At the same time, you can watch hornbills, pig-tailed macaques, and white-hand gibbons in stunning rainforests.

Snorkelling in the Surin Archipelago, Phang-Nga Province

The islands of the Surin Archipelago are one of the best places for snorkelling in Asia. About 60 kilometres off-shore from Kuraburi Pier, they have shallow reefs with beautiful corals, turtles, lobsters, humped head parrot fish, and bat fish. After experiencing the underwater scenery, relax under the gentle breeze and clear blue skies and enjoy the beautiful white sandy beaches of Phang-Nga.

Birdwatching at National Parks:

Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Khao Yai National Park is the closest national park to Bangkok and probably the most popular birdwatching site in the country. It is home to many rare species of birds, most notably, all four species of hornbill; great, wreathed, oriental pied and brown. Birdwatchers can stroll along one of the forest walking trails or simply roam the open grasslands, catching constant glimpses of lively and colourful birds.

Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchburi Province

Another prominent location for birdwatching is Kaeng Krachan National Park, at over 3000 square kilometres the largest national park in the country. It is home to 250 species of birds, including the hornbill and the grey peacock, at least 40 species of mammals, and many types of butterflies, insects and plants. The park is situated next to the Tenasserim Mountains near the Burmese border.

Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai Province

Doi Inthanon, the highest peak of the mountain ranges in the North, is a leading birdwatching site due to its high altitude and cold weather. It is a haven for migrating birds in summer (March-June).

Cycling Tours in Thailand

Going on a tour by bicycle is probably one of the best ways to visit some of Thailand’s important sites. You can enjoy easy-going bicycle trips around the capital, Bangkok, or cycling in the Pai district of Mae Hong Son province – visit hilly environs, waterfalls, hot springs and ethnic tribes, like the Karen long-necked women. For a slower pace, you can cycle and explore a real Thai rural life and charm of the countryside at Ko Kret (Kret Island), or take a half-day cycling tour in Kanchanaburi province – cycle along village roads passing agricultural villages and community preservation forest to Hellfire Pass.