Chiang
Mai:
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.
Chiang
Rai:
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:
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.
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.
Fax: 0 5423 1150.
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.
Chaing
Mai: 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.
Chiang
Rai: Hilltribe treks
at Chiang Rai also combine hiking, elephant back rides
and rafting, and include stops
or overnight stays at hilltribe villages .
Mae
Hong Son:
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.