Thailand for farang

Jungle trekking

Our friend, who was on a visit, wanted to join a jungle tour with an overnight in the jungle. I was not really looking forward to that as I am terrified of spiders and I don’t like unclean places. I realize I do sound like a little bitch, but I didn’t whine (that much) and went along. We chose the 2 Day 1 Night Trekking in the Mae Tang Area of Travel Hub.

jungletour2-1

At about 10 am the guide came to pick us up. We sat on 2 rows in the back of a pick-up truck. If you get carsick easy, do not forget to take medicine against motion sickness. I forgot it and it was not a pleasant trip. Luckily we made a stop at an orchids and butterfly farm. I didn’t take any pictures, because I still felt a little carsick. Sorry for that.

pick-up-truck

After about 15 minutes we drove to a local market where we could buy some water to take with us for the hike. Our guide bought some food for the evening. After that quick stop we drove to the elephant farm. We could ride the elephants in pairs of 2. Unfortunately there was an elephant short or one person to much. As I love animals, and my companions are not that big of a fans of animals, I volunteered to sit behind the ears of the elephant. That turned out to be a bumpy and exhausting ride. The elephants shoulder move from left to right as he walks and there is not really a place to hold on to. I don’t think my ass has ever sweat that much. He’s skin was so hot! Also my legs started to sweat behind those big ears. It is not comparable with riding a horse. Don’t take me wrong, I would do it again immediately! But don’t just put your kid there, because it looks cute. They might fall off while the elephant is walking.

elephant-and-cable

After the elephant ride we crossed the water with a cableway cage. At the other side was a restaurant were we got baked rice. After lunch our hike started. It turns out to be an extremely hard climb. I didn’t like that part, because I found it a bit boring. It was a climb up to a road that just kept on going up hill. But I do blame the Chinese girl who thought it was a good idea to bring a purse and wear wedges sneakers (sneaker with high heels) for trekking, notwithstanding our guide told her otherwise. Because the group got split very quick our guide did not have the chance to explain us anything about the environment.

high-heels Don’t bring your purse or wear wedges sneakers. climb-1

Arrived at the hill tribe, we had the chance to freshen ourselves up. There was a normal shower and normal toilet. Nothing like I expected. I’ve used worse at my grandmothers when I was young. Also the bedroom was nice. Everybody has mosquito nets and the mattresses were softer than at my grandmother’s, so I worried for nothing. In the evening we got dinner which the guide made himself. We got white rice, mixed vegetables and yellow potato curry with chicken. I’ve never had potato curry before, but it was good. I can imagine they make something with potato because they’re cooking for tourists. After dinner the tribe children performed a traditional dance for a little support for their education. We sat around a campfire for the rest of the night and drank some beer.

bedroom

The next day was awesome! Not because it was downhill, but because we entered the jungle on the other side of the mountain. You could feel in your quadriceps how steep we were walking down. We all got tired of the Chinese girl slowing us down and splitting the group, so I gave her my sports shoes and walked on my sandals. It was a beautiful walk through the jungle. We climbed some rocks, crossed some water, saw a waterfall and enjoyed the unspoiled nature.

waterfall water

All the way down the mountain we went for some white water rafting, which was fun but we were at the stop very fast. After the white water rafting we went bamboo rafting . As we were with many people on one raft we had to sit down and the raft wasn’t floating on the water anymore. It sank a little and therefore lost his charm, but the water was still refreshing.

Afterwards we sat together at a table in the forest and we’ve got Phad Thai talked a little. The guide brought us all back to the hotel in the pick-up truck. I repeat: if you do get sick easy take a medicine against motion sickness, because it is a long and curvy ride back to Chiang Mai!

phad-thai

Overall I did have a great time and I can recommend to do a jungle trekking. You shouldn’t be afraid to go, but please remember wedges sneakers can not qualify as sneakers when you’re going trekking in the jungle!

nature2

We paid 1400 Baht each for the orchids and butterfly farm, elephant ride, 2 day trekking, overnight and food. Bring extra cash for drinks and supporting the tribe hill children.

Click here if you want to do the exact same tour.

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