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Day 1 -
Depart UK for flight to Bangkok.
Day 2 Bangkok to
Chiang Mai
Arrive Bangkok Airport and catch our internal flight to Chiang Mai. In the
afternoon drive up Doi Suthep to visit Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep, the most sacred
temple in Northern Thailand. This amazing temple is located on a mountain
overlooking the city. The temple contains a holy relic of Lord Buddha, with a
challenging flight of over 300 steps, flanked by enormous mythological Nagas. A
panoramic view of the city can be seen from here at 3,500 feet above sea-level.
In the evening we will enjoy a traditional kantoke dinner and prepare ourselves
for the tough trekking Challenge ahead of us.
Day 3
Trekking in Chiang Dao Mountains
We depart Chiang Mai for Phrao by private truck. Upon arrival in Phrao, we will
have lunch in local restaurant followed by short visit of Phrao, a small market
town situated in a beautiful valley. Very few tourists visit and we will take a
short tour of the market area and main temple. We then start to trek for 2 hours
towards the mountains and on to Lisu village of Huay Ngoo. The Lisu are
originally from Tibet and now live in mountain areas throughout south China,
Burma and north Thailand. The women are easily recognizable for their colourful
costumes. Lisu villages tend to be large, often with around 2,000 inhabitants.
They are typically built close to a source of water such as a stream. This is
not only for practical reasons: The Lisu believes in a divine power possessed by
water. Each village also sets aside an area for altars venerating different
spirits. The most important of these is the village guardian spirit. Offerings
are left in these altars and occasional special ceremonies are conducted here.
On arrival at the village we will be shown to our long houses. Accommodation is
basic but clean and comfortable in dormitory style huts. There is a separate
area for eating and our guides, along with the hosts, will cook up an excellent
meal as trekkers prepare themselves for some tough trekking ahead!
Dinner and overnight in village.
Trekking distance - 10 km
Day 4 - Trekking
in Chiang Dao Mountains
Today we start trekking through the forest following easy trails. Along the way
you will see many local crops including corn, highland rice and various
vegetables. Some of the trails will be hilly and the scenery is really very
beautiful. We trek alongside a small stream for much of the morning and pass
several beautiful waterfalls.
After approximately 8 km we reach an old elephant camp for lunch. After resting
through the heat of the day we continue trekking another 3 hours to Akha
hilltribe village of Jomhod. The Akha are deeply spiritual people and entering
the village you will see a wooden frame looking like it's either waiting for a
door to be made, or its previous door has been removed. Be careful about walking
through or touching it because this is the "spirit gate". If you look closer
you'll see assorted carvings around the frame - some of them looking appealing,
others grotesque. This is by design, as the purpose of the gate is to ward off
the evil spirits from the village while inviting in the benign ones. Should an
evil spirit manage to enter an Akha village, another barrier stands in its way
of entering any household. Look up to the roof of the house and you'll see a
number of elaborate, ornate wooden carvings. Their purpose is to protect the
house and its dwellers - the more carvings the stronger the protection.
Dinner and overnight in village.
Our guides will again cook dinner with the local villagers
Trekking distance - 22 km
Day 5 - Trekking in
Chiang Dao Mountains
After breakfast in the village we start hiking along forest trails through
beautiful rolling hillside scenery. You will see several villages along the way
mostly Karen although some of the thatched roof settlements will be Lisu, Akha
or Lahu. We then carry on trekking through some jungle forests and see teak
trees and other hardwoods, most of which have been replanted. Logging is now
banned in Thailand and many of the forests are at last growing back.
Stop for lunch along the way before continuing the walk to Huay Eko, a Lisu
village.
Trekking distance 20km
Day 6 - Trekking
in Chiang Dao Mountains
After another village breakfast we start trekking through several Lisu villages.
We will see dense bamboo and rattan in the forests and we all must try and keep
an eye open for some birdlife. Again we stop for lunch at a scenic area before
reaching a cave. Stop to visit the cave before continuing the challenge through
deep forest to the Lisu village of Ban Nam Rin.
Trekking distance - 22 km
Day 7 - Trekking in Chiang Dao Mountains
Break camp for the last time and trek out of the forest towards Chiang Dao.
After about 10 km we reach the ping River where we board bamboo rafts for a trip
downstream. On arrival, we meet our waiting trucks and transfer to Chiang Dao
for lunch. After lunch, we can visit the Chiang Dao elephant camp where trekkers
can relax their aching legs by taking an elephant ride before returning to
Chiang Mai. In the evening we will head down to The GALLERY RESTAURANT
overlooking the Ping River for a well deserved gala dinner to celebrate our
achievements.
Day 8 - Chiang Mai
We have a day at leisure - there is a lot to do in Chiang mai. We can offer a
wide range of optional sightseeing tours or clients can have the day free for
shopping and wandering around the old city. Lunch and Dinner will be on own.
Day 9 Chiang Mai to Bangkok
Morning transfer to the airport for our flight home via Bangkok.
Day 10 -
Arrive UK
(Copyright of Global Adventure
Challenges Ltd this is a complex itinerary and subject to change)
This itinerary may alter due to local
conditions, the strength of the group and other unexpected circumstances. We
will do our very best to adhere to the set itinerary, however we cannot be held
responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such
circumstances, your trekking guide will have the final say.
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