Thailand for outdoor adventurers (part 2)

Posted by paul on April 22nd, 2008 filed in Uncategorized

Clearing your mind and escaping the daily pressures of life is possible by trekking in northern Thailand’s gorgeous mountainous region. These trekking adventures shouldn’t be too hard for physically fit persons. However, during the wet season the muddy and slippery paths may become rather tricky.

When we made our first en-route stop at a tranquil village, the laid-back ambience created by lots of smiles, pecking hens and wooden huts, really seemed helping me to forget about my busy life back home for a while. Amo, our jungle-trek guide was born and most of the time lived in this village. Before the sun went down he had divided the group and arranged the hosts where we would spend the night.

First I experienced it as pretty difficult for a city boy like me to do something without electric light. However, later the many sounds of the surrounding lush jungle drew my attention and while listening to it I peacefully fell asleep on the hut’s bamboo floor. I can’t remember a night I slept more peaceful!

The distance of the trek we covered the next day was shorter and we were able to move faster through the jungle. Perhaps we got used to jungle-trekking already but it might also have been the elephant ride, which was next on the program after we finished our trek that afternoon and might have motivated the group to move faster.

We all enjoyed a tasty lunch while watching the mighty elephants bathing in the river. I will never forget the fantastic trip on the back of one of these intelligent creatures and definitely will do this once again. Northern Thailand trekking guide 

Amo woke us up in the early morning of the next day. Together with him and several villagers it was our task building two decent rafts on which later we would navigate down the river to our final destination. Constructing the rafts really strengthened the group’s comradeship and after a gentle float on the scenic river we reached a small town. From here our mini-bus did bring us back to our hotel. After enjoying a nice hot shower at my hotel I decided to have another soothing and relaxing foot massage.

We constructed our own rafts and floated gently down the river

Next day we departed from Chiang Mai heading back to Bangkok for one overnight stay.

Not much visited by both backpackers and tourists, Khao Sok National Park was a stunning destination I before had heard several great facts about. The place didn’t have a main bus terminal and getting there without experienced guidance is pretty difficult but luckily our tour guide knew exactly what way to follow.

Our first night in the park we were accommodated in adventurous tree houses spending the night with the birds. Our lodging the 2nd and 3rd night was provided by raft houses constructed on a man-made dam, located in an area boasting unbeatable natural beauty. In this area we mainly spent our time by swimming in the flooded caves, taking showers provided by a crystal clear waterfall, hiking, kayaking and some of us simply relaxed while absorbing the whole paradisiacal scene.

What could’ve been better than ending this splendid Thailand journey on one of Krabi’s sun-soaked beaches? Can’t hardly wait going on my next similar holiday to the majestic land of smiles!

Part 1 of this article is available here