Eco Tourism in Northern Thailand

Go to AgoVita Travel

Thailand has a history of being an exotic tourist destination but there is one area of this beautiful country that is not widely traveled to and yet has so much to offer. Chiang Mai is the province located about 700 km north of Bangkok and it is slowly becoming one of Thailand’s top tourist destinations. Now, don’t let the word “tourist” scare you away. This area is still just as beautiful and remote as it was when the first people settled here hundreds of years ago. You just need to know where to go.

Once in Chiang Mai you can choose from several activities and tours. Being famous for its surrounding mountains, valleys, flora and fauna a jungle trek to a remote tribal village is always a top choice. I’d actually say that a trip to Chiang Mai isn’t complete without one.

Chiang Mai is the home of six different hill tribes and the local tour companies offer one to three day jungle treks to their hill side villages. To be more specific a jungle trek will generally include an English speaking guide, a moderate trek, accommodation in a bamboo hut, freshly cooked meals plus river rafting and elephant safaris. It’s a wonderful deal and an experience not to be missed. The guides are sometimes actual tribe members and the huts are honestly made of bamboo and are built above ground on stilts. Meals are cooked for you over an open fire and after nightfall the guides and their families usually encourage some sort of sing-a-long since there is no electricity and you are entertaining yourselves by candlelight. Afterwards you can climb into bed under your mosquito net and drift away to the soothing sounds of nature.

If you want to get a jump start on your jungle trek planning, several tour companies now advertise online with detailed descriptions of the tribes to be visited and also what other outdoor activities are going to be included. Some websites to look into are www.travelhubchiangmai.com and www.chiangmaiadventure.co.th. These tours range from 1000B to 6500B and are both environmentally responsible and fun.

In addition to an amazing jungle trekking adventure there are other eco friendly activities to choose from in the area as well. Just 16 km north of Chiang Mai is the famous Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. With its sacred temples and breathtaking views from the Doi Suthep summit (1685m) this destination is a top choice for nature lovers of all ages. Within the park is the International Buddhism Center (www.fivethousandyears.org) where the admission is free and informal discussions with local Buddhist monks are held on a daily basis. It is also possible to do a three day meditation retreat here. Check out the website for details. Other accommodation within the park includes small bungalows for 500B a room or the Doi Pui camp ground for a 2/4/7 person tent at 150/225/300B. You can email doisuthep_pui@hotmail.com for more information on making a reservation.

After all that trekking no trip would be complete without sampling the many tasty dishes that Thailand has to offer. It just so happens that in Chiang Mai you no longer have to be just an observer when it comes to Thai cooking, but you can get right in the action and prepare these meals yourself. This is exactly what Chiang Mai’ s Organic Farm Cooking School (www.thaifarmcooking.net) thought to themselves when they opened up their beautiful farm to the public back in 2000. Whether it’s for one day or three, a cooking class with this school is so amazing that it should be mandatory. As it’s the only organic cooking school with its own farm you pick your own fresh ingredients and with the helping hands of the staff you will soon be cooking like a true Thai native.

Whether it’s trekking, cooking or quietly observing nature there are many eco friendly tours and activities to do in Chiang Mai. A wonderful website to look at for more eco tours is www.infohub.com as they highlight some longer tours in the area. For the last thirty years Thailand has been making strong efforts in order to preserve the natural flora and fauna of its beautiful country. Even by participating in a jungle trek you are helping to educate and encourage the preservation of these fascinating hill side people. Tourism is a major factor in sustaining their traditional lifestyles and with continued eco friendly tourism Chiang Mai will remain a well preserved destination for years to come.


Written by: Dana
Go to AgoVita Travel