Jungle trekking in Thailand has become one of the kingdom’s most popular activities, as Thailand’s mountainous north offers spectacular forests with exotic animals and unique tribal communities. Nearly every guest-house and hotel in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai will offer single and multi-day treks into the surrounding mountains.

Longer adventures typically provide better experiences as treks can visit more remote tribal villages, where visitors are less frequent. Such outings begin with long truck rides into the countryside, followed by guided hiking through moderately challenging terrain, where visitors pass through breathtaking forests of lush greenery filled with Thailand’s unique flora and fauna. An overnight stay in a hill tribe village is a fascinating experience and activities including elephant trekking, bamboo river rafting, and ox cart riding, which are often included in multi-day treks, simply add to what would already have been an amazing experience.

Be aware that the quality of Chaing Mai Trekking tours and the villages they visit vary greatly. Some operators focus on smaller groups and are more concerned about the impact they are having on tribal communities and the environment. Be sure to ask about the level of difficulty of various treks and current weather conditions, as the mountains get considerably colder than most parts of Thailand and appropriate clothing is recommended.

This activity is most popular in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.