Responsible Trekking In Chiang Mai And The North

[kellojar]

Hello all,

I was hoping maybe you guys could recommend a responsible trekking agency in Chiang Mai? There are so many, but I'm looking for agencies that give back to the hill-tribes they visit and promote sustainable and responsible trekking. I've heard some pretty shocking things about the treatment of the hill-tribe people on some of these treks and I really want to support a positive agency that takes it a step further by helping build schools, clean water, etc.

Any ideas? Anyone had a great experience? Please let me know! Thanks!

[CharlieH]

Whilst I admire your approach and consideration, sadly I dont think it is very realistic for Thailand, here its all about money, and from my experience they couldnt careless about responsible/considerate anything, i dont think they even know what it means.

Sad but true in my experience.

Best of luck with your search.

[roamer]

Whilst I admire your approach and consideration, sadly I dont think it is very realistic for Thailand, here its all about money, and from my experience they couldnt careless about responsible/considerate anything, i dont think they even know what it means.Sad but true in my experience.Best of luck with your search.

Tend to agree. Many of those who say they take this approach then go on to say they will take you to the places other travellers never get to....work that one out. First (and only) time I trekked up there was in 1990, a stunning experience I knew I could never replicate, despite it taking 4 days to reach civilisation with a badly smashed up mouth losing 4 front teeth by hitting a tree...the nightly opium helped of course. No I'm not saying that was right, but that was then and this is now.

I feel the whole hill tribe thing is just too trekked out now and too exploitative to provide what you are looking for. However that is not to say there are not some NGO's up there doing good stuff, anyone know ?

If you step off the trail and decide to go somewhere like Umphang (Google it) you will get a lot closer to untouched Thai rural life, a lot of hill tribes around, not the easiest trekking but very rewarding. Because this is 1.)A trip well off the tourist trail up what is more or less a one way road, (albeit a pretty stunning one, you need a head for heights)it has survived the tourist deluge. 2.)It avoids the exploitative nature of the CM trips to a very large extent, its very remoteness means it does not attract the same operators. I was there a few years ago and it was still pretty pristine, my daughter trekked there and said her guide spoke the local dialects well (she is also a native Thai speaker when she is not using her London Camden dialect!)and was very eco-minded. There were also quite a few places that were off-limits which is how it should be.

Thing is, trip like this takes the time and the effort, not for every one.

Simple fact is that in this day and age visiting CM, fascinating place though it is, its not likely to lead to you to anything other than long exploited hill tribe villages.

Anyone here can say otherwise ?

[robbo1]

I did it with gheko tours and had a great time.

We lived and slept in the hill tribe villagers and was very traditional.

[LuukKoeyKorat]

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tiger-Trail-Outdoor-Adventures-Thailand/104777599613227#!/pages/Tiger-Trail-Outdoor-Adventures-Thailand/104777599613227?sk=info

Highly recommended. They have just recently opened a branch in Chiang Mai, having been established in Luang Prabang, Laos for the last 10 years. They use the 'FairTrek' initiative (info below).

http://www.trekking-in-laos.com/

Hope it helps a bit :-)

[williampurkis]

Hi, I see that your interested to some ideas for things to do in Chiang Mai.

My girlfriend has recently set up a tour agency up in cm. (Free Spirit Travel and Tours). One of there main principals sounds like exactly what you might be looking for, eco-tourism to help promote self-sufficiency.

One of there most popular attractions is to arrange a personal tour in Mae Jam, a very rural area with little or no tourism.

Basically it consists of you staying with a family and learning how to take care of the local habitat while the Mahout will explain how look after elephants properly, full details can be given upon request.

This is basically a way for you to help the villagers remain in there village and reducing the need for the elephants to be exported into the city for tourism purposes.

At the moment there is a mother and baby elephant it sounds to me that this could be something your looking for.

You can pm me for more info.

[el jefe]

Whilst I admire your approach and consideration, sadly I dont think it is very realistic for Thailand, here its all about money, and from my experience they couldnt careless about responsible/considerate anything, i dont think they even know what it means.Sad but true in my experience.Best of luck with your search.

Tend to agree. Many of those who say they take this approach then go on to say they will take you to the places other travellers never get to....work that one out. First (and only) time I trekked up there was in 1990, a stunning experience I knew I could never replicate, despite it taking 4 days to reach civilisation with a badly smashed up mouth losing 4 front teeth by hitting a tree...the nightly opium helped of course. No I'm not saying that was right, but that was then and this is now.

I feel the whole hill tribe thing is just too trekked out now and too exploitative to provide what you are looking for. However that is not to say there are not some NGO's up there doing good stuff, anyone know ?

If you step off the trail and decide to go somewhere like Umphang (Google it) you will get a lot closer to untouched Thai rural life, a lot of hill tribes around, not the easiest trekking but very rewarding. Because this is 1.)A trip well off the tourist trail up what is more or less a one way road, (albeit a pretty stunning one, you need a head for heights)it has survived the tourist deluge. 2.)It avoids the exploitative nature of the CM trips to a very large extent, its very remoteness means it does not attract the same operators. I was there a few years ago and it was still pretty pristine, my daughter trekked there and said her guide spoke the local dialects well (she is also a native Thai speaker when she is not using her London Camden dialect!)and was very eco-minded. There were also quite a few places that were off-limits which is how it should be.

Thing is, trip like this takes the time and the effort, not for every one.

Simple fact is that in this day and age visiting CM, fascinating place though it is, its not likely to lead to you to anything other than long exploited hill tribe villages.

Anyone here can say otherwise ?

I agree with the Umphang rec.

We did some trekking a couple of years ago half way between Mae Sariang and Mae Sot where we visited hill tribe villages that rarely see farang. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view), this needs to be arranged out of Mae Sariang well in advance. And as Roamer says, it will involve lots of climbing. I'm in very good shape and I thought it was a pretty difficult trek.

I don't think you can find anyplace within 100 kms of CM that offers sustainable and responsible trekking where 1000's of tourists haven't trekked through before you.

[kellojar]

Thank you! Very helpful!

https://www.facebook...9613227?sk=info

Highly recommended. They have just recently opened a branch in Chiang Mai, having been established in Luang Prabang, Laos for the last 10 years. They use the 'FairTrek' initiative (info below).

http://www.trekking-in-laos.com/

Hope it helps a bit :-)