Chiang Mai: Jungle Trek

While in Chiang Mai we signed up for a two day trek through the jungles outside the city. Our trek group had three Aussies, three English, and three Germans. As usual, we were the only Americans.

After a two hour tuk tuk ride out of the city, we stopped to have lunch (pad thai) and ride some elephants. Three to an elephant. Two on a platform on the back, one on the head. I was on the head. Here is a video.

After our elephant ride, we struck out on foot through the jungle. We hiked for about three hours, stopping only to slide down a waterfall on the way.

just like six flags

in the words of our british companions, the water was 'fresh'

At the end of our hike we arrived at a hilltop village where we stayed the night. The villagers were not Thai, but Lahu people. The Lahu were originally from Myanmar (Burma at the time), but fled to Thailand about 50 years ago to escape the country's unrest. They were not welcomed by Thailand as refugees, but rather had to hide in remote hills to avoid deportation by the Thai government. To subsist in the remote hills they turned to opium production. More recently the Thai government has worked with the Lahu to end their dependence on drug production. Today, tourism (jungle treks) makes up the majority of the Lahu's income.

Our hilltop home

A Lahu woman

sunset

dinner was amazing (and not pad thai!)

We were told sunrise would be at 5:30 am. I got up at 5:20. This picture was taken at 7:04 am.

After breakfast we began our hike back to Chiang Mai. We only made a few stops along the way.

Waterfall break

7 Eleven really is everywhere

Our hike ended at a river where rafts, helmets, and life jackets waited for us. White water rafting took us to the conclusion of our trek: lunch (pad thai).

the white water was fresh