Hiking with a Naturalist in
Northwestern Thailand's Hill Country

When: Any time

Length: One day to a week

Number of guests: one to several

Fee (as of 2005): Fee depends on services provided, but an average trip for three days and two nights trekking would be:

• Group of 2 US $200 per person
• Group of 4 US $160 per person

My vast knowledge of the region's flora and fauna allows you to observe nature rarely seen by the untrained eye. I can answer your questions and point out details of the environment while you breathe the fresh mountain air and stretch your legs in one of the most unique and untouched regions of Thailand.

Late afternoons will find you arriving at a hill tribe village or a forest campsite for your overnight stay. I will personally prepare your delicious Thai meal comprising several dishes, over an open fire. I will explain how the people, who have lived in the area for over 200 years, make their tools, husband their animals and produce their food. My relationship with the hill tribe people is genuine and has been developed over my lifetime of visiting them. That is obvious in the way I and my clients are welcomed in each hill tribe village.

My Nature Walks are designed so that when we arrange your guided tour we can discuss how you want your hike customized. Choose an ambling one-to-six day nature walks or a challenging trek, according to your own capabilities, interests and specifications.

ITINERARY #1/ 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT

DAY 01: In the morning we come to pick you up at your hotel. Car takes us out of human civilization into wilderness of Forests and Mountains area, up hill along curved dirt road very steep in places. We stop at viewpoint you wonder about how beautiful landscape in this area, you stand up high see below in valley morning fog is slowly rising up, you breath fresh mountain air. Car delivers us from a short ride about 18 kms from town. Here we start our walking, we depend on our feet walking up steep slope about 30 minutes to the ridge. You find that not easy to push yourself plus your backpack up hill. Time to be patient and learn about us. You groan and learn about nature in detail. We are hiking on high land evergreen forest. Mountain's trees in the area you pass. Such as: Oaks, Chestnuts, Shorea, Dillenia, Hopea, Dipterocarps, Black Vanish, Pines, White Heather, Figs, phyllanthus emblica, Etc. Up on trees and cliff you see epiphyte plants, like Wild Orchids, Bird Nest Ferns, Stage Horn Ferns, Dischidea, Club Mosses and Lichens. Forest floor plants, Ferns, Arum, Amorphophallus, Begonia, Gentians, Gingers, Etc. Late afternoon arrive at village Ban Hua Nam, place where we stay overnight, home stay in a family. You can relax, go to wash, and walks around, and learn about local culture. My porters and I are preparing delicious Thai meal for you. The menu would be. Thai spicy soup such as, Tom Yam, Red curry, Green Curry, chicken in coconut cream soup. Sweat and sour fish, Fried chicken with ginger, Grilled egg plant salad, etc. Dessert, fruit salad, coffee and tea. Enjoy dinner in candlelight.

DAY 02: Morning start very early here. Rooster call at 4.oo am in the morning. People woke up to pound rice, cook and get to work in their fields. Under the house there are pigs and chicken are running around. After you got your good breakfast. We are starting our second day hike. This day we hike down hill. Pass through farmland and terrace paddy fields. Local trail led you down to evergreen ravine forest, at the bottom we hike along creek, you walk through water, and there will be many river crossing. You need a pair of good hiking sandals. Experience walking through water you will find it fun. See waterfalls, gorges, and cliffs. Along the creek you wonder about tropical trees and plants, giant Bamboo. Teak Tree. Rose Wood Tree. Dipterocarp tree. Giant lianas. Figs. Rose Apple Tree. Rambai tree. Bread fruit Tree. Wild banana. Riverside plants, arums, ferns, and forrestea. Mushroom and Fungi. Afternoon we got out of creek arrive at terrace rice field valley, see man made irrigation dam and it canals system. You will be finish the treks and a car take you back to world's civilization.

On your unique walks. My porters and I would take good care of you. You don't have to carry much. I carry a pair of binocular with me to see the view and spot the birds, also a magnify glass to see the details of small plants and creatures, There are many birds, butterflies, insects and beetles that I know and will inform you about their nature and history. I hope that this is the best way to see the country.

ITINERARY #2/ 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS

DAY 0. You must arrive one day early, to get acquainted with your guide and do an equipment check. Visit Mae Hong Son town. Enjoy dinner and have a good night's rest. [If you want I can arrange accommodation in Mae Hong Son for you and include this in the total price.]

DAY 1. 9.00 am. Car pick up. Short drive. We start walking along a local hill tribe trail. A very narrow and rough trail, leading down to the Mae Hong Son creek. We hike through the creek, deep gorges, ravine, and forest. We walk through water several time. There are many rivers to cross. You will get your feet wet, and will find it a very nice experience. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the river side. In the afternoon, continue hiking through luxuries evergreen jungle. See massive climbing lianas, green bamboo stems, rattan palms, creeping plants such as Philodendron and Vanilla, and undergrowth plants, Wild Gingers, Ferns, Begonias, Arrowroot, Arum, etc. Ascending to Karen farmland, we see slash-and-burn rice fields. Pass through terraced paddy fields. Arrive in Ban Hua Nam for a home stay with a Karen family. Learn about their culture. Guide and porters prepare delicious Thai meals. Enjoy dinner by candlelight.

DAY 2. Cock-a-doodle-doo!!!. When you wake up in the morning, pigs are running around and under the house and people are setting off to work in the fields. Time for a good breakfast of hot tea, coffee, toast, pancakes, fruit salad, eggs, fresh juice. Before leaving we take a walk around the village, visit the primary school, then start the hike again. On the trail you can hear gibbons' enchanting song from far off on the hill side, or you may see them swinging from tree to tree. There are many birds, too--you need a pair of binoculars to spot them. We pass a small village on the way, where we stop for a tea break, and you can people-watch. Lunch in the forest: you get your food wrapped in banana leaves. This time it's fried noodles. We make bamboo chopsticks and a bamboo cup for you. (Everything is bamboo. We can make fireworks in a bamboo stem!) After lunch, you can take it along with you, to use again or to take home as a souvenir. In the afternoon we climb a bigger mountain with a beautiful view. Arrive in Ban Huai Po, a village settled on high elevation in evergreen forest. Stay the night in the village. Enjoy dinner. You can see the people's simple way of life, under the brilliant night sky. I could tell you some of the constellations. Get a good night's rest.

DAY 3. After breakfast, we start ascending one hour to the mountain top, walking along a ridge. I know the mountain jungle well and can point out things you would otherwise miss. You see the diversity of flora and fauna in the seasonal forest of Thailand. On high land you see mountain Cycad trees, Palms, Pines, Oaks and Chestnuts, members of the Erica family, Wild Orchids, etc. We eat lunch on a place with a panoramic view. You can sit on the ground, and I provide you with a plastic sheet to sit on. We climb down to Nam Hu creek. At the bottom of the hill we hike through the creek--time to cool down your feet! You can stop to swim in the river. We finish our trek and the car takes us back to town.

ITINERARY #3/ 6 DAYS TREKKING/ MAEHONGSON-PAI

DAY ZERO: Clients must arrive in Mae Hong Son one day early, to get acquainted with the guide and do an equipment check. Visit to Mae Hong Son town, good dinner and a good night's rest.

DAY ONE: In the morning, have a good breakfast. The car transports us to the trekking place. We begin by walking along the Mae Hong Son river valley, following a local trail: a small, rough foot path leading up and down. Mae Hong Son creek is a charming mountain stream. You will see many deep gorges, waterfalls, high cliffs, and many pockets of dense ravine forest. We have to walk through water many times, getting our feet wet, which is a good experience. Lunch break on a big rock at the river side. You can stop to swim in the river any time. In the afternoon, we walk to Karen farmland area. See slash-and-burn rice fields and terraced paddy fields. Arrive in Ban Hua Nam. Visit with local people and home stay with Karen family. Guide and porters prepare good Thai meals for you. Dinner by candlelight.

DAY TWO: Early morning refreshments: hot coffee, hot tea, fresh fruit juice, toast, eggs and fruit salad. Leave early in the morning, heading to Ban Huai Pomfat. Big climb up the mountain Doi Sa Ngo, along a very small local trail, through dense bamboo forest. Up, up, way up the hill to Tiger Pass. See massive rock formations, Oak and Chestnut forest, Cycad tree forest, many epiphytic plants such as Wild Orchid, Ferns, Aeschynanthus, Mosses and Lichens. Lunch on the highland trail, feel cool air and take in the wonderful view. Food is wrapped in banana leaves, drink hot tea or coffee in a bamboo cup. We cut bamboo and make handicrafts for you. In the afternoon, arrive in Ban Huai Pomfat--enough walking for the day! Meet the friendly people in the village. You will see that they welcome your arrival and love to get to know you. Stay overnight in the village, where the guide and porters do the cooking.

DAY THREE: After breakfast, another day of climbing up and down on the mountain highland--more up than down. Pass through Karen village Ban Pakar, take a break in the village, see people and their way of life. Picnic lunch on the trail. Climb higher through the mountain landscape. See panoramic views. Pass through Lisu farmland area. In the past time, some poppy was cultivated in this area for it opium trade. Today, there is still a bit of poppy growing, but other crops include rice, potatoes, beans, taro root, ginger are introduced and growing instead of poppy. etc. Arrive in Ban Doi Makprik, visit with Lisu people, learn about Lisu culture. Spend the night in the village.

DAY FOUR: This day we could start a little bit late, as there is a shorter distance to walk, and it is the day of climbing down the mountain. Some places are very steep. After breakfast, climb down to the Pai river bottom, half-day hike through dense forest on the old short-cut trail between MHS-PAI. Camping on Pai river bank at Huai Pong Klang Pai on the Pai river. You can swim in the river. We make a camp fire, and cook our food in bamboo stems, eat from bamboo bowls, drink from bamboo cups. Sleep overnight in the wilderness.

DAY FIVE: Breakfast on the river side. We travel up along Huai Pong Klang Pai creek through remote wilderness area. We walk through water many times, all day walking in the ravine forest. There are many beautiful waterfalls, high cliffs, caves, giant bamboo forests, Teak trees, Rosewoods, Cork trees, Dipterocarpus trees. At lunch time you can swim in the Five-Star swimming hole. Arrive in Ban Patong, where we end our long day. Enjoy dinner and a good night's rest.

DAY SIX: This is an easy day. Late morning get car transport to Pai, about 30 km along very rough road, from evergreen forest descending to deciduous forest in the Pai valley. It is possible to do more walking, if you want. Arrive in Pai, get a good comfortable room. Concluding dinner in Pai.

ITINERARY #4/ 4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS

DAY ONE. Morning first day of adventure start. Trekking up to Ban Hua Nam. Walking along creek, walk through water, there are many river to cross, ravine forest, gorges, waterfall. See many butterflies, birds, and hidden camouflage insects. I have trained eyes that can sport them. Listen to sound of river flowing. And cicadas song. See terrace paddy fields, slash and burn farm land. Friendly Water buffaloes may smile to you. Afternoon arrive in village. Relax your feet and see the way of people living. My porters and I will prepare you good Thai meals. Dinner with candle light. Have good night's rest in home stay. (5-6 hrs)

DAY TWO. After good breakfast, get ready for second day hike. Trekking up to mountains, walking on high land dry forest, evergreen forest. See different kind of trees like, Oaks. Chestnut. Pines. Shorea. Buahinia. Dillenia. Giant Bamboo. Figs. Epiphyte Orchids and Ferns, etc. There are many color full birds in the area but quite hard to sport them. You can take your time you will see some of them. At lease you can hear their beautiful song. Afternoon we hike down hill along rough trail very steep, pass through mountain secret goat's pass. Climb down mountain short cut trail. Late afternoon arrive in Ban Name Hu where we take rest from a hard day walks and stay overnight in village. (6-7 hrs)

DAY THREE. Hike down to Huai Nam Hu creek, along narrow trail on steep mountains slope. A lot of green bamboo stems. Visit to hidden waterfalls, wild banana forest, giant bamboo, Giant buttress root tree, massive lianas vine, Lunch at riverside, you can swim in waterfall with out worry because no dangerous animals in river. Today is easy day afternoon arrived at terrace paddy field, where we will camp overnight. You will learn to live common. Very quiet place and far from village. We will cook our food on an open fire. Enjoy dinner around the campfire. Over night sleep in tent or in farmer bamboo hut. (4-5 hrs)

DAY FOUR. Hike to impressive and scenic Mae Sa Mat River. Bigger river creek with much large smooth granite rocks, colorful sedimentary rocks, and sandstone. Fallow down river valley. Hike through water, gorges. You can swim in the 5 stars swimming hole. Walking under number of very tall trees, such as Rose wood, Teak, Strangle figs, Banyan tree, Hopea, Dipterocarpus. Forest woody vine such as Entada bean, Acacias vine, Member of Vistas vine, Butea vine. Riverside plants like ferns, Arums, etc. Listen to river sound, birds and cicadas insect. Finish four days Maehongson's nature wonder treks. Car picks us up back to Maehongson. (5-6 hrs)

Vegetation and animals:

TREES ANS SHRUB. Teak, Rose Wood, Mahogany, Ebony, Pines, Figs, Oaks, Chestnuts, Magnolia, Dillenias, Coral tree, Butea, Giant Kapok, Eugenias, Black vanish, Dipterocarps, Hopea, Mahogany, Ebony, Iron Wood, Shoreas, members of the Erica family, Wild Tea, Cinnamon Tree, Palms, Cycads tree, Ferns tree. And many different types of Bamboo. Etc.

FOREST FLOOR PLANTS. Wild Bananas, Begonias, Wild Gingers, Gentians, Forrestia, Spiderworts, Lily, Mimosas, Morning glory, Ferns, Balanophora, Rafflesia. Many types of Mushroom and Fungi. Etc.

EPIPHYTES PLANTS. Wild Orchids. Ferns. Dichidias. Figs. Rhododendrons, Mosses. Lichens. Etc.

ANIMALS in the area: Tiger [very rare], Leopard Cat, Golden Cat, many smaller cats, Wild Pigs, Seraw and Goral Goats, Sambar Deer, Monkeys, Gibbons, Langurs, Slow Loris, Porcupine, Rodents, Badgers, etc.

SNAKES: King Cobra, Asiatic Cobras, Vipers, Rat Snakes, Pythons, Whip snakes, Flying snakes, etc.

LIZARDS: Clouded Monitor, River Monitor, Geckos, Skinks, Agama lizards, Oriental long-tailed lizard, Water lizard, etc.

BIRDS: Great Hornbill, Pied Hornbill, Great Barbet, Black Bulbul, Dusky Broadbill, Frog Mouths, Hawks, Eagles, Green Peafowl, Pheasant, Jungle Fowl, Green Pigeons, Drongos, Sunbirds, Woodpeckers, etc.

BUTTERFLIES & MOTHS: Imperial Butterfly, Paris Peacock, Rose Swallowtail, Orange Albatross, Indian Leaf Butterfly, Peacock Royal, Bird-wing Butterfly, Jungle Queen,Cruiser Butterfly, Clipper, Skippers, Monarch, Blue Crow, Atlas Moth, Moon Moth, Owl Moth, Hawk Moth. Etc.

OTHER INSECTS: Walking Stick, Leaf Insect, Pray Mantis, Rhinoceros Beetles, longhorns Beetles, Golden tortoise, ladybirds, Daddy long-legs, Assassin Bugs, Sweat Bees, Bush cricket, Grass Hoppers, Wasps, Ant-lion, Water scorpion, Water bugs, Spiders, Tarantulas. Etc.