Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [290]
Neither attraction is particularly amazing on its own, but the surrounding country is beautiful and would make an ideal destination for a lazy bike ride. Bikes can be rented at Fat Free (Click here).
Activities
TREKKING
More than 30 travel agencies, guesthouses and hotels offer trekking trips, typically in the Doi Tung, Doi Mae Salong and Chiang Khong areas. Many of the local travel agencies merely act as brokers for guides associated with one of the local guesthouses, so it may be cheaper to book directly through a guesthouse. As elsewhere in northern Thailand, you’re more assured of a quality experience if you use a TAT-licensed guide.
Trek pricing depends on the number of days and participants, and the type of activities. Rates range from 950B per person per day in a group of six or more to 2300B per person per day for two people. Generally everything from accommodation to transport and food is included in this price.
For details on rules and taboos when visiting a hill tribe village, Click here.
The following agencies have a reputation for operating responsible treks and cultural tours, and in some cases profits from the treks go directly to community-development projects:.
Akha Hill House (08 9997 5505; www.akhahill.com) Wholly owned and managed by Akha tribespeople, this outfit does one- to seven-day treks. They begin with a long-tail boat up the river, before trekking to and around their Akha Hill House about 23km from Chiang Rai, at a height of 1500m. Profits from the guesthouses and their activities go back into the hill community and its school.
Mirror Art Foundation (0 5373 7412-3; www.mirrorartgroup.org; 106 Moo 1, Ban Huay Khom, Tambon Mae Yao) This nonprofit NGO does many admirable hill-tribe projects, ranging from educational workshops to Thai citizenship advocacy. Trekking with this group encourages real interaction with the villagers.
Natural Focus (08 5888 6869; www.naturalfocus-cbt.com; 129/1 Mu 4, Th Pa-Ngiw, Soi 4, Rop Wiang) Formerly a project of the Hill Area and Community Development Foundation (www.hadf.org), this now private company offers tours ranging from one to 15 days that concentrate on nature and hill-tribe living.
PDA Tours & Travel (0 5374 0088; crpdatour@hotmail.com; 620/1 Th Thanalai, Hilltribe Museum & Education Center; 620/1 Th Thanalai) Culturally sensitive treks are led by Population & Community Development Association–trained hill-tribe members. One- to three-day treks are available and profits go back into community projects that include HIV/AIDS education, mobile health clinics, education scholarships and the establishment of village-owned banks.
From Chiang Rai’s pier, boats can take you upriver as far as Tha Ton (Click here). An hour’s boat ride east from Chiang Rai is Ban Ruammit, which is a fair-sized Karen village. From here you can trek on your own to Lahu, Mien, Akha and Lisu villages – all of them within a day’s walk. Another popular area for do-it-yourself trekkers is Wawi, south of the river town of Mae Salak near the end of the river route.
MASSAGE
Wang Jao (08 9787 0123; 542 Th Ratanaket; massage 600B; 9am-6pm Mon-Sat, 1-6pm Sun) Located in the same compound as Doi Chaang@Art, this spa emphasises traditional Thai treatments and massage. Five-day courses in Thai massage are also available.
LANNA PORTRAITS
Dress up like a member of Lanna royalty and have your portrait taken for posterity – a must-do activity for Thai visitors to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Jao Nang Studio (0 5371 7111; 645/7 Th Utarakit; 10am-7pm) has a huge array of costumes and backdrops. The adjacent shop also sells a variety of traditional northern-style clothing and other local items.
Sleeping
Chiang Rai has a good selection of accommodation, and prices seemed to have climbed little since the last edition, making the town good value. The two main areas for accommodation are in the centre, clustered around Th Jet Yot and off Th Phahonyothin.
BUDGET
Easy House (0 5360 0963; 869/163-4 Th Premaviphat; r