Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [374]
The area surrounding Mae Sariang is probably one of the country’s best for trekking and tours. This is not only due to the area’s natural beauty and cultural diversity, but also because of a new breed of responsible, sustainable and community-based touring and trekking outfits.
Dragon Sabaii Tours (08 9956 9897, 08 7190 4469; www.thailandhilltribeholidays.com; Th Mongkolchai; 1-day tour per group of 4 people 1800B) emphasises eco- and cultural tourism primarily in the Mae La Noi area just north of Mae Sariang. This new outfit offers a variety of tours aimed at giving a genuine introduction to the local way of life and hill-tribe culture. Activities range from non-intrusive tours of hill-tribe villages, to homestays, ‘volunteerism’, and cooking and farming with hill tribes, all of which are designed to benefit local communities directly.
Mae Sariang Man, as the owner of Mae Sariang Tours (08 2032 4790; www.maesariangtravel.multiply.com; Th Laeng Phanit; 1-day trek 1200B plus expenses) prefers to be known, is an experienced trekker who leads environmentally-conscious and community-based treks and rafting trips in the jungles and national parks surrounding his native city. To ensure that the communities receive what they deserve, trekkers can opt to pay all expenses outside of the guide fee directly to the villagers themselves.
The ex-teacher running Kanchana Tour (08 1952 2167; www.orchidhomestay.com; half-day cycling tour 600B, one-day tour 1000B) offers half- and full-day cycling tours around Mae Sariang, as well as other tours ranging from boat trips along the Mae Nam Salawin, to visits to local hill tribes. She also offers homestay-style accommodation at her home, 2km from the town centre. You can often find her at Salawin Guest House (opposite).
Mr Salawin and his brothers have been leading tours in the area for 16 years. Their trips at Salawin Tour & Trekking (08 2181 2303; Th Laeng Phanit; 1-/3-day trek 1300/2500B) typically involve activities such as elephant riding, rafting and hiking. They keep an ‘office’ next to Riverside Guest House, and can communicate in English.
Sleeping
Road Side Guest House (0 5368 2713; road-sidegh@hotmail.com; 44 Th Mae Sariang; r 200B) Playing on a theme of cowboys and Indians, the six rooms at this new guesthouse are correspondingly rustic, but clean and comfortable. The owner, an experienced trekking guide, leads various tours of the area.
Northwest Guest House (0 5368 1956; www.northwestgh.blogspot.com; 81 Moo 12, Th Laeng Phanit; r 200-400B) The rooms in this cosy wooden house are simple (think mattress on the floor) but get natural light and are a good size. To make up for it, the guesthouse offers a huge variety of services, ranging from motorcycle rental to laundry service.
Mitaree Guesthouse and Garden House Resort (0 5368 1109; www.mitareehotel.com; 24 Th Wiang Mai; r 150-4000, bungalows 600-800B; ) Located by the post office and owned by the same people who run Mitaree Hotel, it has a mish-mash of nicer rooms and bungalows, all with hot water, air-con and cable TV.
Mitaree Hotel (0 5368 1110; www.mitareehotel.com; 256 Moo 2, Th Mae Sariang; r 250-480B; ) This is Mae Sariang’s oldest hostelry. It has rooms in the old wooden wing or rooms with hot-water shower in the new wing.
Riverside Guest House (0 5368 1188; 85 Th Laeng Phanit; r 250-550B; ) This friendly, ramshackle guesthouse keeps growing and improving. Some rooms feel cramped but most share large terraces with great views of a turn in the river and the valley beyond.
Hotel de Kamonson (0 5368 1524; Th Mae Sariang; r 350-700B; ) Despite the pretentious quasi-French name, this multistorey hotel has clean rooms but zero character. Some rooms lack natural light, so look at a few before making a decision. Limited English (and even less French) is spoken.
Salawin Guest House (0 5368 1490; 2 Th Laeng Phanit; r 400-480B; ) The beds are hard and the towels are thin,