Overnight tours - basic information sliders

There are a number of necessary items to bring when you join one of our overnight programmes, so please continue reading to checklist them before you set off.

Recommendations

• Daypack/small backpack
• Spare clothes
• Torch/flashlight
• Toiletries
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Sun cream
• Insect repellent*
• Water bottle

*Malaria is not an issue in this region, but there are cases of Dengue Fever from time to time. We recommend using insect repellent, and top up regularly. A mosquito net is provided at your homestay.

Advice

• Suitcases, and bags which use wheels, are extremely impractical for the trip - use daypack/backpack only. You are welcome to leave large luggage at our office.
• Please don't forget that we need the balance of the fee paid in cash (Thai Baht) when we pick you up - there are no ATMs once your trek begins, so please have it prepared in advance. This cash is used to cover fees incurred during your trip, such as the homestay.
• Electricity is limited in most villages, and non-existent in some, so don't rely on being able to charge batteries during the programme.
• We do not provide items for rental, so please check the 'what to bring' section carefully, to ensure you have what you need.

When you join one of our overnight programmes, you need to consider the cultures of the homestay villages as well as the weather and terrain. Please continue reading to make sure you are prepared before you set off.

Recommendations

• Trekking boots - covered trekking shoes/trainers at a minimum.
  • Some trails have grasses with small thorns which can irritate bare skin, especially in rainy season.
  • Change into flip-flops once you arrive at the village (optional)
• Long sleeved tops and long trousers (because of thorny grass)
• Comfortable and cool clothes
  • Enough changes of clothing for the whole trip
  • Please note, we have a dress code that we ask you to respect

Advice

• Pack waterproofs during rainy season (approx June-Oct)
• Pack warm clothing for the evenings during winter (approx Nov-Feb)

For overnight treks, we are legally bound to send the passport information of all guests to the Thai Immigration Department. Therefore, an overnight programme cannot begin until we have received this information from all group members.

We require the full name and passport number of each member of the tour. These details are entered when you book the programme.

Our public liability insurance coverage requires that we send the company the passport number and full name of everyone in the group.

We don't need photocopies, or even to see the original passport - just put the nationality, passport number and full name of each participant into our online form.

If you have any concerns, please email us to discuss the issue.

Chiang Rai

We pick you up, and drop you off, anywhere inside Chiang Rai city, for free. This includes the new bus station (#2) and the airport, which are both located slightly outside town.

However, for other locations outside the city, we may charge an extra fee to cover costs. Please enter your accommodation name when booking and we can let you know if any extra fees will be charged.

Accommodation located outside town can also impact on the pickup and drop off times, or reduce the amount of time on the trek.

Chiang Mai

We no longer arrange pickups from Chiang Mai

To avoid extra charges, and early pickups, we strongly recommend staying in Chiang Rai city the night before your programme begins.

Our guides were trained by us, and each holds a TAT guide licence (Tourism Authority of Thailand). We also taught them English (one speaks Japanese too), which helps them to converse with the guests during the trip. But please understand that the standard of language varies - English will be at least their 3rd language, after their tribal and Thai language.

The guides were born and raised in the villages in our programmes, so you can be sure that the information you receive from them about local culture and tradition is authentic - many travel agencies and tour operators use Thai guides who have no firsthand knowledge of the hilltribe communities. Our guides are encouraged, once they have experience and self-confidence, to work for themselves or other agencies, whilst still freelancing for us.