Thailand forum

Chiang Rai - trekking with children?

Solaris

backpacker
Posts: 11

We are a family of 4, children aged 8 and 11, who want to go trekking in Chiang Rai. We would much prefer a trek suitable for children (pace and distance) and with the possibility of doing/learning things on the way, eg. building a bamboo hut, catching fish, rafting, cooking with bamboo utensils.

Any recommendations will be highly appreciated :-)

#1 Posted: 31/1/2009 - 11:19
travelrock

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 209

" building a bamboo hut" are you serious?

"catching fish" best to head south then

"rafting" good fun if they can swim but kids tend to whinge on boat trips so dunno if it's a good idea

"cooking with bamboo utensils." thais eat bamboo

what you should do is visit an elephant park

#2 Posted: 2/2/2009 - 06:03
wanderingcat

som tam seller
Posts: 673
Private message

"cooking with bamboo utensils." thais eat bamboo
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Plenty of Thais eat sticky rice cooked in bamboo stems. Food is also steamed wrapped up in bamboo leaves. It's the bamboo shoots that are eaten.

Many in Chiangrai also catch fish in the rivers & streams using bamboo fish traps.

#1: try contacting these people & ask if they can arrange something suited for kids.
http://www.hilltribetour.com/english/index-eng.php
http://www.learnfromhilltribe.org/

Might be more fun to time your visit to that area during a weekend/school holidays when more of the village kids are around.

#3 Posted: 2/2/2009 - 09:07

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Solaris

backpacker
Posts: 11

Thanks for your replies. I tried to links above and the itenaries look absolutely amazing. We were not able due to time restraints to get in touch with them soon enough - they are a busy bunch!!

We ended up going with the company Akha Hill House (http://www.akhahill.com) for a three day trip - and the guide was just perfect!! (he is called "Tee", in case you would like to book him).

We chose not to have "bamboo cooking", but our guide showed us how to make knives and cups, showed them how to make a bamboo hut (small scale, of course), to weave and stuff like that.

We did not feel like gwauking tourists, but rather like appreciated bed-and-breakfast-visitors in the villages, we visited.

We did not go rafting as it is dry season and we were told Chiang Mai would be a better option for this.

And yes, we also had bamboo sprouts for eating, thanks!

#4 Posted: 5/2/2009 - 06:42