Trekking
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Discover the jungles, mountains and hill tribes around Chiang Mai on a hill tribe trek.
One of the main draws to Northern Thailand is the trekking in Chiang Mai province and the surrounding areas. Discover the jungles, mountains and hill tribes around Chiang Mai on a hill tribe trek. Whether it is a single or multi day trek we have something to suit everybody. We feture treks from the leading and best rated operators in all categories whether you want a trekking only trip or combine your trek with other activities such as elephant care and rafting you will find something below to suit all trekking tastes.
What’s the best time of year for trekking Chiang Mai?
It is possible to enjoy trekking all year round in Chiang Mai, you would just have to take into account the different areas and which area is better for each season. Local trekking guides are experts in these matters and so you can rest assured that whatever time of year you are travelling to Thailand, you can get a good hike in!
The Hiking Seasons in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand
In general, Northern Thailand has three seasons: dry and cool season, wet season and hot season. It is possible to go hiking in Chiang Mai in every season, but each one has different considerations.
Dry season
The dry season in Northern Thailand begins around October and lasts until March. This is the best time of year to go trekking as the temperatures are not too high and the weather not too humid. There is a gentle breeze which can be pleasant whilst trekking, meaning you don’t sweat too much! However, during this time of year it can be very cold at night in the mountainous areas, particularly Doi Inthanon, which has been hailed as the coldest place in Thailand. It even snowed once in 1955!
Hot season
The hot season begins in April and last until around June. At this time of year temperatures soar to around 40 degrees and even the lightest treks can become a very strenuous activity! During the hot season, it’s best to avoid direct sunlight and find shady forests to hike in. Higher altitudes can be cooler and trekking earlier in the morning is a good idea to avoid the hottest time of day.
Wet season
The wet season (or monsoon season) begins in June and last until around September. The monsoon brings heavy downpours all across Northern Thailand and most of the rest of the country. It can be the trickiest time to plan a trekking adventure, but it’s not impossible! The rains tend to fall mostly in the afternoons so the trick is to get up super early and make the most of the day before the clouds set in.
Some trails may be impassable so it’s good to chat with a local guide who will be able to help you pick the best places to trek during the rainy season. This time of year is regarded by some as the most beautiful time of year in Thailand as the rice fields appear green and lush, there are less crowds and plants and animals flourish.
Avoid: The Burning Season
The burning season (also known as the ‘smoky season’ or ‘the haze’) occurs in Chiang Mai every year around late February / early March. It is due to farmers intentionally burning their fields to make way for a new crop. This ‘slash and burn’ farming method has been going on for years, but nowadays, coupled with the pollution from traffic and factories, the air quality reaches dangerous levels. Depending on rains, the burning season starts and ends at a different time each year, and it’s best to check when the season is in full flow and avoid it if possible. (You can check the Air Quality Index here.) Trekking with poor air quality is not fun!
What should you bring with you when hiking in Chiang Mai?
Always taking into consideration the season that you will be trekking in, you will need to wear/bring:
- Trekking Shoes – Good hiking or sports shoes with good grip, best worn with socks to prevent blisters.
- Comfortable Cool Clothing – Cotton t-shirts and long pants are always best. (This is especially important in the rainy season so you can tuck your pants into your socks to avoid leeches.)
- A filtered water bottle – Avoid using throwaway plastic bottles and help the environment.
- Insect Repellant – Especially if you are jungle trekking. We recommend Jungle Formula.
- Sun Cream – You should wear factor 30+ in Thailand at all times.
- A Small Travel First Aid Kit – It’s best to be prepared for accidents.
- Swiss Army Knife – Great for slicing open fruit you might pick on the trail!
- Swimsuit – for dipping in waterfalls and hot springs.
- Microfibre Travel Towel – A lightweight travel towel is a great idea.
- Rain jacket – Important for the rainy season to keep your clothes dry.
- Warm clothing – Although it can be hard to believe, it can get really cold in the mountains around Chiang Mai, particularly November-February, so it’s a good idea to pack some warm clothing (a wooly jumper or a fleece) especially if you are staying overnight in a homestay or a jungle hut.
- Sleeping bag liner – If you are doing an overnight, it can be a good idea to take a sleeping bag liner.
- Phone camera / camera – You’ll want to make sure you can take photos of your adventure! Don’t forget your charger.
- Wet wipes – Always a good idea for cleaning hands/faces.
- Hand sanitiser – Good anti-bacterial gel if you can’t find a place to wash your hands.
Source : SouthEastAsiaBackpacker
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