Backpacking Destinations In Thailand
Each year, millions of people visit the magnificent country of Thailand with its breathtaking landscapes and scenic beauty. Thailand’s northern region is widely blanketed with picturesque mountains and forests, while its central lowland is a fertile region most suitable for agriculture. Because of this,
Thailand is often known as the Rice Bowl of Asia. Some of the most popular cities for travelers to visit are Bangkok, Samui and Pattaya. For those planning on a backpacking trip to this beautiful area, following are some terrific ideas of what to do and where to go.
Backpacking in Northern Thailand is an explorers dream come true. With its many magnificent mountains, jungles and rivers; backpacking in Thailand can be an exciting adventure for anyone. The beautiful scenery of this area keeps even experienced backpackers coming back for adventures. Some of the trails in the northern part of this country can be a bit challenging; however, for those people who want to experience the utmost in Thailand’s beauty and excitement, the Old Elephant Trail is the perfect place to hike.
This trail was first established around the year 1831 as a trade route in the mountains between the cities of Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai. Residents abandoned the trail in the 1950s when roads took over, and now, the Old Elephant Trail is one of the most remote and oldest hiking trails in Northern Thailand.
The perfect starting point for hiking is Chiang Mai, which is the headquarters to virtually everything in Northern Thailand. Backpackers can meet their guides here and then trek to Hmong Village in Khun Mae Talaa. After this, hikers can then trek across mountain tops, through quaint villages and experience thrilling scenery. At the end of the day, they can set up camp in Blue Hmong Village.
The next day of backpacking, hikers can travel to Karen Village and have lunch with the local residents of the village. It can be enormous fun learning the ways of their life while resting before another trek to Wat Chan. Wat Chan is a small village situated in the middle of the Old Elephant Trail, and it is here that hikers can stay on their second night.
The third day of the backpackers adventure holds a vast array of fascinating sites. The beginning of the day, hikers will walk along flat roads, but later in the day they will find themselves to be hiking across rugged mountain terrains, rice fields and dense jungles. In the early evening, hikers will reach Huai Pu Loei where they can spend their third night.
The next morning, visitors will wake up to the lovely sunrise of Huai Pu Loei valley. This last day of hiking is mostly uphill and can be a bit challenging.
The first goal of this day is to conquer the peak of Doi Yao. Atop Doi Yao Peak, trekkers can view the breathtaking scenery of Northern Thailand.
Today’s trek also offers explorations in many caves and the opportunity to cool off in one of many streams or waterfalls. A climb to the top of Saam Fah.
Mountain will give backpackers a lovely view of the valley of Myanmar. The end of the day involves a hike down the mountain to Mae Surin National Park where guides will then transport visitors back to their hotels.
In conclusion, an exciting backpacking trip to Thailand will create many incredible memories for visitors of any age. A trip to Thailand’s northern region offers many thrilling adventures that make this country an idea vacation destination. Hiking in Thailand is truly an experience that people will never forget.
Working Holidays – Plan Ahead
Are you planning a backpacking working holiday, a gap year or a long-term working-vacation? Are you tired of your present work situation and are finding yourself fantasizing about taking time off to visit somewhere new? Are you looking for a challenge, a life-changing experience or simply to get away from the rat race? If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of the above scenarios, you’re probably in the process of investigating or planning a short or long-term working holiday, an experience which often changes or defines the lives of those that take them. It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, rich or poor, working holidays make it possible to visit new destinations and encounter different cultures whilst maintaining enough money to cover living expenses and travel costs. For this reason alone it is a popular option for school-leavers who are not quite ready to settle down into life with a permanent job and a mortgage. Working vacations are also increasingly popular with professionals however, as they provide the opportunity to have a break from their careers, commutes and living expenses without having to suffer going into debt. If this sounds like an appealing option to you, there are a few simple ways to get the ball rolling.
The first thing to organize if you are planning to undertake a working vacation is the visa situation – countries outside of the European Union require non-residents to have a visa before they can work within the country in question. While you will be going on ‘holidays’, you will also be working within the country, earning money, using the infrastructure, and taking jobs that might otherwise have gone to locals. This is why it’s important to check the particulars of the working holiday visa for the country of your choice as you may find that you are limited to working for a defined time period or for a pre-determined quota of hours. It’s important that you have obtained a working holiday visa before you book your plane tickets just in case the visa takes longer to organize than you initially expect.
Once you have clarified the official documentation you can move on to the fun part – organizing and booking the travel details, such as your flights and other transportation and any accommodation you may need. If you are hoping to find some cheap flights to the country in question, keep an eye on the airline sales. Cheap flights to Australia and cheap flights to the USA, for instance, are both easy to find providing you plan well ahead of schedule and are relatively flexible with your schedule. Accommodation may be more difficult to sort out especially if you are unsure of where you will be working or if there is even work available. Many people who take working holidays rely on seasonal work in rural areas, so it may be easier to wait until you are in the country before you book long term accommodation. Instead, book a hotel somewhere central for the first few days of your stay so that you can then investigate work opportunities.