BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm in Thailand and am planning a trek in the north for, say, between 3 and 5 days - sometime in mid june.

My aim is to go on a trek with perhaps 5-10 other people who have the same aim as me - to see the north of thailand, see some culture, and work up a sweat (god knows why i want to do that)

I wouldn't call myslef an experienced trekker but i am young, healthy and sporty, so I think i could keep up with the pace of perhaps a more difficult and rewarding trek.

I'm just wondering, does anybody know who is good to book with, both in terms of price and quality. Does anyone know any treks which perhaps are a bit 'different' and will give me a real life experience to remember, rather than one of the package deals lining the travel agents?

Maybe someone could pass me an email address to someone they know who is based in the north of thailand, and they could help me out with some inside knowledge! Or maybe one of you IS based in northern thailand?! (long shot i know)

I'm not particularly interested in elephant trekking as i've heard it can be very cruel to the elephants and is over-rated. (misinformed?) but i'm certainly interested in rafting and seeing some waterfalls, climbing some hills, visiting some tribes etc.

The main thing i'd like to do is meet some real Thai people who are friendly and genuine... and NOT grovelling for my money, trying to sell me their bodies/ a tailored suit, or insisting that i get in a tuk tuk with them or on the back of their motorbike!

And also - I'd like to meet some westerners who aren't here with the simple aim of getting drunk and suntanned whilst doing absolutely nothing...

Saying that, i do like me beer!

Look forward to hearing from you..