10 Things to ask before choosing a trek in Thailand With hundreds of companies offering treks for the virgin trekker to Thailand deciding which one to sign up with can be pretty overwhelming. So how do you make sure you choose the right one for you? Well it’s all about making an informed choice, and asking the right questions will help you find a trek that won’t disappoint. 1.       Who will be your guide? Your trekking guide is one of the most important factors in determining your trekking experience. If possible try and arrange a meeting with your guide beforehand so you can get a sense of his or her style and if you will get on or not. Often trekking guides work freelance, so if your friends recommended an agency or guesthouse to book a trek with you might not necessarily get the same guide. Better to find out the name of the actual guide they had, and seek him or her specifically. 2.       Who else is in the group? Spending days in the jungle with people you don’t get along with is nobody’s idea of fun, so try and get an idea of who else is on the trek. Ask how many others are in the group? How old are they? What countries are they from? If you don’t fancy the idea of going in a group and don’t mind paying a bit more, consider a private tour option instead. 3.       Is the agency reputable? Just about any man and his dog can sell treks in Thailand, be sure that your agency is a reputable one. Does it have a T.A.T (Tourism Authority of Thailand) license? Can it show you previous comments from past groups? A professional outfit will have a briefing session about the trek beforehand. Note that guesthouses will also advertise treks - this does not mean they actually run their own treks, but sell places on treks run by other companies. 4.       What are you looking for? A common reason for being disappointed with a trek is having pre-conceived and romantic notions about delving through the wild jungles of Thailand like a nomadic tribesman. Most treks which start out of tourist areas are a pretty ‘canned’ experience - the route has been trodden on by hundreds before you, and the villagers will be expecting your visit, you might even pass other trekking groups on the way! If you really seek something more authentic then try heading to quieter less touristy areas such as Mae Sariang and Nan and signing up for a trek from there. 5.       How difficult is the trek? Some companies will offer different levels of trek; easy, medium and difficult, so ask - How difficult is the trek? How many hours of walking will there be everyday? What is the terrain like? Is it uphill or downhill? Will most of the walking be on paved roads or through forest with no trail paths? Most treks even the easy ones require a moderate amount of fitness. 6.        What will you see along the way? Ok so aside from the walking and physical exertion you will get, what kinds of things are there to see on the way? Will there be waterfalls? Caves? Rivers? Wild animals? Rice terraces? 7.       What to bring? Sounds like common sense but be clear on what exactly will be provided so that you can prepared and pack your bags well. For example will bedding, food, drinking water be provided? Will there be a porter? In most cases porters are provided but it’s always worth checking. What will the temperature be like? The climate can vary enormously during the year, and at different times of day, especially if trekking in higher altitudes. Ask what the minimum and maximum temperatures will be so you can bring appropriate clothing. 8.       Will there be elephant rides? Often options can be added on such as elephant riding and bamboo rafting. How long will they last? And is this included in the total price? 9.        What about the hill-tribes? If one of the highlights for you is seeing the hill-tribes, ask - How many and what kinds of hill-tribes will you see? How much time will you spend in each village? Will there be a chance to engage with locals? 10.    How much? Of course one of the deciding factors on whether to choose a trek is the price. With so many backpackers in Thailand looking for the cheapest treks, agencies have suffered by competing on price to the point that local guides can earn as little as $17 a day. As with most consumables in life, a cheap price won’t guarantee you great quality. In most cases you will pay a total fee to the agency, but if you’re happy with your guide, driver and porter services at the end of the trek, remember to tip them well!   Written by Melissa Ah-Sing Sep 2009 ©