Lush dense jungle rainforests along with tropic beaches and paradise islands. Temples galore, history and culture second to none. Thailand provides the adventurer the best jungle trails for the backpacking experience. To discover the real Thailand, you must leave behind the beaches and tourist resorts. Find a way of getting out into the jungles. Before setting off, be sure you have everything packed for the best experience.
We have a separate guide that may interest you. Know what to pack and what not to pack before you set off on your travels throughout Thailand. Also, are traveling solo and planning on crossing over into Vietnam? Read our solo backpacking trip to Cao Bang.
With tropical jungles and rainforests, the first thing you pay attention to is how hot and humid they are. The jungles are an incredible sensory experience. Sounds of wildlife and bird song heighten your alertness, pique your curiosity. But you are never far away from dehydration. Take lots of water with you because you can become nauseous and sick without fresh water. Listen to your guides and heed their advice:
It's easy to see something of interest, and the desire to investigate further is strong. It's those moments you find yourself off the trail in dense jungle and disoriented. Lost in other words. If you are jungle trekking without guidance, don't do so alone. It's great to backpack alone, solo, but not in a rainforest jungle you've no experience of.
Which is why we'll never venture into a dense rainforest with no guide, it's too risky. Find a local guide with knowledge of the land. They can guide you away from any potential pitfalls or obstacles. Not only that. The guides lead you to the best attractions, such as waterfalls and viewpoints.
Although this is our top 10 list of best trekking trails in Thailand, we will look at the first 5 in a little more detail. The great thing about treks, is they lead you to natural scenic beauty and wildlife. Imagine the emotions felt when seeing a wild animal for the first time, one not in a zoo? You startle it and then it's gone, in a brief second, you've lost that Instagram moment. Next time, you promise to yourself to be more careful.
There are secret waterfalls strewn all over Asia, which is why local guides are a must. Inclusive of those waterfalls but, are temples and caves. Those too make your heart light and miss a beat, as you try to contain your excitement. But fail to do so, of course.
This trail has a very authentic feel about it. A little rugged with a gradient which gave our legs a good workout, what we wanted. Along the trail there are two temples. The first temple you happen across on the Monk's trail is Wat Pha Lat.
Wat Pha Lat is set back a little off the trail, in the forest a few kilometers from Doi Suthep and it is quiet. You have time to soak up this peace. The setting is tranquil and a few steps away from the temple is a waterfall. Enjoy, because there are few distractions to upset the seclusion. Deciding on entering the temple, any temple in fact in Asia, be respectful. You will cause serious offence to the monks, their traditions and religion otherwise. There is always a dress etiquette, such as covering shoulders, arms and legs.
If you are lucky enough, you'll see the monks stop to pray at the shrine. Afterwards they make their way to the temple, or onwards to Doi Suthep. Getting to Doi Suthep is a little trickier as the trail becomes steep and a greater challenge to trek. Once you arrive at the Naga staircase leading the way to the temple, any sense of serenity is gone. What you felt and enjoyed at Wat Pha Lat is lacking here.
Pro Tip #1: As a side note, when traveling in India it's often the case you must remove footwear too.
You get a look into the outstanding beauty of Thailand's natural wilderness on this trail. Imagine mountainous slopes of trees and wildflowers, the perfect landscape for birdwatching. Doi Chiang Dao is Thailand's 3rd highest peak. It's our advice to trek with a guide even though you may be with a group, and you shouldn't attempt this one alone.
The scenery is beautiful, as you would expect. The dense jungle is humid and stuffy, you can't help but to stop for rest and replenish lost energy. If you want a trail that will challenge you, this could be what you're looking for.
If you fail to make the summit you can stay overnight at one of the few bungalows available for guests at Chiang Dao. Or camp out if you have the equipment packed.
Phu Kradueng is one more of Thailand's wildest national parks. The trails are pleasant and ideal for casual and amateur trekking. Even if you're not backpacking, but are you on a road trip? This national park has excellent camping potential if you can stay a night or two, that's our thoughts. Arrive at the gates to the park early, for the gates close again by the afternoon. Which is why it's suitable for those with camping gear in tow.
Trails in the park are easy to climb and traverse to the top. Only when you do reach close to the peaks, can the trail feel tough on you. Although casual hill walkers will enjoy these trails, a certain level of fitness is a must. The camping grounds are your reward. At the grounds, there are vendors selling snacks. The grounds also have working toilets and washing facilities, but no hot water.
On reaching the camping site there's an information booth. Buy yourself a map of the area and also rent camping equipment in the event you don't have a tent or the means to cook. Unless of course you've you're carrying your own camping gear. The national parks throughout Thailand are always busy, especially camping grounds.
That makes our top 5 almost complete. This trail is suitable for everyone and not only for backpackers. Even if you have zero trekking experience, nor love for the great outdoors, this trail is for you. The trail has proper walkways and railings making it simple and accessible. If you are looking to escape the city for a day, then this trail would be the best ideal mini adventure for you.
The trail curves around Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain but don't be afraid. The trail is best attempted as part of a group, the more the merrier in our opinion. Local guides are helpful and experienced with the trails and mountain. Trekking through dense jungle, your guide will point out the more important places to you. Wear sturdy boots because you'll cross streams and rough ground, moving beyond waterfalls.
You are rewarded with blockbuster panoramic views of the valley below.
Thailand's official tourist board ranks this in their top 10 dream destinations. Khao Chang Phueak is best left to seasoned backpackers, for a serious challenge. It's tough to tackle and not for the faint of heart. For those of you daring enough, what are the rewards? The 360° panorama views are breathtaking and said to be out of this world. The location is popular, a hotspot for backpackers as we said. To test yourself on the trail you first must get a pass, for access.
This mountain feels like heaven with lush jungle green surrounding you. Once sunset has come and gone, mist begins to fall. It's the making of a picturesque scene that will haunt you long after arriving back home. Your best time to experience all this is during the winter months, outside the rainy season.
There are many other trails in Thailand, far too many to list here. We'll give you an insight into your choices. Reflective of Thailand's rainforest jungles, for the great sense of adventurism. Does the trekking trails on the outskirts of Bangkok City interest you, for example? There are trails mixed in with cycling tours leading from the capital. Also, you can go trekking from most cities to your nearest beach, via the jungle too.
Cities such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai all have trekking experiences.
An oasis in a concrete jungle and a very tempting escape from the noise of Bangkok City. More of a park than a wild dense rainforest, it matters no difference. The trails all have something natural to discover, such as plants and wildlife. Bangkok City is family friendly, and the city parks are recreational areas you should use. Of course, no city would be complete without bodies of water, or lakes.
As you find your way around the trails, you'll also come across vendors selling snacks, and soft drinks. Every city has a park, or several parks, and this one has a slight sense of the wilderness.
Quite remote this trail we felt, but still possible to reach from Krabi. The trail is devoid of heavy footfall from a mainstream tourist so expect few people on the trail. That isn't a bad thing, fewer people to circumvent on the way there and back. The trail does have a steep gradient in some places before reaching the peak. On the way back you can recuperate and rest at the waterfalls, be sure to take swimwear with you.
This missed our top 5 actually.
A short distance south of Chiang Mai you will come across the Ob Khan National Park. This is a piece of Thailand that would be a shame to miss. Do visit the park with a guide. When you do, you find beautiful trekking through countryside and local villages. Woodlands of bamboo as far as the eye can see, albeit with clearings for farmland.
There are quite a few caves in this national park. The one you are looking for is the biggest and you can't miss it. Inside this cave it opens up revealing many secret narrow passageways.
Further trails found in the national park north of Bangkok City. Enjoy a day trip out of the city, for the trekking trails. Thailand's best-known wildlife, from macaques and gibbons to deer and native bird species. These species call Khao Yai National Park home. In Thailand's national parks you may cross paths with roaming elephants. It has happened to us twice before, and it's exciting but scary too, they're massive creatures.
The elephants are wild, not domesticated as seen at the elephant sanctuaries. Don't get close to dare yourself, give them space because they can charge. An incredible experience, the roaming elephants for sure. Your guide will take you to the park's main attractions:
If seeing an ancient temple atop an extinct volcano excites you then this is the trail for you. Standing above rice fields in the valley below. The 10th century temple, built on the rim of the volcano made from natural local sandstone.
Recalling the time, we stayed in a jungle resort outside of Ubud Town in Indonesia. Thailand's national parks too, have luxurious jungle resorts aplenty, equal to any. Thailand is a holiday destination that suits low budgets, it's renowned for that fact. Accommodation is also budget friendly, low cost. But not low quality, never that. It's quite workable for you to stay a few days at one of those resorts. We have and have amazing experiences we still remember to this day. And we would go back again.
It doesn't mean to say you have to be backpacking to enjoy the jungle trails, the wildlife and more besides. Couples and families can enjoy jungle adventures as well, and that's due to two reasons:
The full sensory experience of the jungles doesn't translate you to "roughing" it. Our favorite luxury resorts were near to Chiang Rai, on the Phi Phi Island and in Khao Kho National Park.
There are hundreds of trekking trails all over Thailand. These are our top 10 hikes for backpackers wanting a jungle adventure. Even if you're not backpacking per se, you would still enjoy them, nonetheless. Most of us are fascinated with nature anyway, isn't that so? Regardless of your travel itinerary to Thailand, give some time over to the trails. Step away from the beaches, and bars, and enjoy nature.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.