Northern Thailand Travel Forum

This will be my first time traveling to Thailand-and solo. Would I be better off booking most of my trip w/ an organized group tour-or just booking everything seperately as I go? I want to trek in N. Thailand as well as go to some of the beaches.

I did a trek with an organized group a few years back and think it was the best way to do it. I would worry about the safety aspect going it alone in that remote area. The rest of Thailand I would say no troubles.

It was a fantastic trek always up or down never level and very hot and humid, but beautiful. We stayed with various tribes and slept in sleeping bags on sold teak while animals slept below on the ground floor. Another nice thing about the organised bit was vehicles took our main bags by road, quite a long way round. We just had to carry daysacks and by the time we arrived for an overnight stop food was under way.

I'm sure you will have a great trip, it's a fantastic place.

I often visit Thailand, most of the time i never book anything, that way i don't feel tied down.
There is always been plenty of good cheap accommodation to be found even in the busy times.
You might be better off to go trekking with an organized group, as they would know the area better, and its safer.
If you have time try to visit the Hua Hin area, its about three hours south of Bangkok by road, and is accessible by train as well.There you will find plenty to do with good beaches, and delicious food outlets.
I usually hire a small motorbike there for six dollars a day, then take off and go every where.Just take your time and wear a crash helmet.
Good luck with your trip.

You are better off booking your trip separately unless you want to pay a lot for private transfers from point A to B. THailand is very easy to travel on your own.

As for trekking, do some research on responsible companies that do trekking tours in the north. I have some suggestions in my Chiang Rai page if you are interested.

hi

like the other travelers said i would recommend to do all your trip without booking any packages
once you are there it is going to be easy to find your way
there is always a cheap way in thailand for everything you might want to do
it is the begining of the law season in thailand so you can find cheap flights from northern thailand to the beaches and plenty of cheap acc. as well
enjoy your trip