The mountainous areas around Pai Town are ideal for anyone looking for true adventures including trekking, rafting and biking . There is a number of registered trekking agencies in Pai , which offer options for seeing the local countryside on foot, and getting to hilltribe villages and scenic spots that are otherwise inaccessible. Most popular are three-day, two-night or two-day, one-night trips that take in local Lisu, Lahu and Karen villages and a waterfall or hot spring.
Generally you need a minimum of two people for a departure, but if you have enough time, most agencies will advertise for other participants. Prices vary depending on the number of people going, the distance travelled and the activities covered but as a rule expect to pay around 700 baht per day.
The experience will start with a drive out of town by an hour or two and then launch into several hours of walking into the mountains, broken up by visits to villages. At the village, you may stay overnight in someone\’s house, perhaps the chief of the village, a normal village family or perhaps even a relative of the guide. Some companies have their own huts, but either way you will sleep dormitory-style on the floor with a thin mattress, sleeping bag or blanket and a mosquito net.
Guides will occasionally speak the local language, and in fact sometimes come from the village you will overnight at. These are often the best experiences, when the guide can help you to interact with your hosts.
Meals are prepared by the guide, using produce that has been carried in by them, or bought locally where practical. Food is usually banquet style, with a few dishes to choose from, and foreigners\’ tastes kept in mind. Vegetarian is available by prior request.
Most agencies will also offer bamboo rafting and elephant riding as an optional extra to tack on to your trek for around 200 baht per person per activity. If you want to spend more time in the region, or go further than the average trekker, it is usually possible to organise your own trekking trip. There\’s not really so much reason to trek for more than five to seven days.