Mae Sot is on
the western border of Thailand with Burma. Sometimes the border is open for a day
crossing, sometimes it is closed depending on the current political and military
situation. In any case, the local people are always crossing the river to trade goods from
teak to gems to Burmese banana leaf cigars. Dozens of ethnic groups live in this area and
on any day one can easily run into 4 or 5 different exotic hats and faces. The Karen, Mao,
Yao, Lahu, Buddhist and Muslim Burmese all live together in this frontier town speaking
different languages, wearing different clothes, eating different foods, and dancing
different dances. It's a fascinating place to walk around and learn about many cultures
and peoples. A visit to one of the many refugee camps
nearby helps one understand very quickly how and why the citizens of Burma are fighting for freedom
from the military dictatorship.
If you visit Mae Sot, the best, and sometimes only, place to stay is the No. 4
Guesthouse. (Related to the beautiful No. 4 Guesthouse in Sukhothai.) It is as relaxing as
the town. The owner, Oom, can tell you how to get to all the local waterfalls and sights.
In 1992 Oom, and avid outdoorsman originally from a small village in the north, began to
take guests on some of his outings. As more and more guests came to Mae Sot asking for the
Umphang treks, he obtained the proper licencing from the Tourism Authority of Thailand
(#23-1412), got the necessary insurance, and plotted a special course through his most
favorite Umphang spots. Since then, he has also begun training other guides. If you
want to see real jungle, there is no comparison between an Umphang trek and a Chaing Mai
trek.
No. 4 Guesthouse offers
- Beautiful coldwood floor teak house
- Quiet residential area
- Three minute walk to town
- Clean rooms
- Free cold drinking water
- *Which reflects in proud record of professionalism environmental awareness impresentely - happy & satisfied travelers. WE are not just another tour company but a window on the natural world.by travelling with us you will discover the rural life unigue coulture here tropical forests and natural environment of northern thailand
- *****One and only One
In Mae Sot
as we are a small company, depending on the mouth-to-mouth method.
Our company has more than 20 years experience leading treks around Um Phang Northern Thailand. We take small private groups so as to make minimum impact on the villages we visit. We teach you about Thai and hilltribe lifestyles and everything you see on the trip. There are trips for inexperienced and experienced hikers; families, couples and private groups. We are one and only one of the companies to organise all hiking treks for those who like walking.
For a special experience see our Um PhangTrekking Adventure a great trek to do
- Hot shower
- 10 minute walk to Burma border
- Free tourist info and advice
- English spoken
- Owner plays weird instruments
- All the usual food and drinks, plus Burmese and Karen food
- Laundry service, or facilities provided
- Rates start at 50 baht (~$1.50) per night
Interesting places around Mae Sot
- Burmese border market along Moei river, many interesting people and merchandise
- Gem market, most hand carried out of the Burmese hills
- Nang Kraun Waterfall
- Pha Chareong Waterfall
- Tha Ra Rak Waterfall
- Mae Gasa cave
- Mae Usu cave
- Phra That Hin Kiu
- Foggy Sea
- Mae Ka Sa hot cooking springs
- Mae Ka Sa Waterfall
- Nearby tribal villages
- Nearby Karen refugee camps where you are welcome to visit or donate goods
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Umphang is a small district in the northwest of Thailand close to the Burmese border
where it's possible to trek in any season. It is 165 km south of Mae Sot and is reached by
a scenic road which twists and turns through forests, hills and valleys. Umphang is a new
and undisturbed area for trekking where the people still maintain their traditional
beliefs and way of life. Its boundary connects with two national parks and three wildlife
zones. This evergreen forest area is the largest and richest in Thailand, with a wealth of
wildlife including monkeys, gibbons, bears, tigers and other wild cats, barking deer,
giant squirrels, giant flying squirrels, monitor lizards, and about 200
species of birds including the hornbill. Because only 3% on the land is non-mountainous
and suitable for agriculture, the forests are untouched. Rafting along the Mae Klong river
is nothing less than spectacular with beautiful scenery, waterfalls (including Thee Lor
Su, the largest in Thailand), dramatic cliff faces and deep caves.
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These 2 packages have become popular at the No. 4 Guesthouse (the 3rd has only been
trekked by special request):
our idea of trekking whith trek programs since we travel in remote area visit small villages limit the size of our group and only operate trip as they booked [ not everyday throughout the year ]
we cause less impact on the fragile environment and natural way of these rural peoples in our normal 4 days 3nights program which we finned is a good length of time - not too rush and too long we are only encounter local peoples & ceryainly not any others tourists.
This trip will led by Mr. Oom tour guides fluent in English who also knows the local dialects.he had completes passed the guide course he has eyes of his environment
understanding knowledgeable in term tribes of tribes buddhism animism and overall information good nature interpretation also you could learn from our tribal
guides.
Meals : our guides will prepare cook and bring himself for you while on the trek all food we bring from town by this way we are not disturb to therir food system
except rice which is they have in plenty vegetarian or others particular need for you diest we are capable as norrmal the food is one of the best part of our tour
our guides are good cooks also you can learn & help if you wish !!
If you are nature lover reasonable fitness {just enough for the program} and want to travel in a real area lern a life of mount peoples also do something different from other tourist & get away from a juristic paths.
Program A. 4 days and 3 nights
- day 1: drive from Mae Sot to Umphang (4 hours). Rafting for 4 hours.stop at hot spring-visit bat cave. Overnight beside the river.
- day 2: rafting on Mae Klong river 2 hours, trekking, 4 hour
trek to Thee Lor Sue waterfall, overnight at the waterfall
- day 3: Trek to traditional Karen village,visit khotha waterfall overnight karen hut.
- day 4: elephant riding (3 hours), car back to Umphang-Mae Sot
- Includes: transport to and from Mae Sot, rafting, national park entry fees, all meals
and preparation
- price: 5500 baht (~US$160) per person (minimum 4 people)
Program B. 5days and 4nights
- day 1: drive from Mae Sot to Umphang (4 hours). Rafting for 4 hours.stop at hot spring-visit bat cave. Overnight beside the river.
- day 2: rafting on Mae Klong river 2 hours, trekking, 4 hour
trek to Thee Lor Sue waterfall, overnight at the waterfall
- day 3: Trek to traditional Karen village,visit khotha waterfall overnight karen hut.
- day 4: trek to highest mountain doi phuwatoo 4 hour stay overnight in deep jungle sport right at night
- day 5: trek 2 hour elephant ridding 3 hour car back to umphang -mae sot
- Includes: transport to and from Mae Sot, rafting, elephant riding, national park entry
fees, all meals and preparation
- price: 6600 baht (~US$193) per person (minimum 4 people)
7 days and 6 nights
- day 1: Mae Sot to Umphang, visit Pacharoen waterfall (97 stories tall!), Mong village.
Overnight at Ball Head Mountain in Umphang to see sunset and sunrise over the fog
sea.
- day 2: Cave rafting on the Mae Klong river by bamboo raft, visit Tee Lor Jor waterfall,
hotsprings, Morlue cave. Rafting and camping at Kang Morkido.
- day 3: 4-hour walk to Tee Lor Sue waterfall. 150m tall, 300m wide. Swimming,
hanging, and camping here for the day.
- day 4: 3-hour walk to Karen village, visit Khota waterfall and stay overnight in Karen
village (140 people, 25 huts).
- day 5: 4-hour deep jungle walk to Tiphoji village (190 people, 35 huts). Overnight
in the village.
- day 6: Walk to Bald Head Mountain peak 2, then to Mae Klong River, adventure rafting at
4th and 5th Kang by rubber raft. Camp near Lamhuay Mae Klong.
- day 7: Adventure rafting to TeeLor Lae waterfall, hike to Kasorjeerae, then 4-hours to
Karen village. To Umphang and eventually Mae Sot by bus.
- This trek is the most remote and holds the highest chance of seeing large wild animals.
It was custom plotted by Oom in November 97 by special request of an adventure seeker named "darius".
These areas are extremely seldomly visited. Anyone or anything that sees you will
wonder what the heck you're doing there.
- price: US$400 per person (US$450 per person for less than 4 people)
click for map
of trek route
No. 4 Guesthouse and Eco-Trekking provides:
- Private transportation
- Tours
- Meals (from lunch on first day to lunch on last day)
- Elephant riding
- Accomodation and entrance fees.
- Qualified licensed insured guide
- water canteen
- waterproofs and plastic bags
- sleeping bags
- tents
- mosquito nets
- candles
- matches
- toilet paper
- drinking water (and porterage!)
- luggage storage and safety box at No. 4 Guesthouse.
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What you might bring:
- Clothes: Short pants & T Shirts for daytime, long pants and jacket or sweatshirt for
evenings.
- bathing gear, soap, shampoo, toothbrush & paste, towel & swimware
- hiking boots or tennis shoes (above all comfortable and broken-in!) sandals.
- sun hat & sun protection lotion
- mosquito repellent and flashlight. (Torches-light)
- plenty of film & batteries (at least 3 rolls)
- personal medication
- reasonable fitness
- sense of humor, spirit of adventure
Porters are available to carry
extra items. Extra porters are also available by request.
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Mr. Oom has win tourist guide awards 2004 from (TAT) northern jungle tour trekking guide . the No. 4 Guesthouse, and trekking operation are insured and fully licensed
(licence number #23-1412) by the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) and is the only
operation in the Mae Sot area admitted to the Northern Thailand Jungle Tour Club (#038).
He has been in business for over 22 years, and all of his staff and
guides have over 22 years of experience in adventure trekking in northern Thailand. They
are knowledgeable, multilingual, and have a love for northern Thailand. By
travelling with Oom you discover the rural life and unique culture of the tropical forests
and natural environment of Northern Thailand. He is fluent in English and local dialects.
He has eyes for his environment, and he has an understanding of tribes, Buddhism, Animism.
You'll learn a lot!
They travel in remote areas, visit small villages, limit the size of our group and only
operate trips as they are booked. They encounter only local people and not any other
tourists. In this rural environment, you can learn many things from their lifestyle and
way of thinking. They cause less impact on the fragile environent and the natural way of
life of these rural peoples. In the two longer treks you experience an overnight
stay with a hill tribe in their traditional house and camping out in the jungle surrounded
by pure beauty.
The guides prepare and cook for you. The food is brought from town (so as not to
disturb the food system) except for the rice which is bought from the local hill tribe
people. They can also provide for vegetarian or others with special dietary needs.
Just say so in advance. The food is one of the best parts of the tour- the guides are good
cooks! You can learn from them and help if you wish! Drinking water is provided the
first day. The following day they boil and purify the water.
If you are a nature lover, are in good physical shape, want to travel in a real rural
area and learn a life of mountain peoples, try trekking! Do something different from other
tourists. The giant flying squirrels don't hang out around Chaing Mai!
The general idea of trekking
trekking activities and business have been operating in Mae Sot northern thailand for over 22 years in last 4 years these has been major boom and is now very popura whith more than 8 trekking programs operated by many travel agents and
guest houses .alots of the commercial trekking rubber boat and tourist has spoiled the village & natural way of life of the hilltribes
Recommendations from Past Trekkers
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Photos taken by Past
Trekkers
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Guestbook
Disclaimer
I, glen, am not being compensated for creating this web
page. This advertisement for the No. 4 Guesthouse and Umphang Trek are posted here simply
because I am a friend and fan of Mr. Oom and his operation. I lived in Thailand for 8
months, much of it in the jungle, and the most spectacular scenery I saw was on this trek.
I also spent quite a lot of time calling the No. 4 Guesthouse "home". It is
peaceful and a fascinating area of the world. Always interesting people around to help,
help you, or talk to. I still think about going back there to hang for a season or two and
learn Thai. Oom the owner is safe, fun, informative and helpful. If you are visiting
Thailand and plan on "doing a trek", this should be the one. There are over 100
places in Chang Mai, distributed on every corner, which offer "trek to non-touristic
place!" If you've never seen any jungle and just want to ride an elephant, see an old
woman with a long neck in a fenced-in yard, and get drunk, you can be satisfied by the
Chang Mai treks. If you want a real trek which takes you to points of view that few
if any have seen before, where you'll certainly bump into some hill tribe people coming
from and going to places completely invisible to you, a trek which still includes the
rafting and the elephant ride (though probably a rougher ride that the Chang Mai trek)
then this is the one. (What's more, you still can get drunk. You'll just have to carry the
bottle yourself, and cut a cup from bamboo.) And if you go, please tell them you found out
about them on the Internet from glen! Feel free to ask
me more.
click for map
of trek route
