“Let’s fly!..fly AWaY!” JunGLe FLiGhT

The best adventure in Chiangmai

I enjoy getting lost. Taking a map, my camera, some water, and follow some deserted mountain road, looking down on valleys, looking over mountain ranges. This is how I found the beautiful little village of Baan Namkhong just a few weeks ago at the end of a winding road, in an area where my maps show absolutely nothing. They couldn’t be more wrong. At the altitude of 1050 metres, this little community is surrounded by ancient lush jungle, huge timeless rubber trees, amazing green scenery, and deep silence and serenity.

That is, until an adrenalin-fuelled scream breaks the silence.

This is the home of Jungle Flight, Chiang Mai’s ultimate jungle adventure: sliding from giant tree to giant tree on cables for over two kilometres, sometimes as high as 40 metres above ground. It is difficult to let go, to jump into thin air at first, but then, the flow carries you away quickly. If you are longing for some thrill, but bungee jumping is a bit steep for you, I think Jungle Flight is just what you have been looking for. However, you will find yourself at the end of a rope all the same, and I tell you that tree is coming real fast as well!

tree up close!

Take a deep breath. Just let it happen to you. Once the first adrenaline rush is over, and those shaking legs support you firmly again, you will find yourself looking at the jungle from a completely different angle, surrounded by treetops, wild orchids – and the word “depth” gets a whole new meaning. There is something timeless and ancient about Jungle Flight, which in a way reminds me of snorkelling.

silent giants

Our guides Pang and Yud are great with people, they know how to make people relaxed, how and when to tease or encourage. We all received lots of personal attention. The guides showed us coffee beans, flowers, a bees’ nest, gave us plenty of time to stop and admire the view, there was time for joking and fun.

When I asked what happens if someone doesn’t have enough momentum and stops in the middle of the cable, they showed me – they left me hanging there in the air, like a giant bird stuck in the canopy. That was the most carefree moment of my past couple of months, in the middle of nowhere. It is amazing too how quickly strangers bond on top of a tree.

It is a crazy idea to slide between trees when you first look at it, but at second glance, it looks perfectly safe. The longest and highest ziplines have two cables running parallel, and you get secured to both during your flight. The three abseil sections also have double safety lines. You are always attached to a wire while standing on any of the 22 platforms or walking the two wobbly skybridges. The guides hook you to the right places all the time, you cannot make a mistake. All equipment was imported, complies with international safety standards, and so does the safety training received by all the guides.

down here?! – no way!

At the very end, to descend from the last platform, you have no choice but to leap into the abyss – an eight-storey gap in the middle of a platform. You can ask to be lowered slowly or to have it with more of a free-fall twist. All I can say about this bit is that screaming actually does help.

There is a little bit of steep jungle walk back to the village, where a tasty lunch awaits the returning members of the expedition. You may also buy locally made herbal tea, honey, herbal pillows, or a Jungle Flight t-shirt. The restaurant overlooks the jungle and more giant trees, where you may wind down and share your favourite moments.

my favourite trees

The tour price is 2,200 baht for the entire 7-hour adventure, and includes round trip transfer, water, insurance, and a short stop at the local hot springs on the way back. You need to pay extra for lunch. If you choose an early pick-up time (6 to 6:30 a.m.) or a late afternoon adventure (leaving at 1-1:30 p.m.), the discounted price is 1,980 baht. You need to be taller than 120 centimetres and weigh less than 150 kilos to sign up.

that’s me at the end of my rope

Seven additional platforms will be completed by the end of April, including the longest zipwire in Thailand – 260 metres. There are plans for a daily ticket with unlimited number of rides. Personally, I can hardly wait for that one!

the longest cable at the moment – 130 metres

I think it is great value for money. First, it may sound too much for a daytrip, but just compare it to what the normal price of a bungee jump is. Jungle Flight takes three hours, you get to ride the longest zipline in Thailand, marvel at the jungle up close and from a bird’s eye view, and actually feel like a bird. It is as close as you can get to flying, something we all dream about. It is an adventure of a lifetime. The only problem is, you may get addicted!

jungle staircase

Your money also helps the local community. This little Khamu hilltribe village of 30 families is too high in the mountains for rice farming, so, the coffee plantations provide the main income. Jungle Flight brings in much needed income and jobs to the village while respecting the community. Part of the profits go towards funding a school van and school lunches to all children in the village, as well as towards maintaining the narrow winding road and providing clean water. Socially responsible businesses like Jungle Flight benefit local people, give them alternatives to cutting down the precious jungle, and are worthy of your support.

Baan Namkhong village

Also, a homestay scheme will be up and running in the near future, which should attract people looking for peace and quiet away from the city, overlooking the mountain ranges. The climate is noticeably more pleasant at this altitude, the trees are still green, an ideal place to escape to in the upcoming hot season.

The price includes transfer but if you would like to “get lost” on your own, head out of Chiang Mai on the Chiang Rai highway for 27 kilometres. At the sign to the Sankamphaeng hot springs, turn right and go a further 4 kilometres. Then follow the Jungle Flight signs for another 13 kilometres up the hills. It takes one hour to get there. A 105 cc motorcycle can just about make it, but that is not something I would like to try again.

I would like to thank the owner of Jungle Flight, Mr Songsai Mangklad (Sonny) for inviting me for a site inspection. Sonny gave me the grand tour personally and took care of me all along the way.

Bettie

http://www.thai-blogs.com, supported by Jungle Flight

quoted by http://www.queenbeetours.com

TreKKinG TiPs!

To do Trekking in Chiangmai the following trekking tips might help you to enjoy your adventurous trekking for once in a life time!.

What you need for trekking

– Medicines for headache or stomached, balm, band and etc.

– Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste

– Towel

– Tissues

– T – shirts

– Jacket

– Sunglass, a cap

– Pants or trousers

– Sneaker / Sport shoes / hiking shoes ( rainy season )

– A pair of slippers

– Short pants

– Swimming suit

– Flashlight

Trek included

– Meal on a trek included the first day lunch to the last day lunch.

– Trekking equipment for instance : rucksack; sleeping bag ; mosquito

net, life jacket, blanket

– Transportation ( by pick up truck )

– Accommodation

– Traveling insurance

o Bodily injury coverage is up to 100,000 bath for medical expenses. However, tooth injury is not insured by the insurance.

o Coverage maximum 200,000 bath in case of death.

– Left baggage, Valuable belonging in the safety box and storage.

***Remark*** : At present, opium cultivation by the tribes people in Thailand is no longer to be seen. Frigid vegetables and flowers have been introduce into the area to replace opium. However, narcotics are still used in the form of illustration or advertisement by some trekking companies and guides to attract customers, aiming for their sole benefit. This might cause great damages to tourism industry at large.

supported by www.queenbeetours.com

Chiangmai Zoo Aquarium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chiang Mai Aquarium is where fresh water currents meet the ocean tides, where rivers meets the sea, where East meets West and where your dreams of natural harmony are manifest in a real-life symphony of color, texture and marine life majesty.

What could be more thrilling than to look directly into the cold ancient eyes of a killer shark? The Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium is certain to become a landmark destination in Thailand — an international attraction to be proud of, certain to capture the hearts and minds of tourists from far and wide. In essence, it’s a living museum that boasts South East Asia’s longest and most spacious underwater pathways — crystal clear “SeaTube” tunnels that place the observer directly in the center of enormous 360-degree aquatic habitats. Each of seven individual exhibits showcase a distinct environment, completely self-contained, and carefully populated with an authentic cross-section of native species. This exclusive arrangement allows fresh water and salt water creatures to coexist under one roof, alongside representative territories from other significant ecosystems. The inspiration for this astonishing concept comes from the great Mekong River – itself an exhibit at the aquarium – as it represent the major waterway that feeds and quenches the thirst of millions of people across the six neighboring countries that its waters sustain. As one of the planet’s great ecosystems with nearly 2,000 species of marine creatures, the Mekong serves as symbol of the diversity that the Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium seeks to replicate. Thus, it brings together thousands of examples of exotic marine life from around the world to their new home, living together in a haven thousands of miles from their native environment, and cared for by their attentive human custodians. Aside from its appeal as an exciting natural attraction.

The Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium also serves as an important learning center for the study of marine life and biology throughout the South East Asian region and the rest of the world. In pursuit of this goal, the Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium is destined to draw visitors from around the world to experience what must certainly represent a proud achievement for the wonderful people of Chiang Mai and the gracious citizens of Thailand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facts about the Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium

•Total project cost of 600 million baht •Total project area covers 10 rai, housing the 13,985 square meter aquarium

•The aquarium features the world’s only underwater exhibit that joins both freshwater and saltwater environments, linked together with a 230 meter walkway

•The tunnel is the longest in the world at 133 meters that divides into a saltwater underwater tunnel covering 68.6 meters and a fresh water underwater tunnel that covers 66.5 meters which is the world’s longest underwater fresh water tunnel.

•The all-acrylic tunnel is 5.5 cm thick and able to accommodate water pressure to a depth of 4 meters with complete safety.

•The aquarium offers over 3,600 examples of fresh water and salt water life forms, with more than 250 different species.

•80% of the varied species are native to Thailand. •Showcases feature freshwater species found in the tropical rain forests of Asia and the Amazon.

 
quoted Chiangmai Zoo Aquarium

supported by www.queenbeetours.com

“…SaVe OuR PLaNeT…”

 

http://www.queenbeetours.com

Queen Bee is deeply committed to protecting the environment.

We’d like to partner with you to help preserve our Earth for future generations.

Trekking Chiangmai Whitewater Rafting Mae Tang

08.30 Pick up from your accommodation and a drive by pick up truck for 1.30 hours to Shan village. Visit Orchid & Butterfly farm en route.Drop off at the elephant camp.

10.00 Memorable elephant ridding through the jungle for an hour.

12.00 Lunch will be served. Thai food dish (fried rice or pad Thai and fruit)

13.30 Crossing the Tang River by hanging basket.

14.00 Hiking 45 minutes to visit water fall, enjoy sight seeing and swimming.

15.00 Get back to the raft station, safety orientation by the raft instructor.

15.30 Exciting a rapid White Water Rafting and Bamboo rafting for 1 hour.

16.30 Drive back to Chiangmai Make a stop at Akha hilltribe.Drop off at the hotel at 6.00 p.m.

Please contact us for more information

Queen Bee Travel Service

Tel 6653 275525, 6653 208988

Email: queenbeetours@gmail.com

http://www.queenbeetours.com

Excursions Trekking Chiangmai

Highlights of Chiangmai by foot, elephant ride, bamboo rafting

Thailand is one of the most delightful places in south-east Asia, a land of idyllic beaches, tranquil bays, coral islands, spectacular mountains, valleys and primal forests, and is home to a warm-hearted and hospitable people. The striking and varied landscapes, from high rolling hills to undeveloped beaches, are a traveler’s paradise and cover a wide range of climates. There is plenty to see from a long, varied history and not least in a serious interest in food.

Chiang Mai‘s rich history goes back hundreds of years. Because of its prime location and fertile land, the valley that extends from the base ofSuthep Mountain to the Ping River was settled in early times by several different ethnic groups, including the hill tribe group know as the Lua tribe. Later, King Mengrai unified the different towns and villages into what came to be known as the Lanna Kingdom. In 1296, he fortified the fertile valley area with a rectangular shaped brick wall measuring 1.6 Kilometers (1 mile) wide, and 2.0 kilometers (1.25 miles) long.

There are many hill tribe people living in the mountainous districts surrounding Chiang Mai such as Omkoi, Mae Jam, Chiang Dao, and Mae Ai. Statistics reported by the Tribal Research Institute of Chiang Mai stated that in the year 1992 there were 1,049 hill tribe villages in the Chiang Mai province, constituting a total of 174,195 people. Of this amount, 106,116 were from the Karen tribe, 27,392 from the Lahu (Musur) tribe, 17,198 from the Hmong (Meo) tribe,10,873 from the Lisu tribe, 8,862 from the Lua tribe, 2,609 from the Akha tribe, 1,145 from the Mien (Yao) tribe, and 485 from the Palong tribe.

The hill tribe people are agricultural; planting fields, raising animals, and hunting for a living. Since each tribe has its own culture and language, they blanket the hills of Chiang Mai with an interesting patchwork quilt of diverse variety. Whether you are mountain hiking or mountain biking,Chiangmai offers a variety of colours, cultures and scenery to ensure you get a different scene for everyday.

These following excursions Chiangmai trekking with a difference, from the quiet mountain villages stuck.  A superb mixture of the adventurous and cultural activities. This tour has it all with  diverse culture, good food and amazingly friendly locals.

We start Chiangmai trekking in the northwest  and work our way on foot, elephant ridding and adventurous bamboo rafting. The scenery on hiking is such you forget about time and distance as the surroundings become so fascinating. The ability to interact with the locals in the local markets and villages is a highlight of the trek and you will be left with an amazing feeling towards the Chiangmai trekking.