Phang Nga Mountain Biking Tour

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Phang Nga



Mountain Biking Tour



Tucked between two tourist Meccas-Phuket and Krabi-Phang Nga Province offers mountain biking opportunities for adventurous travelers as well as experienced cyclists. No real mountain biking experience is required, though you will likely enjoy youself more if you have a bit of familiarity.


General Cycling Tour Information:
Who can join: Anyone in average physical condition can join this cycling tour. Experienced mountain bikers are welcomed too. Don't worry about getting tried. This is not meant to be a physical challenge. Mountain bikes allow you to get closer to nature and to travel in silence.
Accommodations: Simple hotel in Phang Nga Town or home-stay.

Group size: Minimum of two guests and a maximum of six guests. Private tours are available on request.

Season: All year. The most comfortable time of year is from November through March. April and May are the hottest months. June through October is the rainy season. September is the wettest month. For monthly weather information, check out our weather calendar.

Phang Nga Province
This cycling destination is off-the-beaten-path. Winding roads pass through spectacular limestone karst mountains and through rubber plantations. You will be on paved road at times and off-road as well. There are countless single tracks through the jungle and countryside.

There is an optional visit a cave temple is on village. A villager won the lottery and spent some of the money on making the temple more attractive. Sturdy stairs take youn to the elevated caves. The hand railing is solid and the footing is secure. There are several caves within the temple, As you'll be in a religious site, you'll need to dress appropriately. We will supply women with sarongs to cover their legs. Shoes, of course, are left at the base of the stairs.
Just a hundred meters from the temple, there's a cave that leads all the way to another village. The cave has a creek running through it. Your mountain bikes will be waiting for you on the other side.
Hazards will be deal with as needed. If we come to a place that looks slippery or dangerous, we will likely walk the bikes. Some side bikes are also available. This is a mountain biking trip, but it's also a nature and culture tour. You will be part of a very flexible journey through back country with opportunities to engage with the locals. Each day's travel distance is up to the group's inertia/energy. It ain't a race.
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Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park

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Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park



This was declared a national park in August 1991. The park occupies a vast area of 150 square kilometres and covers Amphoe Thai Muang, Amphoe Kapong, Amphoe Takua Pa, and Amphoe Muang.



There are many interesting attractions: Khao Lak, the mountain is located 25 kilometres from Amphoe Takua Pa, on Route No.4(Thai Mueang-Takua Pa), taking a left turn between kilometre markers 56 and 57. Before reaching Amphoe Thai Mueang, the mountain - Khao Lak - can be seen. On the mountain, there is the Chao Pho Khao Lak Shrine. Opposite Khao Lak lies a stony beach with rocks and boulders of all sizes strewn all over the beach.
Laem Pakarang Located on the Takua Pa - Kho Lak route. driving from Takua Pa town on Phetkasem Roa, the cape will be on the right, another 5 kilometres down the side road. It is a sandy beach piled with deer coral washed up on the beach by strong waves thus giving the beach its name. The beach is blessed with groves of pine, making it ideal for camping and relaxation.

Namtok Ton Chong Fais Located on the Takua Pa - Kao Lak route like Laem Pakarang. Driving from Takua Pa town, the waterfall will be on the left, a right turn and going for another 5 kilometres. The cascade runs all year round and the surroundings are blissfully calm an cool under the trees shade.
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Mu Koh Similan National Park

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Mu Koh Similan National Park


Similan is a Yawi or Malay word, which means nine or a group of nine islands.


Mu Ko Similan Nation Park
Similan is a Yawi or Malay word, which means nine or a group of nine islands.This is a located in Tambon Ko Phra Thong, Amphoe Kura Buri, occupying an area of 32,000 acres. It was declared a national park on 1st September 1982. Similan is a small group of islands comprising nine islands stretching from north to south, respectively, namely: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan<>

Interesting Attractions in the National Park include:



Ko Similan or Ko Paet is the largest island in this group of islands. It has a distinctive horseshoe-shaped bay. The average depth of the water is 60 feet. Underwater is full of rock formations and coral reefs in several shapes and forms such as deer, leaf, brain, and mushroom. The latter one is the most unspoiled coral found in the country. Its soft sandy beach is very beautiful and diving around here will let you see a lot of fishes and coral. To the north, lies a striking large rock formation with astonishing shapes such as boot and Donald Ducks head. The upper part of the beach is an ideal lookout point with a rock of a sailing boat shape.

Ko Ba-ngu is the ninth island of the Similan group of islands. It has a strange feature. Looking from one point, the shape of a skull can be seen. Underwater is as beautiful as a valley full of coral reefs, deep gorge, and various sizes of fish.
Ko Huyong ,the island offers the whitest and longest beach of all the nine islands. During turtles'egg laying season, from November to February, there would be tracks on the beach from turtles that come onshore to lay eggs, resembling centipede tracks.
Ko Miang is the second largest island among 9 islands after Similan Island. It is where the office of the National Park is located. The island offers a scenic beach which is suitable for camping.



Diving Spots



There are several diving spots that suit both snorkelling and scuba diving. The famous scuba diving spots including rock formations that lie to the west of Ko Tachai where whale sharks can be seen, Ko Bon, Christmas point rock formation, Fantasy rock formation, and Ao Kwang En(to the eas of Ko Paet),etc.
Snorkelling spots are scattered around these nine islands. The interesting points are by the sailing boat rock, Ao Kwang En, and behind Miang Island.




How to Get There Thap Lamu Pier, located 70 kilometres north of Phang-nga at Amphoe Thai Mueang, is the nearest point to Similan. A boat trip takes around 3 hours. There is no regular boat service for travellers to the island. Boats leaving from Thap Lamu are suitable for group tours and the boat rentals range from 8,000-10,000 baht, depending on various factors. It is sometimes possible for individuals to hitch a side or pay a reasonable fraction of the rental cost on a boat chartered by a group. This method is by no means certain and should be an option only for the adventurous who have time to spare. Visitors may contract the park office at Thap Lamu(Tel: 0 7659 5045)for further information. A boat trip from Patong Beach, Phuket takes around four hours. Visitors can contract Seatran Travel Tel: 0 7621 9391-2. Diving companies in Phuket also organise a three-day trip. Prices range from 9,000-25,000 baht, depending on the level of luxury, and include food, and accommodations.

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Elephant Trekking in Phuket

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In former times wild elephants roamed Phuket Island but as tin mining and rubber plantations changed the natural environment elephants slowly disappeared. As recently as three years ago the only elephants to be found on Phuket were at tourist attractions like the 'Thai Village' or the 'Crocodile Farm'

In late 1994, 'Siam Safari Nature Tours' pioneered the concept offering visitors to the island an opportunity to ride on an elephant on their property in the hill overlooking Chalong Bay. Regulated and controlled properly 'elephant trekking' can offer a much-needed lift to the tourism industry, and generate the funds to assure the survival of thousands of elephants in a dignified manner. Unfortunately, the opposite is equally possible in the current uncontrolled rush to 'cash in' on this latest business opportunity. As the number of new elephant camps increase so do the reports of overworked and abused elephants. Informed vesetors who demand humane treatment for the elephants may be the last best chance to save many of these majestic creatures.

The unpleasant reallity is the natural habitat of the Asian Elephant has diminished to the point that only an estimated 2,000 survive in the wild. A number not generally bellieved large enough to maintain the essential genetic-diversity to ensure the survival of the species in the wild. Traditionally domesticated elephants were used as transport, and in the logging industry moving cut timber.

All logging was officially banned in Thailand in 1989. Elephants that had been employed to move logs in the forest became unemployed, that is why they can now be seen in Bangkok and tourist areas literally 'begging' for a living. It costs approximately US$500 per month to feed and care for an elephant in captivity. In the modern world elephants have an almost human-like problem of needing to be gainfully employed in order to survive. With the survial of these majestic and highly intelligent creatures increasingly in doubt. It is more important than ever for visitors to understand they have the power to make a positived difference. Informed visitors to Thailand can support the humane treatment of these gracious beasts by carefully selecting the elephant camp they visit.



As with any hight growth industry 'elephant trekking' is subject to abuse.
1. Avoid elephant operations that allow the Mahouts (elephant keeper) to use the dreaded metal hook to control the animal. This device is cruel and unnecessary for a well trained and happy elephant, but are legal in Thailand and are frequently used.

2. The dawn to dusk regime of many elephant camps is unhealthy for the animals. Adult elephants need to graze for 8 to 10 hours a day. Elephants are forest animals and do not like being in the direct sunlight. Avoid camps that have the animals staked outside in the sun all day.

3. Elephants are nervous around automobiles, and loud noises, and they do not eat properly when in this type of environment. Many of the roadside elephant camps are offering little more than a 'photo opportunity' of you while riding atop an elephant, before it plods slowly down a well worn path for your ten minute elephant trek. If it looks like a fly-by-night operation it probably is one. Avoid the elephant camps that appear to have just opened yesterday.

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Dos and Don'ts in Thailand

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One of the main reasons people travel is to explore otrher cultrues and establish how other countries and cultures do things.

It is then quite remarkable then to see people wandering around the kingdom imposing their cultural approach on the situations and events they encounter. Often the leads to confusion, worse. itsometimes leads to ugly scenes that are entirely avoidable with a modicum on insight on how things are done in Thailand.
What follows then is a list of Dos and Don'ts for when you are in the kingdom:





Monks Buddhist monks are not allowed to touch or be touched by a woman or accept anything a woman might offer. If a woman wants to give something to a monk it must first be given to a man, or put on a piece of cloth. The monk will trhen drag the cloth to him before picking the item up. Likewise a monk will not shake a man's hand-that type of contact is forbidden. Monks travel on public transport and require the same respect there as they would receive at the temple. If a bus or train, etc. is crowded and a monk is likely to come into contact with people, do not hesitate to give the monk your seat. Often special seats are allocated for monks only-don't sit in them!

The Head Where as in the west a friendly pat on the head, especially the head of someone a bit younger than you, will be regarded as a friendly and supportive gesture, in Thailand any gesture towards the head will cause Thais to recoil and will be greeted with shock and possibly annoyance. Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body-the temple of the body as it were. As such touching someone's head is entirely unacceptable.


Shoes Do not wear shoes inside a temple where Buddha images are kept. Take your shoes off before entering someone's home.

Greetings Thais do not shake hands; they 'wai'-a gesture made by placing your hands together in front of your face a bowing a little. Generally, you should not wai to a child and a younger person should wai an older person first. However, these rules are possibly a little more flexible as far as a foreigner is concerned, the Thais you wai will generally very much appreciate you delving into the local custom and practice.

Buddha Images Buddha Images are sacred, whatever size or condition. Never climb on a Buddha image, and be very careful about taking photos-some images are so sacred photographs are forbiddin. Abide by this rule or you may even be asked to leave. If you can't cross your legs, don't sit on the floor in front of temple's Buddha image-in doing so you will point your feet at the Buddha which is an act of sacrilege (see Feet below). The 2004 film 'Hollywood Buddha' caused an uproar in Thailand and other Buddhist countries in the region when advertising posters for the film showed a central character sitting on the head of a Buddha image. Their reaction was most un-Thai like. Be warned.
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See & Do in Andaman

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Tour-Adventure-Nature and More.

Adventure touring of most types is available in thailand because of the country's diverse geography. From mountains in the North and Northeast to the beaches and islands of the south, Thailand offers a diverse array of activities.
Canoeing

Paddle a kayak across a turquoise sea to find the hidden beauty of a sea cave or grotto. Or glide your canoe along the quiet waters of a National Park while watching hornbills and monkeys.







whether engaging tour operators or going it alone, you can enjoy rock climbing one day and padding a sea kayak the next.

Bicycling
Observing life from the saddle of a good bicycle is a great way to spend a holiday in Thailand. Either cruising the suburbs or hammering down a mountain trail, bicycling gives one a different view of Thailand.

Rock Climbing
in Thailand starts at Railae near Krabi town but new destinations and routes are continually being developed. World is that Chiangmai and Khao Yoi are developing and that a lot of Koh Phi Phi is being rebolted. Mae Hong Son and Lang Sak also have challenging climbs.


Scuba Diving is one of Thailand's more popular adventures ... and for good reason. With tropical islands, beautiful coral reefs, a vast array of undersea life and reasonable prices, Thailand works for divers of all experience levels. For information on dive spots, PADI school and liveaboards.














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