License
Q. Are you officially licensed?
A. Yes.
TAT License No.23/0735 Payment
Q. Do I have to pay a deposit?
A. Yes we
require a deposit via an online payment to secure your booking. When we receive
your booking we will forward details of how to and how much to pay. Q.
When I arrive can I pay the balance with a credit card?
A. Unfortunately
no. A combination of additional charges and the companys policy mean that we cannot
take credit cards in Chiang Dao. Please have the balance ready to pay in cash
(Thai Baht preferred, but major currencies accepted), when you arrive in Chiang
Dao. Children
Q. Can children come on these tours/ treks?
A.
Children aged under 16 are not allowed on the Group Treks.
Overnight
Q. Do your guides speak English?
We have always set out to give
employment / self-employment to local people, Thai and Hilltribe. On our treks
it has ended up being the case that we have different guides for different areas
so that for a three day trek, for example, you may well have three guides. This
seems to actually work out very well and trekkers have said how they enjoyed the
variety of personalities involved.
On our overnight treks we only employ local
people, mainly Thai and Lisu. This does mean that their level of English is very
basic but, while we are trying to get them to improve, they can still communicate,
are very knowledgeable and friendly, and we would rather locals get the benefit
of having visitors.
At the the Lisu villages where we stay at night there
will normally be a host (the person who owns / runs the accommodation) who can
speak good English.
We are trying to find ways to improve the standard of
English in the area. Please feel free to teach the guides en route!!
Q. Do you provide blankets / sleeping bags / bedding?
A. Yes
Q. Do I need a backpack / rucksack?
A. Yes. A small back pack / ruck
sack is best. We have a few that we can lend but it
may not be enough for everyone.
Q. Can you store my luggage while I'm away
on my trek?
s A.
Yes. We can also lock away valuables (passport tickets
etc.), at your own risk, but you must remeber to collect
them when you leave!!
Food
Q. Can you provide Vegetarian food.
A. Yes. In fact we can cater for most special meal
requirements, please let us know when booking, thanks.
Etiquette
Q. Can I take photo's of people?
A. If you are taking what is obviously
a portrait of an individual you should ask first,
and not be surprised or upset if they say no. People
who are assisting your group or who you buy something
from are usually happier to have their photo taken.
Please don't give or offer to give money or sweets
in exchange for photo's.
Q. Can I bring a gift for the villagers?
A. Yes, of course. While sweets and
biscuits always go down well with the children (and
adults!), educational/ stationery -type / medical
/ first aid things are better. If you would like advice
please ask.
Q. How much should I tip?
A. That is entirely up to you. Any
amounts are gratefully received by the guides / hosts,
larger amounts are especially gratefully received.
I can't really help with this one.
Q. Do the villagers mind people going to their villages?
A. We would not send people to any
village if the villagers asked us not to. Apart from
the individuals we deal with in the villages we try
to make sure that the whole village see's some benefit
in the form of donations (these are included in the
price you pay). We add to this too.
We usually find that the villagers look upon visitors
with mild curiosity, and it often provides a refreshing
break from their simple (mundane?) lives.
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