Trekking for kids

Our expedition begins in Bangkok, Thailand where we will enjoy the beautiful temples, famous floating market and sample the delicious Thai food before heading to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. We will spend the remainder of our time in Chiang Mai, before and after our Trek.

Lite Trek

Our 6-day Lite Trek through the spectacular mountains, bamboo forests, and terraced rice fields of northern Thailand will take us to the northernmost part of Thailand, the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Burma, and Laos meet. The area is named ‘Golden’ because of the former wealth generated by the widespread cultivation of opium poppies in this area, and ‘Triangle’ because of the junction of these 3 countries.

Along the way, we will pass numerous waterfalls and streams to cool down in, ride an elephant along the forested trails and visit numerous indigenous hill-tribe people such as the Lahu, Lisu, Akha and Karen. A highlight of the Lite Trek will be the opportunity to experience the authentic cultures and traditional lifestyles of these hill-tribe people each night as guests in their village.

Our Trek will be fully supported by a local trekking company and our luggage will be transported each day to the next village. We will walk an average of 4-5 hours a day and sleep in bamboo huts in the hill-tribe villages. We require that all Trekkers be in good physical condition and able to hike for several hours non-stop, carrying a daypack. It’s important that a good physical conditioning program be undertaken at least two months before departure. Talk with our Director of Lite Treks, Joaquin Davila, and your physician, for training recommendations and schedules.

Orphanage

Trekkers will have the opportunity to spend four memorable days with the children at Warm Hearts children's home in the small town of Phrao, near Chiang Mai. Before the trek we will spend time getting to know the children, play games with them and help with the construction of the new dormitory we are building for them. After the Trek, we will return to the orphanage for a couple of more days of fun. We will take the children on a field trip to a nearby point of interest, finish up any uncompleted work projects and then celebrate our time together with food, music, and dancing.

Please contact Tricia Donaldson, Director of Operations, or Joaquin Davila, Director of Lite Treks, for more information.

Cost

Trip Cost: $1900
Fundraising Commitment: $1000

Included

• 6 day fully supported, guided Trek (you only carry a daypack)
• Professional western and local guides on Trek
• Elephant and long boat ride on Trek
• 3 nights village home-stay accommodation and 2 nights guesthouse on Trek
• 6 nights hotel with breakfast (double or triple occupancy) in Chiang Mai and Bangkok
• All meals on Trek
• 4 Dinners and 3 lunches (non-Trek days)
• Bangkok city tour and entrance fees
• Field trip and party with the children
• All in-country transportation, including airport pick up and drop off on scheduled arrival and departure days
• Sleeper train to Chiang Mai
• Flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
• TFK t-shirts, luggage tags, and buff
• Tips for trekking crew
• Group travel insurance

Not Included

• Airfare to Bangkok
• Several meals
• Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, or bottled water

Expedition Requirements

• 18 years or older
• Good health
• Physically fit
• Willing to raise minimum $1000 for orphanage

3 Step Process

1. Apply • Fill out the online application
• Pay $500 deposit ($50 non-refundable)

2. Prepare • Read Information and Fundraising Packet from TFK
• Start a training regimen if not already exercising regularly
• Fundraise for orphanage projects
• Gather all necessary gear for the Trek
• Pay remaining Expedition fees
• Arrange flights

3. Experience • Arrive in-country and meet your TFK group leaders and fellow Trekkers.
• Enjoy a trip of a lifetime!

We are committed to supporting you every step of the way, both before and during your Expedition.

Click here to read about TFK’s Registration and Cancellation Policies.

Download Schedule here.

Details coming soon. Please check back.

95% of Thais are Buddhists

TThe Mekong River is the third longest river in Asia and borders with Laos. The rare Asian river dolphin makes its home in it.

The golden triangle is perhaps more accurately reserved as a moniker for the area known for producing opium. It is, however, also used as the name for a tourist attraction at the side of the Mekong river where it is possible to see Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.

Thai is a tonal language. This means that one word can have multiple meanings, depending on the way it's pronounced. There are 5 tones in the Thai language.

Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand.

In 1939 the country changed its name from Siam to Thailand. In 1945 the country changed its name from Thailand back to Siam. In 1949 the country changed its name again from Siam to Thailand. It is the only country in the world to change its name 3 times in 10 years.

Currency is the Thai Bhat.

Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country to have never been dominated by a Western power and so retains most of its original culture.

In ‘Thai’, the name Thailand signifies “land of freedom” or the “land of the free”.

There are seven major hill tribes in Thailand: Karen, Hmong, Yao, Lisu, Lahu, Lawa, and Akha. Each has its own distinct culture, religion, language, art and colorful style of dress. The hill tribe people have migrated to Thailand from neighboring Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and even China at various points throughout history

Thailand is the largest producer of pineapples in the world.

Thailand is popularly known as the "Land of the White Elephant." It is said that white elephants were highly revered by Thai Rulers and till date are widely honored as symbols of peace and prosperity.

Fundraising Resources

After signing up for an Expedition, Trekkers receive a Fundraising Kit, and access to the Trekker Resource Center, with online tips and tools to help you succeed.

TFK Promo DVD • past trek project highlights
• how your donations are used

TFK Brochures • brief version of the website in printed form
• great introduction to TFK for your donors

Personal Fundraising Page
• solicit donations on your page
• set fundraising goals
• track progress in real time
• post a message to your donors
• donors can send a message to you

Other Resources • Ideas for raising your $1000
• form letters to help you get started
• fundraising logs
• receipts and forms
• orphanage project flyer
• slide presentation about orphanage projects, and how donors funds will be used

Contact our Director of Operations, Tricia Donaldson, for more information.