Hinterlands: Sixteen New Do-It-Yourself Jungle Treks in Thailand's

Halesworth : White Lotus, 2001. Paperback. Good/no dj. 0.54. This follow up guide profiles 16 exciting new do-it-yourself treks that independent travelers can launch in the mountains, jungle and forests of Thailand�s north. The majority of the trips, which range from short easy rambles to challenging 3-day adventures, are done on foot, but many can be carried out by motorbike or bicycle, or by a combination of walking and riding. The book focuses on two areas in northern Thailand: the undiscovered hinterlands of Nan and Mae Hong Son towns. Here, the expeditions almost all take place in the beautiful and impressive conservation zones of Nan�s Doi Pu Kha National Park and Mae Hong Son�s Mae Surin Waterfall National Park. The trips provide ample scope for �Rambo� adventuring, dirt riding, camping wild in exemplary jungle, marching over remote mountain ridges, and experiencing the local hill-tribe peoples and their culture. Some hikes are suitable for more modest travelers new to trekking in Thailand. In Nan readers can climb Doi Pu Kha, the province�s highest mountain, also ascend imposing Mount Pu Wae, ride the long exhilarating northern and southern national park loops, stay at Doi Pu Kha National Park HQ, penetrate to jungle-bound River Pua Waterfall, and hike down the Thai-Lao border ridge through elevated Lua (Htin) settlements. In Mae Hong Son they can scale Doi Pui, the province�s highest peak, admire Piang Fah Cliff, stay in isolated Karen settlements, and hear the cries of gibbons and great hornbills. Hinterlands features explicit route data, 36 detailed maps, 32 pages of photographs, including shots of all the guides that readers might need, an introduction reviewing equipment, food, health and security issues, accommodation, guides, transport and bike hire, and background cultural information.