Adventure & Sports: Tak
This mountainous province south of Chiang Mai is an increasingly popular adventure destination. The hub of activities is Umphang district on the border with Myanmar, until recently cut off from the rest of the country. It is now accessible via a winding mountain route from Mae Sot, the centre of border trade.
The forests of Umphang are the source of many rivers, the most important being the Mae Klong, a popular rafting route. The district is home to a wildlife sanctuary and contains the western portion of Thung Yai Naresuan, which together with the adjoining Huay Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Accommodation
Guesthouses in Umphang town. Campsites are provided in Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, but you must bring your own tent and camping gear.
Adventure in and Around Umphang
- 4WD Treks
The winding road from Mae Sot to Umphang is one of the most challenging mountain routes. The 164 km stretch takes 4-5 hours to negotiate. From Umphang, you can continue on the road to the beautiful Sepla Waterfall passing through the dolomite mountain of Doi Hua Mod and the Karen village of Palata. Another route leads to the majestic Ti Lo Su waterfall and on to the Karen settlements of Ban Tipoji and Bueng Faed and the “Karen rishi” village of Le Tong Ku, whose spiritual leader is a Karen ethnic hermit. This route is passable from November-April only.
- Rafting
Mae Klong River is popular with rafting enthusiasts, with its many rapids and scenic backdrops of jungle and hundreds of Waterfalls. The challenging Umphang-Ti Lo Re waterfall journey takes about 2 days. The first section, which ends in Palata village, takes about half a day. From here on, the trip starts off smooth but then becomes quite vigorous (Levels 3-4).
- Jungle Treks
Most who come to Mae Sot are determined to see the spectacular Ti Lo Su Waterfall. Tour operators usually offer mountainbiking, elephant-back rides, or rafting for part of the long trek, but most of it is done on foot. The route consists of several sections: Tha Sai-Ti Lo So on foot or elephant back, Ti Lo Re-Palata on elephant back and on foot, Tipoji-Bueng Faed-Le Tong Ku on foot. You have to be reasonably fit to attempt the trek, but it’s worth it once you get to the waterfall, which ranks in the top ten most beautiful in the world.
- Camping and Animal Spotting
Permits are required for entry into Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. Visitors are not allowed to enter or leave between 6.30 p.m-6 a.m. Animals often spotted in the sanctuary include elephants, tigers, bears, deer, gazelle, warthogs, pheasants, peacocks and hornbills.
