1 January 2002

        Despite an early start on New Years Day, Rungsan delivered us a unique experience on our 2 day trek.
        We were recommended this trek by friends who came 3 years ago and we were certainly not let down.
         Thank you Rungsan for your insightfulness. Your friendly disposition plus “a no worries” attitude. We had a great time and will have no hesitations in recommending your trek to other Aussies seeking adventure in Chiang Mai.

Many thanks

9 January 2002

judo@shaw.ca

Boating down the river, hiking up the hills, elephants, meeting the hill-tribes, the Golden Triangle, all combined with Rungsan’s organization and consideration for all of the group, including the two of us who probably should have done this 20 years ago when we were in better shape, all combined to make the three days one of the most wonderful experiences we have had.
           We highly recommend Rungsan’s services. He is a great chef. We also appreciated the opportunity to adapt the tour schedule according to the interests of the group. We never felt hurried as Rungsan made it a personal tour.

14 May 2002

adebattiste@aol.com

Rungsan runs an excellent trek and if you are considering a trip I would highly recommend his company. I have trekked with several other companies during my 2 months in Chiang Mai and I’ve learned that you get what you pay for. Choosing some of the lower priced treks generally means there are many “extras” to pay for along the way, and you will see a difference in quality of accommodation and food as well. It is also rare to find a trekking guide who speaks so many hill-tribe languages as Rungsan does, and this makes for a better experience. You will not regret choosing a high quality company like “Sam’s Trekking” – Enjoy!

Rungsan – thanks for a great time!

14 May 2002

Jack9699@yahoo.com, ddstelly@jps.net

When we arrived in Chiang Mai, our main quest was just to party but we met up with Rungsan and he told us about the hill-tribe trekking and said that it will be a real adventure for us, he wasn’t wrong, meeting the village tribe people was amazing, the Long-Necked People were really friendly and where they lived was something from a movie. I only thought the adventure started there but it didn’t! The river boat journey down the Kok River was breathtaking. Seeing the forests and the people along the way was totally out of this world. We set off on our walk up through the mountains, it wasn’t hard just hot! We stayed over night in the tribes’ village and how they lived was great to see, the trek didn’t stop there, the elephant trip up through the jungle was an experience I’ll never forget, if I can say one thing to anyone who wants to think, don’t hesitate, just go… It will be the time of your life and a memory you will never forget, ‘cause I know I won’t Forget It!!

Brian Bradley
48 Bellood, Strabane,Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland

Diane Stelly
P.P. Box 14142,Cokland CA, 94614, USA

13 February 2003

Three full enjoyable and interesting days. I came to Chiang Mai with no intention of doing a trek this time, but am very glad Rungsan pointed out that this time of the year is better for the jungle (than my return visit on July) and that the group would be compatible. It was!
It was soon clear that we were in the hands of a very experienced guide. The variety and pacing of the 3 days were excellent – unobtrusively so. If we had to pick out one thing, I guess it would be the elephant ride – but I enjoyed everything.
Many thanks Rungsan

6 – 7 March 2003

Rungsan’s driving abilities are impressive. He drives for long distances without obvious tiring and is so careful. Even though there is an itinerary which has been agreed upon, he is adaptable en route, and does not hurry us along if we are enjoying ourselves at some point.
The variety of activities contributed to the trek – walking, long-tail boat, elephant riding, waterfall swimming, being made welcome by a hill-tribe family. The peace of the countryside made the overnight experience very special. We appreciated Rungsan’s organizing all this.

                                               John & Patricia Thompson
                                               Dorset, Ontario, Canada

4 August 2003

We chose Rungsan as our trekking guide on the recommendation of a friend. He was a wonderful guide. Rungsan understands what foreign tourists are searching for in a trekking experience. He is very well organized. The work he and his guiding friends have done with the hill-tribes is impressive. They have improved the peoples lives and integrated them into Thailand’s tourism industry.
The time with the Lahu people was so interesting. They are friendly and welcoming. Their home is basic, rustic with its natural wooden homes does, bamboo strip walls and flooring, the open fireplace in the cooking area was circled by friendly helpers & neighbours.
       The country we walked through was beautiful, with rice paddies and corn fields. Far as the walking and boat trip was wonderful. The elephant trek up into the mountain was an experience of a lifetime. One wonderful adventure thanks to Rungsan.

24 Septembre 2003

Que! Treccing magnifique! “ Oh my Buddha!”

Tout est tellement bien planifie et les gens de la tribe Karen (La rouges)  si accueillants et souriants.
Rungsan esy un cuisiuier extradordinaire et je me souviendrai toujour “Don’t Worry to be Happy!”
Merci pour tu getillesse Rungsan et tou “caring”.
Je pens eave c’est un treccing “Jungle Life” plus palpitant que je l’eserait.

Merci pour tout et continue tou beau travail!

13 January 2004

We had a tremendous time on our trek with Rungsan! We shopped around and decided and decided to go with him and it’s fortunate for us that we did because in comparison to other travelers that we met afterwards – our trip was better. The food was excellent. Rungsan is a fantastic chef & it was some of the best food we had here during our 1 month visit, also as a guide, he has a very experienced and balanced skill about how he stays far enough away to make sure you feel & experience the culture and landscape, yet! He offers insightful and informative information any time that you need it, AND the accommodations in the hill-tribe villages, the food, the fun & flexibility and overall experience were better than those other travelers that we talked to whom did similar treks! It’s not something that you want to miss, for example, the elephant ride is very non-touristy. The whole trip was organized so that you didn’t feel like you were on a typical tour.
                                                  You’ll have fun! Go…. Don’t hesitate.

30 January 2004

WOW!

Becky Conrad & Denis Arseneault
Ottawa
Canada
This morning as I write this – the visions + memories of our trek with Rungsan are amazing. Everything went so smoothly without a moment of being rushed. Our trek included the Cave, a long-boat ride on the Mae Kok River and trekking, an elephant ride up the mountain and a refreshing at the waterfall. Rungsan ensured safety all the way. The images that really stand out are those of our interaction with the Lahu Hill-tribe and most specifically, those of the family with whom we stayed.
     Rungsan offered information covering everything from plants, animals, history, culture and tribal customs.
The humorous & warm style really made it enjoyable - we are considering taking a second excursion with him.
           I hope you decide to go for a trek with him – amazing memories are awaiting!!

30 January 2004

We had a great trek with Rungsan. He was an excellent guide and also an accomplished chef. He was very knowledgeable and taught us much, not only about the Hii-tribes but also about Thailand in general. An enlightening cultured experience.
 The Lahu family and other villagers with whom we stayed were very friendly and welcomed us in participating in their New Years celebration. We also had the opportunity to sample home made rice vodka! Very tasty! It really gave us a chance to see how the people in the countryside lived! quite a contrast from Chiang Mai.
            We highly recommend taking a trek with Rungsan. We had heard so many tales from other travelers about disappointing treks, but you won’t get that here. Rungsan is very conscientious and clearly cared about ensuring that we enjoyed ourselves.

29 January 2005

Zwindy1@aol.com

We have just returned from an amazing adventure!!!
We took the 3 day, 2 night trek through Taton, boating to Karen, hiking to the Red Lahu hill-tribe the first day. The boat ride was exciting going along the Kok River, seeing rural fishermen and water buffalo and jungle on both sides. We ended at the White Karen hill-tribe where we began our trek up into the mountains to  this beautiful tribe where Rungsan arranged for us to stay at an amazing hut (Clean & Comfortable) Rungsan cooked an incredible dinner (best we’ve had since arriving in Thailand). We ate under the stars and a full moon.
The next day we hiked (pretty good workout) for 2 hours sometimes bush whacking to the Akha tribe, where Rungsan cooked another fabulous meal. From there (Drum Roll!!!) we took the elephant ride – an experience of a lifetime – up and up through the jungle and the hiked for about half an hour to another hill-tribe. The wonderful thing is that Rungsan speaks all the hill tribe languages and knows all the people of the tribes – they love him.
Our last day we went to Burma and then the Golden Triangle (nothing so exciting as the 2 previous days) and then back to Chiang Mai.
A Fantastic experience and we thank Rungsan for being a terrific guide, a fantastic cook and becoming a good Friend.

1 April 2005

Goddard & Dancer UK

We have just returned from a 2 day trek/overnight stay in a village and have had a fantastic time. We admit to being a little nervous about the trip beforehand but our guide Rungsan was so friendly and knowledgeable about the different hill-tribes we would be visiting, that those worries were soon put to rest. After a trip to the caves, we took a fantastic Long tail boat ride along the river. This was followed by a very interesting trek to a village, with lots of wonderful sights. The trek was quite hard work, particularly in the heat, but we were rewarded for our efforts when we arrived at the village where we would be staying overnight.
The people we stayed with were so friendly and welcoming and made us feel really at home. Even the chickens gave us a very friendly (and noisy!) wake up call early in the morning. The elephant ride the next day was an amazing experience. We shall certainly take home many happy memories from this week. Finally, we would like to thank Rungsan for being such a wonderful guide. His knowledge, friendliness and sense of humor really made this trip special – and he really is the great chef everyone says he is! Thank you Rungsan!

                                                  From Goddard UK – Rob Dancer
Oxford - UK

8 February 2005

suzymyers@granatir.com

We thoroughly enjoyed our 3 day trek with Rungsan and his very charming porter from the Lahu village (also an excellent driver who negotiated windy roads to Pai and beyond) This trip far exceeded our expectations – the knowledgeable guide, gorgeous country, small group (only 4 of us) and amazing (huge!) meals prepared by Rungsan. Most importantly, we felt welcomed by our gracious hosts in each village. People everywhere smiled and waved. I am very grateful to Rungsan for his skillful tour organization, having experienced some disappointing tours on this trip to Asia. This one was a winner. I highly recommend this man!
Enjoy-----

                 Suzy Myas & Tony granatir
Seattle, WA - USA

26 November 2005

We have just returned from a 3 Trek / Tour with our guide Sam – it was a privilege for us to spend this time and gaining a glimpse into life in northern Thailand. It was a fantastic combination of adventure, cultural awareness and indulgence (Great Food and refreshing swimming! )
Staying in the villages was something we were anxious about as we wondered about it would be? Seemed to be so sensitively handled and we felt very comfortable – we even enjoyed the roosters in the morning! The elephant ride truly was a special part of the adventure – how does an elephant climb up such steep slopes?  Thank you Sam for your relaxed, intelligent and sensitive approach to taking us on our special tour. Both the trekking and an earlier day trip to Doi Inthanon were undertaken with a group of just 2 of us which although a little more expensive allowed the programme to be totally personalised. At Doi Inthanon we were able to focus on bird watching and once again Sam’s local knowledge of the terrain and the right people to ask, resulted in a very successful tour. On the mountain we were then joined by a local hill-tribe guide, from the Forestry Department who pointed out and interpreted the many subtle signs of wildlife we would have missed.
In short, we have no hesitation in recommending Sam as your local guide in all the North of Thailand exploration.
Thanks Sam and good fortune in the future.

27 December 2005

Baffinstraveller@yahoo.com

We can only agree with the excellent comment made in Sam’s journal. Sam has taken us to see the wonderful elephants, the Long Necked Women, the snake show to name but a few. The wealth of knowledge made the trips even more enjoyable and he went out of his way to ensure all we wished to do was included in our short visit.

29 January 2005

Zwindy1@aol.com

We have just returned from an amazing adventure!!!
We took the 3 day, 2 night trek through Taton, boating to Karen, hiking to the Red Lahu hill-tribe the first day. The boat ride was exciting going along the Kok River, seeing rural fishermen and water buffalo and jungle on both sides. We ended at the White Karen hill-tribe where we began our trek up into the mountains to  this beautiful tribe where Rungsan arranged for us to stay at an amazing hut (Clean & Comfortable) Rungsan cooked an incredible dinner (best we’ve had since arriving in Thailand). We ate under the stars and a full moon.
The next day we hiked (pretty good workout) for 2 hours sometimes bush whacking to the Akha tribe, where Rungsan cooked another fabulous meal. From there (Drum Roll!!!) we took the elephant ride – an experience of a lifetime – up and up through the jungle and the hiked for about half an hour to another hill-tribe. The wonderful thing is that Rungsan speaks all the hill tribe languages and knows all the people of the tribes – they love him.
Our last day we went to Burma and then the Golden Triangle (nothing so exciting as the 2 previous days) and then back to Chiang Mai.
A Fantastic experience and we thank Rungsan for being a terrific guide, a fantastic cook and becoming a good Friend.

15 February 2006

Stevenw@spritone.com

To do a trek and Sam had a perfect trek for us. We’re half way through a 5 week vacation I Thailand and we think our time with Sam will be the highlight of our whole trip.
The villages we trekked to were amazing! The people were wonderful and kind. Sam cooked some great meals for us. It simply would have been impossible to have these wonderful encounters without Sam’s help.
We also did an elephant ride up a rather steep hill. Amazing!!!!

18 August 2006

happyheidi2@yahoo.com, cameronmaury@yahoo.com

I have always wanted to travel to exotic Thailand, and trek through the jungle by foot and by elephant, and Sam made that dream possible. A guide is one that helps you understand the path, however Sam comes with knowledge about people, culture, plants and the language. He handled himself with grace and kindness, especially during the rough part of the hike when I needed a bit of extra time and patience. Also his cooking is quite good although we needed more spice. Thai style!! Only kidding! I truly enjoyed my experience with Sam and felt safe in his hands. Thank you Sam…..
I look forward to coming back and laughing with you once again!

22 February 2006-08-19

gergd41@hotmail.com

What can we say? Sam gave us a very memorable & enjoyable experience on our first trek & time in Thailand!
Sam took us in his arms & gave us fantastic meals (prepared fresh daily) i.e. Chicken & Coconut soup, Pineapple mixed vegetable omelette, shredded garlic puree, we can’t say enough! We were treated like kings & queens!
The village experience was so interesting! Sam knew everyone, which made for all a memorable experience.
The lifestyle, preparation of meals, cooking on an open flame – I will say no more, you have to experience it! – The villagers were very welcoming, children gave us a singing evening but it was a bit much when the whole village showed up for shopping.!
The elephant ride was something you need to do once in a lifetime – those beasts are amazing & agile. Sam will cater your needs – helping in your decisions to last minute requests, like “Can we visit a Gem Shop” He knows where to take you. He was a 24/7 Guide.

23 July 2006

We had a wonderful time during both of our one-day tours. We did the Orchid/Butterfly farm – cave – “Long-neck” tribe tour first. This was very interesting, if light & easy day and the touristy feel of the orchid/butterfly farm (although very pretty) was more than off-set by the visit to the Hill Tribe. A fun day for us and just perfect for the family.
The second day of hiking to visit 5 hill tribes was absolutely fantastic. With sunny weather, we hikes for 3 – 4 hours (mostly flat terrain, suitable for most all – I am not very Athletic) and visited a number of friendly villages. The highlight though was the spectacular scenery---Incredibly beautiful.
The only word of caution: the hill tribes are generally used to seeing tourists and like to sell handicrafts for money. I believe this is a good thing & allows a better life for all, but guests must manage their expectations if they envisioned very isolated peoples.
Lastly, Sam was a wonderful guide: helpful, accommodating, flexible & knowledgeable. He knows the land and its’ peoples and it shows!
Highly Recommended.