Experience Thailand like never before with Barking Gecko Travel – Day Tours. Located in the heart of Haiya, we specialize in creating unforgettable travel experiences, guiding you to explore the rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant local life that Thailand has to offer. Join us for a journey that combines adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable memories.
Welcome to Barking Gecko Travel – Day Tours, your gateway to experiencing the enchanting beauty of Thailand. Situated at 12 Soi 3 Wualai Rd in Haiya, our travel agency is dedicated to providing personalized day tours that highlight the unique charm and culture of this remarkable country.
At Barking Gecko Travel, we believe that travel is about more than just visiting destinations. It’s about immersing yourself in local experiences, meeting friendly faces, and creating lasting memories. Our tours are thoughtfully designed to cater to diverse interests, whether you’re an adventure seeker, a history buff, or someone who simply wishes to unwind and explore.
Join us as we embark on journeys to stunning locations such as picturesque temples, bustling markets, and serene natural landscapes. Experience delicious local cuisine, partake in traditional activities, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings that Thailand is renowned for. Our knowledgeable guides are passionate about showcasing the hidden treasures and rich heritage of the land.
We prioritize your comfort and enjoyment by ensuring our tours are conducted in small groups, allowing for an intimate experience that fosters interaction and connection. Our customizable itineraries mean that you can adjust your day to suit your preferences, providing you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Discover the vibrant neighborhoods of Haiya, engage with the local community, and capture breathtaking photographs as you journey through Thailand’s captivating scenery. Whether you wish to explore the sights of Chiang Mai, relax in lush gardens, or visit artisan workshops, Barking Gecko Travel is here to bring your travel dreams to life.
With our commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism, you can travel knowing that your adventures are positively impacting local communities and the environment. Let us guide you on an exploration that respects and honors the beautiful landscapes and cultures of this incredible region.
Discover unforgettable experiences with Barking Gecko Travel – Day Tours, where your adventure in Thailand awaits. Contact us today to start planning your perfect getaway and immerse yourself in the wonders of this enchanting destination. Join the countless travelers who have made cherished memories with us and see why Barking Gecko Travel is the ideal partner for your Thai journey.
Barking Gecko Travel - Day Tours (เมืองเชียงใหม่, ไทย) - รีวิว - ThailandAgoda.com
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Barking Gecko Travel – Day Tours is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking 12 Soi 3 Wualai Rd Haiya, Thailand
My wife Joanne, daughter Michelle, her boyfriend Davis and I did an overnight trek out of Chiang Mai with Barking Gecko Tours. Michelle chose this company because in her research she felt that although it was a bit more expensive it was the most socially and environmentally conscious. We were picked up at our hotel on time(even a bit early) by Jimmy and Jame (no “s” on end ) , who are brothers who grew up and live in a Meh Meh (?) village in the hills near Chiang Dao. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive to the start of the trek with a few stops to pick up supplies, visit a temple, and check out the local backcountry. Jame dropped us off at a few hundred metres of elevation and he carried on in the truck to the village. After about an hour of hiking we stopped for a simple but tasty lunch by a pretty waterfall. Jimmy was the perfect guide; plenty of unintrusive information about the flora, fauna, traditional medicines, customs etc. Every request was met with ” no problem ” and with his gracious manner nothing seemed to be. The trek took about 3 hours at a moderate pace with lots of stops through very pretty jungle. We got to the village between 4 and 5 and had plenty of time for refreshments ( beer was 100 baht I think) and a tour of the village with Jimmy. We met his father ( the chief ), who gave us a cool demonstration of how they harvest and prepare tea for sale. We also met an elderly lady weaving bamboo baskets and a couple of guys making bamboo stakes which they drive into trees which they climb to collect honey. One was left with the impression of a very happy, content people. While we were walking through the village Jame was preparing dinner which was a delicious traditional Thai meal. After dinner we slept in a very basic but comfortable hut; one for each couple. It was a cool night at over 1000 metres elevation and were thankful for the abundance of blankets. After an excellent pancake breakfast we walked a kilometer or so to the local school which was interesting and informative. We then drove down the mountain and hopped on bikes for a tour of the area around Chiang Dao. Jimmy led the way while Jame drove the truck as the support vehicle. We stopped at a natural hot spring for a soak and an excellent lunch. We rode at an easy pace for 15 to 20 K and although it was quite warm it was not unbearable and we had plenty of water. We were dropped at our hotel at about 4:00 which for us was a perfect time so we could freshen up and go to the Chiang Mai night market. All in all Jimmy and Jame could not have been more accommodating; their English is good and their laid back and friendly personalities made for a perfect experience. Highly recommended!
Being a tour guide in France, specialized in responsible tourism, I had quiet high expectations…My friend and I spent 2 perfect days with Jame from Barking Gecko Travel.Jame adapted the route following our tastes even if we didn’t say anything about what we wanted to do exactly! He explained us the bouddism life, many things about agriculture, food, culture, history, his way of making responsible tourism…The trek going to the falls was just perfect, we could meet the Mae Mae people, they followed us during the trek, picked some banana tree “heart” and cooked it at night… We were able to have the sweetest massage of our holidays after trek!The tree house was confortable with a lot of blankets for the cold night.We woke up with the river and birds sounds for a good biking day, easy to go in the off road for a big part and going until the hot pools :)A good organic lunch… In summary : beautiful sceneries, meet local people, good food, good company, no rush … As I said at the beginning, the perfect tour!
As a group of four girls, we absolutely loved our four day three night tour. It included trekking on some pretty steep and slippy tracks, cycling and some R&R at the houseboat.Facilities overnight were minimal but we truely felt we got to see some ‘real’ Thailand. The first day we walked 10km – mainly dirt roads. That night saw us stay in a hut belonging to a family in a small hill top village – we cooked and ate with them which was amazing. The second day was 17km trekking on dirt roads and animal tracks before a massage and sleeping in a hut on stilts – this one had a proper mattress. The third day was a 40km cycle on main and back roads before a boat trip to the house boat for swimming, kayaking and chilling out.The two guides made this trip so successful: their organisation was spot on in terms of pick up, providing vehicle support for the bike trip etc. Our main guide, Jimmy, was outstanding: he knew so much, was always passionate about what he was telling us, and was always happy to answer our questions about Thai customs, food, wildlife and more. He frequently stopped us to pick some random plant and get us to eat it, explaining the healing properties etc. Jimmy made the tour an amazing cultural experience as well as an adventure one.If you have a sense of adventure and want to get off the tourist track then this is for you. My advice is: 1) bring ear plugs2) bring a sleeping bag liner / sheet (no air con = hot rooms!)3) don’t expect a hotel! You will have access to toilets and (cold) showers though.4) have a great time!
We had an amazing experience with Jame. During the morning we did trekking and visited the waterfall where we spent some time having lunch. Visiting the tree house is a must! Espectacular views, a unique place.The cycle ride during the afternoon through the rice fields was not less amazing! Without doubt, an incredible day tour!
Every country we visit we do a trekking for 2/3 days. It’s always a bit of a search to find a good organisation that goes off the beaten track and in the case of the Chang Dao area: to find a touroperator that has a big heart for nature and precervering Thai culture. That means, no eliphants and back to basic! And so we did with our guide Jimmy although he claims not te be a guide (sorry Jimmy 😉 and for us Jimmy made this trip just amazing. This trekking is not for the lazy ones, be prepared for some serious hiking ánd cycling. Weathercircumstances couldn’t have been better although it was almost freezing in the night… so make sure, if you have plans travelling this time of the year to bring some extra layers of clothing. And no worries, the hosts in the villages have blankets as well. So far the spoiler alert: if you’re up for some adventure, nice conversations and amazing Thai food booking then definitely go for Barking Gecko!
Visiting the Chiang Dao area with brothers Jame and Jimmy is a great way to spend time when visiting Chiang Mai. They offer very authentic tours that place great value on this area by investing in the communities they take you to. Our day of trekking and then bike riding was a long day but very relaxed as Jimmy never hurried you and gave plenty of time to stop, take photos and gave so much interesting information about plant life, family life and history of area. Loved having auntie on the trek who made lunch and wrapped in banana leaf to eat at the waterfall. Be prepared for crossing through water and getting muddy but that is part of the fun. Fresh local fruit is provided and water and a cup of tea or coffee in the village. All communication with Barking Gecko was prompt and accurate and just found J and J professional, friendly, helpful and thoughtful. Highly recommend this tour company and remember they can tailor something to meet your individual needs.
We did not know anything about this trekking company before booked. We booked this tour through a small local agency in Chiang Mai. We requested an ethical trek with no elephants and they recommended doing a Barking Gecko trek. A little more expensive than some of the trek with elephants but we are not disappointed. We done the three day trek and they is also a half day biking included which gave up plenty to see. The guides (Jimmy and Jame) were very informative and took great care of our group on this trek. The accommodation in the villages was very special. One night in a Lahu house and the other at their tree house accommodation. we were very sad to leave this place but will take some great memories home
Our group of 8 “middle age” adults prebooked a 2 day biking, hiking, kayaking and treehouse stay as a private trek, The Barking Gecko team was really great in answering all our questions and allaying all our concerns (we had many!). Our daypacks included all the essentials per the list provided by the company —don’t forget photocopies of your passports, microfibre towel, sturdy shoes, bug spray, sunscreen and a change of clothes (and wine for the evening, as there was only beer avail at the treehouse); the van transported our packs (no need to carry them on our backs!). Jame was our guide and was the key to making this a successful tour. We started with market stop, to pick up ingredients for dinner. Jame showed us all sorts of interesting veggies, and consulted with us for our preferences. We then headed to the base house, to pick up our bikes and helmets, and headed out a 30-35 km bike ride through the beautiful and mostly flat countryside. Jame was great in judging our abilities and was able to accommodate the tour route, including having the van pick up a rider (me!) when I was ‘done’, about 30km in, and just before the final 4 km uphill ride back to the base house.Following a mostly Western-style lunch, we were given options to get to the next destination (waterfall by foot or by truck) (we opted for the truck). Even with the truck drive, we had a short (20 miin) hike though some rough terrain, before arriving at the beautiful waterfall for a swim. We then spent the evening at the treehouse, where the hosts were very accommodating in providing 2 couples with their own room, and the other two couples shared a spacious bedroom. All beds had mosquito netting (though some tiny holes in some of the bednets) (though no mosquitoes were seen in daytime or night). The gracious host prepared a delicious meal for us, using ingredients we picked up earlier. Jame also arranged, per our request, for in-house massages for the group after dinner. The next day, we enjoyed a freshly cooked breakfast, visited the local temple, and then headed to the National Park, for kayaking, swimming and another great meal in a floating restaurant. All in all, a wonderful way to see the unspoiled side of Northern Thailand. Obviously, some level of physical fitness is required to bike in the Thailand heat and humidity, and to safely navigate the short trek to the waterfall and up the stairs to the treehouse.What a memorable 2 days in a magical setting!
We recently spent 2 days and 1 night on Barking Gecko’s ‘Good Morning Chiang Dao’ tour, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our time in Thailand. Picked up from our accommodation in Chiang Mai by our fantastic guide, Jame, we headed off in our very comfortable pick-up towards Chiang Dao. Stopping at a local market en route, Jame walked us through sections of the market, stopping at different stalls allowing us to meet local people and try some local specialities. We sampled lots of different things that we never would have attempted without his knowledge and encouragement! As we are vegetarians, Jame selected a variety of local vegetables and fresh tofu, which was expertly prepared for our lunch, dinner and breakfast in the village. The market was a real eye opener and unlike some of the other markets the trekking groups go to, we were the only tourists in sight!After the market we continued onto Ban Den temple on the outskirts of Chiang Dao. Here we spent around 40 minutes exploring the different Buddhist buildings, pagodas and monuments. Jame took the time to explain some of the key beliefs about Buddhism (since he was previously a buddhist himself) and it was a real privilege to be able to ask questions and find out lots of things we may not have understood without his help and knowledge.We then set off towards the Tree House village in Mae Mae. Tam, the owner and host of the homestay gave us a warm and friendly greeting. After a guided tour of the house – which was a beautifully simple wooden home built high in the forest canopy with fantastic views – Tam prepared a delicious lunch using the vegetables Jame had selected at the market. After lunch, we headed off for a 3 hour trek to a local waterfall, passing by the tea and coffee plantations which the local villagers grow as a community business. Here we learnt all about coffee growing and harvesting and how the crops support the entire village. After our trek Tam cooked another delicious meal whilst Jame gave us a lesson in meditation and answered our many questions about life in the Mae Mae village. Our sleeping and washing facilities were simple but extremely clean and well maintained. We slept like babies due to the fresh mountain air. Or was it our newly learnt meditative breathing techniques?Woken for delicious banana pancakes and fresh, local coffee, it was time to head to the Barking Gecko office in another village for a bike ride. After being kitted up with helmets, suitable bikes and water, we set off on a leisurely 2 hour cycle around the local villages and farm land. We stopped along the way where Jame pointed out different crops and to show us local farmers harvesting their rice. Here we also had the chance to sample the local delicacy of ‘bamboo rice’ (sticky rice cooked in bamboo over charcoal) which was being prepared by some local people in the village. We gradually worked our way back to the office where we stopped for a delicious homemade lunch of papaya salad, sticky rice, wontons and summer rolls. Our final experience was a trip to a local hot spring where Jame had organised a session in a private pool, which was a perfectly relaxing end to an amazing trip. Feeling totally chilled and slightly exhausted, Jame drove us back to Chiang Mai where we said our goodbyes.As well the really well-planned and varied itinerary (flexible and adaptable to suit you), the thing that impressed us most about Barking Gecko as a tour company was their absolute commitment to low-impact, sustainable tourism. Jame explained on many occasions how careful they are to limit numbers of tourists into the villages they visit (no parties!) and how important it is that they do not disrupt the villagers way of life. A percentage of the cost of of each tour goes directly to the Mae Mae village and school community. As well as this, Barking Gecko are trying to move towards a zero-waste programme and actively look to limit the use of plastics and general waste wherever they can. I would wholeheartedly recommend Barking Gecko for a trip into the Northern Thai mountains. Thank you to Tam, Jame (and family!) for giving us an experience we will never forget.
My Dad and I booked a one night, two-day Chiang Dao with tour with Barking Gecko. From the moment our guide Jimmy picked us up, we knew it was going to be a special experience. Jimmy showed us authentic Thailand. We stayed in the small village he grew up in, hiked to a beautiful waterfall, explored a nearby farming village by bike. All of it was amazing. Jimmy is so kind and knowledgeable. It’s clear he cares about his community and works very hard to reinvest in it. It felt like a true privilege everything he shared with us. On top of that, the food and tea that his Auntie prepared in the home we stayed in was some of the best I had while traveling throughout Thailand. Barking Gecko’s approach to tourism is truly unparalleled. Their community-based approach makes all the difference in the world and has set a very very high bar for any tours we doing going forward. It was truly magical and we will always be deeply appreciative of Jimmy and everything he showed and shared with us. Do whatever you have to do to book an experience with them!