FAQ’s
FAQ's
Exploring Northern Thailand by Tuk Tuk is not your ordinary kind of adventure and we're sure you have lots of questions before you decide if this is the right trip for you. Of course we hope the answer is YES, and you're exploring our site we're pretty sure you have an adventurous spirit and will love what The Tuk Tuk Club has to offer. But, just in case, listed below are a few of the most commonly asked questions put to us by intrepid Tuk Tuk Adventurers before they start their engines! And please don't be shy to get in touch with any other questions - just drop us a note on [email protected]!
The Tuk Tuks
The Adventure Itself
Perhaps surprisingly, very good! Most of the main loop we follow consists of ‘main’ roads between some of Northern Thailand’s most major towns and cities (though they are quiet most of the time) and as a result they are resurfaced every few years and kept in fairly good nick, with the exception of a stretch of road on Day 10 of our 11 Day Adventure which is a little bumpy and in need of some resurfacing!
When we stray from the main road the surfaces are still fairly good, you won’t see many potholes or gravelly stretches apart from when we park up at the elephant village.
More on The Adventure Itself
Preparing For The Adventure
We always recommend that our travellers bring Thai Baht cash with them on our adventures and the exact amount is in our detailed trip notes and our welcome mail. This is to cover mountain coffees, snacks, well earned evening drinks and, for the 11 Day Adventure, the handful of meals that aren’t included. There are ATMs available on most – but not all – days of the adventure but please do note that ATM’s in Thailand charge overseas bank cards at least 200 THB per withdrawal. Cards can be used in some locations but not all – and cash is pretty much always preferred.
This is very much up to you – we don’t head anywhere ‘fancy’ or ‘formal’ so please bring whatever clothes you’re comfortable in. Most of the time shorts / t-shirts are more than enough – it’s pretty warm year round – although in the winter (November – February) the evenings and mornings higher in the hills can be pretty cool and we recommend you bring a jumper / jacket / fleece and some trousers. Women do need to have knee length shorts – at least – when visiting Temples to be polite and also tops should not be too revealing! Trainers are perfect for most of the time on the adventures but you might also like to bring some flip flops / sandals for when you walk with the elephants (you cross a river / stream a few times) and for when you go bamboo rafting – they’re also great of course to keep your feet cool. You might like to bring a glove also during the hotter months – March – October – as some travellers find that their right hand (controlling the throttle) can get sweaty and slippy!
Most of the accommodation we use does have a fridge in the room but nights 3 and 4 (on the 11 and 5 Day Adventures) do not have a fridge in the room. However, if you have medication that needs to be kept cold etc you can use the fridge that the family who run where we stay have. Just ask your guide!
Well that’s what makes it an adventure! Our Tuk Tuks are custom built and designed to be able to deal with anything that comes our way. When it rains we have plastic covers that roll down the back and sides to try and keep you as dry as possible and of course the windscreen has a wiper so you can see the way ahead. The plastic covers can also protect against high speed winds, but they are not really an issue when on the road. If it happens to be especially hot then luckily the Tuk Tuks have a permanent roof, and their movement creates their own little breeze so you can stay cool at all times. Whatever happens, the show must go on!
Any Requirements?
Before And After The Trip
We do not include flights on our adventures. It’s simply outside the scope of what we can do currently. We can, however, help you find the right flights and gives suggestions about the best routings etc to come and join us if you’d like.