2024/04/14_Report Khanin Valley (Avocado) Hike

Elephants, avocados and time to ‘smell the roses’…

No fires but with the air still in a less than optimal state, 6 hikers joined the hike from the Thung Roeng Royal Project. We made good progress in the morning when the heat was not yet at its fullest.

Arriving at the ‘Patara Elephant Conservation’ camp before any other tourists, we spend some baht on food for the elephants. Local celebrity elephant ‘Mira’ and her mother came and enjoyed being feed fresh bananas, and we enjoyed feeding them; a win-win!

A visit to the coffee shop was on order as well. Whilst the avocados at the Royal Project are nowhere ready, here we got avocado ice-cream and avocado smoothies to go with local coffee.

But we must go back on our trail along the Khanin valley. Farms and buffalos, then further along forest and of course the many water crossings of the Mae Khanin. Some tried to keep their feet dry, and succeeded, others did not bother and simply walked through the water.

At the lunch spot, the sala is long gone, but a smoldering campfire was there left unattended. We did the right thing and extinguished it with the water just meters away.

Next up was the steep climb up to our highest point. Some new bike trails zig-zagging along made the climb a little easier than along the old dirt road. From there, back to the trail head by the Royal Project.

After the hike we had a nice catch-up with our friends from the shorter hike at the Royal Rosegarden.

The hike was about 11.5km with just under 300m elevation gain/loss. We completed the hike in just under 4 hours, including stops.

Hike leader & Report: Othmar

Pictures: Prae, Kurt, Jeff, Othmar

2024/04/14_Khanin Valley (Avocado) Hike

The hike is going ahead. 

This is a relatively easy hike we last did a bit over 2 years ago. We are starting from the Thung Roeng Royal Project, famous for its various types of avocado orchards (sorry, not in season now), but also cultivating many other produces.

We will follow the farm roads to an Elephant camp (always in season 😊) and will stop there for a break. Bring some cash to buy bananas if you like to spend some time and feed the pachyderms. Alternatively, there is also a coffee shop.

From there we follow a dirt-road into the Khanin valley. The first part will lead us along open farmland. Buffalos are normally in residence. A bit further, as we head deeper into the valley there will be a fair number of streams crossings. Depending on the water level, we may get across dry by resorting to some rocks hopping, but be prepared for wet feet.

We then will make a snack stop before starting the only steep part of the hike. The climb is on a dirt road and is not overly hard or prolonged. From there we return to our starting point along some more orchards and vegetable patches of the Royal Project.

After hike refreshments will be in a restaurant back on Samoeng road.

This hike is around 11km long and 310m ascent. The hiking loop should take us around 4 1/2 hours including some time with the elephants and snack break.

Hike leader: Othmar

Meeting point/time: The open area in front of Wat Wutthi Rat (Wat Ban Fon) on the ‘Southern Samong Road’ (#1269) at 07.20am for 07.30am departure. > Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cHgJ1dqkpKrAG4eb6

Or ready at 8:00am by the Thung Roeng Royal Project parking area. > Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9N3jJzZgEQePHgqj8

If you want to join, read our general advice on the above tabs, then if you are sure the hike is for you, just turn up at the meeting point on time. No groups please. No need to let us know you are coming. Note that places in cars cannot be guaranteed but are usually available. If you need a lift, offer your driver 100 baht towards fuel costs and bring a change of clothes/shoes for the return journey.

Please bring: As per usual advice (see tabs above), especially noting:

• Plenty of water and/or electrolyte drinks.
• Protection from the heat (start and end sections are exposed).
• Energy snacks and/or light picnic.
• Some cash if you like to buy some bananas for the Elephants.
• Plenty of energy, enthusiasm, good humor, smiles and team spirit.