My husband and I would like to book some tours in Chiang Mai like the elephant trekking and tiger garden, but I'm hesitant to book online. What is the cheaper route? Wait until I get there or go ahead and book online.
Thanks,
mimi
Reply to this Hi Mimi 😊
I personally now book these types of tours if I am doing them on the ground - you may book online and find circumstances the day you have your tour booked may be a problem - ie, you may be feeling sick, weather may be shocking, you enjoyed the night out before just a little tooo much or you had delayed flights or bus trips. Elephant trekking and Tiger garden are both great tours and there will be many tour agencies operating so when you get to Chiang Mai have a look around at a few places offering tours and be able to get a better deal. If you are going in peak tourist season it may be worth booking as soon as you get there. I have booked tours online and had no trouble so I guess its weighing up - Is the tour you want to do one of the most popular? Do you have time to say, ok, we cant do it today but tommorow we can? if not..book online - have a look through blogs here and see if you can find recommendations for tour operators. Some tours - particularly dive trips to remote/high demand places like Sipidan I prebook...and have never had any trouble emailing the tour operator asking if there is a degree of flexibility allowed with your dates - most operators will be willing to let you know. Chaing Mai is very well set up to cater for tourists so you shouldnt have any problem.
Enjoy your travels - both elephant trekking and the tiger garden are fantastic :-)
Reply to this I agree with littlewing. Doing research before you go is great, but actually booking when you get there is going to be better for you. I would book as soon as you get there and that way you can see what dates and times are available and convenient for you.
Reply to this Thailand is one of the easiest countries in Asia for booking tours. Just find the nearest travel agency close to your hotel and check out their menu selection of popular tours. If you choose a tour early in the morning you sometimes can be on an afternoon or evening tour the same day. Most tours begin in the morning with the tour company picking you up at your hotel. When the trip is over they bring you safely back to your hotel. Some hotels also have a tour desk you can use.
Same method of getting tours in Phuket, Bangkok and Pattaya - there are many travel agencies in Thailand where it is normal for tourists wanting tours on short notice. Check out more than one travel agency and go with the office that you are most comfortable with.
Good luck.
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