Smiling Albino

Smiling Albino (SA) has hosted a multitude of fabulous guests from all over the world. They have ranged in age from six months to 80 years, have consisted of honeymooning couples, extended families and single travelers. Many Smiling Albino clients do not consider themselves 'tour' people and an SA adventure was one of the first organized trips they had participated in.

Below is a small collection of comments passed on to us by past guests. If you are considering a Smiling Albino adventure, feel free to contact us and we can put you in contact with any of our references to help you learn more about what makes our trips so much fun!

"We arranged for our family of four and another family to join [Smiling Albino] for what really is one of the best trips we've taken. For us, it was like they were showing their friends a great time. I think Smiling Albino probably is the best outfitter I've ever met."
John, doctor, 44
Menlo Park

"I have traveled the world over and have never had an experience like I had with you guys in Chiang Rai. As one that refuses to travel as an average tourist, you made all my travel dreams come true. Spending time with local residents and children broadened my knowledge of Thai culture and allowed me to feel at home with the people. From having a picnic with 28 school children to eating Chinese dumplings on the street in Chiang Rai, I was fully aware that I had been thrust into Thai culture. To my knowledge, no other tour company can provide what you offer. Your tour was well balanced between challenging tasks and relaxing moments. I came away with a deep appreciation for the Thai people and their happy way of life thanks to Smiling Albino. I would highly recommend your tours for anyone that has a desire to experience the Thai culture under the secure and careful attention of your staff. Your efficiency and well-organized logistics is to be commended. It is obvious to me that much time and investigation has gone into making your tours so interestingly different."
Fred Carney
Louisville

"We have taken two trips with Smiling Albino and plan on taking many more. If you want a traditional "tour", look elsewhere. If you want a small-group adventure, with a perfect mix of scenery, history, physical challenge, camaraderie, fun (we never laughed so hard on a trip), and local flavor, Smiling Albino should be your choice. We recommend them highly and regard Scott and Dan as not only the quintessential adventure hosts, but good friends."
Mark Bouzek &Deb Parks
Houston

"I have traveled all over the world in many different ways, but none come close to the excitement, fulfillment, and just plain FUN of your Smiling Albino Adventure. Easily, hands down, the BEST trip I have ever taken, and I fear may ever take. All future travels will be weighed against this incredible benchmark. Throughout the trip, we felt more like we were traveling with good friends, than with a guide. Your knowledge and insight into Thai culture allowed us to come home knowing so much more about that part of the world, and thus I appreciated my holiday more! Your constant tailoring of the holiday to the needs and whims of our group sets you apart from any others. We whole heartedly recommend you to anyone that will listen (and even those who don't want to listen)! Cheers and many happy travels."
Dave and Erin, dentists, early-30's
Victoria, BC

"Thanks for putting together an exciting and well-planned journey. For those seeking a bit of adventure, like myself, the two days on a motor scooter fit the bill perfectly. And your local knowledge was invaluable. Who would have guessed that a scenic road lay behind that military outpost? Your appreciation of the country was always apparent. I don't think it would have been possible to organize a journey like this without a love for the country. Great job!"
Dan, 34
San Francisco

"Daniel and the rest of the Smiling Albino team are fantastic. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I highly recommend Smiling Albino to anyone looking to maximize their enjoyment when visiting Thailand, Malaysia and the surrounding area."
Rob, entrepreneur
Toronto

"The entire experience was so wonderful that I feel I really 'grew' as a person." The interesting stops and the extent of your knowledge and all the little "human interest" stories that you shared with us made this trip a huge success. Having organized some trips ourselves in the past, we know the myriad of details that must be attended to on an ongoing basis - you attended to all of those details most competently. All throughout our "adventure", the hotels were ready for our arrival, the equipment (bicycles, motorscooters, etc.) was ready and waiting, etc., etc., etc. Well done!"
Connie Janzen, early 50s
Edmonton

"Robin and I wanted to thank you all for showing us Thailand like we never could have seen it alone. You guys run a really great operation and really worked hard to make sure we saw the country, experienced the culture, sampled the food, and understood the place and people that you so obviously love. Your passion for what you do is evident and you strive to take us to the parts of the world most visitors do not get to see. The memories of what we saw (and the taste of the food) will last a lifetime."
Evan and Robin, business owners, late-30s
New York City

"We cannot say enough about you and the trip - you are the perfect host. Right from taking us to some of the best restaurants in Thailand (best restaurant meaning 'quality of food', not tourist decorated or catered to) to tea tasting in Mae Salong, you taught and showed us much more about the Thai's traditions and culture than we could have ever learned on our own."
Ron and Moira, sales, mid-50s
Priddis, AB

"As I had mentioned while on the trip, the total city and northern program was better then advertised and far exceeded my expectations. The personalized service for Jeff & I (Gouda &Scotch!) along with the custom dietary products for Murray was far beyond any normal level of service. Thanks guys!"
Keith, lounge owner, 40ish
Toronto

"What a trip - you guys are the best. Manon and I had the time of our lives. We honestly felt as if friends were showing us their town, their country, rather than us being on an organized guided tour (which is a good thing). Thanks for making Manon and I feel like a king and queen. We really felt spoiled and well looked after."
Anthony, airport security specialist, 38
Montreal

"The venture through Thailand and getting to know you folks was one of the most extraordinary and wonderful things I've ever done. And it was so good not just because Thailand is a beautiful and fascinating country (it is that) and not just because we packed a huge amount of exciting adventures in (whew! did we ever) but because you folks love it so much and took the time and planning to show us the details, introduce us to the history and stories, and especially, especially helped us to meet great Thai people."
Kim Varey, mid 40s, accountant
High River, AB

"My benchmark definition of customer service/care has changed; you are awesome! The trip you arranged was magical. I cannot believe we were only with you for two weeks. I look back at all the things we did and it felt like at least a month. We've come away feeling like we've had a great holiday, a great cultural experience, challenged ourselves, provoked a reassessment of our lives and made some new friends."
Neal, brand strategist, 34
London

"Going on our Smiling Albino adventure was the most unique travel experience we've ever had. We have to say that anyone who not been on a Smiling Albino trip has really missed out"
Jeremy and Jodi Kent, mid-30s
Vancouver

"Thanks so much for guiding us through Thailand! Emil and I had a fantastic time, and we never would have seen the parts of Thailand you showed us unless we had been with you. It was a great adventure! We enjoyed the various modes of transportation and variety of places you showed us, and liked the fact that you ordered the local cuisine for us, since we never would have tried all the different types of food Thailand has to offer if you hadn't ordered for us! We appreciated all the details and effort you all put into organizing the trip which made it easy for us just to enjoy being on vacation. Thanks again for a fabulous trip!"
Lauren, late-30s
New York City

"A lesson I have learned is that in order to experience a place you have to be a participant in it - you just can't sit back, you have to see the 'good, the bad &the ugly' in order to be a traveler and not a tourist. That is what I got to experience thanks to Smiling Albino - a true testament to a great travel company. Thanks guys!"
Elizabeth, aspiring travel company owner, late-40's
Kenya

"Smiling Albino offers a wonderful alternative to seeing Thailand. The scenery unfolded: Bangkok, the north, rice paddies, tea crops, small towns, beautiful accommodations, villagers, farmers, flowers, temples, washed out roads, all while being cared for, every step of the way. I am dizzy in recounting the innumerable images that flash through my mind. Smiling Albino shared their lives, friends and a beautiful country with us, as if we were longtime pals. I know that by the end of this exhilarating time together, we have become friends. We left 'The Kingdom' with great feelings, as well as enough memories, both mental and digital, for a lifetime. Thanks to "The Albino Boys" for everything!"
Marilyn and Jerry, bankers, mid-40s
Toronto

"The Smiling Albino trip was the once in a lifetime adventure that everyone should experience. From mountain biking to fine dining, the trip had something for everyone. You guys approached everyday of the trip with enthusiasm mixed with professionalism that can only be found in people that truly love what they're doing. Thanks for the adventure!"
Tony Faw, 30, graphic designer Columbia, MS

"The Chiang Rai Northern Exposure was a great way of experiencing the warmth of the Thai people, great food and breathtaking scenery of northern Thailand with well planned and relaxed guidance from Smiling Albino ... and that noodle soup in Chiang Rai was just itself worth the trip!!"
Karsten & Hilde
London

"I will never forget my experience traveling with Smiling Albino while being in Thailand. The service that you guys provide is absolutely unbeatable. Going on the 'Siamese Dream' I was able to reap the benefits of all Thailand has to offer while having ALL the details taken care of. The trip went so smooth you would think Thailand was waiting for Smiling Albino to tour. It is the most unique, self-building experience I have ever had. Smiling Albino is the way to go for that type of traveler that would like to truly experience the culture in the most absolute comfort. In closing, I think anyone who has gone to Thailand and not experienced a trip with Smiling Albino has missed out huge, I feel so honored to have had the opportunity. Can't wait for the next trip.
Kathy Tynan, 30, production accountant
Calgary

"We spent 3 weeks with Smiling Albino, my husband was very skeptical about going on anything remotely organized. After our first day he was sold, he said, "I don't care what the rest of the trip is like, I got my monies worth the first day". We found having someone help with the language plus order the food and find washrooms was immensely helpful. They have some amazing stops where there is not a lot of tourists. They also tailor your trip to your age and ability."
Sylvia and Glen Ohlinger, retired
Edmonton