Neil Aronson (Updated Nov 2024) Are you a traveler looking for adrenaline on your vacation? Then we have your list of thrilling outdoor activities you can find around Chiang Mai and throughout Thailand. And one of the best part of doing these outdoor activities in Thailand is that your doing them surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. Oh and did I mention its a lot cheaper than most other countries.
With so much to do in Thailand on your vacation it can be hard to sort through all your options. So we have a list of items for those thrill seekers looking for some adrenaline outdoors.
The best company to book all your thrilling activities is on Viator.
Resources
Agoda is the best place to book cheap affordable hotels in Thailand, especially near national parks. They also book flights as well.
Expedia is my favorite place to book flights, hotels, cars, and more. Their group includes Hotels.com and Vrbo for vacation rentals.
Viator is the top choice for activities. Book everything from a waterfall tour to scuba diving, jungle trekking to cooking classes.
12Go is the top transportation source for Asia. From busses to trains to regional flights.
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Contents:
White Water Rafting
Like a lot of outdoor activities you end up doing in Thailand, you never planned doing before you visit. On my first trip to Chiang Mai 13 years ago, I certainly was not planning on going white water rafting. But as I kept walking around town, I kept seeing signs on small shops promising to take you out to the mountains for an unforgettable experience on the river.
After trying to fill my days (while my friend was working), I decided why not give these outdoor activities a try. Similar to me taking a cooking class on that same trip, which was a blast. And best of all, its inexpensive in Thailand. I am cheap, so that works for me. This was me and my friend Steve in the front of these pictures!
In Chaing Mai, there are multiple companies that will take you out on the Mae Taeng River, about 2 hours north of the city center. You can book some of them on Viator, our choice for booking activities.
If your looking to go Kayaking on these same rivers, most of the local companies can arrange that as well.
These are all day outdoor activities, so take that into consideration. The adventure companies will pick you up, drive everyone out to the river, give you a brief training, and lunch.
Where To Do It:
Besides the mountains of Chiang Mai, there are other places to go rafting. North of Chiang Mai about 130 Km in Pai, is another option nettled in the lush mountains. Nan Wa River, about 150 Km northeast of Chiang Mai. The Nan Wa river is supposed to be one of the best white water rafting venues in the world, and other outdoor activities.
In Southern Thailand there are options near Krabi and Phuket. Phang Nga, north of Phuket, is another amazing site for white water rafting, set in the rainforest jungle. Or traverse down the Songprak River near Krabi.
TIP* Experienced rafters would know this, but it is really important to consider the time of year in Thailand. Unless you like being terrified as a rookie. Peak season, meaning the rivers are full blast category 4-6 rapids, is July-October. Not recommended unless you are experienced. The dry season, January-April is pretty calm.
Book Hotels on Agoda. For transportation around Thailand book on 12Go, for booking trains, busses, flights, private cars.
Off Roading
Riding the mountain trails on wheels is another hugely popular of all the outdoor activities you can do. Like rafting, there are no shortage on adventure companies in Thailand to rent to you or take you out on tours. Chiang Mai especially is a very popular area being near the mountains.
Be aware when doing these outdoor activities of the rainy season, especially for mountain biking. It’s not too much fun peddling through the running mud. July-October is very rainy and muddy.
Riding ATV’s is more of a tourist thing in Thailand than a local activity. A lot of the tour companies combine an ATV rides with another one of the outdoor activities such as Zip Line, Elephant Sanctuary, or visiting a cave. May tours just about anywhere in the country can be booked on Viator.
For those wanting to ride dirt bikes through jungle trails and rivers there are lots of options as well. Let’s Ride in Chiang Mai is a local company that does all types or off road trips and mountain biking tours. If you want to go on your own, their are companies around town that rent. Just be careful and make sure they are reputable, and don’t leave your actual passport with them. Ask you hotel, they know all the good local companies.
Mountain biking all around Thailand is popular with both tourists and locals. Renting bikes is easy. Mountain Biking can be booked on Viator. Another good local source for Chiang Mai area is Chiang Mai Mountain Biking & Kayak.
Just north of Chiang Mai City is the area of Mae Rim. If you are near this area check out Chiang Mai X Centre, on route 1069. Here you can do many activities, as they specialize in ATV tours and Dirt Biking. I have met the very friendly Australian owner.
Scuba Diving
Have you ever wanted to get your dive certification? There are no shortage of dive companies where you can make this happen on your trip. It doesn’t get much more beautiful than Thailand’s Islands. The 5 best places to dive to dive, according to Scuba Dive Magazine are, Andaman Sea, Similan Islands, Koh Tao, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi.
Experienced divers know all about diving in Thailand, that is why some locations like Phuket have over 50 dive shops.
Thailand essentially has two distinct diving zones. There is the Andaman Sea, where you will find Phuket, Krabi, Kho Phi Phi, among others. And the Gulf of Thailand, for Pattaya, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, and Koh Phangan. Each has opposite diving seasons.
In the East, the Gulf of Thailand’s visibility is incredible from May through September, while the Andaman Sea on the West Coast tends to offer the best diving conditions from October through April meaning scuba diving in Thailand can be enjoyed all year.
For those who are just starting out or want to learn, check all the available offers on Viator to dive these locations. For more on dive shops and where to go in Thailand, check out PADI, and find instructors.
Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
Sadly, my favorite of all the outdoor activities, surfing, doesn’t really exist in Thailand. It does in a few places for tourists, but no one goes on surf trips in Thailand. However, there are other fun water sports.
Windsurfing has become one of the more recent outdoor activities in Thailand. There are plenty of locations on the East and West coast providing everything you need for windsurfing. Windsurfing in Thailand is focused on the tourist hotspots such as Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui, which offers great beaches and also consistent wind conditions for the majority of the year.
Thailand is an amazing place to kitesurf. And perfect coastline, since you don’t have big waves. Most places have flat water (usually lagoons), while others have waves. If you are planning to do your first kitesurfing lessons, it is a good idea to go to a place with a lagoon and flat water where you can stand up. In addition, the light winds are ideal for gentle kitesurfing, so it is perfect for the beginner.
For these outdoor activities some of the best places are Hua Hin, Koh Phangan, Pranburi, and Phuket. You get consistent light winds, shallow seas for small waves, and of course warm waters. Finding rentals in any of the beach towns is easy. On Koh Samet check out Seaddict Water Sports Facebook page. On Koh Samui look up Samui Paddleboard.
Zip Line & Bungy Jumping
We have two more outdoor activities, that are of course for tourists. But they are a great adrenaline rush, and extra thrilling when doing them in the jungles and rainforests.
Zipline is readily available in most tourists areas. Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi have lots of options. Some of them can be found on Viator. Just like any of the other outdoor activities, there are plenty of local adventure companies in these cities that do zip line. Again, check that they are reputable.
Family Tip* There is a place north of Chiang Mai city in the Mae Rim Valley called Pongyang Jungle Coaster Zipline Camp & Resort. Honestly we have not stayed overnight, but I have seen it, and it is a great place to take the kids. Many jungle activities including zip line, bungy jumps, tube rides, and more. You can book on Agoda. The accommodations for family friendly ‘glamping’. It can get very crowded.
Also in the Mae Rim Valley there are several opportunities to zipline. The biggest and most popular in the area is Phoenix Adventure Park. They have both zipline and an amazing rope course. Getting to Phoenix is easy, it is just 2 km north of route 1096. Google maps took us there.
If your looking to do a bungy jump, they have that too. I’ll pass, not my thing, but go for it. So I can’t say that I have actually done it. In Chiang Mai north of the city in Mae Rim, there is X Center Chiang Mai. Close to other tourists attractions like Tiger Kingdom and Mae Sa waterfall.
In The Sky
For the ultimate outdoor activities adrenaline rush go sky diving, paragliding, or take a micro flight. What better way to fall to your death than starring out at the beautiful landscape of Thailand! But seriously I have a couple friends that go all the time.
Pattaya is a popular spot to go skydiving. Another option for skydiving near Bangkok is through Skydive Thailand. Near Bangkok as well is Thai Sky Adventures, one of the most reputable companies.
In Chiang Mai, since 1998, Chiang Mai Sky Adventure has been taking people up on their micro planes. Located northeast of the city center, about 30 minutes drive. Glide over the surrounding hills, looking down on temples, rivers, and life below.
For The Kids
We have some fun and thrilling things in Chiang Mai that kids will love. We mentioned the Pongyang Jungle Coaster Zipline Camp & Resort.
Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls (Mae Taeng) is super fun and thrilling for kids. It is a naturally “sticky” waterfall where the unique texture of the rocks allows kids to climb up and down safely. Bring swimsuits and water shoes, and consider bringing a picnic for a day out in nature. Located about an hour north of Chiang Mai, a tour can be booked on Viator.
Jungle Adventure Park (Hang Dong) is a newer theme park with rides and activities for kids. From small coasters to zipline to Go Karts. Your kids will have a blast all afternoon splashing around in the many water activities as well.
Conclusion:
We hope you can make it to Thailand and try some of these experiences.
Since there is a health and safety risk! Make sure you get Travel Insurance please.
