Chiang Mai adventure activities guide
Whitewater rafting is best after the rainy season
The city of Chiang Mai has a wide variety of activities to suit all ages and preferences. It's certainly one of the draw cards of the city, offering a far greater choice than any other tourist centre in Thailand. Activities on offer include: trekking, mountain biking, walking, elephant riding (and mahout courses), whitewater rafting and kayaking, ATV and motorbike trips, soft adventure activities and extreme sports such as bungee jumping and even drift karting. There is also tenpin bowling, tennis, golf, walking and swimming and kick boxing camps. More sedate activities include cooking courses, meditation, yoga, tai chi and even shopping.
Soft adventures that offer a chance to get into the mountainous wilderness of Northern Thailand are a primary attraction in Chiang Mai, certainly for backpackers and even families. Numerous tour companies in the town centre offer a range of activities in Chiang Mai, either as day trips or multi-day adventures, at reasonable prices. Alternatively you can find your own way to some of these, or plan your own adventure on rented motorbikes. Here are the most recommended or popular activities.
Trekking in the North
Arguably the most popular adventure activity around Chiang Mai, trekking has been attracting backpackers for more than two decades. The province is laden with mountainous landscapes. A multi-day trek to remote hilltribe villages allows travellers to experience their subsistence lifestyle first-hand. It's quite an experience, and quite different from the trekking in Nepal. Typically guided groups of about five people trek to remote villages at about 2,000m, usually staying with a variety of different hilltribes over the course of three or four days. These are genuine villages (not teahouses) and you're unlikely to encounter too many other trekkers. The vegetation is lush jungle, so there are few lofty mountain views. Numerous companies offer a range of treks, and can often be arranged right at the guesthouse where you are staying or from travel agents congregated around the Thapae Gate and Night Market areas. More on trekking in Northern Thailand.
Zip line and canopy tours in Chiang Mai
These treetop canopy tours are a recent addition to the Chiang Mai adventure brochures and probably the best fun a family can have (though they aren't the cheapest day outing). Flight of the Gibbon is the original zipline adventure in the area comprising three kilometres of zip lines, sometimes suspending you 40m above the valley below. The entire system has been safety checked by an international inspector and the three-hour trip includes abseiling down giant dipterocarpus trees, walking across 'sky bridges' and hanging out on platforms high up in the jungle canopy. They also apparently have the longest single forest canopy zipline in the world. Flight of the Gibbon is located in the lesser visited Mae Takhrai national park on the east side of Chiang Mai's valley and includes a trip to the eco-village of Mae Kampong. Jungle Flight offers a similar experience in the nearby mountains, and offers a shortened half-day tour for under 2,000 baht. You'll probably wish you had spent more time in the canopy, however.
Elephant riding in Chiang Mai
There are a number of elephant camps where you can ride through the jungle on the back of these massive beasts and see them in action. There are camps in Mae Sa, Chiang Dao, Mae Taeng, Lampang and Mae Wang. Finding them can be tricky so it's best to arrange a tour through your guesthouse, hotel or a tour guide. Independent travellers can follow their tourist map to the Mae Sa Valley (north of the city) and drive up into the mountains to the well-signed and very popular Elephant Camp. The other camps around Chiang Mai tend to be less touristy and are preferred for longer day tours. Aside from watching the elephants bathing and eating, you can witness one of their entertaining shows where the elephants kick balls, beat drums, dance and even paint - it sounds silly but they have little other use now that logging has been banned. This is one way to keep the elephants and their mahouts employed, and makes for a great family outing.
Mountain biking and cycling in Chiang Mai
Mountain biking trails are available for all levels
Bicycling is another way to appreciate this city, and finding a place to hire a bike isn't difficult in the city centre. Single speed bikes with a nice little basket on the front for your water and a map are ideal for exploring the old town and its web of ancient lanes. You'll definitely want some gears if you intend to ride up into Suthep National Park on the western flank of Chiang Mai. City Bike Rental at Chiang Mai Mountain Biking (near Wat Phra Singh) is a good bet. Biking around the city and up the road to Doi Suthep is managable, but if you wish to explore further afield a rented scooter is more sensible. Some companies like Click and Travel offer mellow culture-based tours into the flat suburban villages around Chiang Mai's valley.
Travellers tale: A mountain to climb
Experience Northern Thailand from the saddle of a bike, with a week-long ride from Chiang Mai to the Goldern Triangle... more
The more adventurous may prefer to hire a mountain bike and tackle some of the superb trails on Doi Suthep - the unmistakble mountain to the west of the city. Chiang Mai Mountain Biking runs excellent day tours down mountain trails and dirt roads on Doi Pui. They supply full suspension bikes and all the gear. Many of the trips are purely downhill and the experience of descending through the jungle is a thrilling way to see Chiang Mai mountains. The trips often visit hilltribe villages, coffee plantations, lychee orchards, waterfalls, streams and boast fantastic views that few other visitors to Chiang Mai get to see. More on mountain biking.
Whitewater rafting and kayaking in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is one of the best places in Thailand to go whitewater rafting since the nearby Mae Taeng river has an excellent run of grade three and four rapids. Several companies in town offer this experience. Siam Rivers is perhaps the most reliable, since their guides have been trained by international swift water rescue instructors. They also offer kayaking for those experienced in the sport. The multi-adventure company The Peak also offers good services. Another outfit with competitive rates is Chiang Mai Adventure. Be warned!! there is a risk in this activity as whitewater sections of the river can be steep and powerful in the rainy season. Over the years there have been several fatalities, and the tour companies are rarely held responsible.
Avoid this activity in September when the river is at its strongest and full of debris. From January to June the experience is rather tame due to low water flow and often not worth the effort. Numerous tour agents in town sell these tours. You should shop around since many agents simply recommend the tour offering the highest commission but not necessarily the safest reputation. Typically they cost 1,700 baht and include lunch in the pretty village of Sop Kai - a nice day out in the jungle all things considered. There is also an excellent two-day rafting or kayaking trip down the Pai river from Pai to Mae Hong Son offered by Thai Rafting and also Cave Lodge.
Travellers tale: Real wild one!
Rafting the Mae Taeng can be a hair-raising experience, but its certain to be one of the most exciting things you do in Thailand...more
Enduro biking and dirt biking in Northern Thailand
An exciting, exhilarating and very rewarding way to get deep into the rugged terrain of Chiang Mai province and the surrounding area is by embarking on an enduro-biking trip. Those without the skills or confidence can sign up for more mellow day trips using ATVs or 4-wheel buggies. Several companies in the Mae Sa Valley offer these outings. We reccommend Thai Enduro Tours for those interested in embarking on a trip motorbike trip. Travellers who prefer to rent a bike and explore on their own, a very realistic and popular option thanks to the superb GT riders maps, should seek out Joe's Bikes on Chiang Moi road (soi/lane 2). Pop Rentals, just south of Thapae Gate on Kotchasarn road is another reliable choice offering newer bikes.
Rock climbing and caving in Chiang Mai
Rock climbing enthusiasts will be pleased to know there is great climbing at Crazy Horse Buttress, east of Chiang Mai in Mae On district. Here you'll find some first class climbing on good faces and crags. Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures, run by Josh and Cat Morris and their pro team, are the best crowd to hang out with if you are serious about climbing. They can arrange trips to the face and provide all the equipment and support. They also sell gear and have a bouldering wall at their shop. This company offers all sorts of adventure trips around northern Thailand related to climbing and caving, ensuring something for everyone and every level. Their multiday trips to the karst region of Pang Mapha (north of Pai) are particularly spectacular for caving and abseiling.
Swimming and fitness in Chiang Mai
Like the rest of Thailand, Chiang Mai can get pretty hot between March and October. If your hotel doesn't have a pool, you can use the one at Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel (next to Kad Suan Kaew Mall) for a small fee. There's also a public pool off Chiang Mai Land Avenue near the southern end of Chiang Klan Road, costing 60 baht per entry. Top North Hotel (near Thapae Gate) also has a leisure pool open to the public for a small fee. There is also an Olympic-sized pool at the 700-Year Stadium, or you can head out to Huay Tung Tao reservoir (northwest of the city) which is a popular recreation area with the locals. If you want a quiet (kid free) day by the pool, find your way to the Real Centre of the Universe, a complex with salt water pools and resort facilities in the leafy Chang Puak neighbourhood west of the city (entrance: 200 baht).
If you need to keep your 'holiday muscles' toned up, there are several gyms around town that accept walk-ins (expect to pay about 300 baht/US$10 for a session). The biggest is California Wow on the top floor of Airport Plaza. Fitness Thailand is also well equipped and conveniently located in the Computer Plaza on the northern side of the city centre moat. Power House is another professionally run gym in the Punna Plaza off Nimmanhaemin Avenue - ideal for expats living in the area. Annual fees typically cost about 15,000 baht/US$500.
Tennis and golf in Chiang Mai
Tennis and golf can be played at the Gymkhana Club; one of Chiang Mai's most historic sports and social venues. A large number of courts are available at the 700-Year Stadium (northwest of the city), costing 60 baht per hour for the public with a pro shop on site. The Anantasiri Tennis Courts - Chiang Mai's largest such facility - can be found near the National Museum, while other public courts can be found at Chiang Mai Land and Lanna Sports Club.
Golfing enthusiasts are really spoiled for choice in Chiang Mai with 10 courses located within an hour's drive of the city. Some are as cheap as 600 baht for round (Hang Dong Club), while others are posh venues often located in magnificent resort surroundings where you might get to hobnob with a politician or army general! Some of the golf courses offer tourist packages that include clubs for rent with the greens fees so ask your hotel concierge. Caddies and golf carts come standard at every golf course in the area. More on golf in Chiang Mai.
Fly in Chiang Mai, the views are breathtaking
Running and walking in Chiang Mai
Runners will find familiarity with the Hash House runners, who congregate at the Hash House bar just south of Thapae Gate (inside the moat). There's also a Hash Pub near the Mae Ping Hotel, but be warned there's actually several rival hash groups within this chapter. They are an active lot with weekly runs, some of them quite adventurous among the backwoods near the city. Chiang Mai province is a nature lover's paradise, so you may wish to seek out one of the many national parks that offer superb walking opportunities. However, as a newcomer you might need a guide to show you the trail heads as hiking maps are rare. There are numerous trails ascending Doi Suthep mountain along its base to the west of the city. The route from the Park HQ above the temple down to Monthathal falls is a popular one.
Cultural experiences in Chiang Mai
Fang Valley is a Blood Foundation social enterprise specialising in experiential travel. This small scale, grass roots organisation offers unique cultural excursions in northern Thailand. The Monk for a Month temple stay is an authentic experience within a real monastic order, while long-term hilltribe homestays provide visitors with a intensive insight into some of the fascinating ethnic cultures of the region. There are many tours, treks and community volunteer projects that can be included in your trip to Chiang Mai to add some depth to your experience in northern Thailand.
Muay Thai - kick boxing
This ancient Thai martial art has gained prominence throughout the world thanks to a few Hollywood blockbusters. It’s also popular with foreigners here in Thailand who come specially to learn, train and fight. There are boxing camps in all of the tourist areas of Thailand, including several in Chiang Mai that offer various programs and schedules. Lanna Muay Thai, run by a Canadian and several local teachers, is one option if you want to stay and focus on learning or improving your skills. Another is Muay Thai Sangha, which we recommend due to its impressive lineage of teachers and use of ancient methods. Both offer accomodation and full training programs, entering their fighters into bouts regularly. If you would rather just spectate then it’s worth the 300-400 baht entry to the regular Friday night matches at the Thai Boxing Stadium near Kawila Barracks. The fights are exciting, authentic spectacles with a great atmosphere charged up by the unique snake-charming musicians who traditionally accompany the action. More on Muay Thai courses.
Extreme sports in Chiang Mai
The X-Centre, featured in the Amazing Race Asia, is a multi-activity centre with arguably the most fun you can have in the Mae Rim area. This popular venue offers paintball wars, bungee jumping, drift-cart tracks, zorbing and motorbiking or 4-wheel buggy excursions into the nearby mountains. A restaurant is also located onsite, professionally managed by an experienced Kiwi-Thai team. They provide hotel pickups for convenient transport right to the action.
Yoga, meditation and Tai Chi in Chiang Mai
In Chiang Mai there are a number of spiritual and cultural activities visitors can enjoy, including yoga classes, courses on Thai cooking, massage, Buddhist meditation at Wat Ram Poeng and Doi Suithep, Tai Chi and much more. Promotional posters and brochures are easy to spot at guesthouses, hotels and posted around the city. More on metaphysical pursuits in Chiang Mai.
Fishing in Chiang Mai
Believe it or not you can go fishing in Chiang Mai at the well stocked lakes in the Sankhampeng area. Dream Lake and Paradise Lake are private fishing holes open to the public where you can hire rods and usually have success hooking a variety of species like catfish, carp, pike and tilapia. For visitors, it’s most practical to arrange a day trip with the likes of Dream Lake Fishing Tours, who provide all the gear and always know where the fish are biting. There are several other small lakes in the area where Thais like to try their luck using their own equipment. Usually there is a small fee to enter, but the more they charge the better the lake is stocked.
Updated and correct: January 2012
Further reading...
- Scenic Mae Hong Son loop drive
- Drive to Thailand’s highest mountain top
- Northern Thailand trekking guide
