Chiang Mai adventure activities guide
White water 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 cooking courses, meditation, yoga, tai chi and even shopping.
Soft adventure and a chance to get into the mountainous wilderness of Northern Thailand is 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 you own way to some of these, or plan your own adventure on rented bikes. Here are the most recommended or popular activities.
Trekking in the North
Perhaps the most popular adventure reasons for coming to Chiang Mai, trekking has been attracting backpackers for two decades. The province is laden with mountain landscape and a multi-day trek to the remote hilltribe villages, with their subsistence lifestyle, is quite an experience. It's different from the trekking in Nepal, typically you go off on guided groups of about five to remote villages at about 2,000m, usually staying with a variety of different hill tribes during the 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, with fewer lofty mountain views. Numerous companies offer various treks, often from the guesthouse you might be staying at or from travel agents congregated around the Thapae Gate and Night Market areas. More on trekking in Northern Thailand.
Zip line and canopy tours 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's out. Flight of the Gibbon is the original zipline adventure comprising three kilometres of zip lines, sometimes suspending you 40m above the valley below. It's all been safety checked by an international inspector and the three hour trip includes abseiling down the giant dipterocarpus trees, walking across 'sky bridges' and sitting platforms high up in the canopy. They also have the longest single forest canopy zipline in the world. It's located in the lesser visited Mae Takhrai national park on the east side of the valley and includes a trip to the eco village of Mae Kampong. Combination tickets with white water rafting, rocking climbing or mountain biking can be arranged. Jungle Flight offers a similar experience in the mountains nearby, and is slightly cheaper with all inclusive days out available for under 2,000 baht.
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 the workhorses in action. There are camps in Mae Sa, Chiang Dao, Mae Tang, Lampang and Mae Wang. Finding them is tricky so it's best to arrange a tour through your guesthouse, hotel or tour guide. You could also follow your tourist maps to the Mae Sa valley (north of the city) and drive up into the mountains until you chance upon the Elephant Camp. The other camps might be less touristy, and are favoured on day tours. Aside from watching the elephants bathing and eating, you can witness one of the 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, besides it's a good family treat.
Mountain biking and cycling in Chiang Mai
Mountain biking trails are available for all levels
Bicycle 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 Lonely Planet are ideal for exploring the old town and adjacent lanes. Others might want some gears if you intend to ride up into the Suithep National Park. City Bike Rental at Chiang Mai Mountain Biking (near Wat Phra Singh) is the best bet. The traffic is quite management but if you wish to explore further afield, a rented scooter is more sensible. Some companies like Click and Travel offer sedate, flat, culture tours into the suburbs.
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 Suithep - a mountain to the west of the city. Chiang Mai Mountain Biking runs excellent day trip tours down the mountain (Doi Pui) and other routes. They supply full suspension bikes and all the gear. Many of the trips are all downhill and the experience of descending down through the jungle is a thrilling an highly recommended one. The trips take in hilltribe villages, coffee plantations, lychee groves, waterfalls, streams, and fantastic views that few other visitors to Chiang Mai ever see. More on mountain biking.
Whitewater rafting and kayaking in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is probably the best place in Thailand to go whitewater rafting, since the nearby Mae Tang river has an excellent run of grade three and four rapids. Several companies about town offer the 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 the experienced. The multi adventure company The Peak also offer a good service. Another outfit offering competitive rates is Chiang Mai Adventure. Be warned!! there is a risk in this activity and this stretch of Whitewater is steep and powerful in the rainy season. Over the years there has been several fatalities, with the companies accepting little liability.
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 and not worth the effort. Numerous tour agents about town sell these tours, though you should shop around since many recommend the one offering the highest commission but not necessarily the safest. 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 Tang 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 in among the rugged terrain of Chiang Mai province and surrounding area is by embarking on an enduro-biking trip. Those without the confidence can sign up for day trips on ATVs or even 4 wheeler buggies, with several companies in the Mae Sa Valley offering this. We reccommend Thai Enduro Tours for those interested in embarking on a trip motorbike trip. Those preferring to rent the bike and explore on their own, which is realistic and popular using the widely wold 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 with new 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 equipment and support. They also sell gear and have a bouldering wall. The climbing wall provided by The Peak burnt down a couple of years back unfortunately and has never been replaced. This company offers all sorts of adventure in various disciplines but climbers will be interested in their multiday trips to the karst region of Pang Mapha (North of Pai) for caving and abseiling or day trips to Kiew Lom dam in Lampang.
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 towards the southern reaches of Chiang Klan Road, costing 60 baht entry. Top North Hotel (near Thapae Gate) also has a leisure pool open to the public. There is also an Olympic-sized pool at the 700 hundred 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 about town that accept walk ins (expect to pay 300 baht/$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 other Northern flank of the moat. Power House is another professionally run gym in the Punna Plaza off Nimminhemin Avenue - ideal for expats living in the area. Annual fees typically cost about 15,000 baht/$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, as well as the Amari Rincome Hotel.
Golfing enthusiasts are really spoilt for choice in Chiang Mai with 10 courses found within an hour's drive of the city. Some are as cheap as 600 baht for round (Hang Dong Club), 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 courses also offer tourist packages with clubs for rent, ask your hotel concierge. Caddies and golf carts come as standard. 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 quite adventurous among the backwoods near the city. Chiang Mai province is also a nature lover's paradise, and you may wish to seek out the many national parks that offer superb walking opportunities. However, as a newcomer you might need to find a guide to show you the trail heads. There are numerous trails ascending Doi Suithep 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 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 cultures of the region. There are many tours, treks and community volunteer projects which can also be included.
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 train, learn and fight. There are camps in all tourist areas of Thailand, including several in Chiang Mai that offer various programs and schedules. Lanna Muay Thai, run by a Canadian and local teachers, is one option if you want to stay and focus on learning or improving your skill. Another is Muay Thai Sangha, whom we recommend and which has an impressive lineage of teachers and follows 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 and real spectacles with a great atmosphere egged on by the unique ‘snake-charming’ minstrels 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 is about the most fun you can have in the Mae Rim area, with its paintball action, bungee jump, drift-cart track, zorbing and motorbike or 4-wheeler buggy excursions onto the mountain. A restaurant is also located onsite, professionally managed by the experienced Kiwi-Thai team. They provide hotel pickups.
Yoga, meditation and Tai Chi in Chiang Mai
In Chiang Mai, other activities include yoga classes, courses on cooking, massage, and meditation (Wat Ram Poeng and Doi Suithep), tai chi and more, with lots of promotional posters about the city. More on metaphysical pursuits in Chiang Mai.
Fishing in Chiang Mai
Believe it or not you can also go fishing in Chiang Mai at lakes out in Sankhampeng that are well stocked. Dream Lake and Paradise Lake are two places that you can visit, hire rods and have some success in hooking a variety of species like catfish, carp, pike and tilapia, among others. For visitors, it’s most practical to arrange a day trip with the likes of Dream Lake Fishing tours, who lay everything on and know where the fish are biting. There are several other, smaller lakes that Thais like to try their luck in with their own equipment, too. Usually there is a small fee, but the more they charge the better stocked the lake.
Updated and correct: January 2012
Further reading...
- Scenic Mae Hong Son loop drive
- Drive to Thailand’s highest mountain top
- Northern Thailand trekking guide
