Thailand is one of the most popular and tourist friendly destinations on the planet. And the best Thai adventure holidays are up there with the best in the world. So if you’re looking for an incredible experience, choose one of these top 8 adventures in Thailand.
We’ve created this list of the best adventures in Thailand to give you an idea of the sheer scale and breadth of unique experiences available. To make the most of the country’s unique beauty and geography, you can take to the air, land or water for an unforgettable experience.
At with any list of the best, remember this is just the authors opinion. You may well disagree… If so leave a respectful comment at the bottom. If you suggest some adventures in Thailand that we like perhaps we’ll add them.
Surrounded by mountains and farmland, this region of Northern Thailand is renowned for its lush jungle. It’s a must for adventure seekers and nature lovers – and it’s best explored on foot.
There is a choice of single and multi-day hiking adventures in Chiang Mai. The forests of the Mae Tang Valley and Chiang Dao reach up to the Myanmar border. With peaks reaching up to 2,225 metres hiking is one of the best Thai adventure holidays.
To the southwest of the region is Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Chiang Mai at 2,565 metres. Forming part of the foothills of the Himalayas, it’s covered with waterfalls and jungle trails. And you can overnight with the local Karen families in traditional villages.
Northern Thailand is blessed with scenic countryside. Its valleys and hills are ideal for bike touring. Pedal your way through the Mae Tang and Mae Se valleys of Chiang Mai.
If new to this follow a predetermined route with an organised tour operator. Your accommodation will be booked and luggage transported to your destination for an easier ride.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can always go it alone. The people of this region are very friendly and accommodation options are good. This being Thailand there is no shortage of delicious food to fuel your body.
The vertical limestone cliffs of Ao Nang, Tonsai and Railay Beach overlook the beautiful Andaman sea. They are a playground for climbers and these three spots are all only a longtail boat ride from each other and Krabi.
Railay Beach is a perfect spot for beginners, with a choice of climbing schools operating here. You can do half day or multi-day climbing courses, depending on your budget and timeframe.
For a choice of more than 700 bolted routes, then Spirit Mountain close to Ao Nang is the place to go. All around Tonsai and Railay there are climbing stores where you can rent equipment and get the lowdown on the best climbing spots.
Other great climbing destinations include Koh Tao up in the north and Khon Kaen to the north east of Bangkok. Without doubt climbing is one of the top Thai adventures. Find out all about best rock climbing in Thailand.
Not all adventures are adrenaline pumping and white knuckle. Sometimes the real journey of discovery takes place inside. OK, that might be a little corny… But who doesn’t enjoy taking some time out to reflect, relax and get your mind and body in a good place?
Which is why a yoga and meditation retreat at the The Kamalaya on Koh Samui comes highly recommended. It is an award-winning luxury resort – so you’ll reflect in comfort.
This holistic retreat centre offers packages that include meditation and yoga sessions, massage and health treatments. And it’s all on the beautiful island of Koh Samui where there is plenty of other fun to be had.
If you enjoy your meditation retreat perhaps you’d like to turn it into a career? If so, check out this meditation teacher training, it could be the beginning of a whole new life. The best Thai adventure holidays can have this effect on people.
Thailand is a scuba diver’s paradise. With almost 350 named dive sites, warm water and cheap courses it can be hard to choose just one destination. However, the Koh Lipe archipelago is a really outstanding location.
It’s part of the Tarutao National Marine Park which is made up of more than 50 islands and boasts 20 documented dive sites. You can dive around rocky formations, pinnacles and boulders, all surrounded by colourful reefs and marine life.
The diving on Koh Lipe is suitable for all ability levels and there is a good choice of instruction. Elsewhere in Thailand you can scuba dive at Phuket, Koh Tao and Phi Phi – amongst many others. Diving is easily one of the best Thai adventure holidays.
Located about an hour and a half from Bangkok and 40 minutes from Pattaya, Si Racha is dominated by rolling green farmland and lakes. Jumping from 9,000 ft, you can see the towering skyline of the capital and the vast Gulf of Thailand in the distance.
There are tandem skydives available plus instruction to become a qualified skydiver. Read our article about skydiving in Thailand to find out more about one of the best Thai adventures.
The rugged wilderness of Northern Thailand is great for white water rafting. Paddle through tropical jungle down wild rivers, passing bamboo forests and wildlife on the banks, in the trees and flying around you.
The Pai river has around 60 rapid sections. It passes through otherwise inaccessible parts of the Thai-Myanmar border region. The Mae Taeng river has rapids from class II to class V. There are campsites along its banks making it great for overnight rafting adventures in Thailand.
Cham La has two windy seasons (October to early January and late February through to May). It offers a good range of water conditions, making it a top Thai kitesurfing spot. Located on the western side of the Gulf, there’s a big sandy beach with plenty of space.
Unlike some of the other spots in Thailand, it’s also relatively quiet even though it’s one of the nearest places to kitesurf to Bangkok. The conditions are generally good for beginners and intermediates. There are more challenging choppy wave spots in Cha Am south.
As you can see the top adventures in Thailand can rival those anywhere else in the world. But you also get great food, reliably beautiful weather, affordable accommodation and some of the friendliest people in the world.
Combine that with a world class choice of exciting activities and you’ve got a great adventure destination. Of course you don’t have to restrict yourself to just one adventure. Why not visit for a few months and do them all!
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the best adventures in Thailand. Let us know of any adventures you would add in the comments below. And be sure to check out our adventure discounts in Thailand – you could save a fortune.
2 responses to “Best Thai adventure holidays: Top 8 adventures in Thailand”
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