Without a doubt, the most adventurous thing to do in Chiang Mai is to go Rafting in one of the best white water rapids in Thailand. Head over to the Mae Taeng river which is located 25 km from the old town and experience the adrenaline rush as you raft through the scenic jungle, lush rice paddies, and majestic mountains. A professional guide will help you throughout the trip and will also help you with all of the protective gear and the rafting equipment.
With so many amazing climbing spots, one of the top adventurous things to do in Chiang Mai is rock climbing. You can choose from three great spots, Crazy Horse Buttress, Lampang, and Chiang Dao. The most thrilling among these three is the Crazy Horse Buttress which is located at the foothills of the Himalayas and was first developed as a rock climbing spot in 1998. One of the most interesting facts is that you can take over 200 routes for rock climbing here. You can also visit the Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures for assistance with instructors.
Chiang Mai has some gorgeous trails and scenery which makes it easy for mountain biking expeditions. One of the top thrilling adventures in Chiang Mai, you can choose from different trials which have beautiful sceneries like hidden waterfalls, temples, beautiful villages, and more. If you are looking for a beginner-friendly trail head over to the Doi Suthep National park where you can enjoy a scenic downhill ride. Or if you love cross-country mountain biking, head over to the trails which are located behind the 700-year stadium, and enjoy the mixed terrain from Stadium to Huay Tung Tao Lake.
Surrounded by beautiful lush jungles, one of the top adventures in Chiang Mai is to go trekking in the jungle. You can go on a trekking expedition along with a professional expert who is familiar with the surroundings. Visitors can also spot some animals such as elephants on your trek. With so many trials, you can choose based on your difficulty level and enjoy this outdoor activity.
With so many mountainous regions, hiking is one of the most popular adventures in Chiang Mai. One of the most popular hiking trails is the Doi Suthep which is a beginner-friendly trail with some challenging steep inclines. Pass through some amazing views such as bamboo forests, hidden waterfalls, temples, and the most stunning view of the city. The Doi Inthanon is also very popular and has the highest peak in Thailand. You can choose from amazing trails in the Doi Inthanon National Park and hike up to the mountain to enjoy the views.
If you are looking for that adrenaline pump, the top adventurous things to do in Chiang Mai is ziplining. Choose from many ziplining adventures located in the national parks and zip your way through the beautiful lush green forests and fly along the birds to have an amazing experience. You can also opt for sunrise ziplining and enjoy the beautiful view of the golden hour. Be sure to meet professional instructors who will guide you through the activity.
When looking for adventures in Chiang Mai, we cannot forget the beautiful rivers in the city where you can indulge in activities like kayaking. Head over to the Mae Taeng Forest Reserve which is the most popular spot for this activity and paddle through the lush green forest and explore the beautiful area. You can also spot some wildlife and some amazing birds. Visitors can also visit some other popular destinations for kayaking such as Mae Ping River and Pai River.
One of the best adventures in Chiang Mai is to visit the beautiful waterfalls in the city. The most popular waterfall is the Bua Tong “Sticky” Waterfalls and as the name suggests, this waterfall is not at all slippery. Climb up on the rocks and reach the top of the waterfall where you can witness the blue spring water which is believed to have healing properties. You can also visit some other popular waterfalls such as Mae Sa Waterfall, Mae Takhrai Waterfall, and Monthathan Waterfall.
It is said that Thailand is one of the best countries in the world to witness wild elephants and Chiang Mai has some amazing sanctuaries where you can meet these gigantic animals. Spend your day with these animals and get a chance to learn about their behaviors and their personal history. Most of these animals are rescued from mistreatment and are kept in an environment free from abuse. You can also go on a morning tour and witness these animals in an area that resembles their natural habitat.
One of the top adventurous things to do in Chiang Mai, camping is a beautiful way to escape the city life and enjoy your vacation in peace. There are many camping spots in the city and one of the most popular ones is the Doi Inthanon. You can directly drive from the city and reach the campground headquarters and then you can enter the national park. There are also many activities here such as hiking, biking, and visiting waterfalls. Other famous spots are doi Suthep Pui National Park, Mae Ping National Park, Ob Luang National Park, and also Doi Khun Tan National Park.
What are the best adventurous things to do in Chiang Mai?
What is special about Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai is one of the most beautiful cities in Thailand and is known for its lush rainforests, elephant sanctuaries, tribes, stunning waterfalls, and beautiful ancient temples. There are also many adventures in Chiang Mai such as kayaking, camping, ziplining, and rock climbing.
How to Reach Chiang Mai?
*By Air: *You can directly reach the city at Chiang Mai international airport which connects many international and domestic flights. The airport is just 3 km from the city and you can easily take a cab to reach the city center within 15 minutes.
By Train: Travel to Chiang Mai from a different part of Thailand or Bangkok, easily by train, and reach Chiang Mai station which is located 3 km from the city.
How many days are enough in Chiang Mai?
Three days are perfect to spend time in Chiang Mai. You can indulge in a lot of adventures in Chiang Mai, visit waterfalls, and ancient temples, and meet and interact with the local people of the city.
What is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
October to April is the best time to visit Chiang Mai as the weather is pleasant and cool. You can visit all of the top tourist attractions without worrying about rain or scorching heat.