Outdoor adventures

Rafting, ziplining & ATV Quad bikes. Only for adrenaline junkies!

Outdoor adventures in Chiang Mai

Are you ready for some action? Have at look at these outdoor adventures! Rafting, ziplining or ATV quad biking, it’s all possible in Chiang Mai. The ancient capital is usually known as a laid-back city. Well-known for it’s temples, spas, night markets or coffeeshops and restaurants. For those who need a little bit of action during their stay here; there are many outdoor activities you can do here! Because Chiang Mai is surrounded by mountains, flowing rivers and huge waterfalls, it’s easy to find an adrenaline rush close to the city. A playground for adventurers: Chiang Mai ticks all the boxes! Check our top 5 after clicking on ‘Show more’.

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Best 5 outdoor tours in Chiang Mai

(Jungle) trekking
Chiang Mai city and surroundings has a number of amazing trekking areas. You can find shorter trails where you can hike by yourself (think of the hike up Doi Suthep mountain), or find longer trails where you’ll need an organized group with a local guide. As most trails are unmarked, it’s definitely worthwile to book a trekking tour and join a group of other trekkers. Chiang Dao (which houses Thailand’s 3rd tallest mountain) and Mae Taeng are the best places to trek through. The scenic landscape, hill tribe villages (beware: most of them are not authentic and serve a purpose to tourists only. Ask us to help you decide) and nice forests make it an amazing experience.
Ziplining
See the jungle through from above! Ziplining is an excellent outdoor adventure in Chiang Mai and will surely give you that adrenaline rush. There are many operators in Chiang Mai where you can go ziplining. Not only flying through the forests, but also overcoming obstacles like abseils, climbing nets and sky bridges. We recommend the Flight of the Gibbon as they have the highest safety standards and do a lot to preserve the area.
Rafting
Chiang Mai is exceptionally suited for river rafting or white water rafting. The best places are to be found at Mae Taeng river, which is around a 1 hour drive from the old city of Chiang Mai. In this area you can find jungle covered mountains, emote hill tribe villages and rice fields on the famous terraces. It’s also one of the best places to go rafting. The difficulty ranges between class 2 and 5 with a variety of white water rapids. Most areas are suitable for beginning rafters, others are best for the more experienced. You’ll get the best of both: amazing views, crazy rapids and above all: prepare the get wet!
Kayaking
A more relaxed way to explore the waters around Chiang Mai is by kayak. Of course you can also take a kayak down the rapids in Mae Taeng river, but if you prefer a more quiet outdoor adventure it’s best to check out the Mae Ngat Dam. This sport is becoming more and more popular here, book your kayaking adventure in Chiang Mai with us!
Cycling
Do you feel like covering a bit more distance than the usual soi paddling through Chiang Mai’s old city? Check out one of our cycling tours outside the city. Visit rustic villages with amazing rice paddies, or ride up the countryside for hours to see the locals going about their daily activities. If you’re looking for an adventure while cycling: the steep winding road up Doi Suthep is worth it. It’s an 11 kilometer long climb, which is only suitable for the experienced and fit bikers. If you can, do the trip before sunrise to avoid the crowds on top of the mountain. At this hour the views over the city are especially beautiful. We also have off-road trails available for those who don’t want to follow the tracks and would like to explore a bit more. Mae Sa, Chiang Dao and Sri Lanna are great places to get paddling!

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