Skydiving, Elephants and Outdoor Adventure Fun | Handy tips for travellers to Thailand

Check out the Ultimate 5 Bucket List Adventures of Thailand

Thailand is one destination that woos holidaymakers of different interests from all around the world. Thai regions are packed with lively modern cities, ornate temples and pagodas, bustling markets, tempting food streets, serene beaches and stunning natural landscapes.

Most predominantly, Thailand is a popular choice of destination to travel among families and honeymooners. However, Thailand is also quite famous among adventure lovers. The reason being that the destination is jam packed with amazing assortment of adrenaline fueling adventure sports scattered throughout its region amid breathtaking panoramas. You are in for a surprise on what to expect in Thailand on an adventure holiday.

1.White Water Rafting 

Thailand has some impressive water bodies where you can enjoy an exhilarating boat ride on rapid torrents. Meandering through densely forested regions, these thundering currents give you a challenging experience of tackling irregular waves and maneuvering around rocks right in the middle of nature’s finest sceneries.

The range of elation varies from mildly thrilling to hardcore adventure. Sometimes it can be so unexpected that you would have no idea what’s in store for you in these wild raging waters.

Adventure Streak 1 - Canyoning down the river rapids and get spinned around and soaked up in our tiny little 1 man floats
Adventure Streak 1 – Canyoning down the river rapids and get spinned around and soaked up in our tiny little 1 man floats

If you are looking for a rafting expedition, head to Northern Thailand where Chiang Mai, Pai and Chumpon are quite renowned for the most optimum rivers for rafting.

These waters are perfect for first-time rafters and experienced rafters. Pai River, Mae Taeng River, Mae Rewa Creek, Phato, Ton Pariwat, Khlong Klai are regions open all year around for white water rafting whereas others are seasonal. You can opt for a two-hour expedition, full day tours or stay back overnight for an extended wilderness experience.

Handy tips for travelers:

– Thailand Tourism Board has allocated levels to all rafting regions.  These levels convey to tourists the standard of difficulty in rafting to ensure the safety of travellers. Level 1 has the easiest of flowing waters with fewer obstructions and Level 5 being the toughest with violent currents of water and unpredictable drops and swift turns.

If you are a beginner, do ensure that you have information on which areas are suitable for beginners. It is better to take help of a tour expert having a white-water rafting operator certificate.
– Do adhere to guidelines and safety instructions to avoid any accidents or injury. Make sure you wear your safety gear properly.

2. Scuba Diving in Similan Islands

A destination with such lovely coastline and islands surrounded by teal water is undoubtedly a hotspot for water-sports.

Diving at the surrounding reefs at Bali | Best Dive spots and reefs around bali for singaporeans
Diving at the surrounding reefs at Bali

On your holiday, snorkeling and scuba diving would obviously be on your list of things to do in Thailand. Diving in Thailand is especially popular due to its gorgeous clear waters abundant in marine life and coral reefs.

Underwater enthusiasts are in for some breathtaking diving experiences that include deep sea diving and wreck diving.  The tropical waters of Surin Islands and Similan Islands are home to some of the most beautiful sea creatures and vivid natural beauty. So if you are an island destination lover, once the epidemic pass on, you can pay these islands a visit.

Scuba diving Borneo island
Scuba diving

On a scuba diving experience, you can encounter big fishes, colorful school of fishes, coral reefs, sharks, manta rays, and turtles. Richelieu Rock, Koh Tao, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe and Koh Bon are popular spots to dive around whale sharks, leopard sharks, turtles and manta rays.  Koh Chang is an ideal spot to go wreck diving.

One of the many ways to experience an invigorating tropical Thailand holiday would include spending your day swimming in crystal clear waters amid picture postcard sceneries. Later, witness the beauty of a world beneath the surface of water with a diving expedition to explore an absolutely astounding marine world.

Handy tips for travelers:

  • It is best to have a trained and certified dive instructor around on your scuba diving trips. Try not to go diving alone in unpredictable and unknown waters.
  • Adhere to safety instructions. Put on your safety gears and secure your diving suits and equipment properly.
  • Think before you touch any sea creatures. Be aware that getting in contact with certain sea urchins, starfishes, and jellyfishes can be harmful to you.

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3. Natural Rock Climbing

Though Thailand is mainly known for its beach destinations, the country has amazing mountain terrains. Some shrouded in woodlands and others rugged and cliff-edged, Thailand’s has a dynamic landscape. Among the adventures in Thailand, rock climbing has rapidly captured the attention of adventure lovers.

Head to Railey and Ton Sai where you will find yourself surrounded by spectacular rocky limestone cliffs towering over clear emerald waters. These cliffs make an ideal spot for rock climbers to have an adrenaline pumping climbing sessions all the way to the top against the gravity pull.

rock climbing

There are lots of ways to experience this adventure. If you are an amateur climber, try abseiling and rappelling at Spirit Well Cave, Namtok Wang Tum and Namtok Than Rattana. At these spots you are fully geared up in ropes, harnesses and climbing equipment and get assistance in ascending and descending the cliffs.

For adventure junkies, there is bouldering and free climbing where you are mostly on your own without much assistance of climbing gears. If you desire for extreme action, try deep water soloing, where you climb up the rugged cliffs and when you reach the top, leap down in a free fall and plunge into the waters.

Handy tips for travelers:

  • Know what you are getting into before you go rock climbing. This adventure sport is not recommended for those who have a fear of heights or feel dizzy after a certain point.
  • Make sure you take care of your safety all the time.
  • Strength and stamina are essentially required for rock climbing. Climbers need to be fit and fully prepared as it is a physically straining and challenging outdoor sport.

4. Elephant trekking in Krabi

Thailand has one of the largest concentrations of Asian Elephants in the world and these gentle giants are quite magnificent creatures to interact with. In Thailand, the jungles, elephant sanctuaries, and remote mountain villages are prime spots for an encounter with elephants.

Spotting the elephants from afar

Here you can watch these animals bathing, getting trained in sessions, feed them and ride on them. One of the fascinating nature adventures is to trek through the lush nature trails on an elephant. You can enjoy an elephant trek at Patara Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai, Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, Namtok Khlong Phlu, Ban Ta Klang Elephant Study Center.

Handy tips for travelers:

– Elephant riding is rapidly gaining criticism as mistreatment towards elephants. Only certain elephant camps allow elephant riding. However, a rendezvous with these elephants itself is an amazing experience in itself.

5. Safe Skydiving in Thailand

Yes, you read it right. Who would have thought of skydiving in Thailand? There are two fascinating dives spots for a skydiving session amid spectacular natural vistas in Thailand. One is in the north of Pattaya operated by Thai Sky Adventures. Here you can experience tandem and solo skydiving after a scenic flight over the stunning Nong Kho Reservoir.

Sail through the skies | Tandem skydive in Empuria brava
Sail through the skies | Tandem skydive

The other dive zone is Bird’s Paradise Extreme Resort located in the remote northeast region of Sakon Nakorn of the country. This resort offers a variety of adventures along with skydiving and provides accommodation and dining as well. The resort is approximately 1½ hours away from Udon Thani Airport.

Handy tips for travelers:

– Be aware of what you are going to experience, skydiving needs its diver to be comfortable with dizzying heights.
– Tandem skydiving is one of the best options for a smooth diving experience. You will be hurled down along with a certified trainer who will let you experience the exciting free fall effortlessly and without any hassles.

The Land of Smiles is also the land of adventures for outdoor enthusiasts.

If you are a thrill lover and crave for a good surge in adrenaline levels on your holiday, then Thailand has lots to offer. The heady mix of fine tropical climate, delicious Thai food, fabulous landscapes and places to visit in Thailand gets a little bit of excitement with adventure sports on your Thailand holiday.

Be it hiking or diving, you will enjoy every bit of it. Nevertheless, it is best to be informed and do a bit of research on what adventures you plan to do and the regions they are best experienced to avoid any disappointments and mishaps.

To read more about all the different popular places to visit in Thailand, click here.

Swim with elephants in Chiang Mai
Swim with elephants in Chiang Mai

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