Our Favorite Adventurous Things to do in Thailand

We love Thailand. It was our first real travel adventure and has a special place in our hearts. Sure we had taken vacations before, but Thailand was our first real step out of our comfort zone. It was our first travel that lasted over a month and it was the first time that we really experienced another culture and way of life.

I fondly remember landing at the airport in Bangkok and having no idea what to do next. A friend of ours had told us to go to Khao San Road, so we hopped in a taxi, paid way too much and were let off somewhere nearby. We ended up getting lost and walking for a couple of hours in the middle of the night downtown. We were nervous and very new to travel, but we were excited at the same time. We eventually ended up finding our way and it was the start of 10 years of glorious travel that sparked a love for adventure and exploring the unknown.

We have been back to Thailand a few times and we always find something new and exciting to do. Here are some of our favorite things that we have done in the land of smiles.

Climbing at Railay Beach

Rock Climbing in Railay – In the year 2000, we learned to climb in Railay and became hooked. We took up indoor rock climbing when we returned home to Canada and then became regulars at the crag on the Niagara Escarpment. We then returned to Thailand in 2003 and did our first multipitch climb. Both times that we climbed in Raleigh, we climbed with King Climbers. They are excellent, safe, friendly and reasonable.

Railay is changing rapidly and tourists are starting to flock there. When we first visited you could camp at Railay and it was cheap, cheap cheap. Now bungalows and swimming pools have popped up. But the beauty is still undeniable and climbing is fantastic.

First elephant trek at Khao Sok

Elephant Trek in Khao Sok – A beautiful National Park. We liked riding elephants here because we were on our own private trek with only one other pair of travelers. It was fantastic scenery, the elephants seemed to be treated fairly and looked healthy. I remember the mist coming up in the morning as an elephant walked by while I stood on the road, it was magical. I haven’t done an elephant trek in Chang Mai, but from what I have heard and seen in pamphlets, Khao Sok’s Elephant Trek doesn’t seem like quite the circus as it is up in Chang Mai.

The Chang Mai Gate

Meditation Course in Chang Mai – So, if you are in Chang Mai, why not try something different rather than trekking to see Hill Tribes or taking a cooking course. We took a multi-day meditation course together. We were the only two people in the course, We worked on several different types of meditations and tai chi. We cooked vegetarian food and really bonded during that time. Highly recommended. There are many courses all over the Chang Mai area.

Kayaking into Caves

Cave Kayaking in Krabi – Sea kayaking is very popular, but to go inland to kayak on the river system through a mangrove forest.  The relaxing day of paddling offers up beautiful scenery and entering caves is exhilarating.  Approaching a limestone cliff a dark sliver shows between the rock and the water and you would ask yourself, Are we going in there? Lying down to make it through at some points, you enter the cave paddling under stalactites and it is a thrill. Check out some hieroglyphics and then to come out in a lagoon surrounded by high cliffs. It is absolute heaven. We Kayaked with Sea Kayak Krabi and they were excellent. Our guide was informative and it was a beautiful day.

No handrails

Walking along the Bridge on the River Kwai – You wouldn’t think of it as being a thrill, but I felt a rush as I walked between railroad ties. One false move and you could fall into the river. We joked that if this were in Canada, there would be cages and wires to make sure everyone stayed safe. In Thailand, you just walked along the planks and made room for others as they passed. It doesn’t look very high in the photo, but trust me, it is a long drop into the water.

To walk on such a famous piece of history was amazing. I had just watched the movie before leaving for my first trip to Thailand, so it was very fresh in my mind and I whistled the tune as I strolled along.  Visiting the war museum and graveyard is a reminder of the atrocities and hardships that went into the ill fated bridge.

Tuk Tuks are Everywhere

Taking a Tuk Tuk downtown Bangkok – No visit to Thailand would be complete without a ride in a Tuk Tuk. these 3 wheelin’ bikes zip in and out of traffic in a frenzy. Hold on and hope that you don’t tip. They are cheap and easy to get around in. But be prepared for a loud ride and to breathe in a lot of fumes. Negotiate hard though and don’ t fall for the scam of being taken to gem markets for the cheap price of 10 baht.

Swimming in Kho Samui

Go to a waterfall. Thailand is full of them, but we loved the one in Kho Samui. Swimming in the pool below the falls and letting the water run over your head cools you off during a long hot day. Find your favorite waterfall in the country and spend the day suntanning on rocks and cooling off in the fresh water.

Thailand is full of interesting and adventurous things to do. We have only scratched the surface of all that there is to see, but we look forward to going back time and again to check more off of the list.

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