7 Adventurous Things To Do In Chiang Mai Including Rock Climbing, River Rafting, & Hot Air Ballooning

Adventurous things to do in Thailand

As one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations, Chiang Mai is known for its ancient temples, cool weather, and photogenic cafes. But historical sites and elephant sanctuaries aren’t the only things this city has to offer.

Beyond the picturesque sceneries, stylish cafes, and fantastic restaurants, Chiang Mai’s less-trodden places can serve up blood-pumping action. If you’re the kind of traveller who prefers the more exciting – and dangerous – path, we made a list of 7 adventurous things to do in Chiang Mai that will make your heart race, make your hair stand, and make you look at this destination in a different light.

1. Climb up the limestone deposits of the Bua Thong waterfalls

Image credit: @the_shewolf

When we think of waterfalls, we think of sliding down with the water. But Bua Tong Waterfalls have limestone deposits that let you climb up against the current of cascading water all the way to the top like Spiderman.

Located 90 minutes’ drive from Chiang Mai’s Old City, the waterfalls are situated in the Nam Phu Chet Si National Park. It’s best to go on a guided tour such as the one from Take Me Tour, which includes hotel pick-up, drop-off, a local guide, and even northern Thai lunch (from ฿2,000, ~USD56 per person). The ride to the area is scenic and you can enter the national park for free. 

 
Image credit: @jordanpostigo

Bua Tong Waterfalls comprise a multi-tiered series of waterfalls surrounded by lush greenery and a variety of local flora. Because of Chiang Mai’s cool weather, the walk there is refreshing, although don’t be surprised if you get wet halfway. There are springs all over the nature park and the water runs through the forest freely. Waterproof cameras are recommended.

After splashing around the cool waters and taking photos atop the waterfall, you can opt to have a picnic in the park itself. There are picnic tables at the park entrance where you can soak in nature with the sound of rushing water around you.

Book a guided tour with Take Me Tours here.

Namtok Bua Thong-Nam Phu Chet Si National Park
Address: Mae Ho Phra, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai 50150
Opening hours: 8am-5pm, Daily
Contact: +66 931393556 

2. Get wet while white water rafting at Mae Taeng River

Image credit: @8Adventures.chiangmai

Thailand is a country of rivers. And when you have rivers, you get white water rafting. Mae Teng River boasts one of the best rapids in Chiang Mai, with waves that come in a range of speed grades, perfect for both beginners and advanced riders. This iconic river is about 90 minutes’ ride from Chiang Mai’s city centre. It’s recommended to take a car with a guide as the river is situated in the jungle of the Mae Teng Valley. 

Camps and homestays like that of 8Adventures offer services from equipment rental and beginners classes to guided tours and overnight stays (from ฿2,500, ~USD78 per person for an 8-km rafting experience with a guide and a beginner’s course). White water rafting is open to all visitors who can swim, regardless of rafting skill level. 

Image credit: Trusted Adventures 

Besides the adrenaline rush of bouncing up and down the river, there are other adventurous things to do in the Mae Teng District. The camps in the area offer activities such as jungle trekking, zip lining, and visiting nearby elephant sanctuaries. 

Mae Teng River White Water Rafting via 8Adventures
Address: 21/22 Soi 2 Thorakamanakom Muang Chiang Mai, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300
Contact: +66 890007728 | 8Adventures’ website

3. Take to the sky in a hot air balloon ride

Image adapted from: @balloonadventurethailand 

The only hot air balloon operator in the country, Balloon Adventure Thailand provides a picture-perfect chance to capture an eagle’s eye view of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, with two launching locations in Chiang Mai. 

While a ride can be on the pricier side (from ฿8,800, ~USD246 per person in a shared ride of 3-4 people), the view from the top as the sun peeks out from the horizon is incomparable. It’s one of the more accessible – and wallet-friendly – hot air balloon rides available in Southeast Asia.

Image credit: @balloonadventurethailand 

Balloon rides from Chiang Mai launch from either Horizon Village and Resort, which offers sunrise launches, or Phusanfah Resort, which gives you a 360-degree view of the Chiang Mai rice fields. The ride takes an hour – enough time to take as many off-the-ground photos with you and your buddies. Pre-launch drinks are given before the ride to ease the pre-flight jitters and there’s a champagne celebration at touchdown. They even give out a flight certificate to commemorate the experience.

Pick-up and drop-off services are included in the package so the entire experience is as hassle-free as it can get.

Balloon Adventure Thailand
Address: 118, Tambon San Pa Pao, Amphoe San Sai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50220
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri
Contact: +66 89685 1188 | Balloon Adventure Thailand’s website

4. Rock climb with Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures

Image credit: Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures

Chiang Mai is home to one of the most beautiful and climbing-friendly mountains in Southeast Asia, like that of Crazy Horse Buttress. It also boasts a large and thriving climbing community, helmed primarily by Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures (CMRCA).

CMRCA supports a variety of climbing-related activities, from climbing classes and certification to climbing trips all over northern Thailand. They’ve even opened a gym, Progression Vertical Gym, for those who want to practice indoors first before climbing up natural rocks. 

Image credit: Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures

While Crazy Horse Buttress remains closed for climbing as it awaits the land handover to CMRCA, there are other climbing and rappelling courses available in the CMRCA website.

CMRCA also offers other climbing trips like the one to Lampang which comes with transportation, accommodation, and equipment (from ฿2,495, ~USD69 per person for a guided climbing trip experience). Beginners are given a quick course to climbing and the veterans, well, they get a minute to take in the view before smashing routes on the wall. 

Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures
Address: 9/10 Tambon Pa Daed Amphur, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100
Contact: +66 053207102 | Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures’ website

5. Go off-road on an exhilarating ATV tour

Image adapted from: 8Adventures

Everyone likes a scenic route. Chiang Mai offers a variety of it. But why not mix it up and go off-road and rugged with an ATV tour around the jungles of Chiang Mai. You’ll not only feel like a jungle adventurer on these four-wheel vehicles, but be able to easily access terrains and trails that are not as accessible on foot.

Image credit: @nizafab 

8Adventure offers a three-hour ATV trip (฿3,100, ~USD86) that includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, packed lunch and snacks, and all the necessary equipment. It is recommended that all participants be drivers but the package comes with a short training course to get everyone comfortable with riding the vehicle. 

The sturdiness of ATVs will enable you to cross land, mud, and even waters. Be warned though: this is an activity that will surely get you down and dirty. We advise you not to wear your favourite shirt for the occasion.

8Adventure ATV Ride
Address: 21/22 Soi 2 Thorakamanakom Muang Chiang Mai, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300
Telephone: +66 890007728 | 8Adventure website 

6. Discover Chiang Mai’s highest peak, Doi Inthanon

Image credit: @moogib 

Doi Inthanon National Park boasts the tallest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon. The peak is 2,565m above sea level and provides a cloud-cast panorama of the entire national park. If there’s any hike worth taking in Chiang Mai, this would be it. 

Known as “The Roof of Thailand”, Doi Inthanon National Park hosts a variety of flora and fauna, as well as several waterfalls. With Chiang Mai’s cool weather, the Doi Inthanon hiking trails are relaxed and offer a variety of attractions to check out. The most famous one is Doi Inthanon’s summit. The reward for getting to the top is a breathtaking view of the highest point in Thailand. 

Image credit: @monaphat99

There are also cultural attractions in the park, such as tribal villages, rice paddies, a flower garden, and the twin pagoda of King Rama IX.

The Doi Inthanon National Park covers 482km² of natural greenery so if you want to see as many attractions as possible, it’s best to take a car or a motorbike from Chiang Mai’s city centre. Alternatively, there are day tours available from vendors such as Klook, that include hotel pick-up and drop-off, park admission fee, and guided transportation to several attractions (from ฿1,400, ~USD39 per person). 

Book a guided tour with Klook here.

Doi Inthanon National Park
Address: 119 Doi Inthanon National Park, Ban Luang, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai 50160
Opening hours: 5.30am-6.30pm, Daily
Contact:  +66 53286729
Admission: ฿300, ~USD8.5 for adult, ฿150, ~USD4.2 for children

7. Explore caves in Chiang Dao

Image credit: @chiangmaijourney

Chiang Mai is home not only to beautiful trails and rivers but also to intricate cave systems that are perfect for exploration. Chiang Dao houses one of the more developed cave trails in Chiang Mai, Tham Chiang Dao. 

The cave is filled with glittering stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes and sizes. and the trail is littered with Buddha statues, artifacts, and shrines, some of which carry legendary stories if you just ask a guide. Just be sure to bring a headlamp with you if you want to explore the deeper areas of the cave.

You can do the cave trail on your own, but if you prefer packing your day with more than just cave explorations, check out the day tours from places like TripGuru (from ฿1,700, ~USD48).

Book a day tour with TripGuru here.

Image credit: @koehyasikaan

Situated just outside the Chiang Dao cave is Wat Tham Chiang Dao, the famous temple that enshrines the “Tanjai Buddha image”. People have flocked to the Tanjai Buddha with the belief that whatever wishes they bring to the Buddha would be granted quickly. So better say a quick wish before you leave.

Chiang Dao Cave and Temple
Address:  273, 5 Tambon Chiang Dao, Amphoe Chiang Dao, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50170
Opening hours: 8am-5pm, Daily
Admission: ฿40, ~USD1.1

Chiang Mai’s adventurous activities

Chiang Mai has more to offer than meets the eye. Beyond its grand temples, quaint cafes, and amazing food is a jungle less trodden. If you’re up for the hair-raising excitement, then these adventures await you.

Check out other adventurous activities in Thailand:

• Rock climbing & trekking in Railey Beach
• Khao Kheow open zoo camping
• Adventure camps & retreats in Thailand

Cover image adapted from: @balloonadventurethailand, Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures, 8Adventures