Chiang Mai from €66 Gibbons, trekking and Mae Kampong small-group tour
A day in the mountains around the village of Mae Kampong: a forest trek with a chance of seeing wild gibbons, and local food along the way.
Thailand adventures by activity
Start with what you want to do. For each activity: where in Thailand it is at its best, when to go, how hard it is and three real tours to book.
Thailand rewards travellers who plan around an activity rather than a list of towns. The best climbing is in one small corner of Krabi; the cheapest dive courses are on one small island; the finest trekking is in the hills of three northern provinces. This page sorts the country by what you do, and links each activity to the destination guides where you can do it — tap a destination to go straight to its tours page.
Trekking & jungle hiking
Day and overnight treks through forest, rice terraces and hill villages in the north; humid rainforest trails to waterfalls in Khao Sok; guided wildlife walks in Khao Yai. Go with a local guide — trails are rarely marked.
- Best season
- November–February in the north; December–April in the south
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate; ordinary walking fitness is enough for day treks
Best destinations (tap for tours):
Three tours to start with
Chiang Mai from €66 
Chiang Mai from €83 2-day jungle trek, waterfalls and Karen village
Two days on foot through the Mae Wang forest and farmland to waterfalls and White Karen villages, sleeping overnight in a simple village cottage.
Khao Sok from €38 Private waterfalls and wildlife half-day trek
A half-day guided walk in the national park through the rainforest to waterfalls, with time to look for wildlife along the way.
Diving & snorkelling
Learn on Koh Tao, dive granite pinnacles in the Gulf, and head to the Andaman side for the Similans, Racha islands, Phi Phi and Koh Haa. Snorkellers share many of the same reefs with turtles and harmless reef sharks.
- Best season
- Gulf: February–September. Andaman: November–April
- Difficulty
- Beginner-friendly; try-dives need no experience
Best destinations (tap for tours):
Three tours to start with
Koh Tao from €66 Try scuba diving: 1-day experience with hotel pick-up
A first taste of scuba with an instructor for people with no experience, with time under water among the marine life of Koh Tao’s reefs.
Phuket & Phang Nga Bay from €108 Similan Islands early-bird tour from Phuket and Khao Lak
An early speedboat departure to the Similan Islands for white-sand beaches and snorkelling in clear water at three locations. Operates only in the park’s open season.
Koh Phi Phi & Koh Lanta from €45 Koh Lanta: sea tour to Koh Rok and Koh Haa
A day from Lanta to the white beaches and clear lagoon of Koh Rok, with snorkelling over the coral reefs there and at Koh Haa.
Rock climbing
Railay and Ton Sai in Krabi are world-famous for sport climbing on beachside limestone. Chiang Mai’s Crazy Horse Buttress, Phi Phi’s Ton Sai Tower and Koh Tao’s granite boulders offer alternatives.
- Best season
- November–April; shaded walls all year
- Difficulty
- All levels; half-day courses for first-timers
Best destinations (tap for tours):
Three tours to start with
Krabi & Railay from €42 Half-day rock climbing at Railay Beach
A four-hour morning or afternoon session with an expert instructor on beginner-friendly routes above the sand. Equipment is provided; no experience needed.
Krabi & Railay from €74 Full-day rock climbing tour at Railay
A full day for those who want more than a taster: an introduction to climbing, caving and an abseil from a viewpoint above Railay.
Krabi & Railay from €42 Ziplining with abseiling and rock-climbing options
A forest adventure park near Ao Nang with ziplines, tree ladders, abseiling and top-rope climbing — a good fallback when the sea is rough.
Sea kayaking & canoeing
Paddle into cave lagoons in Phang Nga Bay, through mangrove canyons at Ao Thalane and Koh Lanta, among the islands of Ang Thong and across Cheow Lan Lake at dawn.
- Best season
- All year in sheltered water; best November–April (Andaman), February–September (Gulf)
- Difficulty
- Easy; guides paddle on some cave trips
Best destinations (tap for tours):
Three tours to start with
Phuket & Phang Nga Bay from €42 Phang Nga Bay and canoeing tour by big boat
A day on a two-deck boat among the islands of Phang Nga Bay, with guided canoe trips into its hidden caves, a stop at James Bond Island and lunch and drinks on board.
Krabi & Railay from €21 Ao Thalane mangrove kayaking tour
About two hours of guided paddling through mangrove channels and narrow limestone canyons north of Ao Nang, where macaques are regularly seen. Includes hotel pick-up.
Koh Samui & Koh Phangan from €74 Ang Thong full-day kayaking and snorkelling tour
A full day in the marine park built around sea kayaking and snorkelling among the islands, with a Thai buffet lunch.
Island-hopping
Longtails and speedboats link sandbars, lagoons and snorkelling reefs: the Four Islands and Hong Islands from Krabi, Maya Bay and Pileh from Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay from Phuket, Ang Thong from Samui and Koh Nang Yuan from Koh Tao.
- Best season
- Andaman: November–April. Gulf: February–September
- Difficulty
- Easy; suitable for all ages
Best destinations (tap for tours):
Three tours to start with
Krabi & Railay from €30 Premium 4-island day trip by longtail boat
The classic Krabi boat day: four islands including Chicken Island, with a stop at Railay, snorkelling, beach time and a Thai lunch. Shared or private longtail.
Koh Phi Phi & Koh Lanta from €93 per group Phi Phi private longtail: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and snorkelling
Your own longtail and local captain for three to seven hours, visiting Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Bay and Viking Cave with flexible snorkelling stops. Priced per boat.
Koh Samui & Koh Phangan from €33 Ang Thong Marine Park cruise with kayaking option from Samui
A day cruise to two of the park’s islands to kayak, snorkel and hike to the hidden saltwater lake known as the Blue Lagoon.
Ziplines, ATVs & adrenaline
Canopy zipline parks in the hills around Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui and Krabi, often combined with quad-bike trails. A good option when the sea is rough.
- Best season
- All year
- Difficulty
- Easy; height and weight limits apply
Best destinations (tap for tours):
Three tours to start with
Chiang Mai from €50 Kingkong Smile zipline with lunch and transfers
A canopy zipline park in the hills outside the city with a choice of two courses, a Thai lunch and hotel transfers.
Phuket & Phang Nga Bay from €65 ATV and zipline panoramic adventure
Quad-bike trails through the island’s forested hills combined with ziplines over the treetops and views from near the Big Buddha.
Koh Samui & Koh Phangan from €62 Koh Samui ATV quad-bike jungle tour
A guided off-road ride of one to three hours through the island’s interior, with waterfalls, mountain tracks, viewpoints and a temple stop, including hotel pick-up.
Ethical elephant sanctuaries
Thailand is moving away from elephant riding. The better sanctuaries, concentrated around Chiang Mai with others in Phuket, Samui and Kanchanaburi, let visitors observe and feed rescued animals. Choose no-riding, no-show venues with small groups.
- Best season
- All year
- Difficulty
- Easy
Best destinations (tap for tours):
Three tours to start with
Chiang Mai from €50 Elephant sanctuary, waterfall and bamboo rafting day
A full day at a sanctuary described as home to more than 36 rescued elephants, combined with time at a waterfall and a gentle bamboo raft ride through the valley. No riding.
Phuket & Phang Nga Bay from €74 Elephant Jungle Sanctuary half-day visit with meal
A guided half day at a sanctuary with hotel transfers and a Thai buffet. The listing includes feeding and time in the water with the elephants; there is no riding.
Kanchanaburi & Erawan from €82 Elephant sanctuary and Kanchanaburi tour
A visit to ElephantsWorld, where the listing describes feeding and bathing rescued animals, combined with the Bridge over the River Kwai. There is no riding; prefer feeding and observation where you have the choice.
Cycling
Guided rides through Bangkok’s backstreets and the Bang Krachao green lung, among the ruins of Ayutthaya, along Chiang Mai’s valleys and on the quiet riverside lanes of Kanchanaburi and Chiang Rai.
- Best season
- November–February; early mornings in other months
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate; mostly flat
Best destinations (tap for tours):
Three tours to start with
Bangkok from €20 Temples, canals and local life bike tour
Three hours of easy riding off the tourist path, through temple grounds, canalside lanes and residential neighbourhoods that show the everyday life of the city.
Bangkok from €41 Bike and canal boat tour with lunch
Cycle through local markets, temples and quiet corners of the city, eat a Thai lunch beside a canal and finish with a ride on a longtail boat.
Chiang Mai from €61 Mae Taeng Valley and waterfalls cycle tour
A guided bike ride through rice fields and quiet countryside in the Mae Taeng Valley, with transfers from the city and a stop at the Sticky Waterfall.
Muay thai
Watch the national sport at Bangkok’s Rajadamnern and Lumpinee stadiums or at arenas in Phuket, Chiang Mai and Samui — and train, for an hour or a month, at gyms that welcome beginners.
- Best season
- All year
- Difficulty
- Any; classes are scaled to your fitness
Best destinations (tap for tours):
Three tours to start with
Bangkok from €26 Muay thai tickets at Rajadamnern Stadium
An evening of fights at the stadium that describes itself as the world’s first for muay thai, with the traditional music and pre-fight rituals. Choose your seating category when you book.
Bangkok from €17 Muay thai introduction class for beginners
A one-hour class with professional fighters covering stance, punches, kicks, knees and elbows, in a gym described as safe and female-friendly.
Koh Samui & Koh Phangan from €40 Muay thai ticket at Phetch Buncha Boxing Stadium
An evening of fights at one of Samui’s stadiums, complete with the Wai Khru Ram Muay ritual performed before each bout.
Caves
Raft by lantern light through Tham Lod near Pai, wade into lake caves in Khao Sok, canoe through tidal sea caves in Phang Nga Bay and walk the temple cave at Chiang Dao. Never enter river caves in heavy rain.
- Best season
- November–April; some caves close in the rains
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate
Best destinations (tap for tours):
Three tours to start with
Pai & Mae Hong Son from €103 per group Private sunrise at Ban Jabo and Nam Lod Cave
An early start by private car to watch sunrise above the clouds at the Jabo viewpoint, visit a mountain village and explore Nam Lod (Tham Lod) cave.
Khao Sok from €83 All-inclusive Cheow Lan Lake: cave, hike, kayak and cruise
A full lake day with lunch at a floating restaurant, a hike, a cave visit, kayaking, swimming and a cruise to the Khao Sam Kloe pinnacles. Tickets and activities are included.
Phuket & Phang Nga Bay from €79 Phang Nga Bay bioluminescent plankton and sea canoes
An afternoon-into-evening trip exploring the bay’s national park scenery by sea canoe and staying after dark to see bioluminescent plankton glow in the water.
National parks & wildlife
Wild elephants, gibbons and hornbills in Khao Yai; ancient rainforest in Khao Sok; the emerald tiers of Erawan; cloud forest on Doi Inthanon; and the marine parks of Ang Thong, the Similans and Phi Phi.
- Best season
- November–February for wildlife; June–October for waterfalls
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate
Best destinations (tap for tours):
Three tours to start with
Khao Yai from €40 Khao Yai National Park small-group day trip from Bangkok
A day in the park with optional hotel transfers: walking nature trails and visiting some of its impressive waterfalls.
Chiang Mai from €34 Doi Inthanon National Park eco-friendly tour
A day trip to Thailand’s highest peak, with the twin royal pagodas, Wachirathan Waterfall and a visit to a hill-tribe community.
Kanchanaburi & Erawan from €48 Erawan park and Kanchanaburi small-group tour from Bangkok
A long day from Bangkok covering Erawan National Park, the JEATH War Museum and a walk on the Bridge over the River Kwai, with optional hotel transfers.
Rafting & river tubing
White water on the Mae Taeng near Chiang Mai, gentle bamboo rafts in the north and in Khao Sok, lazy tubing on the Sok and Pai rivers, and kayaks and raft houses on the River Kwai.
- Best season
- June–October for white water; all year for bamboo rafts
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate; white water needs confidence in water
Best destinations (tap for tours):
Three tours to start with
Chiang Mai from €68 Rafting on the Mae Taeng River with Thai buffet
White-water rafting on a stretch with grade 3 and 4 rapids, with safety equipment, guides and a riverside buffet lunch.
Khao Sok from €75 Khao Sok jungle hike, river raft and viewpoint from Khao Lak
A day trip from Khao Lak combining a walk in the evergreen rainforest with a gentle float down the river on a bamboo raft.
Pai & Mae Hong Son from €12 Jungle tubing river excursion
A social afternoon floating down the Pai River through the valley on inner tubes, stopping at riverside bars with DJs, games and food. Very much a party event rather than a nature trip.
Combining activities
The most satisfying trips mix two or three of these. Trek and raft in the north, then fly south to climb and paddle. Learn to dive on Koh Tao, then kayak Ang Thong. Our itineraries are built around combinations like these, and when to go shows which activities suit which month.
Whatever you choose, check that your travel insurance covers it: scuba diving, climbing, rafting and riding a motorbike are commonly excluded unless you add them.
Live GetYourGuide availability: Thailand
Plan your days in Thailand
Turn a route into an adventure
Climbing courses, dive trips, small-group treks and marine-park boats run with limited places and fill up from December to February and in July and August. Compare what is bookable online and reserve in a couple of taps.
Good to know
Activity FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Which activity is Thailand best known for?
Among active travellers: learning to dive on Koh Tao, sport climbing at Railay and trekking around Chiang Mai. Sea kayaking in Phang Nga Bay is close behind.
What can I do in the rainy season?
Plenty. Rafting is at its best, waterfalls are full, and sheltered kayaking, climbing on shaded walls, muay thai, cycling and ziplining all continue. For beaches and diving from June to September, choose the Gulf islands.
Are these activities suitable for children?
Many are: island-hopping, easy kayaking, elephant sanctuaries, cycling tours and short treks all work for families. Diving courses have minimum ages (usually 10), and ziplines have height and weight limits.
Does travel insurance cover adventure activities?
Not automatically. Read the policy wording for diving depth limits, climbing, rafting grades and motorbikes, and add cover where needed. Reputable operators will ask you to sign a liability form.