Great Excitement

Thailand, with its wealth of natural attractions and national parks, is the perfect destination for those looking for an adventurous holiday, or just an opportunity to really get away from it all and spend some quality time in the great outdoors. From trekking and visiting hilltribes in the mountain-studded North to exploring the coral reefs, and scaling the limestone cliffs of the South, or hiking, rafting, and bird-watching in the verdant national parks of the central region, Thailand has unlimited activities for every taste and every budget.

Rafting, Kayaking and Sea Canoeing

With waterborne adventure sports, you can go from one extreme to the other in Thailand: rafting on a wild river foaming at the mouth, or paddling in a kayak through a tranquil lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs. For real white-knuckle rafting, head North to Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Nan. Although rafting is a year-round sport in Thailand, the optimum time for rocking and rolling on the river is from June to October.

Way down south is the country’s premiere waterways for kayaking and sea canoeing. Phang-nga Bay, its craggy, limestone karsts riddled with sea caves which flow into green lagoons, is a wet dream for day trippers. But to catch a new wave you have to embark on a week-long odyssey around Tarutao National Park of Satun province. The main island, which UNESCO has designated as an ASEAN Heritage Site, boasts some diverse and truly enchanting nature-scapes, such as primary hardwood forests and tidal rivers.

Trekking

Trekking in the fresh air and stunning scenery of Thailand can soothe your mind and spirit. Treks can range from a single day light excursion to physically challenging adventures of a week or more. Khao Yai National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is only 125 miles from Bangkok and the most popular national park for trekking. It is a mammoth 770-square-mile ecological wonderland that boasts more than 800 plant species, 112 mammal species, including roaming families of elephants and elusive tigers, as well as an incredible 390 bird species. It is also home to one of Asia’s largest tracts of undisturbed monsoon forest.

For a different trekking experience, trek in the north of Thailand. Not only are the forests here full of a wild assortment of birds, beasts, and orchids, they are also perfumed by sweet mountain breezes, and renewed by freshwater streams. Elephant rides, visits to hilltribe villages, bamboo rafting, visits to hot springs and swimming in spring-fed pools beneath gushing waterfalls are the rejuvenating interludes of many itineraries. Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai are popular points of departures.

Elephant Riding

Siamese soldiers rode elephants into battle as the tanks of ancient battlefields. Now you can ride one, too. The most scenic outings are up in the great green north. Atop the elephant’s back you can climb hills, ford streams and lumber through the jungle. At the National Elephant Institute, in Lampang province, you can also sign up for courses on how to be a mahout. Learn how to drive the beast, how to take them to the river for a bath, and even sleep with your own elephant out in the jungle.

Cycling

Going on a tour by bicycle is probably one of the best ways to explore Thailand. You can enjoy easy-going bicycle trips around the capital, Bangkok, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ayutthaya Historical Park and Sukhothai Historical Park, or cycling in the Pai district of Mae Hong Son to visit hilly environs, waterfalls, hot springs and ethnic tribes. For a slower pace, cycle and explore a real Thai rural life and charm of the countryside at Ko Kret in Nontaburi, or take a half-day cycling tour in Kanchanaburi along village roads passing agricultural villages and community preservation forest to Hellfire Pass.

Rock Climbing & Abseiling

As any enthusiast will tell you, climbing is a metaphor for overcoming any obstacles you have to face in life. Challenge yourself at Rai Le Beach in Krabi. More than 700 routes have been bolted into the cliff faces, which are prehistoric remnants of what was once the world’s largest coral reef; millions of years ago it stretched from China to Papua New Guinea. Everyone can enjoy rock climbing here as the routes vary in difficulty from 5a (child’s play) to 8c (extremely challenging).

For a different experience that will make you feel like Spider-man, try climbing down a cliff face with a gushing waterfall on both sides of you. That’s the thrill of abseiling in Khao Yai National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located 125 miles northeast of Bangkok, the park is not only renowned for its diverse eco-systems and 800 different species of fauna but also for its waterfalls, ranging from 50 to 160 feet high. To get to some of the waterfalls requires kayaking across a lake, or trekking through some of the most luscious greenery in the kingdom. Even Spider-man never got this wild.

Golfing

Thanks to Thailand’s tropical climate, golf can be enjoyed all year round. Thailand is a beautiful country with a wide diversity of golfing environments, from the bustling capital of Bangkok to the mountainous countryside of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and the glorious beaches in Phuket and Ko Samui, the bright lights and nightlife of Pattaya, the quieter seaside town of Hua Hin, and the waterfalls and dramatic scenery of Khao Yai.

Thailand now has more than 200 courses. Many were developed quite recently by leading professionals, including Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Greg Norman using the best grasses and latest techniques. Spacious well-designed clubhouses, restaurants, saunas, massage facilities and rooms for post-tournament functions ensure that golfers begin and end their game in style and comfort. Adding additional dimensions to a golf holiday are varieties of accommodations; friendly caddies; and fantastic shopping, dining and entertainment choices.

Diving