Out & About in Chiang Mai

01 Feb 2012

Chiang Mai and its northern surrounds offer some of Asia’s best adrenaline-filled outings balanced by a huge dose of luxe hospitality to take the edge off all the leg work. DAVE STAMBOULIS shows us the direct routes to the top.

Wet and wild

Make a splashing start to your adventure trip with a white water rafting experience.

Get your adventure trip to a thrilling start with a rafting run along the scenic Mae Taeng River. Quite possibly the most exhilarating stretch of white water in the country, it boasts kilometre upon kilometre of Class III and IV rapids (white water with rapids fast enough for a major adrenaline rush but aren’t perilous if handled properly, ensuring constant thrills and challenges for paddling aficionados). The ideal time for rafting is during the rainy season or slightly after (July to September), when the rivers are raging and the water level is high. During periods of heavy rain, the Mae Taeng can actually turn quite savage, with some rapids becoming Class V or even VI, which should only be attempted by expert or extreme rafters.

Mae Taeng River runs through canyons and lush jungle, and is wedged between Chiang Dao nature reserve and Huai Nam Dang, a large rugged mountainous national park. Passing boaters can expect to see birds and wildlife amid beautiful jungle scenery, and even observe traditional life among the Lisu, Lahu and Chan hill tribe settlements dotting the riverbanks. Besides joining a rafting team, outdoor enthusiasts can also try their hand at white water kayaking, a relatively new adventure sport in Thailand.

Veteran adventure tour specialist Siam River Adventures conducts kayaking clinics on the banks of the Mae Taeng. Along with basic white water trips that include safety briefings, transportation, lunch on the river and competent guides, they also run full-moon rafting trips, rafting and elephant trekking trips, kayaking, canyoning, mountain biking and hill tribe trekking tours.

Rock it

A popular climbing area in northern Thailand, Crazy Horse Buttress offers more than 160 routes to cater to all manner of climbers.

Just a decade ago, you’d be hard pressed to find a bolt, rope or anyone who knew about a rock route in northern Thailand. But all that changed when local rock enthusiasts started scaling the rocks and establishing routes. At the centre of it is Khaetthaleeya Uppakham (Kat to her friends), a member of the Thai National Rock Climbing Team who’s won medals in speed climbing at the Asian Games. Together with Josh Morris, an avid climber, the pair wrote A Guide to Rock Climbing in Northern Thailand, which put the area on the map. They went on to host competitions, teach top roping (climbing with a fixed rope and belay set up), conduct climbing courses and develop a strong rock climbing community around Crazy Horse Buttress. Located in Mae On, 40km east of the city centre, it is the only area in northern Thailand that’s safely bolted with fixed climbing routes.

Today, the Chiang Mai rock-climbing scene is thriving. The limestone karst rock formation at Crazy Horse boasts lots of vertical and overhanging bits to challenge even the most dedicated climber. But with a choice of over 160 routes, there are essentially climbs for all levels.

After a hard afternoon in a harness, soak your aches away at Sankamphaeng Hot Springs (Moo 7, Tambon Ban Sahakorn, Tel: 66 53 92 9077) in Mae On. The best-kept public hot spring in Thailand is housed in a park with huge spouting geysers, a 55°C pool that’s used to boil eggs, and a long meandering canal of knee-deep 40°C water set in tree-covered grounds. The star attraction of Sankamphaeng though, is its large mineral water pool, with 38°C turquoise waters and a waterfall you can sit under to relax and invigorate your senses – the perfect way to end a day.