Much more than a beach destination, Thailand’s stunning landscape is best enjoyed when on an adventure. Luckily, there are many to be had. With mountains in the north and crystal-clear waters in the south, this diverse country boasts a great variety of outdoor activities for your tour of Thailand.
Although Thailand as a country is a well-trodden path, the activities that take you into nature will show you a different, more peaceful side where animals freely roam, and coral is vibrant and alive. According to a STORAGECafé study on best places for digital nomads, Thailand tops the list with its stunning coastline, relaxed vibes, and excellent amenities. The more natural side of Thailand will show you what this country truly has to offer.
Hike in Khao Sok National Park
One of the oldest rainforests in Thailand and perhaps the world, Khao Sok National Park also presents the best hiking and trekking in the country. The region is estimated to be 160 million years old and contains as much as 5% of the world’s species, making it a fascinating area to explore in-depth.
You can choose whether or not you have a guide for your hiking trip in Khao Sok National Park. There are specific routes designed to explore with ease or more complicated ones that are recommended to be done with a guide so that you can get the most out of this fascinating park.
Depending on how far you choose to walk, you’ll encounter waterfalls, swimming holes and caves that offer a welcome chance to cool off. Within the national park, there are a great number of mammals, including Asian elephants and tigers; however, the routes are designed to avoid their paths for everyone’s safety.
Caving in Mae Hong Son
Set in the north of Thailand, close to the border of Myanmar, Mae Hong Son province is home to Tham Lod cave which is one of Thailand’s most extensive. Cave diving is very popular at this place.
Don your headlight for a caving trip of a lifetime as you take the plunge into the darkness to explore the ancient caves. The stalactites and stalagmites of Tham Lod are a nature assort course for the bats and swifts that fly in for the night.
Interestingly, Thad Lod is also an ancient cemetery, as you descend further into the cave, you’ll come across teakwood coffins that are some 2,000 years old, which pre-dates the arrives of ethnic Thai people. It is only possible to visit the caves with a guide, who will most probably be a member of the Burmese Shan tribe.
Snorkelling and Scuba Diving on Koh Tao
One of Thailand’s most famous islands, Koh Tao is a small slice of paradise that is known for its diving opportunities. The island is second only to Cairns in Australia when it comes to handing out PADI certifications.
Surrounded by vibrant coral reefs, getting your scuba diving certification in Koh Tao allows you to chill out on a paradise island, learn something new, and have a lot of fun while doing so. Diving is one of the most rewarding skills out there as you tap into a world that has been hiding from us in plain sight. This experience is made better by qualified, friendly teachers and an opportunity to make new friends while learning.
For those that don’t have enough time, or perhaps don’t want to dive, there are numerous snorkeling spots around the island with many willing boat drivers to take you out to them.
Mountain Biking in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is surrounded by verdant national parks that take you high in the mountains to look out into the northern landscape. To get the adrenaline pumping and go far off of the beaten path, you can go on the mountain biking trip of a lifetime!
There are a range of national parks and trails available to suit all abilities. You’ll be given top of the range mountain biking gear for your protection. Your average trip will include a briefing before you go out into the heart of the forest, you may encounter tea or coffee plantations, small ethnic minority villages, and an abundance of flora and fauna.
A mountain biking trip in Chiang Mai is a peaceful escape from it all while on a tour of Thailand.
Canoeing in Phang Nga
When you get to Phang Nga, you’ll realize that Thailand really is just as you see in the photos. Irregular-shaped karsts jump out of the water like slaloms; to weave between them, you can go canoeing.
Drifting into the Phang Nga region, you are in an area that is often overlooked for the nearby James Bond Island, often known to travelers as “Krabi”; however, this is also in Phang Nha Bay and is very busy. Wandering between the karsts, you can uncover the secret caves and get acquainted with sea life in a new and exciting way as you drift between the karsts.
Feel the freedom of exploring the depths of Thailand’s natural landscapes with these enticing outdoor adventures. By stepping away from the well-trodden paths and onto the nature trails and unknown shores, you’ll experience the beauty that is unapologetically Thai.