Grab a piece of the action

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This was published 11 years ago

Grab a piece of the action

Elemental ... rock climbing at Railay Beach.

Elemental ... rock climbing at Railay Beach.Credit: Getty Images

From zorbing to ziplining, there's an outdoor activity to challenge any thrill-seeker, writes David Whitley.

Sometimes a holiday is all about the beach or pool. But if it's action you're after, this corner of Asia won't disappoint. Thailand is an adventure enthusiast's playground. Beyond Bangkok and Phuket, and deep in the country's north, there's a great mix of emerging and established places where fun can be found as you test yourself against the elements - or your friends.

Trekking, Chiang Rai

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The mountains in Thailand's far north are at the foothills of the Himalayas, but elevations never get too extreme. Think hillsides covered in bamboo forests with beautiful lookouts above valleys and tea plantations that were once used for growing opium poppies. Two- or three-day hikes, staying in hill-tribe villages, are available for the most enthusiastic. But those who just want a taste of the forest can undertake two-hour ambles packaged with longboat and elephant rides as part of a day trip from Chiang Rai. One- day trekking adventures provide a happy (if extremely sweaty) medium.

Eagle Adventure Tour is one of the region's more reliable and likeable outfits. Expect to pay 3000 baht ($93.60) for a full day if on your own or 1600 baht each if there are two or more of you. See thaieagletour.com.

Sea kayaking, Krabi

The gorgeous Andaman coastline around Krabi is ripe for exploring by boat. With a bit of arm power, it's possible to sneak into the mangrove channels that motor boats can't risk entering, and glide next to the limestone karsts the region is famous for. Sea Kayak Krabi runs day-long tours including an itinerary through the Krabi Klong Talen mangroves - where monkeys are known to jump from trees - and limestone canyons. A Koh Hong kayaking trip concentrates on the islands and builds in some snorkelling time for anyone wanting to ogle the abundant marine life.

Sea Kayak Krabi day-trip prices start from 1500 baht a person. See seakayak-krabi.com.

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Rock climbing, Railay

Krabi's limestone coastline keeps climbers happy, too. The Railay region has more than 400 bolted climbing routes, with options suitable for beginners and family groups as well as the tougher, more technical climbs. The Hot Rock company will kit out climbers and show you the ropes for half-day introductory classes through to three-day sport courses. Daredevils can try what is euphemistically called "deep water solo" - essentially climbing ledges that overhang the sea. Make a mistake and you fall - however, the water is deep enough to ensure there's usually no harm done to anything more than your pride.

Hot Rock's half-day courses start from 1000 baht a person, full-day from 1800; three-day course from about 6000 baht. See railayadventure.com.

Snorkelling and diving

The Gulf Islands, Ko Tao in particular, offer some of the best diving in Asia. Trips can be arranged from Ko Samui or Ko Pha Ngan, but anyone serious about underwater activity is best off getting the ferry to Ko Tao to be closer to the life aquatic. Among the best spots are Chumphon Pinnacle, home to tuna and grey reef sharks, and the coral-decorated Japanese Gardens. Dive shops are plentiful and many offer learn-to-dive courses as well as day trips.

Ko Tao Marine has round-island day-long snorkelling trips with equipment hire, priced from 1200 baht a person. See kotaomarine.com. Crystal Dive hosts trips for certified divers from 700 baht a dive. Beginners' four-day open water course with PADI certification costs from 9800 baht. See crystaldive.com.

Ziplining, Chonburi

Gibbons might be far more graceful than any human wearing a harness, but the Flight of the Gibbon rainforest ziplining course is fun and children aged five or older can participate. Built in a forest south-east of Bangkok, the Chonburi course allows visitors to fly from platform to platform over some terrifying drops. It's worth spending the day here (transfers from Bangkok are available) so you can get the most out of the three kilometres of line. The company runs ziplining at Chiang Mai, too.

Tree Top Asia's Flight of the Gibbon is from 3299 baht a person. See treetopasia.com.

Zorbing, Phuket

Zorbing is arguably the silliest thing to be exported from New Zealand. It involves no skill, just the ability to flounder around inside a giant plastic ball as it lumbers down a hill. The twist is that the ball is partially filled with water, meaning that the guinea pig inside sloshes around too. As you roll down a hill, there's a high chance of being flushed into all manner of positions - upside down, backwards or flat on your face.

Rollerball, near Phuket's Patong Beach, has a 190-metre zorbing track. One run costs 950 baht a person. See www.rollerball.co.

Quad biking, Phang-Nga Province

Explore off-road trails in the Thai countryside on a 320cc quad bike and prepare to get muddy. ATV Phuket offers a three-hour jaunt around Phang-Nga aboard a 320cc bike. You ride along riverbanks, up hill tracks and past villages. Training beforehand is provided.

ATV Phuket has bike hire from 4200 baht a person, not including the laundry bill. See atvphuket.com.

Rafting, Pai, Chiang Mai Province

Two types of rafting are offered at Pai: bamboo rafting with a guide is sedate; white-water rafting at the height of the August-September rainy season means taking on some grade-five rapids. Happily, at other times of the year, especially between February and May, water levels tend to be low so the white-water rafting is gentler.

Pai Adventure has one-day and two-day river rafting adventures priced from 1500 baht a person. See www.thailandpai.net.

David Whitley travelled courtesy of Intercontinental Hotels.

FAST FACTS

Getting there

Thai Airways has a fare to Bangkok from Sydney and Melbourne (about 9hrs) for about $1030 low-season return including tax; see thaiairways.com.

Staying there

The Crowne Plaza Lumpini Park is agreeably stylish, handily located next to the Silom Station and Bangkok's Lumphini Park. King rooms cost from 3600 baht [$112.60] a night. See ichotelsgroup.com/crowneplaza.

More information

See tourismthailand.org.

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