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Endless options for adventurous things to do in Thailand await you. The country is known as the ‘land of smiles’ and you will definitely be smiling the whole time.

From the food that you eat to the people you meet, you’ll be sure to have an enjoyable time.

I’ve traveled and lived in Thailand for three years and there’s still much of the country I haven’t seen.

These are my top recommendations for adventurous things to do in Thailand. Some of them even include an adventurous journey to the destination.

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1. Explore the Northern City of Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the northern former capital of Thailand. In the center of the city, is the Old City which is surrounded by a moat and a brick wall. This was built in 1294 due to constant threats from the Burmese.

Popular places to stay in Chiang Mai are scattered within the Old City. There are countless shops and restaurants all within walking distance. The Lanna Museum gives you a great history of the city and you’ll get an in-depth view of northern Thai culture. Be sure to also stop by Wat Chedi Luang and marvel at the ancient temples which have survived earthquakes. Feed the pigeons at Tha Pae Gate which is the most popular entrance to the Old City.

Chiang Mai is part of my list of adventurous things to do in Thailand because of Doi Suthep National Park. This national park is home to the highest mountain in Thailand and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The temple was built in 1383 and overlooks the entire city. You take a songthaew to the entrance of the temple from the Chiang Mai Zoo. Upon entering the temple grounds, you will find 309 steps to take you to the very top. The views are definitely worth it!

Besides the temple and zoo, there are plenty of other things to do in Chiang Mai like walking around the old city and shopping at the night markets. Don’t forget to try the popular Northern Thai dish of Khao Soi. It’s a bit on the spicy side made with coconut milk, egg noodles, and chicken.

2. Travel to the Quiet Mountain Town of Pai

Pai is a small northern town in the province of Mae Hong Son. It is popular for its jungle views and mountainous landscape comparable to Ubud in Bali. You’ll even find some natural hot springs to relax in.

Over the years, Pai has become quite the tourist hotspot due to its tranquil atmosphere. There are lots of hippie vibes and yoga retreats. It has become fairly built up with resorts and restaurants. During the high season, between November and March, you can expect large traffic jams.

Activities around the area include whitewater rafting, bamboo rafting, elephant trekking, hot springs, exploring waterfalls, and visiting the local hill tribes and rice-farming villages.

Perfect for your adventurous spirit.

The road to get to Pai is very unforgettable being the most winding and twisting road I’ve ever been on. If you have a weak stomach, prepare yourself. There are about 2,000 sharp turns along the way.

You have been warned.

Buses and vans are available from Chiang Mai to Pai every day and are the cheapest and most popular options. The alternative is by plane but flights are limited.

3. Take a Bus to Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is a small city in the northern region of Thailand. It has its own local airport that you can fly into or you can take a bus or van from Chiang Mai.

The city is most popular for the White Temple called Wat Rong Khun. It is more of an artistic temple rather than used for prayer. The temple is all white and owned and designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat. There is also a Blue Temple called Wat Rong Seur Ten, and you guessed it, it’s painted blue.

Another thing to do in the area is to tour the Golden Triangle, which is a place where Thailand, Burma, and Laos meet. So, you can be in 3 countries all at the same time. In February, there is a hot air balloon festival in Singha Park where a bunch of different balloons take off. There are also bands playing and, of course, food. You’ll get a much more local experience as I hardly saw any other tourists when I was there.

4. Get Lost in the Hustle and Bustle of Bangkok

The capital of Thailand has been holding its rank among the top visited cities in the world with 22.7 million international guests per year. That is no small feat!

Bangkok has so much to offer to any type of traveler. Whether it’s budget-friendly or high-roller, you’ll find everything you need. Plus plenty of markets and street food.

5. Exploring the 7 Layer Waterfall at Erawan National Park

Have you ever heard of a 7 layer waterfall? No? Well, that’s why you should go to Erawan National Park! This park is most popular for its waterfall. You can hike all the way up to the 7th layer and if you get tired, just take a dip in the water. (Beware of the fish, they bite.)

Once you’ve finished your hike you can rent a tent and camp outside in the campgrounds. I don’t recommend doing this during the extremely hot months of April and May otherwise you will feel like you’re in a sauna the whole night. If you’re not into camping, there are little air-conditioned bungalows that you can rent; however, they tend to be booked up in advance. Read a more in-depth guide of the park here.

6. Visit the City Escape of Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park is only 2 hours outside of Bangkok making it an easy place to include in your trip. It’s like a little vacation oasis all by itself.

You can find unique glamping accommodations, full-on luxury resorts, and bamboo and eco-friendly hotels. There is even a whole area designed to look like you’re in Tuscany, Italy. I’m not kidding, you can check out more pictures here. If that wasn’t enough, there are also 2 vineyards that you can tour. I know, I know….wine grown in Thailand, but it was actually not that bad.

Lastly, to fuel more adventurous things to do in Thailand, there are a number of waterfalls that you can hike to, you can go horseback riding, take a dip in the blue lagoon called Ban Tha Chang Springs, see a rodeo, and frolic in the flower fields.

To get here, you’ll either want to rent a car or hire a driver as the public transportation isn’t luggage friendly. Then once you check into your hotel you’ll want to rent a motorbike to get around.

7. Travel to the Island of Koh Chang

The island of Koh Chang is located in the Gulf of Thailand in Trat Province. The name of the island translates to elephant island because, you guessed it, there are many elephants here. The island also resembles an elephant’s head. I was lucky enough to see one on the beach during my visit!

A majority of the island is dense forest and very mountainous. There are lots of winding roads. Public transportation on the island isn’t readily available so you will have to rent a motorbike or arrange transportation through your accommodation. Be careful when renting a motorbike as it can be quite dangerous.

Most of the beaches and resorts are on the western side of the island. Popular beaches are White Sand Beach, Lonely Beach, and Klong Prao Beach. If chasing waterfalls is more your style, I recommend going to Khlong Phlu Waterfall located in Mu Ko Chang National Park.

There is also a very good viewpoint called Kai Bae Viewpoint that overlooks Kai Bae Beach. You will also find Kai Bae Waterfall close by.

I stayed at Ramayana Resort and Spa, which I highly recommend. It was very affordable and had great facilities. They offer free shuttle service to a few beaches on the island as well as Khlong Phlu Waterfall. The Dewa is a sister hotel to Ramayana Resort that has a private beach. During your stay, you can also access this beach with the free shuttle service.

Furthermore, if you’re looking to go island hopping, day trips to neighboring islands Ko Khulm, Ko Wai, Koh Kood, and Ko Mak can be arranged through your hotel or tour agency.

To get to Koh Chang you can take a van or bus from the Ekkamai terminal in Bangkok or fly to the Trat airport. The bus or van services take quite a long time especially if there is traffic. It can take up to 12 hours! I recommend taking the government bus 999 because it drops you off directly at the pier. Other buses will take you to the bus terminal in town and you will have to take additional transport to the pier.

8. Spend Some Time in the Coastal Town of Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a small beach town between Bangkok and Phuket. It was made popular by the royal family building their own summer palace in the area. Tourism has grown in the area over the years along with the increasing number of activities.

Relaxing on the beach is a must; however, there are lots of rocks along the beachfront and there tend to be quite a few waves. The beach is a popular place where you will find locals and expats on their morning runs. You can also go horseback riding along the beach.

Monsoon Valley Winery is close by if you’re looking for a day of wine tasting. They have their own restaurant in town that provides a shuttle service to the vineyard. Spaces fill up quickly so it’s best to reserve in advance.

Just like any other place in Thailand, Hua Hin has no shortage of markets. In the evening, I recommend checking out Cicada Market. Here you will find lots of handmade goods and an excellent food court. There is also an outdoor theater showing films. When I visited this market there was an art installation raising awareness of plastic in the ocean.

The Hua Hin Night Market is located on Decha Nuchit Road and Phet Kasam Road. Here you will find a more traditional Thai street market with street food vendors and shops.

To get to Hua Hin I suggest taking the train or van service from Bangkok. The train leaves from the main train station called Hua Lamphong. It costs less than 100 baht ($3) and takes about 3-4 hours. The van service leaves from MoChit terminal. It costs 230 baht and takes about 3 hours.

9. Relax in a Floating Bungalow in Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park is located in southern Thailand in Surat Thani just north of Phuket. It is a stunning jungle forest reserve with limestone rocks and a man-made lake covering an area of 165 square kilometers. The entire park is 3,500 square kilometers.

The best way to get here is by flying to the Surat Thani airport and catching a bus, van, or taxi to the park. Popular accommodations include floating hotels or bungalows.

The highlight of visiting Khao Sok National Park is taking a long tail boat on Cheow Larn Lake to take in the scenery of towering limestone rocks. It is definitely worth it to make the trip to this off-the-beaten-path destination away from the crowds of tourists in Phuket.

And that concludes my list of 9 adventurous things to do in Thailand. What do you think? Have you been to any of these places or tried any of the activities?