Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [238]
Click and Travel (0 5328 1553; www.clickandtravelonline.com; tours 950-1300B) specialises in half-day and full-day bicycle tours of Chiang Mai. It is a pedal-powered (and family friendly) cultural trip, visiting temples and attractions outside of the city centre. Hotel transfer is included in the price; make arrangements online or via phone.
Contact Travel (Map; 0 5320 4665; www.activethailand.com; 420/3 Th Chang Khlan; one-day tours 1800-2000B, multi-day tours from 12,500B) leads multi-day, long-distance mountain biking tours through northern Thailand, mainly from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao or Chiang Rai travelling small country lanes with some off-road riding.
Golden Triangle Rider (www.gt-rider.com) provides motorcycle touring suggestions, tips on motor-cycle rentals and publishes detailed topographical road maps of the popular routes to the Golden Triangle, Mae Hong Son and Samoeng (and Mae Sa Valley).
Elephant Tours
Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s most famous destinations for elephant ‘encounters’. In the past, most elephant attractions were circus-like sideshows. But within the past 10 years, there has been a new sensitivity towards the quality of life for Thailand’s emblematic animal, resulting in a diversification of attractions towards nature preserves and mahout-training schools.
Elephant Nature Park (Map; booking office: 0 5320 8246; www.elephantnaturepark.org; 1 Soi 1, Th Ratchamankha; full-day tour 2500B) Khun Lek (Sangduen Chailert) has won numerous awards for her elephant sanctuary in the Mae Taeng valley, 60km (1½-hour drive) from Chiang Mai. The forested area provides a semi-wild environment for the elephants that have been rescued from abusive situations or retired from a lifetime of work. There are 22 adult elephants and four babies. Visitors can help wash the elephants and watch the herd but there is no show or riding. Group tours are limited to 25 people and the tour price includes hotel transfers. Khun Lek also operates a pachyderm medical program and invites volunteers to help her with her work.
Patara Elephant Farm (08 1992 2551; www.pataraelephantfarm.com; full-day tour 5800B) More expensive and more hands-on, Patara’s farm has a slightly different focus than the Elephant Nature Park. The first mission is to combat the declining numbers of elephants in Thailand through a breeding program and to develop a safe tourism model. The six resident elephants are ‘adopted’ by the guests for the day. Activities with your elephant include feeding, bathing, learning basic mahout commands and riding to a waterfall. Tours are limited to six people and the fee includes hotel transfers. The farm is a 30-minute drive south of Chiang Mai in the Hang Dong area.
Rock Climbing & Abseiling
Rock climbers head to Crazy Horse Buttress, an impressive set of limestone cliffs located behind Tham Meuang On, near Sankamphaeng 45km east of Chiang Mai. While the scenery isn’t as stunning as Krabi’s seaside cliffs, the ascents reward with pastoral views. The following companies offer introductory climbing courses for beginners and advanced training for multi-pitch climbs; trips include guides, gear, hotel transfers and lunch.
Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures (Map; 0 6911 1470; www.thailandclimbing.com; 55/3 Th Ratchaphakhinai; climbing course 1800-6600B) bolted and now maintains many of the climbing routes at Crazy Horse Buttress, and the expat owner publishes a guide to rock climbing in northern Thailand. If you prefer subterranean cliffs, they also lead caving trips in the same area. The office on Th Ratchaphakhinai has gear sales and rental, a partner-finding service and a bouldering wall for practice sessions.
Peak (0 5380 0567; www.thepeakadventure.com; climbing course 1500-2500B) teaches introductory and advanced rock-climbing courses at Crazy Horse Buttress. The Peak also leads a variety of soft adventure trips, including abseiling down Nam Tok Wachiratan at Doi Inthanon (Click here), as well as trekking,