It’s a favourite overseas destination for South Africans, loved for its silver sands, turquoise water and luxurious beach resorts. But there’s much more to Thailand than flopping on a deckchair – and if adventure and new experiences are your thing, read on…
How to get there: There are many ways to get to Thailand and good deals can usually be found through one of the United Arab Emirates airlines such as Etihad, Qatar and Emirates. Let PriceCheck do the hard work for you by comparing the cheapest flights across the airlines.
Here’s a taste of what will get your adrenalin pumping when you reach the paradise of Thailand:
- Sky-diving. Inject a dose of adrenalin-fuelled terror into your holiday by leaping from a plane – in tandem with an experienced jumpmaster, of course. Many places in Thailand offer sky-diving sessions so ask your hotel or guesthouse where the nearest one is and get set for the thrill of a lifetime.
- Zip-lining. Sail through the canopies of the 1 500-year-old Chiang Mai rainforests in your single-person swing and enjoy a bird’s eye view of these great old trees while the mist of the forest cools you down. You can also upgrade from a single swing to an adventure package offered by Flight of the Gibbon (http://www.treetopasia.com/) which enables you to rock climb, mountain bike and stay in an authentic Thai village home.
- Sea kayaking. Explore Thailand’s scenery and wildlife while canoeing on the wonderful waters that surround the famous islands. Sea Canoe (http://www.seacanoe.net/) is an eco-friendly company that’s been operating in Southern Thailand for 18 years and has offices in Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui. Knowledgeable staff will tell you of the many locations you can visit on a variety of canoeing packages, ranging from a few hours to several days.
- Waterfall abseiling. This is for adrenalin junkies who find “normal” rock climbing and rappelling a little tame! Abseil down one of Thailand’s many powerful waterfalls and feel the force of nature while you get in touch with your inner explorer. Many hotels and travel guides can point you in the direction of towering falls – find out more at Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai.
- Caving. Go to the heart of Thailand by exploring ancient caves and yawning caverns such as those in the Pang Mapha District of the Mae Hong Son Province. You’ll be able to discover wildlife as well as the history of these marvels of nature as you venture through labyrinths, vertical caves and collapsed tunnels. A holiday has seldom been this exciting!
