Chiang Mai is a thrill seeker’s dream. From trekking to ATV to zip lining to white water rafting, there are tons of activities for adrenaline junkies. So, after days of temple hopping and series of massages, I was ready to embark on an adrenaline-pumping adventure myself.
Finding the right operator was surprisingly easy. I have heard high praises of 8Adventures and their online reviews are extraordinary. So, without further ado, I booked the most popular combination adventure comprising of a 3-hour ATV ride plus an action-packed 10km Whitewater Rafting.
With prolific forest encompassing the city and enchanting rivers, it’s the ideal place to do whitewater rafting. Rafting into class III and IV rapids, which are classed as some of Thailand’s best, is an exhilarating way to spend a day. 8Adventures is the best whitewater rafting operator in the region, as well as being the first and only company certified by the IRF (International Rafting Federation) in Thailand. 8Adventures is run by world-class adventure enthusiasts; 2-time World Champion Kayaker Eric Southwick, Thai National Champion Kriangsak Boonsom and Asian Champion Ekwit Chuapoon so you can be sure you will be in the safest hands possible.
10-kilometer Whitewater Rafting
8Adventures offers a 10km and 5km option on the Mae Taeng river, the 10km is their signature rafting trip, which includes Class III-IV rapids on the Mae Taeng River. From the river camp, we have driven a short 15-minute drive to the village of Sop Kai where we were given a full safety briefing.
Once everyone was geared up, the group set off for some exciting yet relatively gentle rapids to get warmed up for the main class IV section. The guides will check in with each other and give the signal to go as all boats drop into the first class IV rapid.
The class IV section is non-stop action. It is important to follow the guide’s commands as we charged forward through many rewarding class IV rapids.
At the bottom, everyone gave a paddle high five and celebrated a job well done, completing the most exciting section of rapids in northern Thailand.
Bonus: We saw some elephants while floating down this spectacular scenic section of the river.
3-hour All-Terrain Vehicle Tour
8Adventure’s 3-hour ATV trip is set up for beginners to intermediate drivers. We started out with detailed instructions and a training course to get us comfortable with our vehicles.
It covers roughly 40 kilometers in distance with a mix of on-road and off-road jungle terrain. It’s well-suited for those that would like to explore the local countryside and see it a different way.
8Adventures offers some truly exceptional adventure experiences and they can custom tailor tours to specifically suit their customers’ interests. Their adventures can be made as challenging as you like, but they mostly focus on the softer adventure experience for the everyday traveler, emphasizing breathtaking scenery, the spectacular flora and fauna the region has to offer and authentic culture from the local community. They take the customers to locales that most don’t experience, visiting remote village hill tribes, offering a window into local culture, beautiful scenery, and creating a one-of-a-kind adventure experience not available with any other operator.
I truly had an amazing day with them. So, I highly recommended for you to book your next adrenaline adventures with 8Adventures now!
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