> > by Marianne Rogerson
Thailand’s second largest city is the perfect escape for adventure lovers. While Chiang Mai is famed for its bustling night markets, distinctive spicy cuisine and assortment of ancient temples and stupas, it is the mountains, valleys and rivers of the surrounding countryside that provide the real character to this north-western frontier province.
The Mae Tang River which tumbles from the mountains, provides exciting white- water rafting opportunities, while elephant trekking, ATV rides, mountain biking and rock climbing are all on offer. For the really adventurous, Flight of the Gibbon runs a thrilling three-hour canopy tour, that will see you swinging through trees, flying along zip-wires and crashing into cargo nets at high speed. One of the most popular draws of the area is the remote hilltribe villages that are scattered throughout the mountainous terrain. Organised treks deep into the tropical vegetation often include an overnight stay with these unique and colourful ethnic minority groups, giving the opportunity to learn about their subsistence lifestyle – a truly
unforgettable experience.