Chiang Mai: Jungle Kayak Adventure with Rapids & Elephants

A beautiful afternoon on the river

My girlfriend had very little experience with kayaking and I didn’t have much more. Aidan was a fantastic instructor and guide for both of us on the beginner/intermediate kayaking route. By the end, we were able to tackle a category 3 rapid! But before doing so, Aidan made sure that we had the skills necessary. We felt safe the entire journey. I flipped my boat at one point and while my girlfriend laughed at me, Aidan offered calm guidance on how to get back on and avoid flipping again. But i have to say, I enjoyed the quick dip! We also encountered several elephants. They were all curious and beautiful. Aidan carefully navigated us respectfully past them while allowing us to observe and take pictures at a safe distance. In between more technical parts of the river, we also enjoyed the calmness of the river, which was like a meditation. Lunch was great too! Aidan is also hilarious. I recommend this trip to anyone with an adventurous soul who loves dry humor. You will have to paddle your own boat and you may get wet. But there’s no better way to experience the outdoors in Chang Mai than with Aidan!

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An amazing kayaking adventure

A truly amazing and memorable day! My friend and I joined the beginner white-water kayaking trip on the Mae Wang river, and we both loved it. Guided expertly by Aidan, we glided through lush jungle and even spotted elephants standing majestically on the riverbank. Aidan’s clear instructions gave us the confidence to navigate the thrilling rapids, and while some sections were challenging, we always felt safe and well cared for. Huge thanks to Aidan and his team for an unforgettable adventure.

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Great experience

Amazing trip, we all had so much fun. I would definitely do it again if I came when the water was higher. Great way to see other areas of chiang mai besides the city

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Great trips with CM

Really good organisation and nice people and have learnt a lot - felt safe on the rapids and i’ll come again - Aidan is a good teacher and his team too . Thanks

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Don’t Book the River Kayak

I had high hopes for the Chiang Mai Jungle White Water Kayaking @ Mae Wang River experience, but our guide absolutely ruined it. He’s an older guy by the name of Aiden and from the start, he was condescending and downright rude, acting like he was training us for some extreme sports competition rather than helping us enjoy a leisurely trip downstream. His attitude made the entire group uncomfortable. Instead of offering helpful advice or encouragement, he constantly made snide remarks and yelled instruction at us. He seemed to think he was some kind of gift to mankind, which is odd considering he’s almost unbearable to be around. What should have been a relaxing and fun day on the water turned into a frustrating ordeal because of his lack of people skills and his inability to read the room. Kayaking isn’t supposed to be stressful, but he managed to make it exactly that. If you’re looking for a guide who will help you enjoy the journey, keep looking. This guy clearly lacks the skills—and the attitude—needed to lead a group. I can’t recommend this experience to anyone.

Response from the operator: Thank you for the feedback. While most participants on this trip seemed to enjoy the experience, it’s clear that two guests felt the tone and communication style were too sharp at times. The guide, who has led river excursions for decades as part of a team of experienced professionals, may have had a more direct approach that day—possibly influenced by personal circumstances. While safety was never compromised, we recognize that tone matters and appreciate the honest input. Many other reviews reflect the overall quality and value of this excursion, and we remain committed to making each trip both safe and enjoyable for everyone.

via Tripadvisor