Continuing on the theme of many university leavers and gappers heading to the sunny shores of South East Asia, I thought I’d give you a guest post about what to do in the region’s top destination of Thailand. It’s all about the adventure…

There’s nothing better than travelling somewhere new and unusual; and holidays should be all about doing something different. Make your next trip an adventure holiday in Thailand and you’ll be sure to step out of the ordinary. From tubing to waterfall abseiling, this is the perfect place to try something new; just remember to be prepared and take out the right travel insurance before you go.

Tubing

It seems to be one of the things to do in South East Asia at the moment and if you know anyone who’s been to Thailand, they’ve probably already told you all about it.

But if you’ve never heard of it, here’s how you’d describe tubing in a nutshell: sit in the inner tube of a tractor tyre and float down an exotic river while you take in your beautiful surroundings.

The experienced locals who know the area will keep an eye on you and eventually pull you back to shore.

The feeling of complete relaxation is pure bliss and tubing is a great unique experience to share with family or a group of friends.

One of the best spots for tubing is undoubtedly Khao Sok National Park; it’s about two hours from Bangkok and has some truly amazing sights. It’s the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world and one of the most popular places to go in southern Thailand. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some wild monkeys, kingfishers, snakes and frogs.

However, while floating along the river is an amazing way to take in the scenery, you shouldn’t forget to be careful. The river can run fast in parts and you should always keep an eye out for sharp boulders along the way. And as with any water activity, avoid drinking alcohol before or during the activity. Being careful will make your experience even better and it will avoid any accidents that could put an end to your fun.

Elephant Trekking

If you’d rather keep your feet on dry land, elephant trekking might just be your thing. The Ran-Tong Elephant Training Cor is about an hour away from Chiang Mai and the reserve owner can pick you up from your hotel. The price includes a full-day elephant experience and if you want to you can get right up close to pat and feed the elephants.

Still, the best bit is by far the elephant trek itself. Riding bareback on an elephant through the gorgeous, tranquil scenery is an authentic Thai experience but before you get caught up in the excitement, remember that riding an elephant bareback can be dangerous. Only go elephant trekking with experienced guides and make sure you are given proper instructions before the ride.

Always remember that no matter how careful you are, something could still happen. That’s why when you take out tailored travel insurance with DNA, you can ask your broker to specifically include cover for things like this.

Waterfall Abseiling

One activity that’s not for the feint-hearted is waterfall abseiling; adrenaline junkies, on the other hand, will love it. One of the best places to do it is the national park near Chiang Mai City – most trips start with a trek through the jungle, after which you’ll abseil down a 25m waterfall. Enjoying the view of a waterfall while abseiling down it will take you far beyond the limits of a normal tourist and give you an adrenaline rush you’ll never forget.

Yet while normal abseiling may be covered by your travel insurance policy, it’s worth checking whether your insurance company will cover you for waterfall abseiling. This is quite a dangerous activity and without the proper equipment or guidance, accidents can happen. If you’re travelling abroad it’s always better to be safe than sorry – particularly if you’re planning an adventure holiday in the Far East – so you can never be too prepared by taking out a good travel insurance policy.

Tip: Remember that your NHS European Health Insurance Card (or EHIC) won’t cover you for free or reduced-cost state healthcare outside of the EU so a travel insurance policy is absolutely essential to avoid costly medical bills.