Extream Zipline @ Kingkong Smile and Dip in Hot Spring

Start with a long zipline. This Chiang Mai outing pairs Kingkong Smile’s high mountain cables with a quiet soak at Sankampaeng Hot Springs. I like the contrast: first, you race above the forest at speeds listed up to 70 miles per hour, then you slow down with hot mineral water and a boiled egg.

I also like the private transportation and local lunch, both included in the $119.39 price. The course offers long cables, high platforms, and several 45 to 60-second rides, which gives serious zipline fans more than a quick sample. The main drawback is the six-hour schedule and one-hour drive each way, so this is a big half-day rather than a quick activity near central Chiang Mai.

The course is described with 36 platforms and 14 double cables, while one detailed account counted 38 lines in total. Either way, expect a substantial circuit, not a single glide. The hot spring stop is more relaxed and local in feel, with a private tub, foot soaking, and the chance to boil eggs in the mineral stream.

Key points to know before booking

• High mountain ziplining: Kingkong Smile includes cables reaching about 380 feet above the ground and one listed at 2,210 feet long.
• Several long rides: Some zip lines last roughly 45 to 60 seconds, giving you time to look around instead of simply rushing to the next platform.
• A useful change of pace: Sankampaeng Hot Springs adds a warm soak after the physical excitement of the course.
• Private transport included: Pickup begins at 8:30 a.m., with an air-conditioned vehicle for your group.
• Local lunch is covered: You do not need to arrange a midday meal separately.
• Good-weather activity: Rain or poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

The 8:30 a.m. pickup and ride into the hills

Your morning begins with hotel pickup at 8:30 a.m. The drive to Kingkong Smile takes about one hour and heads into a truly deep jungle mountain area. That transfer matters because the zipline site is not a simple walk from Chiang Mai’s old city or hotel district.

I appreciate that the transport is private and air-conditioned. You get door-to-door service rather than sorting out a taxi, and only your own group takes part in the activity. The drive also creates a clear separation between city sightseeing and the outdoor portion of the day.

The six-hour estimate includes driving, the zipline program, lunch, and the hot spring stop. Do not treat the timing as six hours on cables. You will spend a meaningful part of the day moving between places and activities, which is normal for a mountain excursion.

Pickup is listed as a feature, but the supplied details do not name a specific hotel zone or give exact pickup boundaries. Confirm your pickup point when booking. The experience provider is GoWithJoe, and no individual guide name is provided.

Kingkong Smile: big cables and high platforms

Kingkong Smile is the main event. The course uses a canopy setup with 36 platforms and 14 double cables, according to the tour information. One account describes 38 zip lines in total, so the exact count may depend on how the operator counts separate sections or short lines.

The useful point is simple: this is not a one-and-done zipline. The course has enough stages to make the admission worthwhile for someone who already enjoys flying through the trees. The listed cable lengths range from about 110 feet to 2,210 feet. Heights range from around 40 feet to 380 feet.

The longest rides are the ones to watch for. A 45 to 60-second line gives you time to take in the forest and mountain views, assuming you feel comfortable looking away from the cable. The shorter sections likely serve as links between platforms or add variety to the route.

Speeds are listed at up to 70 miles per hour. That number will not describe every ride, but it tells you the course is built around speed as well as height. If you want a gentle introduction to ziplining, this may feel like too much. If you want a serious canopy course, the length and number of lines are the strongest reasons to choose it.

The staff are described as fully trained, with safety presented as a central part of the operation. That is reassuring, but the supplied information does not spell out the exact safety briefing, equipment checks, age limits, weight limits, or clothing rules. Ask GoWithJoe about those points before paying if they affect your decision.

What the zipline pace feels like

A course with many platforms and double cables usually means repeated transitions, harness adjustments, and instructions between rides. That can be useful for building confidence, especially after the first high platform. It also means the experience is more structured than simply clipping onto one line and going.

You should expect a physically active morning. You will move between platforms and use your arms and legs while riding and landing. The information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed fitness standard or medical guidance. If heights, fast movement, or physical exertion are a concern, ask before booking.

The most praised feature is the combination of views and long zip lines. One detailed account called the course a possible favorite and singled out several 45 to 60-second rides. That is the strongest clue about who gets the most value here: someone who wants repeated, memorable rides rather than a scenic outing with only a few short cables.

The figures also explain why the activity may take several hours. A large course cannot be rushed without losing part of its appeal. You are paying for a full circuit, staff support, equipment, and transport, not just the seconds spent airborne.

Lunch and the change from adventure to soaking

A local lunch is included. The details do not specify the menu, restaurant, or dietary choices, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish. Still, including lunch is practical. It keeps the day moving and avoids the need to find food between the mountain course and the hot springs.

After the zipline activity, the day changes tone. Sankampaeng Hot Springs is popular with Thai local people for a quick and easy soak. That local use gives the stop a different feel from a polished resort spa. You can take a dip in a private tub or soak your feet in a hot section of the flowing stream.

The private bathtub is listed for about 45 minutes. That is enough time to sit down, warm up, and let your body settle after the morning’s activity. The water is mineral hot water, and the stop is best understood as a simple public hot spring visit rather than an elaborate wellness treatment.

Sankampaeng Hot Springs and the egg-boiling stop

The hot spring has one especially fun detail: you can boil eggs in a mineral hot water stream. It is a small activity, but it gives the stop a local, hands-on character. You are not only sitting in warm water. You can also see how the heat is used in a practical way.

You may prefer the private tub if you want a proper soak. Foot soaking in the flowing stream is another option, especially if you do not want a full-body dip. The information does not state the exact water temperature, changing facilities, or whether towels are supplied, so bring or confirm what you need before setting out.

The hot spring stop is also a good buffer after the zipline. A full morning of cables can be exciting but tiring. The 45-minute private tub gives you a chance to rest before the ride back to Chiang Mai.

Do not expect the hot spring to match a luxury spa. Its appeal is ease, local use, mineral water, and the contrast with the morning adventure. If you want massage treatments, private resort facilities, or a long spa session, this tour does not promise those services.

Is $119.39 a fair price?

At $119.39 per person, this is not the cheapest way to try a zipline in Chiang Mai. The price makes more sense when you count the full package: private air-conditioned transport, all listed fees and taxes, local lunch, the full Kingkong Smile activity, and the hot spring visit.

I see the best value for a small group that wants a simple day out without arranging separate transport. A long drive into the mountains can become expensive and inconvenient if you organize taxis, entry fees, lunch, and a return ride on your own. Here, those pieces are bundled together.

The value is weaker if you only want a short zipline ride. You are paying for a large course, but you are also committing most of a day to it. Someone who dislikes heights may get little benefit from the main activity, even though the hot spring portion is pleasant.

Group discounts are offered, though the supplied details do not state the discount amount or minimum group size. Ask for the exact rate before booking. Since this is a private activity, your group will not be combined with other bookings, which can make the price more appealing for friends or families who want the day to themselves.

The experience averages booking 56 days ahead. That suggests planning early is sensible, especially if you have fixed dates. It does not guarantee that every date sells out, but leaving this until the last moment may limit your choices.

Safety, weather, and comfort

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Less than 24 hours before departure, the payment is not refunded and changes are not accepted.

The weather rule is especially important for a high course in a mountain setting. Rain can affect visibility and cable conditions, so flexibility is part of booking an outdoor adventure. Keep the local cutoff time in mind when making changes.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied information. That is broad guidance, not a detailed medical or accessibility statement. Ask about height, weight, age, mobility, and health requirements if any member of your group needs specific accommodations.

Wear practical clothing suited to an active morning. The provided details do not set a dress code, so confirm footwear and equipment rules with the provider. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which helps during the transfers, but the activity itself takes place outdoors.

Who should book this Chiang Mai outing?

I would choose this for an enthusiastic zipliner who wants a large course, long rides, mountain views, and a full schedule. The repeated cables are the main reason to book, and the positive feedback gives special weight to the long 45 to 60-second runs.

It also suits a private group that values convenience. Hotel pickup, private transport, lunch, fees, and a hot spring stop remove much of the planning work. The mix works well for friends or family members who want an active morning followed by something calmer.

I would think twice if you dislike heights, want a short activity, or prefer to spend the day visiting temples and markets in Chiang Mai. The drive takes about an hour each way, and the zipline course is designed for people who want real speed and height.

Should you book Kingkong Smile and Sankampaeng?

Book it if the zipline is your priority and you like the idea of ending with a 45-minute hot mineral soak. The long cables, high platforms, private transport, and included lunch give the $119.39 price a reasonable basis, especially for a private group.

Skip it if you are only mildly curious about ziplining or want a slow hot spring day. This tour is built around the extreme course, with the hot spring acting as a well-timed finish. Ask about exact safety requirements, pickup details, group discounts, and what to bring before confirming.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience take?

The total duration is approximately six hours.

How far is Kingkong Smile from Chiang Mai?

The drive to Kingkong Smile takes about one hour.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The experience includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle and pickup is offered.

How many zipline platforms and cables are included?

The course is described as having 36 platforms and 14 double cables. One account counted 38 lines in total, so the exact number may depend on how sections are counted.

How high and long are the zip lines?

The listed cables range from about 110 feet to 2,210 feet long. Heights range from about 40 feet to 380 feet, with speeds listed up to 70 miles per hour.

What can I do at Sankampaeng Hot Springs?

You can use a private bathtub for about 45 minutes, soak your feet in a hot section of the flowing stream, and boil eggs in mineral hot water.

Is cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.