Climbing at Tonsai: the limestone walls of the Railay peninsula
Seven days climbing the most iconic limestone walls of Southeast Asia at Tonsai and Railay, with real fall danger on routes up to 8a.
Description
The Railay peninsula, on Krabi's coast, is the mecca of sport climbing in Asia. Tonsai — the neighbouring bay reachable only on foot at low tide or by boat — offers limestone walls rising straight out of the sea with routes of every grade up to 8c. The rock is ocean limestone with tufas, pockets and stalactites that give a unique climbing style. The reputation of the demanding routes, with overhanging sections and gymnastic moves, puts finger strength and endurance to the test. Falling is always a real possibility on spaced protection. The best routes call for a minimum level of 6a to enjoy, and 7a to make the most of the whole peninsula. Tonsai's atmosphere — climbers from all over the world sharing cabins and beers — is a temporary community of vertical nomads.
Health & safety
- A real fall is the main risk: check climbing insurance at every anchor
- Limestone can break: test every hold before loading it
- Jellyfish in the rainy season: check conditions before deep water solo
- Dengue is endemic in Krabi: repellent is mandatory day and night
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Tonsai and wall recce
Tonsai, Thailand
Arrival in Tonsai and wall recce
First contact with the limestone walls of the peninsula.
Long-tail boat to Tonsai
Nature1hClimbing on Esso Baba Wall
Sports4hRecce of routes for the coming days
Nature2hDinner at the Tonsai cabins
gastronomy2hCave Wall and classic routes
Railay, Thailand
Cave Wall and classic routes
Day of classic routes on the cave wall with its stalactites.
Climbing on The Cave Wall
Sports5h7a+ classic route
Sports3hRecovery on Railay West Beach
Rest2hDinner with other climbers on the beach
gastronomy2hClimbing the East Beach wall
Railay East, Thailand
Climbing the East Beach wall
Technical routes on the main wall of Railay East.
Climbing on Thaiwand Wall
Sports5hPersonal project at 7a
Sports3hSwim at Tonsai Beach at dusk
Rest2hActive rest day: kayak and soloing over water
Tonsai, Thailand
Active rest day: kayak and soloing over water
Kayaking between karsts and deep water solo on the cliffs above the sea.
Kayak along the karst coast
Sports3hDeep water solo on Hueco Wall
Sports4hSnorkelling at the Phra Nang beach cave
Nature2hDinner at the Phra Nang beach caves
gastronomy2hMultipitch on the Princess Spire
Railay, Thailand
Multipitch on the Princess Spire
Multipitch climbing on the most iconic formations.
Multipitch on the Princess Spire
Sports6hRap back down to the sea
Sports2hRecovery and Thai massage
Rest2hProject routes and top grade
Tonsai, Thailand
Project routes and top grade
Day to try the hardest routes at the limit of your ability.
Project on 7b-7c routes
Sports5hNight-lit climbing
Sports3hClimbers' party in Tonsai
Entertainment3hLast routes and return
Krabi, Thailand
Last routes and return
Final climbing day and transfer to the airport.
Last warm-up routes
Sports3hBoat to Ao Nang and transfer
Culture2hTransfer to Krabi airport
Culture1.5hNew destinations and itineraries, by email
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