Fifteen years ago, my now husband and I came to Thailand. We stayed on Railay, and learned to climb. Our trip ignited a passion, and we continued to return to... read more Railay every year to climb on the limestone rocks progressing from top roping to lead climbing. Leap forward to 2020, and we wanted to bring our children (aged 5 and 7) to Railay to enjoy some rock climbing too. We haven’t done any lead climbing since 2011, so wanted to have a guide for our trip to Railay.
I looked at various guides, and they generally all have the same marketing, so our choice came down to reviews and availability.
Karst Climbing is a fairly new outfit, with good reviews, and they could do our dates. Communicating with Karst climbing was easy, with quick, comprehensive responses to our emails. We booked an initial half day, paid online and were met by Mon at our hotel on the morning of our first session.
He drove us in his truck to his shop, loaded up with gear, and we headed off to the pier to travel to Railay.
He set up a rope on 123 wall and got a feel for our abilities, and worked well with the kids, our daughter was very keen to climb, but found the transition from indoor climbing wall to rock very challenging, and Mon showed great patience and kindness towards her. Our son, who is older and has more experience, got a bit shaky on one climb, so Mon chose another route which was better suited to him, and helped build his confidence back up.
He also set up ropes for me and my husband and was happy for us to belay each other or the kids using his gear whilst he belayed another one of us, enabling us to maximise our time with him.
Our first day was so good, we booked the following morning with Mon, and went up to Diamond Cave for another great few hours of guided climbing. Our daughter didn’t climb on the second day, but was so taken with Mon that she has declared she will climb with him next time we come to Thailand, and was chatting to him all the way back to the long tail.
We have been very lucky to have only had good climbing guides in Railay, but we have witnessed plenty of disinterested guides who don’t support their customers to get the most from their climbing experiences. Mon was a fabulous guide, he knows the climbs well, he was brilliant for our family with our mixed abilities and ages, and I would recommend him to anyone looking to climb in Railay.

  I thoroughly enjoyed my top rope climbs and lead climbs/belays. My instructor knew how to pace the course and challenged me in a way that I can accomplish it. Completely... read more recommended.

  We had a great day rock climbing! Even if it looked scary at first, our guide Mon made us always feel safe. He was very professional and patient, but also... read more a very easy-going, friendly person that we enjoyed spending the day with. It was an amazing feeling standing on top of the rock and watching the amazing scenery. The one-day course included everything (hotel pick-up, equipment, guide, rock climbing, visiting a cave and rapelling from it and even lunch!), so we got good value for the price.
We would definitely recommend it!

  My friend and I did a half day climbing experience with Karst Climbing at Railay beach east. Mon (the owner) picked us up from our hotel at 7:50am and took... read more us to the shop to pick up our equipment (relatively new shoes) then we drove...More

  Fifteen years ago, my now husband and I came to Thailand. We stayed on Railay, and learned to climb. Our trip ignited a passion, and we continued to return to... read more Railay every year to climb on the limestone rocks progressing from top roping to lead climbing. Leap forward to 2020,

  I was very lucky meeting Mon accidentally on the Phra Nang Beach climbing with two other people. So glad, that I talked to him and booked the full day Climbing... read more and Caving tour with his company! Mon is a very relaxed guy, I always felt...More

  At 58, I am a brand new climber. My kids all do it so I had to give it a try. My experience with Mon and Karst Climbing... read more was fantastic. He was so encouraging and patient I was pretty much at ease from the beginning....More

  I was staying across the street from their office and heard the rock climbing was great so gave them a try. I had a blast and Mon was a really... read more experienced guide who was also fun to be around. Lauren was also really great to...More

  This was my first time climbing outside and Mon was very supportive and encouraging! When a climb got difficult for me, he talked me through what my next moves were... read more until I reached the top. It was so much fun and I would recommend Karst...More

  Karst Climbing was a 10/10 experience. I took a 2 day Lead climbing course with Mon and then continued practicing with him for a series of half days thereafter. Mon... read more was a brilliant teacher - patient, attentive, safe - and always knew how hard to push to me. He kept things interesting by taking me to a variety of different climbing areas each day and by pushing me to top rope more challenging routes. If you’re an indoor climber looking to transition outdoors, learn the ropes for how to lead, or just have a good time - Karst is the place to be!