Went for a half day climbing trip with a private guide and must say it was amazing! The climbing spot is very scenic and the guide was super helpful in... read more showing lead and top rope routes. Everyone is super helpful and really really nice so highly recommended!

  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.

  Amazing experience, very clear and fast communication. We sent an email very last minute, the night before, very late, he replied within an hour and we were able to book... read more for the next day, which is great because we only had this one day in Krabi 🙂
Couldn't have spent the day better in Krabi, great guide, knows all the climbing routes and is able to advise you on where to go as you climb up. The location is mesmerising too, beautiful views from the walls, right at the beach. We were one beginner and one intermediate climber and he made sure that we both enjoyed our time regardless of the difference in skill.
In the end he even took us back to our stay, about 30 mins drive from his shop.
Definitely recommend to anyone, regardless of skill level.

  I had 2 great climbing days with Mon. I never climbed with a rope before, but Mon showed me how to set up everything for safe climbing. Mon knew... read more every route in his sleep and always gave me tips from below where the best grips were. I can recommend Karst Climbing for beginners

  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!

  Just returned from a trip to Thailand and the highlight was definitely a full day of climbing with Mon. The location was amazing and he picked out the perfect routes.... read more We were a group of varying grades in rock climbing and there was something for everyone. One of our party

  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.

  Safe, fun and chilled. Definitely a recommendation for both experienced and inexperienced people to go climbing in oa nang

  From our hotel in Ao Nang we visitted the owner Mon at his shop. We could make an appointment for the next day, so convenient. I immediately got such a... read more good vibe from Mon, which is very important I think when you go climbing outdoors....More

  My partner and I did the full day climbing and it was amazing. We are both intermediate climbers. Mon was a very skilled climber and friendly. He did a great... read more job at choosing routes for us that were interesting and varied. Would definitely recommend!