The Monkey Trail in Ao Nang is a fun, short hike that begins at Ao Nang Beach. In this travel blog, I’ll guide you through where the hike starts, where to spot the monkeys, and how to interact with them. I’ll also share what to bring with you and offer some extra tips for this Krabi adventure. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below!
Where does the Monkey Trail start?
The Monkey Trail begins at Ao Nang Beach in the town of Ao Nang. When facing the sea, head left towards the southernmost tip of the beach. There, you’ll spot a small temple, which marks the starting point.
It’s also a great spot to catch your first glimpse of the monkeys! These macaques love to play around here, providing a fun sight to watch.
The Monkeys: How to Interact with Them
While the monkeys can be very entertaining, it’s important to be cautious. As with many places in Thailand, these macaques can become aggressive, especially if you feed them. Also, avoid carrying loose items like plastic bottles, food, or valuables, as the monkeys will snatch them from you.
Remember, monkeys don’t ‘laugh’. Showing teeth is actually a sign of aggression, so if this happens, don’t laugh or show your own teeth, and definitely avoid making eye contact. This could provoke an attack. In the worst case, you might get bitten and need medical attention, and the monkey could be put down. If you find yourself near an aggressive monkey, stay calm, don’t make direct contact, and slowly walk away.
The start of the monkeytrail in Ao Nang is at the temple at the southernmost tip of Ao Nang Beach.
I personally didn’t have any issues with aggressive monkeys, but the people ahead and behind me did. They really enjoyed feeding the monkeys, not realizing that by doing so, they were encouraging aggression and almost teaching the monkeys to expect food from humans. This can lead to serious consequences.
Remember, monkeys are wild animals – don’t feed or touch them. Let them enjoy playing with each other, and simply enjoy the scene from a distance. In my ideal world, we would let wild animals stay wild!
Feeding monkeys is a bad idea.
Back to the monkey trail!
On the right, you can see the steps, the end of the monkeytrail. In the trees you see here, I saw several dusky leaf monkeys.
The beach is a great spot to relax, and you might even spot a few more monkeys here.
Look up at the large tree near the beach. If you’re lucky, you might catch sight of the Dusky Leaf Monkey, also known as the Brillangoer, feeding in the trees. If you don’t spot them right away, take a closer look around the trees near the beach—they tend to hide in the foliage!
You can unwind on the beach, swim in the sea, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings before heading back the same way.
Interestingly, I didn’t need to record my departure time with the guard, but there’s a chance you might have to.
Two Dusky Leaf monkeys in the big tree on Pai Plong Beach
What’s best to take with you?
Make sure to bring enough water, swimwear (if you plan on taking a dip), insect repellent, sunscreen, and ideally good sandals or shoes.
While flip-flops could work, they can become slippery if it’s rained, so it’s best to opt for sandals or shoes with a bit more grip for safety.
With this guide, you should be well-prepared for your hike! Have fun on the trail, and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop them in the comments below! 😊
Pai Plong Beach
Monkeys are hearty fun to just look at!
