Top Chiang Mai Cultural Tours

Beat the crowds and see a spectacular sunrise from one of Chiang Mai’s highest points during an early-morning tour to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. This unique tour offers you the chance to experience an alms-giving ceremony in the early morning and explore the famous temple without daytime crowds. Plus, a former-monk guide provides insight into Thai culture and the Buddhist religion.

Chiang Mai comes into its own at night, with soft lights illuminating the ancient temples and cooler temperatures than day. Experience the city like a local with a guide to clue you in on the sights on this charismatic tuk-tuk tour. See four of the city’s signature temples (optional entrance fees apply) then hit Chiang Mai Night Bazaar for a simple but authentic dinner with dessert.

This small-group tour is a convenient way to tick off three examples of magnificent architecture in a day without having to look up public transport schedules. Zip around the city in an air-conditioned van or car and see Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, and Wat Pha Lat temples—with admission included to save you time waiting in ticket lines. Upgrade to a private tour that also includes a visit to the Chiang Mai Night Market.

Those looking for an experience that combines nature with culture can enjoy this small-group tour to the Doi Suthep Temple and Wat Pha Lat in Chiang Mai. Hike to Wat Pha Lat, nestled within a lush forest, and discover its serene ambience and captivating statues. Then, make a trip to see the splendor of Doi Suthep Temple, adorned in shimmering gold. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience, though entrance fees are extra.

Chiang Rai is famed for its temples, including the spectacular White Temple. The city is roughly a 3.5-hour drive from Chiang Mai so a day trip by public transportation is tricky, but this bus tour makes it easy. An official guide ensures you don’t miss a single detail of the temples. Plus, enjoy a soak in some hot springs and visit a “longneck” village (entrance at your own expense).

Visit the magnificent temples of Chiang Rai on a full-day, private-tour from Chiang Mai to a series of iconic Buddhist sites. Enjoy the flexibility of a private driver/guide throughout the day as you visit Wat Sang Kaew Photiyarn, Wat Rong Khun, Wat Huai Pla Kung, and more, with a break for lunch in a local restaurant. This 13-hour temple tour from Chiang Mai includes pickup and drop-off at city hotels, lunch, and entrance fees, and it’s a fun, personal way to explore the sites of northern Thailand.

Check out the history, culture, and beauty of Chiang Mai when you book this private half-day tour of the Old Town, including lots of gorgeous temples. Your guide and driver will collect you from your hotel for an easy start, and then you’ll start exploring. Ride comfortably between temples in your air-conditioned vehicle, and go at your own pace today.

Chiang Rai’s most striking temples are spread across the province, making them difficult to visit in a single day. This small-group tour from Chiang Mai connects the highlights with ease thanks to private transport. Visit Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), admire the vivid blue tones of Wat Rong Suea Ten, and explore the striking red complex of Wat Huay Pla Kang, all while learning about the region’s modern temple architecture and symbolism.

Thailand’s second city, Chiang Mai was once capital of an independent kingdom—and its temples and architecture display that. Get a handle on the city’s rich heritage on this time-saving door-to-door tour. You’ll see the Tha Phae Gate, medieval Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Pha Lat, built beside a stream, while savoring city views from mountain-top Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Travel in a small group, or upgrade for a private tour.

Escape the crowds and heat of the day, and see Chiang Mai at its most atmospheric, on this guided group tour at night. See the city magically illuminated on an evening tour that reveals two of Chiang Mai’s most-popular temples—Wat Umong and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep—at night, with a guide to provide enriching commentary.

Visit several of Chiang Mai’s most famous temples on this half-day small group tour, where you’ll have air-conditioned transport and a guide the entire tour, so you won’t need to organize those yourself. You’ll be with a small group, which will keep costs down, but you’ll still have an intimate experinece at Wat Umong, Wat Pha Lat, and more.

Skip the crowds and explore the four temples of Chiang Rai at your own pace with this private tour. Discover the iconic White Temple, the vibrant Blue Temple, the 9-floor Wat Huay Pla Kang, and the intricately decorated Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan. Combine your temple visit with your choice of the historic Golden Triangle, Lalitta Café, or a tea plantation for a varied experience.

Get taken to the most famous spots in Chiang Mai, like Wat Doi Suthep, and some of the lesser know ones too, on this private tour. Your guide will break down the culture of the city, while you and your group tour at your own pace. You won’t have to share this tour with a group. Let your personal guide take you from place to place.

Head up to Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest peak, with this guided small-group trekking and cultural tour. You'll visit area highlights such as Wachirathan Falls, the King and Queen Chedis (pagodas), and a local coffee roasting facility, with a stop for an included lunch along the way.

Discover the best of Chiang Mai and cover more ground than is possible on foot on a private tuk tuk tour. Cover Chiang Mai's most important landmarks in less time, including Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Tha Phae Gate, and Wat Sri Suphan. Get insights from your guide as you hear the stories behind each attraction.

The Wat Pha Lat Monk’s Trail is a mellow forest hike on the slopes of Doi Suthep. Experience it without worrying about transportation or getting lost on this small-group adventure with a guide to help you navigate the mossy temple. After exploring Wat Pha Lat, transfer up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Entrance fees for both temples are not included; the cable car is also not included.

Hike in Doi Inthanon National Park (entrance extra), visit a waterfall and the highest point in Thailand, stop at a Karen village and a Hmong Market, and see the Twin (King and Queen) Pagodas, all in one day without having to plan a complex itinerary, on this small-group guided tour from Chiang Mai. Hotel pickup is included. Private tour and longer hike option available.

Discover the natural wonders of the Chiang Dao Valley on an action-packed full-day adventure from Chiang Mai. Paddle along the Mae Ping River on a kayaking excursion, admire the wild scenery of the Chiang Dao Jungle, then venture underground for a guided walk to the Buddhist shrines of Chiang Dao Cave.

Combine a visit to Doi Suteph with a tour to a Hmong village on this group excursion. Start with an included cable car trip to the top of Doi Suthep to take in city views and explore one of Thailand's most important temples. Continue to a Hmong village to learn about the local way of life of this hill tribe.

Explore the national park that surrounds Thailand’s tallest mountain, without the hassle of figuring out transport or navigating within the park, on this private tour of Doi Inthanon National Park from Chiang Mai. You set the pace as you venture off the beaten path and discover secluded waterfalls and a hill tribe Karen community, who offer deeper insight into the culture of northern Thailand.

See the highlights of Chiang Rai in just one day on this small-group tour from Chiang Mai. You'll visit the magnificent Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), explore Wat Rong Seur Ten (Blue Temple), and learn about traditional and contemporary architecture at Baan Dam Museum (Black House). The tour includes lunch, entrance fees, and travel in an air-conditioned vehicle for a comfortable experience.

Visit several cultural and religious sites around Chiang Mai on this 8- to 9-hour tour that includes lunch at a local restaurant. You'll see Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most sacred temples in the area, as well as Wat Umong, Wat Suan Dok, and Wat Phra That Doi Kham (Temple of the Golden Mountain).

Beat both the midday humidity and the crowds on a private morning tour that reveals Wat Phra That Doi Suthep at its most beautiful, at sunrise. Rather than breaking a sweat making the trek to the top of the mountain, benefit from air-conditioned transport between the summit, the hidden Wat Pha Lat, and the 700-year-old Wat Umong.