Top Chiang Mai Outdoor Activities

If you’re short on time in Chiang Mai but want to experience all the area has to offer, this convenient tour lets you enjoy three distinct experiences. Observe elephants up close in their natural habitat at the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary, visit Doi Inthanon National Park, home to the highest mountain in Thailand, and hike along the Pha Dok Saew trail to see a gorgeous waterfall.

Discover the thrill of climbing up a waterfall with naturally grippy rocks on this half-day trip to Bua Tong sticky waterfall. To ensure you get there with ease—travel in an air-conditioned vehicle is included. Then enjoy the thrill of exploring a stunning Chiang Mai nature spot that offers lots of spectacular photo opportunities.

Get more out of limited time in Thailand by going on this guided e-bike adventure in outer Chiang Mai. To help make the day run as smoothly as possible, the trip begins with hotel pickup. Then receive a special fat tire e-bike—a perfect vehicle for traveling on bumpy roads. The route showcases lots of diverse terrain and beautiful scenery, including Wat Ton Kwen temple, the Ping River, and Wat Chang Nam archeological site.

Ideal for those short on time in Chiang Mai, this experience packs three adventures into one well-organized day. Ride an ATV through the countryside, stop for a picnic at a scenic waterfall, then drift along the river on a bamboo raft. With transportation and a delicious lunch included, it’s a smooth and time-saving way to experience multiple outdoor highlights in Chiang Mai.

Explore Doi Inthanon National Park and stand at Thailand’s highest peak. Immerse yourself in lush natural surroundings as you walk to picturesque waterfalls. Visit a local Hmong hill tribe market. Discover a scenic Karen village, where you can experience traditional village life and enjoy a coffee tasting.

Explore Doi Inthanon National Park on a full-day, private trip from Chiang Mai, then spend the day visiting spectacular waterfalls, browsing local handicrafts, summiting Thailand's tallest peak, and hiking through a landscape of paddy fields and coffee farms. Enjoy the flexibility of a personal driver/guide throughout the day, which includes pickup and drop-off at your Chiang Mai hotel, all transport by climate-controlled vehicle, and lunch, the perfect way to discover Chiang Mai's remarkable mountain scenery.

Discover the natural beauty and adventure of Chiang Mai on this full-day tour combining three amazing experiences! Begin your journey at Dantewada Park, a peaceful garden filled with beautiful angel statues, colorful flowers, and scenic mountain views. Walk around and capture stunning photos surround by nature. Next, visit the Bua Tong “Sticky” Waterfall, one of Thailand’s most unique natural wonders. Thanks to its mineral rich limestone surface, you can safely walk and climb up the waterfall without slipping! Enjoy the refreshing crystal clear water and explore the sacred “Seven Colors Spring”. After lunch, head to the Mae Taeng River for bamboo rafting. Sit back as your local guide steers the bamboo raft through lush green forests, peaceful, and gentle river currents. It’s the perfect way to unwind and connect with nature. This tour is ideal for travelers who love nature, local culture, and soft adventure a perfect mix of relaxation and excitement in one unforgettable day!

Visit an elephant care facility from Chiang Mai and see the animals in a more ethical way in their natural habitat. Instead of riding them, you will observe rescued elephants as they roam around and take baths. Your transportation from Chiang Mai is included, and so is a delicious local lunch.

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.

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.

Skip the hassle of researching and planning activities in Chiang Mai with this full-day adventure that combines an ATV ride with a waterfall adventure. The trip begins with hotel pickup, to save you going to a meeting place, and you can then enjoy an off-road ATV ride through jungle trails. Later, visit the Sticky Waterfall, followed by a delicious Thai lunch to round off the trip.

Spend the day admiring elephants that have been rescued from terrible conditions during a half-day trip to the Elephant Rescue Center in Chiang Mai. You’ll learn about how the elephants are cared for and what they do on a day-to-day basis, and watch the taking baths in conditions close to their natural habitat.

See rescue elephants roaming freely outdoors during this trip from Chiang Mai to an elephant sanctuary. Rather than a crowded group tour, this is a private experience, just for you. This means seamless private transport—without any other pickups—and a more personalized service. As well as elephants, the trip also includes a chance to see the Sticky Waterfall—where you can climb the rocks and swim if you wish to.

Head out to Doi Inthanon National Park for a 2-hour trekking tour with a professional guide by your side. You'll hike the fantastic nature trail around 2 hours. You'll also stop by the Phra Maha Dhatu Naphamethinidon and Naphaphonphumisiri Pagodas, at the top of Thailand's highest peak. You'll visit a Karen village and a Hmong market. Lunch and round-trip hotel transfers are included.

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.

Enjoy the ultimate adventure around Chiang Mai, without having to figure out route planning or transportation, as everything is taken care of. Instead of just one attraction, this comprehensive route checks off the Sticky Waterfall, an elephant sanctuary, the Karen Long Neck Village, and a bamboo rafting trip. Also, to make the day as hassle-free as possible a tasty lunch is part of the package.

See more of Chiang Mai’s Old City that you could on foot with this half-day guided bike tour that includes ancient temples, local markets, and landmarks. Pedal through back lanes while learning about the city’s culture and history, with a stop at a local market to sample simple snacks. Choose a morning or night departure for a relaxed cultural ride covering around 7.5 miles (12 kilometers).

Perfect for nature and wildlife lovers, this guided tour combines two experiences in one day—a visit to an elephant sanctuary and bamboo rafting on the Wang River. Enjoy a respectful elephant observation as you help prepare their food and watch the majestic animals from a safe distance, without disturbing their natural rhythm. Explore remote natural spots such as waterfalls, forests, and rivers with ease, plus learn about the local Karen community.

It can be hard to get off the beaten track around Chiang Mai. Enjoy a little-known hike and get to know local villagers—activities that are hard to do independently—on this small-group tour to Mae Kampong, a village surrounded by forest and mountains. Look for rehabilitated gibbons, hike to a charming waterfall, and learn about local flora and fauna from your guide. Enjoy an authentic lunch before you return.

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.

Embark on a coffee day tour in Chiang Mai that’s far more immersive than a cafe visit. Stroll through a coffee estate far away from any crowds of tourists and see the plants growing in their natural habitat before you try roasting and brewing your own coffee. Connect with local culture on a visit to a tribal village and learn about the Karen hill tribe’s traditions.

Rather than a fixed itinerary of places that don’t interest you, this private Chiang Rai adventure gives you the freedom to customize the itinerary. The guide can recommend highlights—such as temples and the Golden Triangle—and then you can choose how long you spend at each place, or if you want to skip stops. You can also benefit from guide insights to get you up to speed on local landmarks.

Chiang Mai's waterfalls and gardens are spread across the countryside, and reaching them without a car means juggling taxis and tuk-tuks. Skip the hassle on this small-group tour, with a guide and driver handling the logistics. Visit the flowers and falls of Dantewada, stop at the Blue Temple, and climb the Sticky Waterfall, whose mineral surface gives enough grip to walk up.