Top Chiang Mai Volunteer Tours

Spend a day of ethical elephant care and serene bamboo rafting at Big Boy Elephant Sanctuary. As a true sanctuary, visitors do not touch, bathe, or feed the elephants directly—you observe them respectfully in their natural environment. Help prepare food for the elephants, join a hands-on vitamin ball workshop, and learn to cook authentic Pad Thai in a local cooking class. After your time at the sanctuary, enjoy a relaxing bamboo raft ride along the Mae Wang River, surrounded by beautiful jungle scenery. This full-day experience focuses on wildlife respect and local culture, perfect for animal lovers and travelers seeking meaningful experiences. Highlights: - Observe elephants in a true ethical sanctuary setting - No touching, no bathing, and no direct feeding of elephants - Participate in a Pad Thai cooking class and enjoy your meal - Relax on a bamboo raft along the scenic Mae Wang River - Includes transportation, meals, and an English-speaking guide

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 with this small-group tour from Chiang Mai. You'll explore with a local guide, making stops to take in views, dine on an included lunch of Thai fare. Private tour and longer hike option available.

Visit the Big Boy Elephant Sanctuary for a unique half-day experience. Observe elephants in a natural setting where there is no touching, no bathing, and no direct feeding, ensuring the animals can behave naturally without forced interactions. Take part in habitat care activities, and enjoy the chance to learn how to cook authentic Pad Thai in a hands-on cooking session. Expert local guides share insights into elephant behavior, welfare, and conservation, creating a meaningful experience that combines education with Thai culture. This tour is ideal for families and animal lovers seeking a responsible and memorable wildlife encounter. Highlights: - Observe elephants roaming freely in a respectful sanctuary setting - No touching, no bathing, and no direct feeding of elephants - Participate in habitat enrichment activities such as planting banana trees - Enjoy a hands-on Pad Thai cooking workshop with a local recipe - Round-trip transfers from Chiang Mai included

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.

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.

Experience Chiang Mai’s night markets with an insider guide on this evening food tour. Enjoy a mixture of exploring the city on foot and by songthaew (shared truck). Bring an appetite for this small-group food tour, which includes samples of all sorts of tasty treats, and learn how to order in Thai.

Get a panoramic view of Chiang Mai City from atop an ancient temple built in 1383 on this full-day, guided tour to one of the island’s most famous temples with tour of Bua Thong Waterfall included. Climb 306 steps to visit a shrine to Buddha before looking out at the city from the temple 3,500-ft (1067-meters) above sea-level. At “Sticky Waterfall” climb the falls tiered limestone layers and swim in its pools. Lunch and round-trip transport included.

Get on the tuk-tuk to travel through Chiang Mai's numerous temples and local markets with a professional driver. Take an evening excursion with stops at Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, Three Kings Monument, and Fruit Market(Mueang Mai Market or Warorot Market). Visit Wat Chedi Luang, known as the “Temple of the Big Stupa”, this 700-year-old temple – is famous for its Lanna-inspired designs. Visit the Three Kings Monument, a shrine named after the three founders of Chiang Mai. Stop by Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, it was built in the 14th century and is famous for its northern Thai designs and impeccable gardens. Last stop by Warorot Market or Muang Mai Street Market where you can shop for local street food or produce. Hassle-free pickup and drop-off from your Chiang Mai hotel.

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.

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.

Once the sun sets, Chiang Mai takes on a completely different character. 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. Visiting the temples at night means that you’ll benefit from cooler temperatures and less crowds.

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.

Tackle some of Thailand’s best white-water rapids on a full-day rafting adventure from Chiang Mai. Expert guides ensure your safety as you cruise through the jungle along class III and IV rapids, admiring parts of the countryside that you can only see from the water. An included lunch and other amenities make for a worry-free day in the wilds of Northern Thailand.

Get a comprehensive tour of Chiang Mai's handicraft scene with this tour to San Khampaeng. Learn about the methods and history of different traditional handicrafts through studio visits and insightful commentary from a guide. Get the chance to shop for authentic souvenirs, such as elegantly carved teakwood chairs, to bring home after your travels.

The Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is a non-profit organisation, home to a number of rescued and retired elephants, free-roaming in the jungle. On this tour, spend a night at a homestay in a local village belonging to the Karen people and discover their unique culture as you take part in a cooking class and try your hand at traditional handicrafts. The next day, hike alongside the elephants in their natural environment, learn more about the animals from an expert guide, and enjoy a picnic lunch in the jungle.

Get away from Chiang Mai for a day to spend quality time with elephants at an ethically run Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Gain an insight into their history and behaviour while creating lifelong memories of your time with the stunning creature. Spend an enjoyable half-day with these lovely giant creatures.

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.