Chiang Dao Caves Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Chiang Dao Caves. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• No. 1 Full-Day Chiang Mai Caving and Jungle Kayaking: Chiang Dao

• Chiang Dao Cave and 5 Hill Tribe Villages

• Chiang Mai Day Tour: Chiang Dao Cave and Hill Tribes

• Chiang Dao Cave Trekking Small-Group Tour – Full Day

• Private 3-Day Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai Tour

There’s a 40 baht fee to visit the Chiang Dao Caves. If you’re not dressed modestly, you may also need to rent a scarf for around 20 baht. Many travelers opt to see the caves on a day trip from Chiang Mai: Expect to pay from around US$50 for a trip that also visits local hill tribe villages.

Yes, the Chiang Dao Caves are worth visiting: The sprawling caverns extend deep into the earth and, with their shrines and statues, are surprisingly atmospheric. You can only visit with a guide, but joining a tour from Chiang Mai can streamline all your logistics, as well as including other nearby adventures, such as kayaking or cultural encounters with hill tribe communities.

Per one customer who booked the No. 1 Full-Day Chiang Mai Caving and Jungle Kayaking: Chiang Dao, "The cave was incredible. Even before we got in, the [sight] outside [was] beautiful and colorful. The cave was so fun. I've been into caves in the US and they are smaller and narrow; here it was huge and so open [...] The kayaking was a great way to end the day."

Expect to see many stalactites and stalagmites on a tour of the Chiang Dao Caves. While the first two caves are well-lit, the rest of the complex is dark, so you'll need a headlamp or flashlight and—to play it safe—a guide to help you find your way through.

Yes, guided tours of the Chiang Dao Caves are available. Going with a guide is wise if you want to go into the unlit portions of the caves. Hire a guide at the complex or join a tour from Chiang Mai, many of which include kayaking or village visits.

To get to the Chiang Dao Caves from Chiang Mai, take Highway 107 north for about 45 minutes to the town of Chiang Dao. Then, it's about a 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) drive to the cave entrance. Tours from Chiang Mai are available, and most include pickup from area hotels.

No, there isn’t a specific dress code for visiting the Chaing Dao Caves, but you should wear sturdy, close-toed shoes suitable for walking on uneven ground. You should also wear layers, as temperatures inside the caves are considerably cooler than the outside weather.

Yes, you can take photographs inside the Chiang Dao Caves, but they might not turn out great. The space is dark, so you’ll need to bring a light or a flash—or use your phone's night mode function if it has one—to get the best photos.

Yes, there are many nearby attractions to visit alongside the Chiang Dao Caves. These include the Mae Ping River, a popular spot for kayaking, and the Chiang Dao jungle. Other nearby attractions include Wat Banden, the Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm, and the Sticky Waterfalls.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Chiang Dao Caves. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Chiang Mai:

• Doi Inthanon National Park

• Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

• Wat Chedi Luang

• Golden Triangle

• White Temple

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in and around Chiang Mai.